Discussing Breast Cancer

To everyone who has been discussing breast cancer with me here at 451 Press for the last year (yes, it has been a year — can you believe it?):

It is time for me to say goodbye.

It’s just time, that’s all. No bad blood … I just need to shake things up a bit in my life.

I can’t imagine saying goodbye to you all forever. You know I’m passionate about this cause so I won’t be able to keep my mouth shut for long. I can say that if you want be to kept abreast of any future conversations I have about breast cancer, email me at karenmlynch at gmail dot com. I’ll get you (and keep you!) on my mailing list.

Meanwhile, stay healthy, stay strong … stay informed. God bless.

I’m so saddened by this news. First of all, I’m a HUGE Dirty Dancing fan, watch it every time I catch it while perusing the television guide (favorite line: “I carried a watermelon?!?!?!”).

Also, I admire the fact that Patrick and his wife have had a strong, anti-Hollywood style marriage. If I’m not mistaken (and I might be, so feel free to point it out if I am), they’re rock solid. I LOVE that.

Finally … he’s only 55 years old. I just hate when the concept of living a long life and dying of old age is threatened by cancer. Hate it.

Patrick is undergoing chemotherapy right now and responding well. Reports that his cancer is terminal and he only has five weeks left to live are unfounded. However, pancreatic cancer spreads quickly and is seldom detected in its early stages — so it is high on the list of killer-cancers. (For those of you who are interested, The Mayo Clinic is a great source of information on pancreatic cancer and other cancers, of course.)

Pray for him guys. Pray for his wife and family.

When celebrities come down with an illness, there’s a great amount of publicity that is drummed up for that particular illness. Maybe awareness of pancreatic cancer will increase tremendously as a result. We can always hope, right?

St. Therese of Lisieux was known as ‘the little flower’ in her day. This little poem made its way to my inbox today and I thought I’d say it now, with you in mind. God bless.

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

Amen