Relay or Life 2012 - Dessert's First!

This year I have opted to focus my cancer fight in different avenues, but wanted you all to know about this amazing team. I mentioned in an earlier post about a sweet cousin of my husbands, Jan, who lost her fight to Gallbladder/Bile Duct Cancer. If you want to see the definition of a fighter, she is one of many I know that can show you. The past year hasn't been the same without her but she taught us many lessons while she was with us. One being the importance of "Dessert First".

Life is short and you never know what curve balls it's going to throw at you so eat dessert first. Simple as that. I can't think of a better reason to talk about this amazing event and this amazing team on this blog, can you?

Last year, along with Jan's mom, sisters and other family and friends, I participated in the Relay for Life in Ogden, Utah heading up Team N.U.T.S. This year, Jan's sister Jennifer has started Team Dessert's First and will be participating in the Morgan Relay for Life. I ask you to take time and go donate to this wonderful team and towards this wonderful foundation. I am hoping to also participate in the event with Jennifer, but in case I don't - they still need your support.

You can visit her team's page here to learn more about the reason they relay. The event takes place on August 10th so if you think you'll be in the Morgan, UT area and want to participate, please sign up to be a part of this wonderful event. Not in Utah? Check out the Relay for Life home page to find an event near you.

*The picture included in this post is a picture of a print I was given by a sweet lady named Ann with Doodli-Dos. Please check out her site for this and other fun inspirational doodles.*

Get Well Gabby

Last year in August I started following Gabby's blog. I had never met this sweet little girl (although I wish I had). Shortly after I started following the blog, Gabby lost her fight with DIPG (a form of childhood brain cancer). Since then I have read posts about the struggles her parents are going through trying to raise their other girls and deal with their loss. In the midst of it all, they are in the process of starting Get Well Gabby Foundation.

"Believe"

7 letters that spell one word that means the world to so many children (and adults) battling cancer. Gabby's foundation will focus on helping other children and their families believe and I want to make sure I do my part in spreading the word.

For me, it's not about supporting a cause, it's about finding a cure. It's about being able to celebrate more birthdays and more people getting to celebrate life with ice cream. Like I already mentioned, her parents are still grieving and learning to live their life without their precious daughter. Their blog will bring tears to your eyes and long for them to have Gabby back just as much as they do; but if we all help them and all spread Gabby's word, they're wish to make Gabby's foundation soar will come true and in return maybe other parents with cancer won't have to go through what the Vogel's are going through.

I can see this foundation being big, but it needs our help. Let's spread Gabby's word and the power of belief.

Oh The Places You'll Go

Cancer will take a family and those that know them on a roller coaster like no other. Some days will be smooth sailing, other days you just wish it would end with as little pain as possible. Hard days and heart aches tend to take over the good times and positive memories. Then it comes to an abrupt stop. The words "I'm sorry" vs "you're in remission" are like hell vs heaven. I've never had cancer. I can only speak from a family members perspective on more than one cancer experience. I've had a few end in smiles and a few end in tears. The tears are what caused me to start this blog.

I already mentioned the loss of my grandpa to Multiple Myeloma. Almost 6 years later, it still hurts, especially this time of year. Today would've been his 75th birthday, Thanksgiving was always a special time with a small family dinner and the Jazz playing in the background, and Christmas was always one full of long lasting memories. Last year I also decided after losing my husbands cousin to another non-curable cancer (Gall Bladder/Bile Duct), I was tired of sitting on the side lines and doing nothing in the fight against this disease that affects nearly everyone at some time in their life.

I signed up to take part in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Salt Lake, I was the captain of Team N.U.T.S. at the Relay for Life in Ogden and was able to raise over $2000 with the help of my team, and now I have started this blog with the dream of making it something big. What's "big" to me? Awareness, fundraisers, making a difference in the lives of those dealing with cancer. Nothing to major lol.

When I started Ice Cream for Pop-pop with my family, I thought it would just be a fun way to remember my grandpa. This year I thought "what if ice cream could help others affected by cancer?" This is a thought that has kept me up at night (along with my kids lol). For now we have this blog, some cancer support and information sites, as well as some blogs that I have followed for a little while of others affected by cancer. Some of those blogs have happy endings and some don't; but they all have one thing in common - they need our support in the fight against cancer.

So for now, I thank you for coming and checking this blog out. Regardless of your cancer fight, remember to celebrate life.

Ice Cream for Pop-pop {11/15/10}

Digital slideshow generated with Smilebox

Ice Cream Memories:
Shelby's ice cream memory: Every Christmas and Thanksgiving at Pop-pop and Dayna's, Dayna would make apple pie and vanilla icecream would go on top. :) Pop-pop was ALWAYS first on the list for his warm apple pie and cold vanilla icecream on top :)

Patti's ice cream memory: Remember that time in Baltimore us kids and our kids followed him like the pied piper to the nearest snowcone stand. We got there and the darn machine was broken. One look at all our disappointed faces and Dad stepped up and fixed the machine. Snowcones for everyone! Sigh - my Hero. Remembering - Rootbeer floats at The A & W after sunday Mass.

Jessica's ice cream memory: I love how he let me eat ice cream before dinner. ♥

Terri's ice cream memory: we were in MD walking down around the block to get our snowcones like we did many other years and we turn the corner.... No snowcones. The grandkids were disappointed but leave it to Pop to have a Plan B. "Oh thank heaven for 7-11" miss you dad and all of your Plan B's.

Carolyn ice cream memory: After working late on Friday nights (at the A&P), Dad would stop by my house with ice cream and all the toppings for a sundae. My Mother would wait up so she could have a bowl too.

Michael's ice cream memory: I cant say as my most vivid memory of dad and ice cream is a fond one. But, it is the one that got me addicted to the yummy creamy wonderfulness we eat in his honor today. As a child, as most of you know, mom and dad allowed the military to treat me like a lab rat. Many visits to Walter Reed hospital for various treatments to try to cure what they assumed was epilepsy. Which they did, or said they did. Many yrs later, mom thinks that that may not be what I actually had, so who knows what I got treated for and cured of. LOL After all these visits of brain scans and needles and drugs I was always takeout for ice cream afterward. And hence, the viscous cycle started. I have since taken my kids out for ice cream after every Dr visit.

Danny's ice cream memory: Dad and ice cream...wow. Gotta say my favorite memory with that is my mom making me and him root beer floats and me taking his to Dad and than eating them together. Or the few times we went to Farr's after a Raptors game. Or stopping at the Oaks while driving down the Canyon and getting some ice cream.

Added Memory Tidbits:
Mom {Terri} was thinking the same thing- As dad's cancer progressed, he was supposed to cut back on dairy. Come Thanksgiving we cut the pie, and i asked, does this mean you don't want icecream on top?? And he quietly said (i think so dayna couldn't hear him), " well of course. .I just can't have two scoops.. I'll take one."

Michael: I didn't recall there was a specific time for visiting A&W but do remember going. Also remembered the small 'shot glass' size glasses they would give away. Had such fond memories about A&W when we moved to Carson City I was STOKED to see they had one. Went the very next morning and was totally disappointed in the food, but then dug into the float on the way home and OHhhhh YEAH!!! LOL Never ATE there again. Had a few floats there.

Why I Celebrate Life with Ice Cream

It's been almost 6 years since I lost my grandpa (Pop-Pop Topper) to Multiple Myeloma. Multiple Myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cells that produce antibodies. There is no cure for Multiple Myeloma.

Last year, after missing my grandpa more and more every year, I decided that on November 15th (his birthday), I was going to celebrate his life with ice cream. Ice cream was his favorite desert, and even though his diet after being diagnosed told him he shouldn't have it, it was the one thing he wouldn't give up. Banana Splits, Klondike bars, or good old fashioned vanilla ice cream with pie; his love for ice cream and the memories that surround it will forever be a part of our lives. Hopefully with this tradition, those memories and new ones will be passed on for generations to come.

Happy birthday Pop-pop! Today we celebrate and remember the life you lived, the memories you gave us, and your love or ice cream.