Wanna win this cute bag from Lyrehc1? You can, I am picking a winner tomorrow (wednesday) and only a few have entered, so your chances of winning are great.
So click here to enter to win, NOW!

{ I'm a Brilliant Weblog Award WINNER! }

YAY!! I was so excited when I openned my comments and read that I was given a Brilliant Weblog Award from Reese over at Unique Handcrafted Jewerly. I met Reese when she became the first Esty site to donate to my giveaways! She does such wonderful things with her Etsy site... she donates proceeds of her sales to the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. Thank you Reese for your support of Nana's Box and for your fight against cancer!

Here is how the Brilliant Weblog Award works. The person giving the award chooses blogs that they consider brilliant in their content or design. In return, the recipient is expected to choose a minimum of seven blogs that they like. They leave comments on these blogs to notify the winners. They then post about receiving the award on their blog (like this) and list their choices with links. They also include a mention of whom they received the award and include a link. Pictures are great, but not necessary. Here are my seven:

The Gift Closet

Swirl Girls Pearls

Buzzings of a Queen Bee

I Kicked Cancer's Ass

The Upper Hand

Tip Junkie

Don't Forget to enter our GIVEAWAY

{ Fabulous Feature Friday: I beat cancer! }

Be sure to enter our Pink Ribbon Perhaps Bag from LYREHC1 Giveaway!!

Today's Fabulous Feature Friday is a women I found while blogging a couple of days ago. I was so inspired by her story that I had to share it. Meaghan was diagnosed with Stage 3B Cervical Cancer when she was 28 years old..... and she BEAT IT! Here is a bit of her story:

- When did you find out you had cancer?
I found out I had cancer at 28 years old. I was in my second semester of my second year of law school. I was misdiagnosed over and over again. Finally I went to the ER where they did a CT scan. That is when they found my cancer.

- How did you tell your family and friends?
Honestly I don't really remember, it all happened so quickly. I must have called someone who called someone else etc...I was put on drugs and hospitalized the second I was diagnosed.


- What was your life like before cancer?
All I did was work and study. I was super determined. My life was full of stress and anxiety. Not as enjoyable as it should have been that is for sure.

- What brought you hope and courage during the scary times?
Family and friends. Love and support. My great doctors and nurses. I also found that when I realized I might actually die from this I felt less scared. I came to terms with what was happening. I tell people that they may understand that they are mortal but until you face real death you don't fully understand it. The word hope, that's a funny word. I wrote a post about that.

- How has cancer changed your life?
I could write a lot about this question. It has totally reshaped my entire life. I don't even remember who I was before cancer. Cancer has made my life better. It has been a gift. I see things so differently, i have more compassion, empathy, understanding. Cancer is a part of every decision I make, every fear I have and every goal I make. I am a totally different person but I love who I have become.

- How has it changed the relationship between you and your family and friends?
My relationships are more honest now. I don't worry about the "small" stuff. I appreciate them more and understand them more. My family and friends spend more time and energy trying to understand me better and I do the same for them. I don't waste my time with people that don't deserve my time and love. And I spend a lot of my time on those who do.


- What is one thing you want people to know about Cervical cancer?

That it can happen to them. That most men and women will contract HPV at some point in their lives (Look at WHO piece on my blog). They you are not too young, too smart, too rich, too education to get cervical cancer!! And, that if you have pre-cancerous cells you MUST go to a gynecological oncologist. There is so much to say but those are the most important!

To read her story in it's entirety click here.

Thank you to Meaghan for sharing her story with me and with all of you. It's important that you get your regular check ups to insure that you catch any signs of cancer early. For more info about Cervical Cancer click here. For more info on early detection and other info about Cancer in general click here.

{ Doctor Visits Oh My! }

Make sure to enter our Pink Ribbon Perhaps Bag from LYREHC1 Giveaway!!

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I need some advice.
My mom, who is the reason why I started Nana's Box, has not been to her 6 month appointment, she hasn't even made the appointment! She went off of Chemo in December. The Doctor wanted to wait and see how things went. Well she was supposed to go back in July for a CAT Scan and all that good stuff. But, she never went and has yet to go. Being the oldest I feel as though it is my responsibility to make sure she is doing what she needs to care for her health. Being as I am in another state it's kinda hard to force her to go or to over see how things are going.

My Dad on the other hand, see's no reason why she needs to go. He says: "She is in remission and things are good. Why go back to the Doctor when things are good?" (yes, he is a bit crazy and I think a bit in denial)
She needs to go to make sure things are working and running as they should. So, what do I do?

Message of the Day

Don't Forget to enter our Giveaway, click here to enter!
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Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.

{ I'm on the Charity Blog of the day }

Nana's Box has inspired a new category over at Tip Junkie! She will now be posting about charity/nonprofit/service oriented blogs! I love Tip Junkie and all the great things that are featured over there. Go check it out! We are featured today under the Charity section!!

** GIVEAWAY TIME ** NOW CLOSED

It's that time again! For our second September Giveaway we have teamed up with
Lyrehc1 to giveaway this fabulous pink ribbon perhaps bag!

* This great bag is lightweight and made of cotton fabrics. One side has pink and black and one of the fabrics has that cute little pink ribbon! The reversible side is black, turquoise, and two awesome Native American prints! This reversible bag measures 15"long x 20"wide with a 10 " square base. Two comfy black straps are 20" long.
For your FIRST entry you MUST visit any of Lyrehc1's three sites and tell us your what your favorite item is on her Etsy site. Then come back here and leave us a comment.
For a SECOND entry, tell us what the first thing is that you think of when you hear the word CANCER.
For a THIRD chance to enter, post about our giveaway on your blog and then comment back letting us know that we are on your blog. (second entry based on prior approval of terms above.) Make sure you put each entry in a separate post.
The winner will be chosen on Wednesday, October 1 at 1:30 pm EST.

I hope everyone will spread the word about Nana's Box, I know there are people out there that can benefit from a box of their own.

So, ENTER now, and Good luck to Everyone!!

{ Only 2 days to go }

We will be kicking off our second September giveaway this Wednesday! We have teamed up with Lyrehc1 to give away a pink ribbon perhaps bag.

Make sure to check back Wednesday and enter the giveaway!!!

{ A Winner and a New Family Member }

Thanks to everyone for entering our giveaway, and for spreading the word about my cancer project. The winner of the Designs by Reese HOPE bracelet is......... NATHALIE BRAULT!!!

MONDAY SEPTMEBER 15th marks the kick-off of our second giveaway....a PINK RIBBON PERHAPS BAG from Lyrehc. Don't forget to come back and enter to win! (details will be posted on Monday)

We also want to welcome a new member to the Nana's Box family, Mz. Paula from Georgia. Her friend Heather contacted us about getting a box made for Paula. Paula has breast cancer and will be undergoing a double mastectomy this next week. She has 2 children and a 2 yr old grandson, who is the light of her life. Heather says "...she has always had the gift of compassion & is one of the most loyal friends a person can ever have. Paula has a card ministry...and has for years... never forgets birthdays, nor fails to cheer up folks when they're feeling bad." We wish Paula the best of luck in her surgery next week, our prayers go out to her and her family. May you win your battle against this monster, and welcome to the Nana's Box family!!

{ Fabulous Feature Friday }

This is a new addition to our blog. We will be featuring people who have been touched by cancer as well as people from the Nana's Box family (recipients of Nana Boxes) If you are interested in being feature please contact us.

Today's Fabulous Feature Friday is a dear friend of mine, Elisha. She is sharing her side of the story of having a mom who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
Elisha and I met in Kindergarten, 22 years ago, and connected right away because we both realized that we were "brown" (she is half Hawaiian, and I am half Niuean) We have been bossom buddies ever since. When Elisha was 21 she found out her mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Last year the cancer came back, this time in her spine. This is cancer from a child's perspective:

Nana's Box: When did you find out your mom had cancer?

Elisha: I first found out my mom had cancer in the summer of 2002. Her younger brother had just died of lymphoma and I was attending college at BYU. I found out the second time last year. She was having back problems and thought it was because she fell down in her P.E. class. The doctors did tests and found that it was really cancer, so the fall was a blessing in disguise.

NB: What was the hardest part about finding out?

E:Not knowing what I could do to help.

NB: Did you want to know everything?

E: No, I didn't want to know anything the first time. I was convinced that God would not take my mom from our family because he knew how much we needed her to be with us. For that reason I didn't help out very much at home because I was in denial that it was a serious issue. The second time I wanted to know more so that I could be more supportive. I learned later on after the first time that it was a very difficult time emotionally for my mother.

NB: What brought you hope and courage during the scary times?

E: I will be honest and say there were and have been no scary times for me. (Now my mom will have a different story, I am sure.) For the most part I have just been sure that, like I said, I just have banked on the fact that God would not take my mom away from our family.

NB: What advice do you have for parents when telling their children about their cancer?

E: Stick to the facts. Let your children know that you have feelings and briefly what they consist of. In a lot of cases I don't suggest going into great detail on your most intimate feelings on the subject. In some cases, including my own, this can lead to a feeling of helplessness and guilt in not being able to help out in the part of the child. I feel as though it is good to clearly define what each person's role is so that everyone clearly understands what their responsibility is in the matter.

NB: How has her cancer changed your life?

E: Well, for one, I try to watch what I eat. I try to stick to a lot of vegetables, anti-oxidants, multivitamins, and flax (with lignan). I maintain an active and healthy life style and do things that allow me to keep my stress level down. Things like quiet time, journal writing, enjoying nature.

NB: How has it changed the relationship between your mom and you? Between your family?

E: My mom and I have become closer in that we understand each others role in the matter. My family and I, I think, have come to be more compassionate and aware of each others needs.

October is Breast Cancer Awarness Month, for more information on cancer and when a women should get her first mamogram visit any of the cancer links on the left of our blog or visit the American Cancer Sociteys website. For more information on how to tell your child about your diagnosis visit this site.

~ Poem of the Day ~

Riding the Storm
By Michael McHugh

The winds howled and the sky grew dark.
The storm hit and we were the mark.
The winds blew with exceeding force.
The storm would set our lives off course.

I begged this storm to not strike us, please.
For this storm was truly a terrible disease.
It hits with sudden force and there is no protection.
It is not choosy in making its selection.

Once chosen by this storm, there is no going back.
Your life will continually follow the treatment track.
Treatment is a battle with more than one side-effect.
And there is no guarantee of which plan will be correct.

The storm will ravage psyches of kids and spouses.
And lives will forever be changed inside those houses.
Hospitals, doctors, and prescriptions become a way of life.
And you will need to learn to handle emotional strife.

As the storm passes, rays of hope will appear.
But the threat of ensuing storms remain with those that are dear.
The sun will shine and life will be good.
Yet, the fear of wind and rain is always understood.

Living with a disease is like riding the storm.
Fear of reoccurrence is ever the norm.
One feels blessed with each day of life.
Now truly knowing the importance of being a mother and a wife.

Only God knows if the skies will remain blue.
Faith in Him must always shine through.
Life must be lived with joy in mind.
And pray that your body's cells will always remain kind.

Dedicated to my loving wife, Chris, for her unwavering faith during her ride on the storm.

I'll Paint you a Rainbow

I'll paint you a rainbow as a gift from me

Then hang it from heaven for the whole world to see.

On a canvas of love I'll cover your fears,

With a soft brush I'll dry all your tears.

I'll paint you a rainbow with feelings so deep,

My stroke will be gentle, my touch you may keep.

On a palette of words I will tenderly blend,

Colorful thoughts with bright verses to send.

I'll paint you a rainbow in reds, blues and gold,

Stretched like loving arms ready to enfold.

And deep in the center of the most vibrant hue,

I'll etch from memory the essence of you.

I'll paint you a rainbow, a bridge to my heart,

So loneliness and pain can begin to depart.

Just look up at the sky when life hits a bend,

I painted a rainbow for YOU my friend.

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As always enter our GIVEAWAY, it ends Saturday!

For My Survivor, and Yours

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Don't forget to enter our September Giveaway!

"I Fight Cancer" badges

As involved as I am in the ACS Relay for Life, you would think that I would know about their "I Fight Cancer" badges that you can get on their website. Well, I didn't know about them until I was reading a cancer survivors blog and found them. They are my new favorite thing!
Check them out and add one to your blog today!

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As always, Don't Forget to enter Nana's Box September Giveaway we have teamed up with
Designs by Reese to giveaway this fabulous pink cancer awareness bracelet! Click here to enter!

We are "The Gift Closet's" Friday Feature!!

We are being featured on Heathers "The Gift Closet" today for her Friday Feature. Go check her out and read about her dear friend, Paula, who is battling Breast Cancer for the 2nd time. Nana's Box is also privileged to make a box for Paula! We can't wait to get to work on it!

Thanks for the feature Heather!


Also, Don't Forget to enter Nana's Box September Giveaway we have teamed up with
Designs by Reese to giveaway this fabulous pink cancer awareness bracelet! Click here to enter!

Quote of the Day: I Said a Prayer for You Today

I said a prayer for you today,
And I know God must have heard.

I felt the answer in my hear,
Although He spoke no word

I didn't ask for wealth or fame,
I knew you wouldn't mind

I asked Him to send treasures,
Of a far more lasting kind.

I asked that He's be near you,
At the start of each new day.

To grant you health and blessings,
And friends to share your way.

I asked for happiness for you,
In all things great and small.

But it was for His loving care,
I prayed for most of all.

Author Unknown

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Don't Forget to enter Nana's Box September Giveaway we have teamed up with
Designs by Reese to giveaway this fabulous pink cancer awareness bracelet! Click here to enter!

** Calling all Cancer Survivors **

Enter Nana's Box September Giveaway we have teamed up with
Designs by Reese to giveaway a fabulous pink cancer awareness bracelet! Click here to enter!

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If you are/ or know someone who is a Cancer survivor we need you! We are looking for uplifting, encouraging stories of HOPE to feature here on Nana's Box.

If you are interested in being featured please contact us (contact info is on the left)

"Together We Can Cure Cancer"