Last month, I invited you to join me in my effort to raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation by sponsoring me here.
In the few weeks since, your generous gifts of financial support for cancer research and moral support for our little family have infused all four of us with gratitude and with joy.
Along with your donations of close to $4000, I’ve even received the following juicy little notes of encouragement that feed my soul:
Andrea, I don’t find the right words to describe how much I admire you for the way you have managed to go through the battle with cancer, and for what you are doing right now… I wish you all the best!!
– Ana-Maria
Go, Andrea!!! You inspire me. Cheers.
– Mare
Kudos to you Andrea for all that you have been through and for remaining strong, as well as, giving others hope. Have a great run!
– Pam
xooxoxoxo
– Sheree
Wow.. Andrea you are a true inspiration.. Bravo!
– Snookie & Norman
Best of luck on the run & your battle!
– Kaveh
Thinking of you and sending warmest wishes!
– Corinne
Best wishes Andrea for good health and happiness
– Linda
You continue to inspire, Andrea!
– Sue
Stay healthy
– Mitch
You’re such an inspiration, Andrea–good luck!
– Zetta
We all believe in you, Andrea. thank you for this opportunity. go, go, go, girl! thank you for your love of children’s books.
– Jan
Run fast. Wobble a bit. Laugh at funny things.
– Chris
Congratulations! If you’re looking to build a posse to run with on the big day, let me know.
– Tanya
Go Andrea Go!
– Bob
Never, for one moment, doubt the possibilities that lie ahead. Count us among the many that stand behind you.
– Tania
Good luck, Andrea!
– Paul
You go, Andrea!
– Hugh
Go Andrea!
– Diane
I wish you all the best and hoping for a speedy recovery.
– Cathy
For Andrea, lots of good thoughts and encouragement for your run!
– Diane
Go, Andrea! You have our thoughts and best wishes.
– Stephanie & Mark
Made in support of Andrea’s and my grandmother’s, Marion Morris, cancer battles.
– Denise
You inspire us Andrea.
– Clare
Go Andrea!
– Barb
With you all the way! We know that you will make it on all accounts!
Rhoda & Bert
Sending lots of love
– Barbara
You are amazing
– Andree & Greg
Andrea, I can only imagine what the last 9 months has been like for you. What’s obvious from your blog is you’ve faced it with strength & optimism! I’m glad your treatment is over & I hope you stay cancer free. Have a great summer with your girls. Good luck with the run.
– Joanne
It is awesome that you are doing this, Andrea!
– Jay
You are awesome Andrea!! xoxoxo
– Mary
We wish you the best!
– Joan
All that is yours by Divine Right is now released and reaches you in a perfect way under Grace.
– Ebony
Andrea -you are an inspiration!
– Stacey
Dear Andrea, wish you all the very best in life. Great initiative in running for breast cancer awareness and raising money for the Foundation.
– Sriram
Have followed your journey and am so proud of you and Mark.
– Rich
With wishes for a sustained recovery and a lifetime of productive years.
– Carol
Go Andrea, go! We applaud your efforts and thank you for running to raise funds and awareness. Love to you.
– Jenny
Thank you!
What wonders will the remaining 40 days of sponsorship bring?
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Adversity isn’t an obstacle that we need to get around in order to resume living our life.
It’s part of our life.
…
Our responsibility is not simply shielding those we care for from adversity
but preparing them to meet it well.
During my daily Gratitude Walk this morning, I spotted a family of ducks: four ducklings and a mom.
One little duck was being ferried around by his mates, his legs limply hanging and his body slightly submerged.
I admired them for a while and moved along.
Not long afterward, the little family caught up to me and hopped up onto the shore. The mother faced the water, calling and calling.
They were one duckling short.
Returning to the original site, I found the injured sibling. Struggling, lopsided in the water, one little mini wing flapping.
And sinking fast.
A passerby declined my request to phone for wildlife help so I stood at the waters edge and hoped the little duck would float into reach.
He did. I scooped him up and carried him home.
(Not the passerby. The duck.)
Our Wild Bird Care Centre helped me make him comfortable while I ran to radiation. He was flopped over to one side, his eyes closed and I didn’t like to leave him.
I hoped the whole way there and back that he’d be alive and revived when I returned.
He was.
I found him sitting in his water dish, eyes open and alert.
Patiently waiting for his drive to the Wild Bird Care Centre.
Sweet little Duck.
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Every bursted bubble has a glory.
Each abysmal failure makes a point.
Every glowing path that goes astray,
Shows you how to find a better way.
So every time you stumble never grumble.
Next time you’ll bumble even less.
For up from the ashes, up from the ashes, grow the roses of success!
For every big mistake you make be grateful.
That mistake you’ll never make again.
Every shiny dream that fades and dies,
Generates the steam for two more tries.
There’s magic in the wake of a fiasco.
It gives you that chance to second guess.
Then up from the ashes, up from the ashes, grow the roses of success.
Disaster didn’t stymie Louis Pasteur.
Edison took years to see the light.
Alexander Graham knew failure well;
He took a lot of knocks to ring that bell.
So when it gets distressing it’s a blessing.
Onward and upward you must press!
Yes, Yes!
Till up from the ashes, up from the ashes, grow the roses of success.
I can’t help sharing again here a sampling of this absolutely overwhelming and magical show of support (we originally posted at our JustOneMoreBook! children’s literature/literacy site). Thank you Mark and Thank you to all the fabulous creative friends who are supporting me! xoxo
The day after I was diagnosed with breast cancer, Mark sent a personal email to every one of the 220 interview guests of Just One More Book!! asking each if they would leave a voice message on our hotline sending me good wishes. Mark’s plan was to create a CD of audio messages I could listen to during recovery from surgery and during my chemotherapy treatments.
The messages started to pour in immediately (Henry Winkler responded first, within minutes). In all, 126 messages came from authors, illustrators, librarians and publishers from around the world (including England, Spain and Israel) and ranged from newcomers to celebrities.
Many of the messages were more than just good wishes. Some people recited poems or sang songs they wrote specially for me. Some related their own experiences with cancer and others offered to speak on the phone anytime I wanted someone to talk to. An overwhelming 75 minutes of audio! Plus, I received a number of packages in the mail — handwritten cards with original artwork, t-shirts, books, CDs and other gifts. I even received two “bionic” candy apples.
In fact, we received so many messages that Mark realized he needed to create a summary audio clip for me so I could get a quick hit of support and energy any time I needed it. The result is an audio collage called The Warrior Theme packaged over Sunshine and Starlight, a fantastic instrumental by Bjork Ostrom.
There are too many names to transcribe and link to from this post. Instead, listen carefully to everyone who so generously contributed, many of whom continued to send kind wishes and check-in messages throughout this challenge to date.
With all these creative beams shining in on us, we’re sure to sail smoothly to a swift, complete and permanant recovery!
Andrea
Lucy* (10)
Bayla* (8)