Today we are proud to participate in LiveStrong 2011. We do this to help raise the awareness of the important fight against cancer. Think about it for a minute, many of our human loved ones have been touched by cancer and many of our critter pals have been as well.
Once again this year, I would like to just take a minute to tell you about two in my life. My Grandma had cancer. She fought very, very hard and was so determined to beat it. She was so very close to beating it went a horrible infection took her from us. She had the will to fight and she was winning, but her overall health wouldn’t let her beat away the infections, so we lost her. The second is my Dad. Yep, he had a fight with skin cancer. That was three years ago, and he is winning. Just last week he had another follow-up with his doctor and he is still cancer free. We still keep a very close eye on him and will not let him leave the house without mega-sunscreen.
Then there were two cats who were here way before I was even born, way before! The first is Paws, she fought very hard against cancer and let it be known when it was time to go to the Rainbow Bridge. I understand she was a gentle soul that fought so very hard. Paws lived to be 20. Then there was Beth. One day, in what seemed out of the blue, Dad and Mom noticed her face looked strange, it had a strange shape to it. Yep, cancer reared it’s ugly head. She fought too, but decided she had to leave. Beth as 16 when she went to the Rainbow Bridge. Both Paws and Beth were Calicos.
I just think the LiveStrong words are purrfect. Both of those words are important in this fight. In a way, both of these words are like us bloggers. Individually we can win any battle, but together we can whip anything, including this awful disease. Today, and henceforth, we must LiveStrong, together.
That sure was a lovely post about Live Strong. We did not know that Dad had cancer. We sure send him tons of purrs that it will never come back, that is for sure. The cat world needs him so much. We just know that cancer will not come back to him. LiveStrong.
We didn’t know about your dad having skin cancer and are relieved to hear he is in remission. We are sure you will supervise his suncream application without fail. This dreadful disease needs to be eradicated and we hope a breakthrough will soon come.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Oh Brian… I didn’t know about your dad either… I am so glad he is cancer free! I am sorry about your grandma, beth & paws… I am amazed at how many advances have beeen made over the years to cure / help this horrible disease, and just pray that more advances keep coming. I lost my dog to cancer years ago – she was only 10 and was misdiagnosed… I look at how well Alex is doing after his diagnosis and am amazed…. hugs to you all
Excellent post, Brian. We purr for all of those that have lost their battle with cancer, and for all those still fighting…like your dad. We’re glad he is doing well. We purr for the day when cancer is no more! LiveStrong!
Cancer is an awful disease. I just lost a childhood friend to breast cancer. She was 45 and left behind two teenage sons, as well as a husband, both parents, and a brother who adored her.
My mother-in-law is a three-time cancer survivor: two bouts of breast cancer and one round with colon cancer. So we can win this battle, it will just take time, money, determination, and research. Good for you for being part of the solution.
We are so very sorry about your Grandma. Both my Grandmas were lost to cancer too. The fact that your Dad has beaten back the ski cancer is very good. My Dad had a bad skin cancer on his ear nearly 4 years ago and he is still having good checkups.
It is terrific that so many catbloggers are participating on Livestrong Day. Purrs for those who have been lost, Livestrong to the survivors of cancer everywhere!
You have written a very important message here today! Cancer has touched everyone in some way. It’s a nasty thing. LiveStrong indeed!
xo Catherine
I have read so many stories today and it has really hit home just how many people’s live cancer touches. I am so happy to hear that your Dad survived the cancer and is sharing his experience with others – that sunscreen is a must!
I’m so sorry to hear of those that you have lost to this terrible disease and firmly believe that if we all work together, eventually we WILL beat it once and for all. LiveStrong, today and always xx
Brian we are very happy to hear that your dad has survived cancer, we wish for a world where no being is effected by this horrible disease!!!
Livestrong and Lovestrong too 🙂
I lost my big brother, and a dear sweet kitty named Amoke (it means she who must be petted and adored, a fitting name for all cats) to cancer.
My Mom had cancer and she beat it. Good for your Dad keeping up with his check ups. Nice post.
Kat
I also did not know about your dad and purr that every check up remains free. Lovely post.. Hugs GJ xx
Thinking of you all today and purring that we can live in a cancer free world someday!
That was a lovely and heartfelt post, Brian. We are so thankful for your dad, and it makes us happy to know that he is a cancer survivor. Purring and praying for a cure to this horrible disease. LIVESTRONG!
So glad your Dad is doing well; I was in the same position 8 years ago and early detection is so important as well as 3-6 month check ups=once you are a cancer patient, you are always a cancer patient and being pro active with check ups is key to survival and peace of mind…So sorry about the babies that went before=they were very lucky to have such a wonderful family to love them and help them along on their journey…LiveSTRONG, LoveSTRONG=purrfect…xoxo…J, Calle, Halle, Sukki
Wonderful post. Glad that your dad is beating it and is cancer free…. LIVESTRONG purrs to everybuddy.
pawhugs, Max
Brian, we didn’t know your dad is a survivor, too, and we purray he remains cancer-free.
We’re purring for All Beings affected by cancer and purraying that all survivors…indeed all of us…LiveSTRONG and LoveSTRONG too.
Great post, Brian. It is an inspiration to us that your Dad is a survivor of cancer, we are sending loads of hugs and purrs that he continues to be cancer free.
We hope that even more research on cancer continues so that more lives are saved.
Mindy
Moe
Bono
Cookie
Mike
Brian we are so sorry about your Grandma, she must have been an incredibly strong woman!!
We send purrs that your Dad will never have cancer again!!!
We lost Dad’s mom to breast cancer in 2006…we miss her terribly xoxoxoxo
This is a very meaningful post. I lost my first two dogs to cancer. Sheila had mammary tumours and passed away at 14 while Roy died of lung cancer at the young age of 11. Discovery of anything that resembles a lump makes my heart palpitate and I break into cold sweat.
That is really good that your Dad remains cancer free and we’ll pray that the cancer stays away!
Beautiful tribute to those that lost the good fight. Hugs and Purrs for your Dad that he continues to be a survivor!
Sweet Brian we are so sorry for the loss of your Grandma and the kitties. We did not know your Dad had been fighting cancer. We sure are happy to hear that he is cancer free now. You keep watching over him and make sure he protects himself from the sun. You are doing a good job. We like your yellow hat. Very nice post. Hugs and nose kisses
WE purr very hard for a cancer cure!!
We send you purrs for your losses and for your Dad!
Keep on surviving!!
Livestrong, Tillie and Georgia
We think it could be possible to find a cure for cancer! Thank you Brian for this wonderful post!
Brian
We are so glad that your Dad is winning the war against his skin cancer.
Beautiful post!
Love Strong!
LiveStrong!
purrs
>^,,^<
♥Abby♥Boo♥Ping♥Jinx♥Grace♥
Brian, thank you for a GREAT post! Purrs to your male human – he showed cancer who is boss!
We’re sad about your grandmother and glad your dad is okay. Cancer is a horrible disease, whether it’s a human or a furry fighting it.
Let us all LiveStrong…one day at a time until the ugly “C” monster is no more!
Lovely post Brian. We didn’t know about your dad either and we send him purrs that he stays cancer free.
We must Livestrong and Lovestrong to get the cancer to be a thing of the past. What a wonderful world it would be. Keep an eye on your daddie, as I know you will. So glad that he took charge and showed the cancer who was the boss. So sorry for the loss of your loved ones that have left.
ps: why is there a scary photo by my comment?
Great post. And good luck to your dad! Glad to hear he’s hanging in tough.
We purr and pray for a world without cancer. Too many of our friends have left us because of this horrible disease. LiveStrong Every Day!!!
The Florida Furkids and Angel Sniffie
We are so glad for your Dad and sorry for your Grandma. Our Grannies have fought that battle too. Win or lose, that battle causes such heart ache. A world without cancer is something to hope for indeed!
We are very happy your Dad beat cancer and sorry for those whose lives were cut short by it! This horrible disease has touched everyone.
We would love to see a world without cancer.
Love & Purrs,
KC
Missy Blue Eyes
Faith Boomerang
Sol
Smokey
Brutus, Jr.
Mom ML
Great post today. We is purring and purraying for all the Humans and Kitties who need it. Purr Power is STRONG!
We honor LiveStrong Day, sad for those lost to cancer and rejoicing those who survive.
Purraying your Dad keeps getting good checkups. Beth and Paws must be up in Heaven, playing games with Autumn and Faith. xoxo
Great post and I shall purr for your Dad. Mom’s family is prone to skin cancer too.
Brian, this was a lovely post and thanks for telling us about Dad – happy he is free of the Big C now. We lost family as well to this dreaded disease.
Have a whiffin wonderful week.
Brian, that is one excellent post. We love your picture. We are so happy that your Dad is in good health! We join you in paying tribute to your special kitties Paws and Beth and to your Grandma. LiveStrong kitties.
A very thoughtful post. Purring for a cure to cancer so this disease can be contained and it would no longer be this terrible thing.
Our human grandma has had skin cancer a couple of times… and our human mom had kidney cancer. We join you.
Purraying for your dad Brian. We hope he gets a good report next visit to doctor. Dang cancer – we need to stomp it out for good.
A very moving post, Brian. We did not know that your dad and granddad were both sufferers. Heather’s dad suffered from thyroid cancer, but thankfully had it removed before it spread, while her aunt had breast cancer. It ruins so many people’s and animal’s lives…there has to be a cure out there!
Together. We WILL beat this monster. We honor your dad and grandma as well as Paws and Beth, all are courageous warriors and heroes. Live.Strong. Love.Strong.
One of our good friends had testicular cancer. Thank you for this wonderful post.