The Nine Factor

I just wanted to share someone very special to me. As you all know, I work in a cancer center. Everyone automatically shudders at those words almost visibly. I actually get asked quite frequently how I could stand to work in that environment. What most people don’t realize is that most of the patients don’t even look sick at all. I wouldn’t know myself, if I had not read their chart, and the obvious fact they’re at the cancer center. I’ve met so many fascinating people and grown close to family members. However, there is one at the top of my list. Last year in March, a sweet blond haired, seven year old beauty entered my life, and I will never be the same.

In March 2008 I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Hannah. She is unlike any child I have ever met. She cracked jokes, and cut up with the staff. It seemed she was much older than her seven years. She told us all about this program she started called Army Angels. She had started a prayer list for the soldiers fighting overseas. One day she decided she wanted to do more. She got a contact and started collecting items like pens, pencils, crayons, and such for the soldiers to give to the children in the war torn countries these brave guys are fighting.

Oh, did I mention that we treat kids? We don’t see as many as St Jude, but we see all of the kids in the Knoxville area. I love being able to help the little ones. They are usually really shy and timid at first. The poor things have been poked and prodded so much by the time they meet us, who could blame them. There has been one that was different. That’s right-Miss Hannah. She did anything we asked of her without even a whimper from the get go.

Well, this brave little girl has another project she is actively involved in. She is calling it “The Nine Factor”.
Knoxville’s Ride for Kids is approaching. This is a cause that is near and dear for Hannah. She has a team, but she’d really appreciate a donation as well.
Nine children are diagnosed with a brain tumor every day. So, in honor of those nine children, Hannah has come up with a system. If nine people donate $9 each and convince nine more people to donate at least $9, then in three rounds she could raise more than $7,000.
You can check out her website.

Please consider donating the nine dollars. Most of us spend more that that at a fast-food restaurant. If you would rather get involved in a local event, you can find more information about the ride for kids at http://pbtfus.org/rideforkids/

Thanks to Hannah’s sweet Mom-Tracey for giving me permission to write about one of my favorite girls! Hannah has truly been a breath of fresh air for all of us.

Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas

Okay, it’s book report time. This is my most recent read. I had been on a vampire kick, so I thought I’d settle back down with some James Patterson. I had picked this book up while browsing at the local used bookstore with my MIL. She told me it was an excellent book, so I thought “Why Not”.

It was an excellent book, however I must add a disclaimer that she did not. If you are pregnant, and your hormones are all over the place, it may not be the right time for this book.

It is a really quick read—only 266 pages. I actually read it in one evening. It’s a love story.

Katie Wilkinson has fallen for the man of her dreams. She has the job of her dreams with a publishing company in NYC. Life is perfect. A story falls into her lap. It is a diary that a new mother (Suzanne) has written for her baby boy (Nicholas). She pours out her heart and soul in her writings. She explains how she and Nicholas’ daddy met, fell in love, and everything in between. Suzanne has really got the perfect family. A husband that loves her so much it’s almost unreal, and a perfect baby boy that ties the family together. It really pulls at the heartstrings and reminds one of all the firsts of a family and all the warm fuzzies that go with it.
As Katie reads on, she comes to admire this Suzanne for the person she is and what she has overcome. Of course, there is a twist. Can this magnificent guy married to Suzanne be one and the same as the man she has fallen for?!

I did enjoy this book. I’ve read quite a bit of James Patterson before—mostly his Alex Cross and Lindsay Boxer series. This book had a much different feel to it. It reminded me a little of Nicholas Sparks. So if you like his stuff, you’d really enjoy this gem.

Modern Marvel

Today Steven and I went to the OBGYN and had our 3-4D ultrasound. It was simply amazing. With Silas we only had the standard 20-week ultrasound and there were no 3D capabilities at all. It is pretty awesome what technology allows us to do.

Of course, it would have been a lot more awesome if baby boy had cooperated a bit. He was firmly nestled between my hipbone and placenta which doesn’t make such a great picture. He also stubbornly planted both arms in front of his face. It’s like he knew we were trying to get a peek. The tech rolled me all over the table, but baby boy held his ground; he didn’t budge.

We were excited about seeing him again though—even if he wasn’t. I am almost 23 weeks, so he is still a bit bony. However, he has gained about half a pound in the past couple of weeks. He’s on track of being a big boy!

Spring Forward

This is probably my most dreaded day of the year. I am already sleep deprived enough without losing another hour! Although I will admit that I like the extended hour of daylight in the evenings. It just makes me even more ready for the warm summer days looming just out of reach in the future!

I was looking for my hot glue gun earlier this week and stumbled upon some candid pics taken of Sie when he was a baby. It took me back. I always forget how small he was. For some reason, I've always had him older than he is in my mind. Anyway, I revisited the blog B made for him and his uniform of the day. I pulled a few over to share with you all.

Random Things

In honor of my last post about Facebook, I decided to play one of its little games. Steven keeps telling me about everyone’s list so I decided to make on of my own.

Here are 25 things about me.

*Every town I lived in until the age of 21 ended in “y” (McCrory, Greers Ferry, Searcy, Conway)

*I met my best friend in the office the first day of school in 6th grade.

*My husband to be moved next door to me in 10th grade. However, we didn’t officially date until seven years later.

*I have a birthmark that looks like Australia on my stomach and another that resembles a Chicago Bull on my left wrist.

*I am learning how to sew

*I am named for my great aunt’s sister that lives in Austria.

*I have more lines on my palms than any other person I know.

*I like to scuba dive, but don’t have much time for it.

*I am never on time for anything—ever.

*I am a huge Cub fan and am ecstatic that Ryne Sandberg is in Knoxville to manage the TN Smokies!

*I love to look at farmland, especially in the spring when the dirt is being plowed.

*I’m in the process of becoming greener. We’ve started recycling and using natural cleaners. One step at a time!

*I can’t wear perfume anymore. Since I’ve worked in radiation oncology where it’s not allowed, it overwhelms my senses and makes me nauseous.

*I read the last Harry Potter book in 24 hours.

*Growing up, I spent countless summer days at the lake. Not so much anymore. I miss it. Had some good times there!

*I don’t like hamburgers-never have, but I crave them occasionally.

*My parents got me a trampoline when I was two because I was so hyperactive.

*I hate to talk to people I don’t know on the phone. I usually refuse to do it if possible.

*I * heart* Elvis.

*I’ve only been to Disney World when I was 4 years old. They were building Epcot.

*I have an incredibly bad habit of picking at and pulling out my eyebrow hairs especially when I read.

*My favorite movie is When Harry Met Sally

*My partner at work, Sheri, and I were the first people in the world to treat clinically with a Tomotherapy linear accelerator.

*I love me some white gravy! I just learned how to make it—Thanks Alexis!

*I have three tattoos. One is actually a cover-up. I plan on getting one more before calling it quits.


Hmmm, that was refreshing. Now I feel included. Hahahaha!