I feel like this card needs a little explanation. I know some people will think it is a bit tasteless, and that makes it hard for me to upload it, because of my “be careful to never offend anyone” upbringing.
I knew October was going to be a rough month for me, since it is breast cancer awareness month and my mother died of stage four breast cancer last year at the end of October. I appreciate everyoneÂ’sÂ’ devotion to the cause, but for me all the awareness is painful. Mom and I were great friends, and since we lived a thousand miles apart, SCS was our craft room where we could come together and stamp. We would put on our headphones, call each other and work on the challenges together. And uploading let us show each other our creations. Ever since mom died, it has been hard for me to enjoy SCS the way I used to. And the Hope You Can Cling To challenges are even harder, because they work to increase awareness of something that I try not to think about. So itÂ’s funny that they first card I made for one of the challenges is the one inspired by courage (something I have been lacking)!
At the same time that my mother’s cancer reoccurred, another dear friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her brave, matter of fact, direct attack on her disease really has been inspirational. Recently, she posted a photo on Facebook. It was a sign above the doorway in her oncologist’s waiting room, that said “cancer sucks”, and she captioned it, “short, sweet and to the point”. (I showed it here on the inset.) For a while I have wanted to create a card that represented what I was feeling, and that photo wedged itself into my mind and just wanted to come out as a card. All this time, I have felt like I had pain that I wasn't expressing, and I was just burying it with pretty scenes of flowers and tree and fall leaves. Now I can get it out of my system, stop whining and start making more cards with butterflies, leaves and flowers!
Date: Monday, October 8, 2012 GMT Views: 1681
Favorited:4
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Creative Crew SU Design Team Alumni
Registered: January 7, 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 42834
Mon, Oct 08, 2012 @ 2:05 PM
Trina, you won't believe this but on my desk is a big pink button that says CANCER SUCKS! I am going to make a card with this button for a teacher at my daughter's school who just started chemo for a recurrence of breast cancer. Miss Ellen is such a funny lady and a real fighter. I know this is the right kind of card to make for her. We are all coming from different places and have different approaches to rising up against this. I think this is so powerful and from the heart, how could it not be right for you to make. Thank you for what you put into this card. We are joined at the heart this month. Hugs.
------------------------------ Kathy Stamp n Sip with me
I like the card. It is so true! My brother was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I can relate to what you said. It's so hard, and this kind of a card is what's needed! I think it's a great original design! Laura
SCS Community Manager Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni
Registered: July 29, 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 41785
Mon, Oct 08, 2012 @ 2:18 PM
Oh Trina... First, I want you to know how much you've been missed. I can't even imagine how brave you've had to be or how brave you are being now. I wish I could give you a big hug. I know your mom is smiling on this post from heaven.
Registered: August 3, 2007 Location: Houston, texas Posts: 182
Mon, Oct 08, 2012 @ 5:18 PM
LOVE IT! I work for Md Anderson Cancer center in Houston and we have buttons that say this. My mom and grandmothers had breast cancer. My dad had colon cancer. I see the effects everyday.
Cancer does suck! Thank you for being able to share this. You made cancer beautiful. (I work in a pediatric cancer center every day.) It made me smile! I am so sorry you have had to experience such terrible things.
Registered: March 1, 2012 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 675
Mon, Oct 08, 2012 @ 8:03 PM
I do not find this card tasteless at all. As a matter of fact I have a shirt that I purchased at a fundraiser for someone who had cancer. The message read the same as your card- a message that is powerful and oh so true.
Registered: December 6, 2004 Location: Calgary AB Posts: 1096
Tue, Oct 09, 2012 @ 9:25 AM
Trina...I've read & re-read your post & am looking for the whining. I don't see it. What I see is a heartfelt and honest release of some very deep emotions, which is very very courageous. I do like this card...the message and the esthetic are very powerful.
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*~*~Arleen~*~* "My friends, love is better than anger.
Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair.
So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we�ll change the world" --
Jack Layton (1950-2011)
Registered: November 19, 2009 Location: Spencerville, Indiana Posts: 565
Tue, Oct 09, 2012 @ 10:43 AM
"A Great Big Thank You" for putting into a card exactly how I feel!! Blessings from a breast cancer survivor and I just know how proud of you your mother is.......Blessings, Jeanne.
Registered: November 25, 2007 Location: Rudolph, WI Posts: 14498
Wed, Oct 10, 2012 @ 8:13 PM
With all you have gone through, you have the right to feel this way. I see nothing wrong in the statement and I love the simplicity and design of your card. Prayers to you and your family and come back often! tfs
Registered: February 15, 2005 Location: Big Island of Hawaii Posts: 18044
Thu, Oct 11, 2012 @ 6:29 PM
Aloha and Amen!! Cancer does suck and you are brave to put that out there! This is not tasteless, just says it all to anyone who knows anyone who has had it, or has had it themselves. . . So sorry you lost your Mother and all this brings up the memories. . . I can relate as I lost my Mom to cancer six and a half years ago. . . I still miss her terribly. . . Take care and it sounds like you are beginning to heal. . .getting those emotions out and not hiding them is good for you. . . based on the comments above, it's good for others too! You go girl!!
Registered: December 3, 2009 Location: Central PA Posts: 58065
Sun, Dec 30, 2012 @ 5:49 PM
Decided to stroll through your gallery tonight. I've missed seeing your cards. I'd say this is short and to the point....I lost a friend a year ago to stomach cancer....still miss her dearly.