Today is Daffodil Day. Lots of daffodils and associated merchandise are sold to raise money for the Cancer Council of Australia.
I bought two teddy bears, some pens and a bunch of daffodils. I was glad to support such a worthy cause but as I sit here tonight watching TV and looking at my teddy bears, I feel a little sad.
They say that just about everyone on the planet will know someone who has been affected by cancer.
My Dad has just been diagnosed.
There is good news.
My dear blogging friend Tball is almost one year in remission from breast cancer.
Jules’ Mum Sandra has now been in remission from endometrial cancer for ten years.
My sister-in-law has been in remission from cervical cancer for five years.
A former work colleague of mine recovered completely from a melanoma.
There is sorrowful news.
Another blogging friend Texasblu lost her dear father to cancer not long ago.
My friend, Ellen, lost her mother to breast cancer two years ago.
A little girl my son went to pre-school with died three years ago of leukemia.
My Aunt Nelly died of ovarian cancer at the age of 42.
My friend Andie died of breast cancer at the age of 40.
I don’t mean to be depressing but it is important to acknowledge how insidious and far-reaching this terrible disease is.
Don’t forget to tell the people you love how much you do love them.
Because you will miss them when they’re gone.
And think of them when the afternoon sunlight slants in yellow arcs on the road.
And hope that one day, very soon, there will be a cure.
Selma In The City 
That list of people and their lives is both tragic and hopeful. I so hope they find a cure for this awful disease one day.
Daffodils are such happy and hopeful flowers aren’t they?
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Unfortunately what you say is true. Everyone does or will know someone affected by cancer, myself included.
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I know, I know, dear friend. I’m sending my prayers still.
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Ooooh… cancer- I hate it. Daffodils…. I love them. I just wrote an article (grudgingly back to freelancing thanks to this stupid credit crunch) about a study where they are using nanoparticle technology to kill brain cancer. Very excitng. They attach a light sensitive particle to an antibody. The antibody goes and searches out the cancer cell. Once attached they shine light on the nanoparticle and -whammo- the cancer cell dies. It’s quite James Bond-ish.
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Sending you a hug Sel. My thoughts are with you as you recall all these people now passed on. Dearly loved forever…
I just posted a yellow flower post too, albeit with a different theme.
Take care, G
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Thank you for this important post. Here’s my bad news: my good friend seems to be losing his 4-year-long battle against leukemia. But my good news: my sister is now 10 years in remission after breast cancer. You’re so right…we must remember to tell the people we love that we do.
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You’re beautiful, Selma.
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KAYDEE:
There is something incredibly uplifting about a daffodil. My bulbs never seem to grow, though. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I suspect I may be putting them in at the wrong time of year. I’ll read up on it!
EMPLOYEE 3699:
It’s hard to think about, isn’t it? I could rattle off about 20 other people I know who have been affected. Scary statistics.
THE HURRICANE:
Your prayers are the best ever!
LAURI:
WOW. What an incredible development. That is just extraordinary. I am really excited to hear that. I know what you mean about the credit crunch. My hours have just been cut. Again. It’s the middle to low income earners who seem hardest hit by this. The rich can always sell one of their boats or something….
GERALDINE:
I’ll look forward to reading that. I do love yellow flowers. Just so cheery!
SUE:
That is fantastic about your sister. I am so pleased. Yet I am terribly sorry to hear about your friend. Leukemia seems particularly hard to beat. I am really sad to hear it.
HEATHER:
That goes double from me to you. *smooch*
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I will say it again – Cancer is a bitch!!! It is so true that everyone will be touched by it – I know just before I found out my best friend’s step dad had just passed away from colon cancer and on that same day a friend I used to go to camp with passed away from cancer. I am hoping that I am beating this stupid disease and will live for another 100 years as my friend put it on my birthday!
I am Facebook friend’s with Ethan Zohn and we have sent each other encouraging words! It is our dream to get cured and hopefully see a cure in our lifetime. I look at him and he has such a great attitude. I do believe that having a great attitude is what helps us survive! Keep your dad in good spirits – I think that helps a lot! There is something to all that positive thinking bit! I know that my attitude towards life has definitely changed! One day at a time and I do hope that I will be around for a long time and hopefully come visit you in the near future!
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my pal sharon has had lung cancer for the past 6 months and her incredibly positive mental attitude appears to be shrinking her tumor consistently all over. it can help, for real – the power of the mind is literally unbounded.
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Daffodil days here are in April (or is it May.) Such a happy looking flower. 🙂
Cancer — it’s so many diseases all so different. It’s going to take a lot of research… and already in the last decade we’ve seen so many advances in treatment. It’s a serious matter for sure. But there is hope. I am focussing on hope.
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Seems odd to us to be talking daffodils at this time of year … but, it poses a question I’ve always pondered. If I posted daffodil bulbs to you and you planted them, would they come up in April or September? (assuming, of course, they got by the Customs, agricultural & health people)
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TBALL:
I have heard so much about the power of the positive attitude that I am beginning to think there must be something to it. You and Ethan will both beat it, especially if I have anything to do with it. Come on gods and goddesses – look after these two joyful spirits!! I love you and I’m so proud of you. You are an inspiration XXX
JASON:
I am thrilled to hear that. I will keep Sharon in my thoughts. I hope she continues to beat it!
NAT:
Oh me too. You gotta have hope. There is so much groundbreaking research out there now. The thought of that really keeps me going!
TRAVELRAT:
Actually, that is a very interesting question. I have only ever seen daffs here in our spring which is September but if they were used to UK seasons would they wait until April? I really have no idea!
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Im soooo sorry about your father.
“Don’t forget to tell the people you love how much you do love them. Because you will miss them when they’re gone.”
Yep. I think I live by that. That and Tomorrow Is Promised To No One so live today like its the last day!
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MELEAH:
Thanks, hon. He has his surgery on Friday and I am praying he will be OK. I like the philosophy behind ‘Tomorrow is promised to no one.’ That is so true. You just never know what’s round the corner.
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You are so right. We need to let our loved ones know how we feel, and I mean before something happens to them.
What is that little plant with the daffodils? It is very pretty.
Thanks for adding me to your list up top.
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Hi SANDY:
Sorry for the late reply. I am hopelessly behind. I believe the little plant is a type of Bizzie Lizzie or Impatiens. The photo was taken at my Mum’s house, so I’m not 100% sure.
You are more than welcome. I love your blog!
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