The Fire Ant Gazette - A Midland, Texas Blog

Back in Yellow
Category: Navel Gazing...
Posted Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 09:13 PM [GMT-6]

Back in June of 2004, I posted something about a new way to show support for cancer patients and survivors. The yellow LiveStrong wristband is now a ubiquitous symbol, perhaps one of the most recognizable in the world -- but it's still a powerful reminder of someone special to the one who wears it.

My wife and I donned the wristbands in support of our friend Sherry, and she beat cancer, just as we knew she would. The bands eventually weakened and broke, but not until after she got the first check up that gave her the good news. We never got around to ordering replacements; by the time the supply caught up with the demand for the wristbands, we'd gotten distracted by other things.

When I recently learned that my blogging friend Patti, over at White Pebble, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, I decided that it was time to bring back the yellow. But this time, I made sure we'd have plenty. I visited the Lance Armstrong Foundation website, ordered three packages of ten, and left a donation to boot (something I hope each of you will consider doing). So, here I am...back in yellow. This is for Patti (and for Sherry; such things are not to be forgotten):

[By the way, until you've tried to hold a right-handed SLR in your left hand in order to take a photo of your right hand, you may have no concept of how difficult it is. Although it just now occurs to me that that's what the self-timer is for. Heh.]

I know that some of you visit Patti's blog from time to time, and if you'd like to join me in this show of support, I'll send you a wristband just for the asking. Email me your mailing address and I'll take care of the rest. I know where to get more.

Whether you choose to wear yellow or not, I hope you'll stop by and leave a word of encouragement for Patti, who continues to blog with the same fire and wit she's always had.

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Comments

Very supportive! I'll take one of those for both my friends. Email forthcoming.

But what I really want to know... is that a Madonna or Prince CD you're using as a coaster. I know it isn't Abba!

Posted by: Jim at January 17, 2007 06:52 AM

Dixie Chiquitas, what else? ;-)

Actually, it's a stack of glued-together disks that I ruined before I got the hang of my CD burner. I put some rubber feet on it and it makes a great coaster.

Besides, I can't afford a Fire Ant Gazette coaster.

Posted by: Eric at January 17, 2007 07:07 AM

You've convinced me to start wearing mine again. Even we cancer survivors get complacent after a time.

LiveStrong!

Posted by: Foo at January 17, 2007 08:00 AM

Oh, *blush*! This is absolutely wonderful! You've done made me speechless! Thanks for all the support :)

Posted by: Patti at January 17, 2007 08:09 AM

Foo, consider yourself added to the esteemed list of People We Think About When We Wear Yellow.

Pshaw, Patti...you'd do the same for us. It's what neighbors do.

Posted by: Eric at January 17, 2007 10:16 AM

Look what happens when I don't check in on one of my favorites blogs on a regular basis....I go and get mentioned by name!! (All other visitors be warned...)
I would blush, but the sentiment here goes well beyond that emotion, so I will just offer my humble thanks.
I'll also share a piece of a "wearing the yellow" story you may find interesting. My husband and I both took to wearing the bracelets at the time of my diagnosis. On the anniversary of my 2nd year cancer-free, my husband (God love him!) donned a 2nd bracelet. His plan is to begin wearing a 3rd bracelet in June of this year. Which will be...you guessed it...my next cancer-free anniversary!
I'll match Eric's offer for free bracelets to anyone who e-mails me. What a great cause!
And, again, thanks Eric. (blush)

Posted by: sherry at January 17, 2007 01:00 PM

What a great show of support, Eric. And ambi-dexterity. I've got one already...I'll put it on. :-)

Posted by: Gwynne at January 17, 2007 02:43 PM

Sherry, what your husband is doing is cool, but I hope he gave proper consideration to the long-term implications. I set out on something similar waaay back when we hit our 12th wedding anniversary and I resolved to add one long-stem red rose each successive year, starting with 13. That was all well and good until we hit 25 years, and the arrangement started getting sort of hard to handle. At 30, we called a halt to the practice by mutual agreement, as she was having difficulty getting the flowers into her car to bring them home from the office.

Considering that you're probably going to have scores of cancer-free anniversaries, I'm pretty sure your husband's arm isn't long enough to accommodate the memorials (not to mention how sweaty and gross it would be to wear about 50 of those things at one time)! ;-)

Posted by: Eric at January 17, 2007 05:46 PM

Eric,
It is a small world. Our disposal had clogged Thanksgiving a year ago and then tonight Jan forgot that the original fiasco was caused by those notorious potato peels, which she put down our "Badger 5". She can be excused she is getting over a bad cold. I went to Google to see if these things in general cannot handle potato or vegetable peels and the first thing that popped up was your Blog. We Ft. Stockton people are just everywhere on the net (and into do it yourself messy plumbing jobs) At least our clothes washer does not connect with the sink...And I scared off the dog from the reeking fluids with all my wrenches and a long steel rod...
Your Mom sent me your email address but I misplaced it.
Best Regards,
Marty Winkler

Posted by: Marty Winkler at January 22, 2007 07:59 PM

Hey, Marty...I tried to email a reply but it bounced. Send me a message (info -at- ericsiegmund.com) and I'll resend it.

It's great to hear from you!

Posted by: Eric at January 22, 2007 09:29 PM

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