Just about everything I do I walk with purpose.  If I decide to go for a walk in the morning, I walk to make sure I to get my steps in.  I walk with purpose to make sure my dog, Zoey does her business.  When I’m working I walk with purpose to make sure I take care of a customer promptly. It seems I am always walking with a purpose which is a good thing. When you are walking with purpose, you have a destination, or there is a reason behind your walk.

But, how many of us take the time to just take a walk…not very many of us.  With our high-tech world, we are almost always multi-tasking when we are walking listening to music or a podcast or talking on the phone or looking at our email, or Instagram.

We are staying in our condo for awhile, and I told myself I would take walks on the beach and enjoy the ocean, but as usual, I was making sure I got my ten thousand steps. I was walking to the post office or the grocery store.  Walking to take the dog out.  I wasn’t walking to relish the ocean or the beach…when did that happen?

I can remember when I was younger and we would visit Myrtle Beach and we would take our evening walks on the beach. They would start with our flip flops on our feet, and pretty soon the flips flops would be in our hands, and we would be knee deep in the ocean water.  I don’t see much of that anymore. I see people looking at their phones checking email or texting its the same thing I do on my phone. I just don’t take the time to enjoy my surroundings…my goodness this is God’s beautiful creation lets relish in its beauty.

When I had cancer, I could never have imagined how much I missed walking until I couldn’t get up and take a walk because I was too sick to get out of bed.  I vowed to myself when I got well I would enjoy every walk I could take.  At first, I did…I walked with friends, I walked the dogs.  I just walked, but then life got hectic, and once again I walked with purpose, and I got hung up on the day to day things and walking fell by the wayside. Walking with purpose took precedence.

Every once in a while I really want to walk without purpose. This evening I did just that. I took a nice long walk without purpose, something I haven’t done in a long time, and it was so pleasant.  So I say sometimes stop walking with purpose just savor a leisurely walk or stroll.  Enjoy the fresh air and the sunshine. When I was taking my walk this evening, I saw two older couples taking a walk.  They were just walking…not talking on a cell phone, or checking emails or taking selfies just walking…

 

 

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For many of you, Spring is starting to spring which is truly beautiful. Depending on where you live spring may still be a little dreary and cold, but for the most part spring is on its way.

We always want spring to arrive quickly.  We as humans by nature are very impatient. We get a day or two of beautiful weather in between a cold, gray, balmy day and we automatically tend to believe the next day will be as beautiful as the last day.  I think sometimes that’s  how it is when you fight cancer. You go through a very difficult time in the beginning. Your cold gray days seem endless. Being diagnosed, going to the doctor putting together your “plan” whether it’s surgery, chemo, radiation or any other type of treatment…it’s a long hard winter.  The battle is long, but you continue to fight because you believe that the next day will be better than the last day.  Cancer warriors tend to hold on to that feeling that something better is around the corner that the next day is going to be better despite your treatment and your diagnosis you alway want to believe the next day will be better than the last, but that’s not always the case.

Spring can bring some unexpected surprises.  My father passed away in the spring…just when things were in bloom. The air was filled with the scent of fresh blossoming flowers. The grass was turning light green, and the birds were chirping ever so softly.  Despite his passing during the springtime, I still have a feeling that Spring is a fresh start.  Spring brings out the best in people. People seem to smile more, they have a pep in their step.  Of course, you have your rainy days because without rain nothing would grow.  Without storms, nothing would get washed away making room for new growth.  Just take a moment to look around even the smallest of flowers are trying to pop up. The tiniest bud is trying to bloom. Spring renews your hope it renews your faith.

I believe Spring can bring new things, even the word spring is easy to say…the word winter is harder to say…because despite the beautiful snow, for some of us winter is gray and drab and things have died off, but without winter we would not have a spring.

For those of you who are in the midst of a pure spring enjoy each beautiful moment, for those of you who may just be on the cusp of spring be patient…the cold dark days in between your days of winter and spring are getting fewer and fewer. The days are getting longer and warmer. Soon your winter days will be behind you so savor each ray of sunshine and the kiss of a soft, warm breeze

Thank you to all who came out to listen to Dr. Sharp from McLeod Seacoast Oncology and Hematology.

We had a wonderful turn out for our March meeting. Dr. Stewart Sharp was our speaker and he did not disappoint.  He spoke candidly about why he became an Oncologist…where he believed cancer treatments are headed as well as a very inspirational story about a family who endured love, loss, and victory.  We hope to have him back again soon.

Our next meeting will be April 3rd.  We will be meeting at McLeod Seacoast in the Auxillary Conference Room #250.  Our meeting begins at 6:00 pm.  Light refreshments are served. Our speaker this month will be a therapist/counselor from our area.  Many people who are touched by cancer, whether it is the patient, a family member or a friend can have difficulty dealing with their new circumstances.  Sometimes talking to a professional can relieve some of the anxiety one might feel during this time.

We have had another wonderful year helping people cope with cancer.  As our calendar year of speakers begins to wrap up we want to continue to stay in touch with each other and build a bond beyond our meetings.  We have come up with the idea of meeting on the 3rd Monday of each month at someone’s home or restaurant. We feel that although we have wonderful guest speakers there is little time for us to talk to each other, sharing stories getting helpful tips and just caring for one another.  Now, of course, the 3rd Monday is not set in stone, but it gives us a target date.  With that said our first get together is Thursday, March 30th at Chipotle in the new North Towne Center in North Myrtle Beach.  The reason we are meeting there is because we have a fundraiser for our Relay Team, Super Warriors…Coping Together. I will get more information about the time we will be there, but the fundraiser goes from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm.  Chipotle will donate 50% of all purchases to our team for Relay for Life.  All we have to do is show up and mention to our cashier we want 50% of our purchase to go to ACS or to the Coping Together Team. I will have flyers to give to you so we can pass them out to our friends and family to ensure we get a lot of folks there on the 30th.

I can’t say this enough…we are so blessed to have each one of you in our lives…cancer is one of the worst diseases, but from heartache and sorrow beautiful friendships can bloom…

As we approach a new month we are excited to announce our speaker for our March meeting.  We are thrilled to announce Dr. Stewart Sharp of McLeod Hematology and Oncology will be our guest speaker.

Dr. Sharp comes to McLeod from Harrington Cancer Center in Amarillo, Texas, and has more than 30 years of experience in caring for patients.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology and Hematology, Dr. Sharp values creating critical relationships among the patient, their families, and referring doctors. “My goal is to relieve my patients’ suffering and provide as much support and comfort to as many patients and family members as I can. I hope to provide guidance to the cancer services staff and nurses and help to create and grow a successful cancer program at McLeod Seacoast.”

Dr. Sharp also founded a practice in Danville, Virginia, and served as Chairman for the Department of Medicine and President of the Medical Staff for Danville Regional Medical Center. “I chose to come to McLeod Health because it is a not-for-profit healthcare organization whose mission is to ensure the health and well-being of the members of the communities that it serves.”

Dr. Sharp and his wife, Clarice, have three daughters: Amber, Victoria and Kathryn. “My wife and I are eager to return to the coast where our hearts are tied,” said Dr. Sharp. “We love the people, the pleasant climate and the general civility of life. We believe in the power of contribution and look forward to our work here.

We hope you join us for the evening and learn more about Dr Sharp and his practice.

Click here to learn about Dr. Sharps’ office.

In 2016, Coping Together officially became recognized by the government as a 501 c3.  What does this mean for you?  Now, we can officially collect donations and you will receive a tax write off.  We can begin fundraising on a much larger scale to help those in need locally.

What do we do with the money?  As of now, a physicians office or a local Coping Together attendee will contact Nan or Michele and ask if Coping Together can assist someone that is in need and being affected by cancer.  In 2016, Coping Together was able to help several families pay their electricity bills.

In 2016, we had nine speakers share information to the group about how cancer affects people in their area of expertise.  We had a chiropractor, physician, lymphedema specialist, hospice specialist, physical therapist, pain management specialist, survivors, and caretakers.

We are excited to know that 2016 was a successful year for Coping Together and we were able to help those in need in the area.

In looking ahead for 2017, we are ready to blaze new trails for our non-profit and hope you will join us in our mission.  This year we hope to qualify for grants, host a large benefit/fundraiser and increase our attendance to reach more of those in need.  Please stay connected with us through our Facebook page and blog to get the most up to date information.