CranioSacral Therapy & My Guest This Tuesday On The Spirit Jump Podcast Show

This week I was lucky enough to try CranioSacral Therapy and I LOVED it! So I decided to invite Kimberly LaRue to be this Tuesdays guest on The Spirit Jump Podcast Show (Tuesday 7-9EST www.wafs.tv).

Kimberly is a licensed Massage Therapist, CranioSacral Therapist, Yoga and Meditation Instructor, Holistic Cancer Therapist and Lecturer. Kimberly strives to encourage and support people in their discovery of their own natural healing ability, leading to a greater sense (awareness) of well-being and overall health.

I had the pleasure to meet Kimberly and benefit from a CranioSacral Therapy session. It was amazing and I am shocked I had never heard of it before. After my session I felt lighter, less stressed and just plain better. My first thought as I was walking out of the center was "I wish I had taken advantage of CranioSacral Therapy earlier".


As a cancer fighter I have endured many types and levels of pain. For the past two years I have tried almost everything including more pain medications than I care to mention (Fontanel patches, lolli pops, diloted, hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxycoton etc...) All these pain meds did was numb me. I still had pain but I cared less about the pain.

Yoga, Meditation and CranioSacral Therapy are wonderful ways for people with cancer to heal both emotionally and physically. I encourage you all to stop by, watch, listen and call in this Tuesday to learn more about the healing power of a gentle touch!

You can read more about Kimberly and her amazing work by visiting Shade Tree Yoga and Wellness

Fellow Fighter Art

When I had Hodgkin lymphoma in 2002, I promised myself that when I was healthy again, I would do something to make a difference for those suffering from cancers. One thing I have done, starting in 2005, was to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as a marathoner with their Team in Training Program. Having never even run a 5K before cancer, I have completed three marathons and one half-marathon since then, while raising over $40,000 for LLS. I plan on doing another event next year.

Even as a survivor, it doesn’t always come home every second of why I put myself through this. Memories of what it was like to have cancer can fade a bit over time. But then, while in Nashville this past April for the Country Music Half Marathon, I had this brief magical moment that immediately reminded me of why this is so important. It was the kind of instant that makes you want to smile and cry all at the same time. I cannot get this out of my mind, and decided to share it with the world.

I went to take a walk that afternoon from the team’s hotel down to the Cumberland River, get a bit more of the lay of the land in downtown Nashville. I was wearing a Team in Training shirt. As I rounded the corner by the convention center, two young women and two young girls passed me walking the other way. The girls were about six to eight, I would guess. I barely noticed any of them, given that I didn’t see them until I rounded the corner, and as quick as I walk we passed each other in less than 2 seconds. But then I heard one of the women speak to one of the girls: “Look! There’s one of the Leukemia Society people!” I turned my head – they were now about 25 feet behind me – and looked at them. She was talking to one of the little girls, who happened to be bald with just a hint of hair growing back. And in an instant it hit me – “My God! This young girl has leukemia!” I smiled at her and waved, and she gave me a shy, sweet smile back. Then we went on our separate ways.

For a second I thought that I would go back and chat with them, tell them that I am also a survivor and assure her that she will be, too. Then I felt like I might be intruding, and decided to keep on going. But as I walked along, choking back tears for a short time, I thought of her. I thought about her as I sat by the Cumberland River a little later. I thought of her during the Inspiration Dinner the next night, and again during the race the day after that. And at the Victory Party the night after the race. And of course since then, which is why I am writing this now. I know I will wonder about her for a long time. Will she ultimately survive? Will she graduate from high school and college? Fall in love? Get married? Have her own children and maybe grandchildren someday? Maybe do a marathon herself with Team in Training for LLS? Discover a cure for cancer someday or invent something that helps the world?

And I thought “This is why I do this.” Why I get up at 4AM and 4:30AM to run and walk miles alone in the dark before work. Why I give up Saturday mornings when sleeping in and then relaxing with a cup of tea might sometimes be easier. Why I train so long at times that I have to soak in a tub of ice water from the waist down. Why I am willing to run and walk 13.1 miles two days later in the heat, and 26.2 miles three times before. Why blisters and blackened and lost toenails are tolerable. Why I am willing to ask people, many whom I barely know, for donations over and over and over, until now and then one of them will email back and say “Take me off your mailing list.” And it is why my teammates, thousands of them at any given time around North America, 650 of us in Nashville that weekend alone, do all of these things, too.

It is so this young girl, and others like her, can have a future. Seven years ago, I received the gift of life when I survived a form of blood cancer that was treatable only because of much medical research and clinical trials. So to do what I can to help others have this same chance now and in the future feels like the least I can do.

Whoever you are, young Nashville girl with leukemia, I hope you survive. I hope you have a long, productive, healthy and happy life! And I am glad that our lives crossed for a brief, bittersweet instant that day.

Visit Art's Blog by Clicking Here

I have a Podcast Show

I have some fun and exciting news, I have my very own podcast show! You can see me, chat in the chat room and call in every Tuesday 7-9 EST. I am also looking for guests to interview on the show. So bookmark the site www.wafs.tv and tune in. The call in number is 561-228-4020

We talk about all sorts of things from what its like to be a person battling cancer, how you can help others battling cancer, interviewing authors, other non profits and all sorts of fun stuff. Just like my charity Spirit Jump there are no boundaries!

This week I have two guests:

Cindy Papale

Cindy is the author of The Empty Cup Runneth Over. She is also a breast cancer survivor and associate producer - Board member to The Kristy Lasch Miracle Foundation -www.kristylasch.org
You can visit her website to see all the amazing things Cindy has going on:

www.theemptycuprunnethover.com

AND....on the show Cindy will be giving away one of her autographed books to a lucky caller

My Second Guest Is~

Paula Holland De Long:

Cancer survivor, life coach, speaker, and founder of What’s Next For My Life, Inc., Paula Holland De Long is an authority on how the lessons of survivorship can bring joy, passion and purpose to anyone's life. Her workshops for survivors are offered at cancer treatment centers and support organizations. Her women's teleconference action groups attract participants from around the country. What’s Next For My Life?™, is launching two new products in October, 2009. The “What’s Next For My Life? Survivor Companion Journal and DVD. To learn email paula@WhatsNextForMyLife.com or visit

WhatsNextForMyLife.com

Great Gift For Someone Battling Cancer

Spirit Jump Blossoms From DK Designs
$5 donated to SJ for each sold

Cheer up and lift the spirits of those in need with the little gifts of beauty and hope. Handmade clay flower arrangements are the perfect gift to give to a Jumpee because they not only lift their spirits with a realistic, yet beautiful everlasting flower, but each little votive also has a inspirational message (i.e. "hope", "faith", "love", etc). The initial launch of flower votives will contain either single bloom of pink rose, pink ranunculus or purple hydrangeas. More flower types will eventually be available.

Many times cancer patients who are in critical care are not allowed to have fresh flowers in their rooms so these little gifts are perfect and will definitely lift their spirits.

You may ask why Diane of DK Designs decided to create these little arrangements on behalf of Spirit Jump. The reason is simple, she herself has been affected by cancer (her mother died of breast cancer over 21 years ago and her mother-in-law currently suffers from an aggressive form of bladder cancer). She was moved by the premise of what Spirit Jump stands for and what we do to help cancer patients and wanted to give back. Thus, the little flower spirit jump was born!

Spirit Jump Blossoms

Price - $30.00

Shipping - $5.00

Amount to be donated back to Spirit Jump - $5.00

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOURS

About DK Designs

DK Designs specializes in custom, handcrafted clay floral designs, as well as tropical and Asian-inspired wedding stationery. Clay flowers are created utilizing CLAYCRAFT™ by DECO© Soft Clay, formerly DECOMAGIC Soft Clay.

DK Designs was founded in 2002 by Diane Katsuyoshi-Phillips in San Jose, California, helping brides make their wedding days uniquely their own. In November 2003, DK Designs became accredited by the DECO Clay Craft Academy headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii and its instructors are now able to share with others this beautiful craft developed in Japan.

In 2005, DK Designs moved the business to the island of Oahu. During that time Diane worked hard to expand her destination wedding business, working with her brides-to-be and helping them create their own custom wedding theme. It was definitely a great opportunity to work with so many wonderful people (both from the client and industry professional perspective) on the islands!

In late 2007, DK Designs made a move back to the Bay Area. It's been non-stop since the move and Diane is busy designing new custom wedding and event stationery as well as clay floral creations for her clientele! Diane is also actively teaching the Deco Clay Craft Academy courses to share her knowledge and art of Deco Clay with others! Diane still enjoys working with destination couples and continues to return to the islands, her home away from home!

Diane Phillips of DK Designs was recently featured on the Martha Stewart Show on April 1, 2008. She showed Martha Stewart how to make hydrangea flowers out of CLAYCRAFT by DECO Soft Clay. Click here to watch the video segment. Diane's work has also been featured in several bridal magazines both online and in print.

Ill Be in Boston Soon

Hi folks things are GREAT! I had a tough little patch trying to get to my PET scan but things are all sorted out now. I will be in Boston for my PET scan September 19-26 so wish me luck everyone. Until then I will try not to think about the what if's too much. Anyway here is a little video Bryan and I made for Spirit Jump...thought you might get a kick out of it :)