October is that Time

We changed our clocks today for day light savings time. I always forget do we fall back or fall forward one hour? Anyway, October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month. I'd like to remind everyone about the BSE, or breast self-exam. Examining yourself regularly is simple. By the age of 20, women should be checking themselves each month. Komen.org suggests that the best time to examine would be at the end of your period. If you no longer have your period, then do the BSE on the same day of each month. Men, you should not ignore any breast lumps.

Check out komen.org for a step by step how-to video.



I'd like to share a testimonial from my friend Jaime, a four-year breast cancer survivor. Read and also watch her video.

Amazing Grace

Kirby, you will be forever missed.

Oct. 23, 1965 – Sept. 11, 2006

SHELBY — Mr. John Kerby Lathrop, 40, of 105 Cider Drive, died in peace with his family at his bedside on Monday, Sept. 11, 2006.

He was born Oct. 23, 1965, in Florida. He was eight years old when he and his family moved to Franklin. Kerby graduated from Franklin High School in 1984 and continued his studies at Durham Tech. He was a longtime resident of Shelby and a successful and recent owner of North State Dental Lab.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Kris Morrow Lathrop, and their three children, John Keatley, Alex Christine and Jamie Ann; his mother, Dee Vito and husband, Edward, of Shelby; father, John M. Lathrop and wife, Lois, of Franklin; eldest brother, Greg M. Lathrop, wife Judy, and their children of Asheville; twin brother, R. Kerry Lathrop, wife Kimberly and their children of Waynesville; and sister, Amy K. Lathrop of Franklin. He is the beloved son-in-law of Frank and Linda Morrow and Jesse and Barbara Williams of Shelby.

As a member of the Cleveland Community, he met and made many loving friends. He was introduced to the “B.N.O.” boys by his mentor, Joop Bakker and wife, Mary Ann. He was described by many as very artistic and a spiritual and loving father. He was also gifted with a beautiful singing voice and truly loved his church, Mountain Home Primitive Baptist Church, where he was a devout member. He was well attended by the Hospice of Cleveland County.

Memorials: The family has established a college fund with UBS Financial Services. They ask memorial gifts be made to J. Kerby Lathrop Memorial, UBS, 320-1 E. Graham St., Shelby, NC 28150

Computers and A Cure for Cancer

Troy, a fellow two-time ACC survivor, emailed our support group to let us know about CBS news segments on Cancer that aired last week.

In these segments, Katie Couric talked to doctors about the role that computers play in finding a cure for cancer. The computer is now able to analyze the tumor sample data and is able to identify changes in genes in proteins. Drugs can then block that change or reverse that change. This is amazing technology.

A new term I learned: "Biology in silico." Science with the help of silicon, or computers.

In the specific case of one patient, the super computer determined what gene mutation caused his cancer and then determined what therapy would best treat the cancer. The computer analyzed the tumor at warp speed. Two trillion calculations per second!



Watch the videos:

Katie Couric interviews Dr. Barker of the National Cancer Institute

A supercomputer that anaylzes tumors at warp speed!

Three Years Later

on a pilgrimage

I re-read my post from three years ago when I started teaching Bible study for fourth graders. I was so nervous. Since then I've moved up each year with the same group of kids. Those fourth graders are now in seventh grade!

Last week was the first day of class. It was definitely overwhelming. My have they changed. I lost my voice trying to talk over them. The 2nd grade teacher next door complained to the office about our "rowdy" class. There is a considerable difference in the volume and hormones as compared to our neighbors. I let my class socialize a bit since they hadn't seen each other since May. I took their photos individually and as a class. 10 boys and 5 girls. Lord, help us.

Meanwhile back at the university...I'm in my last year in obtaining my teaching credential so that I can teach in the public school system here in California. I dropped off my fingerprints and application in Los Angeles today for a substitute position. That means I could get the call to sub anywhere from K-8 within two weeks! Holy Majoly! I start my student teaching in January. One of my professors suggested that I continue on to get my Master's for the bump in pay stimulation of brain cells. I've seriously thought about it. My interest of thesis would be teaching kids the research and reporting process in the least painful way possible. A thesis on the thesis. Think multi-genre incorporating, photos, artwork, poetry and journals. The kids would own it and be proud of whatever topic they choose to research. I haven't formally declared my change in major.

That was the strong "me" talking. The weak "me" fears about working that hard and then falling flat. I mean I don't have all the energy I used to have. But if I knew that failure wasn't an option...If I could be certain that cancer wouldn't be there to meet me later...So many if's. I have a friend who went to university on a full scholarship only to have Adrenal Cancer take that away. Is it better to have tried than not? Of course I already know the answer.

So part of me just wants to take that credential and run with it. Just give me my own classroom because that I know is my true calling.

Did I mention my grandmother was a teacher? She is my inspiration. She died at a young age from pancreatic cancer.

I stumbled upon her journal a few years ago. I turned it into a blog. Here's a link to my past. In it she talks about bringing my mom home from the hospital soon after her birth. Like me, she's a movie buff. She comments on her favorite films and actors. I love reading her favorite quotes. Here's a link to her blog. How cool is she?!! My grandma has a blog. You rock Lola!