Summer is almost here! How does your favorite beach rate?

"Protect yourself: Most people won't get sick from swimming in polluted waters. But children, the elderly, and people with a chronic illness should be careful. Swim in areas with good water circulation rather than in protected inlets, don't put your head under, and stay out of the ocean for up to 72 hours after a storm." ~ from organicstyle.comThe latest issue of organicstyle.com ranks the cleanest American beaches: Cape Hatteras in North Carolina and Hana in Maui.

Check out or epa.gov/waterscience/beaches or surfrider.org to read about your favorite beach.

Second annual CURE ACC! raffle deadline exteded

Due to popular demand, the deadline for our second annual raffle drawing to win cool stuff for a very cool cause has been extended. 100% of proceeds will be donated to MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas. Your donation is tax deductible.Enter by August 21st to put your name in the draw for a pair of Sting concert tickets, Starbucks and Borders Books gift cards, passports to Disneyland, music memorabilia and hand crafted jewelry! Enter today by visiting: http://www.followingthesun.org/raffle.html

How toxic is your neighborhood?

Find out now by going to scorecard.org and entering your zipcode. Exposure to toxins and pollutants increases the possibilities of respiratory problems, cancer and other illnesses.

Over the river and through the woods

Drove to Sequoia National Park for the three-day holiday. Hiked up a mountain, through streams and snow to Pear Lake with Jackie, Tracee, Mark, and Shannon. Camped near the edge of a rushing waterfall at Lodgepole (campsite #127! is the one to book). Almost gave up on Pear Lake because of the extreme elevation but so glad we made it! Met some friends along the way.

Free subscription to Cure magazine

Cure magazine and its website is a wealth of information for both caregivers, survivors and anyone interested in the latest technology for health, cancer and treatments. They offer a free subscription and can also be read online. Here's just a sample of what they offer: Ground-breaking medicine, legal resource and caregiver tips. The "toolbox" page lists links and references to support groups and education categorized by tumor type. I enjoy the Reader's Forum which is a one page personal essay written by a different cancer survivor each month. Get your free subscription today! www.curetoday.com

Books for kids who have a parent dealing with cancer

ChemoAngels.com gives a comprehensive list of kid's books. You may want to read to your children to help them understand your cancer world. I read a few and recommend Promises by Elisabeth Winthrop. I didn't think that Good Luck, Mrs. K by Louise Borden talked about cancer at all. I was surprised that my local library actually carried a few of these titles. For a variety of books dealing with cancer click on www.chemoangels.com.

Kids and their parents who have cancer

For young children: www.kidskonnected.org and www.kidscope.org offers a variety of support services free to children ages 3-18.

For older kids, when someone in your family has cancer: www.cancer.gov.

Second Annual CURE ACC! Raffle

Last summer's raffle drawing to win Norah Jones concert tickets raised $1,150 for the ACC research fund at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas is ranked #1 in the United States for cancer research and education. 100% of raffle proceeds will be donated to MD Anderson's ACC Research Fund. Please tell a friend! The purpose of this raffle is to educate and make an impact on raising funds for research on the rare cancer, Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma (ACC). Prizes include Disneyland passes, Sting concert tickets, autographed items, jewelry, and gift cards to Borders or Starbucks. $10 gets your name in the drawing. Enter today.

Yogurt helps keep the doctor away

The healthy bacteria in yogurt helps cleanse your colon and even lowers the risk of colon cancer. Studies show that eating two cups a day can boost your immunity and lower cholesterol. The best kind of yogurt contains live and active cultures. Forget about yogurt that is "heat treated." All ages can benefit from yogurt. If you're interested in reading on yogurt medical research, here they are -->> Yogurt Reports

Know your doctor and your rights

There is a shortage of good physicians. Examine your doctor's background. How long have they been practicing medicine? Where and when did they graduate? Have they ever been disciplined or sued for malpractice? Are they licensed to practice in your state? Find your physician and read about your consumer rights by clicking here--> stat!

Happy Anniversary

Today is my two year mark for being supposedly cancer-free. Supposedly because I've been told that they "got it all" before but then it showed up again over three years later. Where was I two years ago in my journey? Where am I today? Where am I going tomorrow? I feel I've accomplished a lot and at the same time I feel that there is much more to do. Thank you for your continued support for STOP ADRENAL CANCER! Each week I continue to receive signed petitions via email and snail mail. I plan to collect more petitions in the coming months and will be mailing them out, informing legislators, pharmaceutical companies, along with news organizations.

Peace to you, Fred

Very sad news today. We lost another member in our ACC support group. Diagnosed with ACC in 1989, Fred defied statistics and his doctors' prognosis when told he had only a few months to live. He authored the book, Finding Hope When the Doctors Say There is None, which tells of his life-changing experience with ACC. He continues to inspire many. Peace to you, Fred.

If you would like to read Fred's book, Finding Hope, email me and I'll loan it to you. Or you can order on Amazon.com by clicking here -->>Read Finding Hope today. This book is filled with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.

Big Bear cabing raffle winner!!!

Congratulations! Nicole of Northridge is the lucky winner of the coveted 3-day cabin vacation in Big Bear. The winner will enjoy Big Bear's winter wonderland from January 16-18. Thank you, Jinky and Dave, for your cabin contribution. Thank you to all who signed the petition to STOP ADRENAL CANCER!

If you haven't signed the petition, do it now by --> clicking here.

Under the Hawaiian sun

Take the day off! That's just what we did as we chased the sun in Hawaii. I loved waking up to the rain hitting the tin roof of our cabin. We kayaked and spent our first day in the emergency room because Jackie stepped on a sea urchin! That did not stop May, Jackie, Carli and I from hiking in Pololu, Waipio or Mauna Kea. One minute we're playing in snow on Mauna Kea (white mountain). The next minute we're exploring old lava flows, such as the Holei Arch, along the coast. I got camera happy after spotting honu basking on the beach. Out of 20 pictures, only one clearly shows the honu swimming (see below). I enjoyed every minute in Hawaii nei. A hui hou (until we meet again). It is now time to adjust my watch to the REAL WORLD.


I spent the last few days in Oahu relaxing from my Big Island expedition. On Saturday Waimea beach was closed due to the dangerous 30-feet waves. All photos below are taken on the North Shore. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see all my friends and didn't feel I had enough time with those I did see.

Happy new year!

Gone fishing...in Hawaii. For the new year, my friends and I plan to chase the sun on the Big Island. If I don't come back, don't look for me.

Big Bear cabin raffle update

I've been neglecting my page! I had to put the Big Bear raffle on hold due to the forest fire that started in October. The new cabin dates for the lucky winner: January 16-18, 2004. The Big Bear mountains have been packed with snow and skiers lately so it will definitely be a White Christmas for some. I'll be announcing the winner soon.

Student and Teacher

I enjoyed my return to school as a student. I just realized that I had a few things in common with my professors. I got an 11 out of 10 on my last project for my web design class. I didn't know that was possible. My instructor, Dr. Westfall, is a fellow cancer-survivor (he had colon cancer) and supports my web page ideas and even signed my guestbook. Dr. Aaron, my literature prof, is a fellow ukulele player and is a great lit professor. I enjoyed my classes immensely. I continue to teach fourth grade Bible study. I didn't think I would last because the kids were falling asleep on my first day. The kids will tell me what they like to do. They love to act so we act out our prayers instead of reading them. One student even wrote a script and gave me a part to play. Their favorite game is Jesus Jeopardy where they hum the game show tune and answer in the form of a question. They made my day when they asked if they could be in my class next year for fifth grade.

Win a shopping spree and weekend in Big Bear

It's time again for another raffle contest. The prize is a cabin vacation in Big Bear and shopping spree. Fishing, boating, off-roading, wild-life viewing, mountain biking and hiking are all possible for your weekend at the lake. If your name is chosen, your cabin holiday is reserved for November 7-9, 2003. The winner will also receive a $20 gift certificate to Von's grocery store, conveniently located in Big Bear. Spread the word! Tell your friends, family and co-workers. No purchase is necessary. Thank you to Jinky and David for contributing your home.

Peace to you Cindy

It's a girl!

It's official. Thanks to Jackie, I have adopted two babies, Lani and Kai, both girls and both adorable. I am adjusting to their early morning feedings as they are only six weeks old and cry for milk often. Their father is a dachshund (tiny weiner dog) and their mother is a chow chow/cocker spaniel mix. Imagine that!