Meningioma Monday...

"No person was ever honored for what he received, but for what he gave."--Calvin Coolidge 

Thank you to meningioma survivor, Tanya Stearns and Gene Wayland at a Cut Above Graphics for selecting Meningioma Mommas to receive 10% of all proceeds from the sale of beautifully designed Meningioma Survivor t-shirts and stickers. For all the information and how to order, go to:


https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/A-Cut-Above-Graphics/230482353654084

Meningioma Monday...

Meningioma Monday...

"Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.” — Albert Einstein

I admire creative people especially those with an artistic bent. Being one who works with words, it was only natural to wonder if I would lose the ability to write after my meningioma surgeries. Thankfully, time and lots of healing proved my doubts and fears wrong.

Despite my meningioma, I'm still able to pursue my craft. Along my meningioma journey I've been fortunate to cross paths with other meningioma survivors who are still able to pursue their creative passions.

Today's Meningioma Monday "Creative Cranium" shout out goes to Jinx Garza, a meningioma survivor who is an amazing glass bead artist. You can own an original Jinx piece, which will also support meningioma research during Brain Tumor Awareness Month.

Check her craft out at:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1313&_nkw=jinx+garza&_sacat=See-All-Categories


Jinx also blogs about her meningioma journey at:

http://www.jinxgarza.com/about

Meningioma Monday...

Meningioma Mommas is making its mark toward their goal of donating one million dollars to fund meningioma research.

They have renewed their funding with Johns Hopkins University with a new $12,000 donation bringing the total tally to $192,000.

Thank you for celebrating this major milestone with Meningioma Mommas!

We are still far from a meningioma cure. Together we can bridge that gap.

Help us close it with a donation today!

http://www.meningiomamommas.com/donations

Meningioma Monday...

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one." ~Jane Howard

Your second family of support will never leave your side during your meningioma journey.

For more second family resources, check out:

American Brain Tumor Association
http://www.abta.org/
Includes an in-depth overview about brain tumors and what to know before and after surgery.
 
Brain Tumor Foundation
http://www.braintumorfoundation.org/
This New York-based foundation provides up to date information on tumor types; support groups for patients & caregivers; the latest medical technology, treatment options and clinical trials; and more.

Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada
http://www.braintumour.ca
Their goal is to reach every person in Canada affected by a brain tumour.
Toll-free # for more information: 1-800-265-5106

International Brain Tumour Alliance
http://www.theibta.org/
Seeks to be an alliance of the support, advocacy and information groups for brain tumour patients and carers in different countries and also includes researchers, scientists, clinicians and allied health professionals who work in the area of brain tumours.

Meningioma Association UK
http://www.meningiomauk.org/
United Kingdom support group for those diagnosed with meningioma.

Musella Foundation For Brain Tumor Research & Information, Inc
http://www.virtualtrials.com/
Supplies information and support for families dealing with brain tumors, raises money for brain tumor research.

National Brain Tumor Society
http://www.braintumor.org/GeneralMenu/
Recently merged west and east coast based organization that provides excellent resources on various types of brain tumors, support groups and upcoming events for patients and their families.

The Tug McGraw Foundation
http://www.tugmcgraw.com/home.asp
Named after the Phillies and New York Mets pitching legend who lost his life to brain cancer, this foundation raises funding to enhance the lives of children and adults with brain tumors.

MIND OVER MENINGIOMA...

As a nearly 12-year meningioma brain tumor survivor, my motto and mantra has become "Mind Over Meningioma."

It is my goal to further increase meningioma awareness in 2012 via my 9-years-and-counting, nonprofit, Meningioma Mommas, www.meningiomamommas.org , our MAD ABOUT MENINGIOMAS Facebook Cause, http://www.causes.com/causes/242100-mad-about-meningiomasand through my writing, www.lizholzemer.com

I'm also hoping you'll help pass the mind over meningioma message. Feel free to chime in at any time to share your meningioma moments, milestones and musings.

Happy New Year!

Meeting of the Minds...

"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."--Maya Angelou

Today I am grateful for:

*Connecting with inspiring meningioma survivors and their caregivers from the world over.

Gradually Ascending the Mountain to Elevate Meningioma Awareness!!!

http://www.inspiremetoday.com/archiveDisp.php?type=0&ref=842

Turning pennies into dollars...

It's not every day you can transform a lot of sense into donations. Thanks to GoodSearch, pennies will quickly add up to dollars--five thousand of them with just a few clicks and mere minutes of your time.

Starting today, April 6 until Thursday, April 9, GoodSearch will donate $1 up to $5,000 for every free toolbar that is downloaded.

Directions to Get Your Direct Toolbar Link (URL)

To generate your customized toolbar download page, please follow these steps:

1. Go to www.goodsearch.com
2. Enter Meningioma Mommas into the "Who do you GoodSearch for" box
3. Click on "Get the GoodSearch toolbar"
4. Copy the url from that page - that is your customized toolbar download page


By doing so, you'll be supporting a cause that is dear to my heart and mind, my nonprofit, Meningioma Mommas.

Remember, you must designate Meningioma Mommas as your selected charity for us to benefit.

Thank you in advance for your support of a nonprofit that has already helped thousands of patients, caregivers and family members soften the shock of their meningioma diagnosis.

Cooking Impaired Brain Tumor Survivor Releases Cookbook!

Yep that's me! And that would be my non-cooking impaired daughter, Hannah to the right. After brain surgeries, I've learned that a healthy serving of brain tumor humor can go a long way and I'll be the first to admit I'm culinary challenged.

Even before my baseball-sized meningioma brain tumor was discovered nearly 10 (OMG almost 10?!) years ago, I wasn’t one to spend hours toiling over a hot stove. I’m a grab-a-can-opener-and-bake-at-350⁰-for-one-hour kind of cook!

So why a cookbook? Feeding the Mind & Soul: It’s More Than Just a Cookbook http://www.meningiomamommas.org/mommas-merchandise is a treasured collection of tried and true family favorites from brain tumor survivors. The last thing anyone wants to worry about while recovering from brain surgery is what to prepare for meals once they are discharged from the hospital. Best part, 100%of the proceeds support my non-profit, Meningioma Mommas.

Over 200 mouthwatering recipes were submitted by “Meningioma Mommas and Poppas” and their caregivers, family members, and friends who offered support while their loved one was recovering from brain surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. Enjoy everything from a Poppa's refreshing Instant Lobotomy “Brain Teaser” to a family treasured Apple Dapple Cake “Out-Of-Your-Mind Dessert” from a Yale neurosurgeon's sister! It's a no brainer with inspiring and humorous quotes to boot in this truly one-of-a-kind cookbook.

The cookbook is perfect for moms, dads, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, grandmothers, grandfathers, in-laws, outlaws, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, nannies, neighbors, poker parties, book clubs, bunko groups, MOPS...

It also makes a great anniversary, birthday, engagement, divorce, wedding and hostess present too. Don’t forget to pick one up for your kids’ teachers, yoga instructor, accountant, mechanic, therapist, babysitter, banker teller, hairdresser, lawyer, personal trainer, life coach, postal worker, newspaper carrier, milk deliverer, barber, Zen master, gardener…And it’s a lovely way to honor your team of doctors.

Cookbooks are $25 each, which includes priority shipping. For international orders, please inquire with Lindy Klarenbeek at mminfo@bigpond.net.au All proceeds make it possible to continue support and fund meningioma research. Meningioma Mommas has donated $165,000 to meningioma research to date.

Thank you and here's to 1-stop holiday shopping and all those who really do cook!

What Meningioma Mommas means to a 12-year-old

Being diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumor has had its share of setbacks and obstacles, but it has also enriched my life in ways too numerous to count. It's also led me to meeting some remarkable people aka my second family with this disease as well. With so much focus on the patient, it's not uncommon for the caregivers who play a starring role in our recoveries to be overlooked or get short shift.

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of meeting Ann Margaret, a meningioma survivor and her entire family including her bright, mature and sensitive 12-year-old daughter, Nicole.

Nicole's grasp of her mother's meningioma journey, wisdom and writing talent are far beyond her 12 years. She has beautifully captured and articulated what is difficult even for meningioma survivors to put into words. Remarkable to say the least.

I dedicate today's post to Nicole who is already imparting life lessons we can all grow from.


My Act Of Kindness: “Born in the Scientific Purple”- George Howard Darwin

By Nicole Chrisney

A plastic purple bracelet, it may not mean anything to most people, but to me it means the world. Last year my mom was diagnosed with a meningioma, which is a brain tumor that is in the meninges tissue that surrounds the brain. When they found the tumor, her neurologist informed my mom that it must be removed. So she chose an amazing and talented doctor and on September 9th, 2008 he successfully removed her tumor.

September 9th, 2008 is also when those plastic purple bracelets arrived at our doorstep. It is also the month that I studied the brain in my science class, and without that class I wouldn’t have been able to support my mom the way that I did. Anyway, those bracelets come from a website called www.meningiomamommas.org It is a website that helps and supports people who have and have had meningiomas and raises money for brain tumor research. The bracelets are used to spread awareness and support the cause.

For my act of kindness, I chose to give my purple bracelet to my 6th grade science teacher. The bracelet is very important to me because it reminds me of what has happened and the long road I am traveling on. I think that my family gives me my deepest satisfaction, so I chose to give my bracelet away as a symbol of spreading my story. This past year, I figured out how fast things can change and how quickly things and people can disappear. I want people to know what has happened to my family and I, and also teach them what I have learned.

I gave the bracelet to Mrs. Ulsh, because she helped and supported me so much throughout the whole process, just like Meningioma Mommas helped my mom. During my studies with her, I learned so much and even figured out something that was important to tell the doctor before he operated. We learned about which nerves from the body connected to the brain. I tried to figure out exactly where my mom’s tumor was located. Then i figured out that the pain my mom was having in her right shoulder and hip was originating from her tumor on the left side of her head. After surgery, my mom’s neurosurgeon explained that her tumor was entangled in a nerve that runs down to her arm and leg. He thanked me for helping him, and I was extremely proud of myself that I could help and that Mrs. Ulsh taught me that.

Mrs. Ulsh was ecstatic when I gave her my bracelet and claimed that she would wear it all the time. It is my hope that with the bracelet she can spread awareness and I also hope it inspires her to teach her students even more about brain diseases and tumors. I dream that my purple bracelet will carry my story for generations and that it helps lead to a cure for people with brain tumors. Since my mother’s surgery, I have conducted a bake sale and have raised lots of money, with the hope that every one of my dollars helps in the effort to find a cure. My purple bracelet will live in my heart forever, and someday my story will lie in the hearts of many people.

Now, a year later, only little scraps of the tumor are left in one of my mom’s bones. You can barely see her scar, and the scar tissue inside of her brain is disappearing quickly. Last year was a year that really made me realize just how precious life is and how quickly things can change. That little plastic purple bracelet meant support for my mom and hopefully brings greater clarity for others with meningiomas and will one day lead to an understanding of the causes for meningiomas and a cure.

Meningioma Mommas Making Its Mark

My non-profit, Meningioma Mommas is over 10% of the way towards my goal to raise$1,000,000 for meningioma specific research. A check for $20,000 was presented to Dr. Elizabeth Claus and the Brain Science Foundation during the recent 3rd Annual Meningioma Awareness Day in Boston. Our latest donation will contribute to the ongoing ground breaking research Dr. Claus and her committed team continue to pursue.

Meningioma Mommas can think of no other person we’d like to be supporting because not only does Dr. Claus believe in our plight, she has dedicated her life’s work to unraveling the mystery that afflicts each of us with a meningioma.

It is a privilege and an honor to know that we can contribute to her novel approach to understanding meningiomas.

You are our champion, crusader, and hero.

May is National Brain Tumor Awareness Month

There are still 23 days left in May to honor the inaugural National Brain Tumor Awareness Month. What used to be a week of recognizing a disease that has personally affected me now has its own designated month.

I'm on a mission to put meningiomas--the most common primary brain tumor--on the global awareness map. Thankfully, I'm not alone on this mission.

This past weekend I had the privilege of celebrating survival and hope with a room full of meningioma survivors and their families during a Meningioma Mommas Meet & Greet fundraiser in the Big Apple. It's quite an inspirational and powerful feeling to be in the company of those who have walked in your shoes.

It's even more inspiring and powerful when someone who doesn't even have a meningioma, runs a marathon in the name of raising awareness and funding for your cause. That someone special is Kelly Tobin.

Happy Birthday!

My brainchild, Meningioma Mommas is six today!

Hope. Friendship. Laughter.
Nearly 4,000 served and connected.
$145,000 of meningioma specific research funded.
Hugs. Tears. Fears.
Survival.
Yes We Can.