Busy Bee for Pancreatic Cancer

Wow! Who knew that being in a pageant would keep me so much on my toes? Okay, rundown of all that's happened in the last two weeks:

1. Had virus, sick for three days. No activity.

2. PanCan affiliate meeting went amazing. Officially "Event Co-Coordinator" for Oklahoma. Brandy Glick and I are sharing the state with her in the Eastern half and me on the Western. We're already planning a Gala for next November which will probably be here before we know it! Venue, sponsors, event planning. It's sure to keep me hopping, but I love it. We're also looking into other events including a Casino Night at the new Hard Rock Casino near Tulsa, persuading The OKC Thunder bigwigs to allow us a Purple Night during this November, looking at restaurants who want to donate a night's earnings, a Purple Pin Bowling Night at Redpin Bowling Lounge, etc. And the list goes on. None of it is set in stone yet, but we're certainly trying!

3. The affiliate is also still gathering proclamations from cities around the state to display at the OU Garden Walk on Nov. 7th. I picked up one from the City of Bethany last week and boy, was I nervous!It helped to have my mom and sister, Sarah, there to support me.
Here is video my mom took.


I spoke directly to the council as one of the members lost her brother-in-law to this awful disease. Everyone was very kind and let me speak for a few minutes.
The worst part of the pageant is knowing your platform inside and out. Because mine is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness, there's quite a bit of statistics and medical jargon I've had to learn. Go ahead, quiz me! If I ever had the chance, I'd move out to California and work for PanCan. What an experience THAT would be! I'll be at the Norman City Council meeting tonight as the city is presenting its proclamation. Tena Coppedge and her family will be there. She lost her husband, Michael, this past July and it is amazing to see her strength as she participates so fully in activities. I was such a lump for a year after losing my dad.

4. Something fuuuuun that I'm so happy about is being on the top-rated morning radio show in Oklahoma, The Jack and Ron Show on 98.9 KYIS FM. They are super funny guys and their children are/were students of mine and they've had a number of my interns work there.
Here's the audio of the show:

Dr. Dan Brackett, one of the lead researchers in pancreatic cancer at the OU Health Sciences Center. Such a dear man and so knowledgeable. We're hoping to get on to other shows as well in the metro area, not just radio but TV too, to promote the OU Garden Walk. Since I'll be in Kansas City next week, he'll be on KWTV Channel 9 on Monday, Nov. 2. Look for him in the morning!

Whew! AAAAND this weekend, I'll be in the OU Homecoming Parade. I love working at OU and being a grad makes this appearance so much sweeter. Then the Homecoming Game, Halloween and my friend Maggie's wedding in Wichita. And all of this doesn't even count for what's going on personally or professionally! I hope my dad appreciates this!

Speaker Boxx has nothing on me!

I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to really get into the meat of the matter with keeping this updated. So much has happened in the last couple of weeks, I'm hoping to be able to address everything tonight after my first platform appearance!
Wish me luck!

76 trumbones..er... or just a few

How much fun did I have this weekend? Quite a bit! Friday afternoon started with a bang as I participated in my first event:

Noble HS Homecoming Parade 2009

NOTE: This is the first blog entry I did on my Facebook account after hearing of my dad's diagnosis. Some days, the pain is still fresh.

"You know, if it's not one thing, it's another." Gilda Radner as Roseanne Roseannadanna on Saturday Night Live

Recurring theme in my life it seems as I'm not fighting for MY life, but my Dad is. He was diagnosed this week as having inoperable pancreatic cancer which has metastasized in his liver and has about a year left. I have so many emotions about this. I don't know if it's because I 'm the oldest and have to try to keep it together but this week has been totally unreal. I apologize to any students who may have thought I was flaky this week or just wasn't myself. I haven't been.
He will start chemo treatment next Friday and we are exhausting all possible treatment options for him. (3 weeks on, 1 week off) However, he is in the latter stages of the disease. Pain management and slowing the growth of the cancer are the most important aspects we're focusing on as Daddy is in quite a bit of pain and has started losing weight. Once this is under some control, he can start gaining a little bit of weight. He's keeping high spirits and putting his life in God's hands, as we all should. He will remain working until such time as he needs to complete work from home. My youngest sister Sarah is moving back home from Wichita to offer additional support.

I can actually say all of this with a straight face and not cry thought tears threaten to spill over constantly. I'm sure people might think for awhile that I'm fragile and need to be handled carefully, but that isn't the case at all.
The worst part is how to tell my children about Grandad going to heaven. This will take so much strength, that honestly, I don't have right now.

I love a parade!

...the tramping of feet,
I love every beat I hear of a drum!
I love a parade, when I hear a band
I just want to stand and cheer as they come.
That rat-a tat-tat, the blare of a horn.
That rat-a tat-tat, a bright uniform;
The sight of a drill will give me a thrill,
I thrill at the skill of everything military.
I love a parade, a handful of vets,
A line of cadets or any brigade,
For I love a parade!

So excited for this weekend, starting tomorrow! It's going to be a busy one for sure. I get to make my first official appearance as Mrs. Cleveland County International in the Noble High School Homecoming parade! GO BEARS! I didn't attend Noble but I covered them extensively as a reporter for The Oklahoman in the late 90s. Small town with BIG heart, that's for sure. A family friend, Jim Kirkpatrick, is driving his little cayenne pepper red convertible for my parade appearances. Such a sweetie! I'll be in the OU Homecoming Parade too with Mrs. Norman, Anissa Yeargain. We'll have a blast.
Here we are taking a test run to make sure I'll be comfortable. I really need to get a bunch of candy tonight to throw to the kids. Should it be chocolate or sugar candy? Hmmmmm. Either way, it's sweet!
After the parade, I'm going out to dinner or whatever my husband has planned for our 1oth Anniversary! I can't believe it's been that long. Such a ride it's been with so many blessings. I got him something really cool for our 10th but I can't tell you what it is here because I don't want him to know yet. We get it the middle of this month though and I've been saving up for several months. (Thanks Donna/Mom for helping out with it!) Here's to 50 more! Love you!
Saturday is filled with soccer and two football games (JJ's and OU). You'd think I'd get tired of being in an all boy house. Good thing this pageant is girly enough for me. Of course, I'm already Queen Bee with my boys. :)
All of this, I hope, can bring more awareness to Pancreatic Cancer funding. PanCan.org is such a wonderful cause and the network is pushing to make a difference. The KnowIt!FightIt!EndIt! agenda is so critical to inform the public. Between now and the end of National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in November, approximately 8,120 people will be diagnosed with the disease and begin fighting it for the first time. That's an ENORMOUS number of people who shouldn't have to wonder if they'll be around for Christmas or their next birthday!

Will one of those loved ones be yours?

Lookie Ma! I'm a pretty princess!

I am so stoked tonight! I finally met Mrs. Oklahoma International, Rachel Roberts, at the Trendy Momma Tweetup. She's cute as a button and super sweet. The other ladies are as well. I met Mrs. Canadian County, Mrs. Edmond and Mrs. Norman. We've become fast friends indeed. Who knew there are so many wonderful women out there who want to make a difference in the world. Unfortunately, I didn't get to go to a pancreatic cancer support group tonight as we were CROWNED tonight for our local titles. See my crown? It's so sparkly! I'd almost be happy just to have it and move on! Well, almost...By being Mrs. Oklahoma, I could reach so many other people with the need to fight pancreatic cancer. I miss my dad so much and I don't want others to go through this!

The most amazing people

After yesterday's Okla. Affiliate meeting for PanCan, I can help so much more than originally thought. These amazing volunteers left me emotionally drained by the time I got home because the passion for this cause and ideas flying around the room had me in tears.
I've volunteered to be the Affiliate Event Co-Coordinator with a girl from Tulsa, Brandy Glick. Her husband, who was a doctor, died 9 months ago today. She'll cover the eastern half of the state, I'll do the western. We already have a Cancer Walk scheduled for Nov. 7 called the OU Garden Walk in the gardens at the OU Health Sciences Center. That's being organized by a bunch of hospitals and cancer care specialists in pancreatic cancer research to support the families. Funds raised will help with transportation costs and other necessities for families. Knowing from experience how expensive the trips back and forth can be, I'm helping with the promotion of it. So you MUST be there!
With all my contacts in media, I'm sharing them with Bill King, media coordinator, to get more press for the cause because November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month. Bill is Colleen's husband who I mentioned in the last blog. The group already has about 15 proclamations from cities all over the state with about 30 in process. The group is hoping to have the State proclamation read at the OU Garden Walk.
The doctors here in Oklahoma are really making strides into early detection and treatment methods. At this point, the goal is to identify the biomarkers on micro-RNA using devices such as deep sequencing machines to find a serum used for early detection. For 75% of diagnosed patients, living out the year will not be an option. The 5 year survival rate is less than 5%. HOW is this acceptable??
I'm also a big advocate of the federal resolution H.R. 745 for Cancer Research and Education Act. It has received significant bipartisan support with 158 of 222 signatures needed. (as of today, 9/18/09) Please ask your state representative to become a part of the healing!
Too excited for words that God has placed these opportunities in my way. Seems every experience over the last 10 years has led up to these moments and it will only get better!

Fortune cookies are the bomb!

Do you ever have people who come into your life and later, you realize why God put them in your path? Though I'm a fairly liberal voter, I approved Republican Thad Balkman for Oklahoma House District 45 in 2000. He came to our house a couple of times during his "stumping" and answered our questions truthfully. I've kept in touch with him over the years and now I know why.

Since I want to be able to get support in the Oklahoma State legislature for measures pertaining to pancreatic cancer, Thad was able to give me some amazing advice. His assistant, Connie Pitman, died last year of this horrible disease and was well known in the House. Thad also "introduced" me to Connie's twin sister, Colleen, who is active in the local PanCan chapter. It's been growing for the last six months and it seems the stars and God were just waiting for me to take some action of my own. Colleen says they don't have an Activity affiliate yet and I hope to fulfill that position with several of my ideas for raising awareness. With November being National Pancreatic Cancer Month, I'll be requesting a resolution to for the state House and Senate so that our legislators and Senators will be enlightened about the threat this disease poses to their constituents.

My first meeting with the local affiliate is tomorrow evening. Wish me luck and prayers!

Can you believe the timing? I really can't. Everything is falling into place.
It's like my fortune cookie said the other day, "This year, you will receive much unexpected support."

Patrick Swayze, another victim

I just can't stand this. A terrific actor and dancer whose lines many of us can recite, has succumbed to the terrible disease of pancreatic cancer. Here is his career in photos, per the LA Times: http://bit.ly/BUWvf . He and my dad were diagnosed at nearly the same time and a year apart in age. Fortunately for Patrick, he had the means to travel to the best hospitals around and get more treatments. He also wasn't as far along in the disease as Daddy-O. That's why we simply need to help find more funding, more research, more doctors willing to fight this with the passion and drive that others take against breast cancer or heart disease.

It's too underfunded. Please go to PanCan Network to make a donation or find out how you can help. Please.

Click, click, BOOM

Spent an amazing rainy afternoon getting made up and having my picture taken for my pageant headshots. A former PR student, who's work I'd seen and really liked, is a photographer. Krystal McKinley (formerly Parry) owns Joley Photography and Sweet Tart Pinups and who knew, a MAC artist. So not only did I feel like I got a makeover, but the pics are awesome.


Her studio, though part of her apartment, was huge and airy and just the right feel of industrial in downtown Norman. The set up is all professional but the sitting was entirely fun. We played with several looks and dresses I brought over and simply had a ball. I'm blessed to call her a friend and sponsor.


Seems I gain quite a few friends in my life, many of whom I would never expect at first. My dad had this ability as well because he was so easy to get along with. My mom doesn't know any stangers either as my previous blog shows. When my dad died, the Trisagion service was packed. (It's similar to a Catholic wake without the alcohol.) It took a good hour and a half to greet everyone in the condolences line. For anyone who's stood in these lines, you get to a point where you've heard every type of "I'm sorry for your loss" and the awkwardness is too much. But every person in that line was a new blessing, another link to my dad. Like a fine, invisible web, we are all bound to each other.


I "met" another person recently through the Pancreatic Cancer Network who blew me away with her enthusiasm for killing this disease. I hope the webbing connecting us becomes stronger. Pamela Acosta Marquardt is a founder of the PanCan Network as well as the director of donor and corporate relations. Her amazing story and desire actually made me cry and feel like I've never done anything worthwhile to get rid of the disease that took my dad. I hope to keep in touch with her and gain a better understanding of how to fight pancreatic cancer with everything possible.



It HAS to be done.

What have I gotten myself into?

As of Sept. 10, 2009, I am now known as Mrs. Cleveland County International 2010. This pageant for Mrs. Oklahoma International is keeping me on my toes in more ways than one! I've had to manage my time even more and am finding little bits of time which can be used when I'm not at work or spending family time. For instance, the boys are taking a nap before the Sooners game against Idaho State and here I am.

The hardest thing about any of this is finding the funding and sponsorships. Honestly though, I've found that just asking nicely can get you further than you could hope for. For instance, my mom took me shopping this week to see what kinds of gowns are available. We stopped by Crossroads Mall in OKC because of a dress shop she use to frequent. The mall is VERY empty. There are still live shops and a few straggling shoppers but not much else to speak of. The lonely carousel with it's colored ponies and mythical creatures spun without a single rider. The attendant was so bored, he watched a small tv while leaning against the fence, waiting for the lucky kid who had a choice of any seat on the ride.

On the way up the stairs, we saw a brightly lit store that seemed straight out of a fairy tale. Every concievable dress color and fabric hung on dummies and packed tightly together! Forgetting our original destination, we headed for the shimmer of satin. Some of the dresses were out of my little girl dreams of being a princess. I wanted to try on everything! I had to be strategic though, as we had limited time and Corbin was NOT about to let his mommy drag him to many stores. He found a way to entertain himself was hiding in the many racks of formals. I lost him on occassion in The Laughing Fish. Appropriate name for the store as I'm a Pisces and definitely felt like giggling like a 6-year-old.

My mom is my biggest fan and told the owner of the shop all about the pageant, what I was doing it for and how it might do her some good to be a sponsor. Without hesitation, Ms. Tonya Wistrand became my fairy godmother. She had several girls help me pick out the right dresses and colors. I picked two in particular and not only did she practically GIVE me one of them, she threw in a beautiful crystal bracelet and matching beaded bag and even some silver shoes!

Cinderella is born.