Friday, January 15, 2010

Blogiversary with a City That Doesn't Sleep



I have so much to tell all of you.

First, many of you already know and have congratulated me.  I'm one of 15 bloggers that won a trip to New York City to meet Kelly Rippa through Foodbuzz and Electrolux.  I'll blog about this in February.  To say I'm excited and thrilled is putting it mildly!

We will be participating in a cake decorating event to raise awareness for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund whose mission is to fund research to find a method of early detectionand ultimately a cure for Ovarian cancer.  This topic hits really close to home with me.

I don't know how many of you have ever heard of a drug called DES or Diethylstilbestrol. This drug was prescribed to women beginning in 1941 through about 1963 who had a high risk of miscarriage or who had miscarried before.  My mother was prescribed this drug when she was expecting me because she had two previous miscarriages.  It was later found that the daughters of DES mothers had a multitude of reproductive problems including clear cell cancer which usually showed up when the daughters were in their late teens and early 20's.  I was a DES victim diagnosed with cancer at the age of 24.  Thankfully, I did not have to undergo chemo or radiation; surgery and constant survellience was all I needed and I have been cancer free since.  However, I was told that my chances of ever conceiving were slim and none and if I did conceive I would NEVER carry to term.  I did suffer miscarriages but was lucky enough to have two beautiful daughters and both pregancies were uneventful...the power of prayer over medicine!

Even though my cancer was not ovarian, I feel strongly about research for for early detection and a cure.  Maybe you have had a close friend or relative stricken with this deadly disease and feel strongly too.

More to come on this as Foodbuzz releases information to us.

Today, January 15th is the second anniversary of Smoky Mountain Cafe'.  Thank you for reading this blog.  Thank for commenting and keeping me going.  Thank you for continually raising the bar.  Thank you for your inspiration and friendship.

Thank you!


49 comments:

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your trip. Well deserved my friend. I bookmark your recipes all the time. You are definitely one of my favorite blogs. My mother passed due to complications surrounding ovarian cancer last Oct. Throughout the time she had it, I was amazed at the awareness of breast cancer, but lack of awareness about ovarian cancer. So glad you are still cancer free and enjoying beautiful children. You are right, prayer is an awesome thing!

SusanD said...

Oh how absolutely exciting for you. Congrats! A dear friend passed many years ago as a result of ovarian cancer. Thinking about her just now and seeing her in my mind's eye brings tears. Praising God with you at the joy of you being cancer free. Blessings, SusanD

Donna-FFW said...

Congrats to you. I know youll have a blast. I am only 1 hour 15 mins from the city:) Wish I could be there to meet you..


Congrats on your anniversary too.. Always look forward to your posts..

Big Dude said...

Congratulations on the anniversary, the honor, and the health success, but condolences on having to go to NYC - Seymour is as big a place as I like to go :) As long as you keep publishing, I'll sure keep reading and learning from you.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

First of all congratulations on your trip. Sounds like a ball. Also congratulations on your blog's second anniversary. We all know what dedication it takes to keep going day after day. I'll be looking forward to your posts about NYC.
Sam

pam said...

Congrats on your trip, congrats on beating cancer, and congrats on your anniversary! It is a real pleasure to get to know you through your blog.

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

i could not be more thrilled for you.. Congrats!

How exciting. And your personal story is very important. I am glad you were chosen as you have a message to share.

Enjoy the city, I used to live there for a bit and it has so much to offer.

Joanne said...

Congratulations on winning your trip! We should definitely have a blogger meet-up if you are in the city for any extended period of time! Even if it is just for coffee or something quick like that.

I'm so sorry to hear about your experience with cancer but at least your story has a happy ending. Moral - statistics and doctors don't always tell the full truth. You should never lose hope!

ann low said...

Congratulations on your trip, I'm so happy for you :) and happy 2nd anniversary!

The JR said...

I'm so glad you won the trip. Sorry to hear about everything that you went thru. Happy blog bday!

Love UR blog, congrats again

Claudia said...

Katherine! That is so exciting I cannot stand it. What a journey you and your mother have had. Thankfully, the journey gets easier and esier with improvements in medicine and awareness! this couldn't have happened to a better person - and it is well-earned.

Claudia said...

And happy blogiversary!

Lyndas recipe box said...

Congrats on your trip-how exciting for you!
Thanks for sharing your story about cancer...thankfully you've had a happy ending and have been blessed with 2 wonderful daughters!
God id good!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your trip, a great event for a wonderful cause! And congrats on your blogiversary!

The Diva on a Diet said...

HUGE congrats on winning the trip, Katherine! So exciting! And for such a wonderful cause too. I can't wait to read all about it and learn how we can help support this important research.

By the way, if you have any free time while in NYC, give me a shout! I don't know how long you'll be staying - but Erika (from in Erika's Kitchen) and I might be getting together and we'd love to include you. No pressure though. You can email me at: divaonadiet@gmail.com if you think you'll have some spare time. :)

The Diva on a Diet said...

Oh, I nearly forgot - Congratulations on your 2nd Anniversary! Such a wonderful accomplishment!!!! :)

HEATHER said...

Katherine-Congratulations!!
I am so stunned to hear you talk about DES. That is what has caused my mom's cancer-my grandmother was given DES while pregnant with my mom. It has become my new obsession to try and educate as many women as possible about it!! God Bless!

HEATHER said...

Actually DES was prescribed from 1938-1971!!
http://www.desfollowupstudy.org/index.asp
http://www.desaction.org/index.html
http://www.cdc.gov/DES/consumers/index.html

Plain Chicken said...

Congratulations on your trip! I can't wait to hear all about it - it should be a blast.

Heidi said...

Congrats on the trip. I think it is wonderful what you are doing for ovarian cancer. My friends mother also recieved the drug, but she has been fortunate so far to not have any problems and was able to carry two boys successfully. Also, congrats on your 2 years. My 1 year is coming up in 5 days.

Barbara said...

Congratulations on your trip. Will be anxious to hear all about it!

I took a drug during a pregnancy in 1957 becuase I had 2 miscarriages. I called the doctor when all this information came out about DES and found out I was NOT given that particular drug. I had a daughter, now 51, who has had no problems so we were either fortunate, or the doctor's info was correct and he had not given me DES.

My mother had cervical cancer when she was 45, but lived to a ripe old age of 92. Luckily, the rest of us in the family have been cancer-free.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Katherine, Congrats.... I love Kelly Ripa.. That is just so neat!!!!! I'm proud of you!!!!

Didn't know about your Mom's nor your situation. Thank God they have helped you to be cancer free.

Did you hear (rumor) that UT may be hiring Derek Dooley--the coach from La. Tech?????

Hugs,
Betsy

Jane In The Jungle said...

Congrats Katherine on your trip, your 2nd anniversary, but mostly being cancer free!!

I had 3 close friends die from ovarian cancer, it haunts me...

buffalodick said...

Wonderful you won that trip! Cancer seems to be everywhere around us these days.. My best friend is going through quite an ordeal with chemo, radiation, and plain old surgery, fighting for his life..

Julie said...

I guess I've had my head buried in the sand...I didn't realize you won the trip. So exciting, can't wait to hear all about it!
Ovarian cancer is such an insidious disease, the more we can raise awareness and back research, the better.

teresa said...

happy blogiversary and congrats on the win, how wonderful!

Michelle said...

Wow congratulations and thanks for visiting my blog (sorry about the spam issues- augh.) I won a $50 gift certificate this month for the Lego store online from BlogHer and I thought that was a big deal. How exciting!

I don't know much about DES myself- thanks for the info. how wonderful you were still able to have children though and Happy Blog Anniversary.

I can be found here
One of a Kind Wisconsin.

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

Woohoo! Congrats all around!!

Anonymous said...

omg I have never heard of DES. How wonderful that you were able to have two daughters. I can't imagine what you went through during those two pregnancies (worries)

I think it's just fantastic that you won that trip!!!!! I can't wait for the blog post talking about the trip. Have a fabulous time.

gigi said...

I always knew you were a "winner"!
You're a winner in my book everytime! Go You!!

Praise be! to cancer free! Scary stuff and so much needed on the awareness levels. Thank you for that!

Yeah, I just hit the 2 year mark too. I think we have been together most of those two years :) Good times!
Hugs and congrats!

Sasha said...

I'm so sorry you had to go through that horrible ordeal but thank God you're okay and that you were blessed with two children.

Congrats on your win! New York is as amazing as its made out to be.

And happy blogiversary!

Barbara Bakes said...

Happy blogiversary! Have a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing your touching story.

Katy ~ said...

Love to see good things happen to good people! This is indeed exciting and I could not be happier for you! I am looking forward to your sharing your experiences.

And congratulations on your 2nd anniversary. Looking forward another delicious year with you.

Marjie said...

Woo Hoo! What a wonderful prize! I wish I could meet you there, but I'm a good 90 miles west of the city and avoid it like the plague. Happy Blogiversary, and many more!

Fresh Local and Best said...

Katherine, I'm thrilled for you! Thank you for sharing your personal experience. Hopefully, I'll see you when you're in NY!

The Blonde Duck said...

Oh my gosh! Congrats on your trip! That's so scary about your mom and your own cancer...I'm so glad you're healthy now!

Anonymous said...

Katherine, what an inspiring story and journey of you, your mother, and your daughters.

Congratulations. So glad that a Southern belle like you will be heading to NY for this big blogger event!

Have fun!

Marguerite said...

Congratulations, cher, on your trip! Sounds exciting! The cake decorating event-fundraiser is for such a noble cause. I lost a colleague to ovarian cancer, five years ago. So happy that you are in good health and yes, "prayer changes things".
Also, congrats on your blogiversary, mon amie! I love your blog! Cheers!

Debbie said...

Congratulations Katherine! I am so happy for you and can't wait to hear all about your trip. Happy Anniversary to your blog too! You were one of the first people to comment regularly on my blog when I first started. Even though we have never met I feel that I know you and that you are a friend. I love your blog and look forward to all you posts!

Debbie said...

You're going to NY to met Kelly? I am so happy for you! That is just the best news.
Ovarian cancer scares me to death. I did not realize you had that history. Makes those gorgeous daughters of yours even more precious.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Happy blogiversary and congratulations on being selected to go to NYC. Most importantly, I'm glad you are well and you beat this thing.

Melissa said...

Happy Anniversary and Happy NYC-ing! Also? Kelly Ripa is even tinier in person than you imagine she would be. Haha. Amazing.

And I fully believe that what the doctors say doesn't have to be the final word, whether through faith or power of your own mind and body or both, and how wonderful that you have your two girls to show for that kind of thinking. Thank you for the info and for your story.

Chef E said...

Thanks for sharing your story with us, and I am glad to hear you are doing well. I have lost two good friends to this disease, so with my own story and memories, I am glad to hear people like you deserve to have good things happen... I guess you will be meeting The Cooking Photographer, Laura, say hello!

Look forward to reading more...

Chris said...

Congratulations, Katherine! We're excited for you. Great back story, especially considering your two great girls.

Happy blogiversary!

Penny said...

Katherine, I am so happy for you to particpate in such a meaningful and fun trip. Congratulations on you blog's second anniversary and my admiration of you as a person is huge. Keep up your good work.

Reeni said...

Happy Blogiversary Katherine! Thank-you for sharing your story. And congrats on your trip! I'm so excited for you!

gunnypink said...

Katherine, I am so proud of you, and happy for you. Have as much fun as you can.

Jennifer said...

Congrats, I am so happy for you!

meleah rebeccah said...

Oh My Goodness! Congratulations on your win and on your trip! Kelly Rippa is awesome! [She will always be Hallie from 'All My Children' to me!]

PS: I discovered your blog via Michelle Gartner, and I'm very glad I did!