I was diagnosed in 2005 with Breast Cancer, a small lump in the right breast. I found it, while breast feeding my fourth child. A mammogram was performed and they said don’t worry it looks like a Fibroma! Because of the breast cancer in my family a biopsy was performed. Breast cancer has taken the life of my mother, three aunts and my sister all at early ages.

I was determined it would not take mine.  So, I chose to fight!

I underwent a complete mastectomy and reconstruction on the same day! No lymph node involvement, so chemotherapy became an option. I chose not too utilize chemotherapy, but to fight! A year in a half later the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes under my right arm, another surgery to remove the nodes, all cancerous! I choose not to give up, but to fight! Chemo and radiation recommended this time.

July 18th, 2008 I celebrated my one year of going through treatments of chemo, radiation and alternative care, along with vitamin therapy.

 What have I learned?

I’ve learned, not to give up!  To smile, because each day is a gift from God. Encouraging and helping others allows me to heal and feel needed. Talking with other cancer patients creates a special bond of sisterhood! Know your disease. There is power in knowledge. Be your own advocate. Take charge of your health. But most of all FIGHT and when you can’t, allow others to fight for you, in prayer, with meals, cleaning your house or watching the kids.

Whatever it takes!  But never give in. Continue to fight for your will to live!

I found journaling my thoughts on a Cancer website a great way to communicate with others at CAREPAGES.COM. Just type in my name, Ovie Marshall and read my story, as I continue to fight…I am a licensed Skin Care Specialist and motivational speaker. I can be reached at OvieMarshall@comcast.net.

Remember, “Where there is Hope… Faith prevails.” And believing you have won the battle is half the cure.

God’s Blessings,

Ovie Marshall

N ow

S peak

P eace

I nto those around you

R ealize

A ctions

T oday

I t is your

O bligation!

N ever look back

How does that happen? 

We need to ask ourselves that. We here, as Mothers, have our share of trials and pain. But we have more resources than one can count. The resources on the continent of Africa are limited. In some areas they are nonexistent. I believe, we will never see the level of “poor” that they will see. That they have seen. My hope is to continue to assist with efforts to help.

The one thing that will always ring true to me, is that though they are poor in a monetary sense. They are far more rich in spirit. They have the biggest hearts and largest smiles that you will ever see. I hope we catch the spirit and help change their circumstance.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?
Do you seek out the positive in situations or dwell on the negative?

It’s amazing how things that we were taught as children come floating back to memory. When I was a very small child, I recall my grandmother singing a song to me. The chorus of this song is extremely powerful.

You’ve got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative
Don’t mess with Mister In-Between

These words could not ring more true.

We must realize that we are the driving force behind the act of positive thinking in our children! I know as adults living in the stress of the world, we find this hard to accomplish at times. So why not pull a resource? If you have kids in the house, I bet if I took a sneak peek into your pantry I would find Goldfish. You know the cute little orange crackers by Pepperidge Farm. They are a true childhood favorite. This company has launched a unique program titled “Fishful Thinking”. It is a wonderful website full of information and tools to help raise optimistic children. They have multiple game suggestions that can make learning to look on the positive side FUN!

As you go about your day, be conscious of the words that you are speaking. Not only will you be teaching your children a valuable lesson, you may be surprised the change you will see in yourself!

So let’s all accentuate the positive and GO FISH!

But something stood out. The children. They sat together in the first two rows. They sat in silence and listened. Really listened! At the end of my presentation they all gathered at the front in excitement. They presented me with a suitcase full of coloring books and crayons that they had collected for the children of Kenya. And in one of the most touching moments that I have experienced…all of these little children gathered around me, reached out and prayed for my safety and for the people of Africa. My heart was so full .

Towards the end of my presentation I had stated:

“Above all that I say. Above all that I do. I hope that my children are witnessing and learning the ever important gift of compassion and empathy. Because learning these two very important characteristics, I pray, will help to equip them to be the future generation of change.”

During my preparation for that night, when I initially wrote those words. I was thinking of my own children. And yet, I was witnessing it in these children. To me there is nothing more uplifting than to “see” a child’s heart. A desire to learn and understand things. I saw that shining so bright that night! After the service ended many of them ran up to me and handed me tiny notes of well wishes.

I was asked to speak that night to add insight and understanding regarding Africa. I feel that task was completed. And I did not leave there without learning a lesson myself. And that lesson was, never underestimate the heart of a child!

A few years ago, I may not have even known about these International issues. I would have been oblivious. Not anymore. Africa has been nestled deep down in my soul. Now it is at the forefront of my mind.

My eyes are open. It feels as real to me as if it were happening in my hometown.

People who were struggling to survive before the elections may now have lost all that they barely had to begin with. More than 600 innocent men, women, and children have lost their lives. Some former member’s of The African Children’s Choir have been displaced or injured. The girls from St. Monica’s Orphanage that we here at Mother’s Fighting For Others hold dear, are currently safe but fearful. Kenya and it’s people are in need of peace. Immediate need.

It’s times like these where I reflect on the gifts that I have. The gifts of freedom and democracy. I think sometimes that is taken for granted. Also, it makes me want to do more. Think more. Learn more. Understand more. Though the unrest still persists today.

I know that when the path is safe and clear I will proceed. Proceed to Nairobi. To be one small voice. One small hand. One small person to show the people of this country love, hope & peace.

~Thomas Aquinas

I was seven years old when our church sponsored a family of refugees from Laos. At my young age I really had no concept of what a huge act this was. I had no idea of the conflict that they came from. I new that they were different from myself. From the way that they spoke to the things that they ate.

That made no difference to me.

One of the little girls, Maya, became my friend from day one. We were the same age and she spent a lot of time with my family. Years past and they moved to Wisconsin. I thought of them often. Just a few years ago I got a phone call from my dear friend that I had lost contact with through the years. We spoke like we had never lost touch. Her sweet spirit and memories that were vivid in her mind touched my heart. She remembered so much more than I did. But she brought it all rushing to the forefront of my mind.

I know this was the first seed of compassion that was planted in my soul.

Among the number of things that we instill in our children, I feel that this should be on the top of our list….Compassion. With the holiday season in the air, there is no better time to start. It may be having your children go through their toys to give to those less fortunate or visiting the elderly in a local nursing home. Such simple acts will be tiny seeds planted in their hearts.

And a compassionate heart will help to change the world.

I lived the better part of my life as I knew it lacking passion. I loved a lot of different people, places, and things. But where was that feeling? The feeling that gets you moving, keeps you thinking and helps your heart to sing. I knew that it existed and I was bound and determined to find it.

I spent the better part of my teen years and early twenties trying to figure life out. Where did that get me you ask? As far away from anything spiritual as I had ever been. I was divorced and sad.

I will never forget a conversation that I had with a close friend of mine. She was one of those always upbeat personality types. I envied her zest for life. I recall crying to her saying that I wish I could feel the passion for life that seeped from her soul. I wanted to feel that even just for a moment!

Fast forward eight years. Now, I am happily remarried and I have two beautiful children. I am as spiritually connected as I’ve ever been. I am for the most part happy. What changed? What did I find that I did not possess all those years ago? There are a few things. Along the journey of life experience, I started to find out who I was, what I was here for, and who I was meant to be. It is an amazing experience when things start to fall into place. It is especially interesting when I started to hear the song in my heart sing.

At first, it was nothing more than a gentle hum. People started coming into my life. Individuals with the passion that I was lacking. I found Rocky many months ago on Cafemom. Her inspirational words and heartfelt deeds intrigued me. I was in awe of her strength and wisdom. I had Africa in my heart for years, but I didn’t know what to do with it. This women was acting out and pursuing her dream. I wondered if that would come to fruition for me?

Little did I know it was right around the corner. Mid-summer I was informed that the African Children’s Choir would be visiting our church. This in itself was huge. Then I learned that they need host families. We signed up immediately. This experience was life changing for my entire family. An instant connection was made with the three lovely girls and their chaperon. They were a ray of light that penetrated our home with joy. Not a month after their visit I was asked by Rocky to join Mothers Fighting For Others. I was in disbelief at first. What could I possibly offer this wonderful organization? I never professed to be a writer. But I was so honored to even be considered. I knew this was somehow part of my life plan. Not even a month after that, I receive a phone call from my mother stating that her church was headed to Africa in January 08′ for a missions trip. Before I even knew the details I knew that I was going! My life over these past few months have been a rather wild ride to say the least. I have grown more than I ever thought that I would. And I am still growing. So much lies ahead, and I am excited to see the rest of my life unfold.

The friend that I spoke of earlier? I emailed her a few weeks ago and I shared with her about Africa and my life in general. I was happy to close the email with this,

“Do you remember our conversation many years ago? When I was down and out about life and desiring to feel the passion that you felt? Well, I am happy to report that I have found it. And it feels great!”