In recent years, two of my Texas Aggie friends, Carrie Giles Freeman and Megan Morley Haverland, have lost their fathers to a type of blood cancer called multiple myeloma. Prior to their parents’ battles, I had never even heard of the disease.
A few months ago, Carrie, Megan and I decided to turn my #texasstrong shirts maroon for Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month this March, in hopes of spreading the word and supporting research for this devastating cancer.
In multiple myeloma, malignant plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow, crowding out the normal plasma cells that help fight infections. These malignant plasma cells then produce abnormal proteins (m protein) which may cause tumors, damage the kidneys, and impair immune system function. In some cases, the malignant cells may cause a single tumor, called a solitary plasmacytoma, but if multiple tumors are formed, then the disease is called multiple myeloma.
Carrie and Sarah with their dad, Mike Giles
Remembering Mike
Carrie and her sister, Sarah (also an Aggie), lost their dad, Michael Giles, in 2012, after a valiant battle against multiple myeloma. Soon after, they also lost their mom, Deborah, to a different type of blood cancer.
Mike was born in Austin, and, while he didn’t graduate from Texas A&M, he rooted for the Aggies and loved watching the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band perform at Kyle Field. He will be remembered for his quick wit and coined phrases. Mike’s daughters miss his weather updates, his cautionary tales, his daily phone check-ins, and his free advice.
Megan with her dad, Col. Tom Morley
Remembering Tom
Megan lost her dad, Col. Thomas V. Morley, Jr., USA (Retired), in 2013, after a valiant battle against multiple myeloma. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
Tom was a member of the Class of ’78 and reserved a special place in his heart for both Texas A&M and his hometown of Pittsburgh. Following the Aggies, Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates gave him great joy or misery, depending on the success of the season. Tom’s quick wit always kept life entertaining. Megan, her brother, Sean, and her mom, Kris, all miss him dearly.
Yesterday I was afraid to go out in public because I was so weepy and exhausted. Scared of sisterhood I don’t have sisters. My mom didn’t have sisters. My maternal grandmother didn’t have sisters. Sisterhood scares the crap out of me. Frankly, I’ve experienced more hostility with other women than friendship in my 31 years. Girls…
I’ve felt a bit under attack in recent weeks, struggling to find my focus, my motivation and even my joy. My lovely friend Kelly Smith at Mrs Disciple chose 5 joys as the topic for this week’s #FridayFive linkup, causing me to remember the ways I learned to choose joy this year. 5 ways I…
Often, on New Year’s Eve, I publish a post filled with photos and happenings from the past year. (Here are the posts from 2012 and 2013.) A look back at last year I’ve been putting off the 2014 post because it is difficult to write. Earlier today, I re-read the Bible verse for the 2014-2015…
I’m honored to guest post about “Big Ideas” in Claire Mummert’s #LikeaLady series at Radically Broken this week: A lady has kind hands, kind words, big ideas, she works hard, and she trusts God. When Little Girls Have Big Ideas I posted a quote this week that really resonated with my female followers on Facebook: I…
Need some jams to play while you honor Mom this weekend? I’ve compiled a list of my top eight favorite motherhood songs to celebrate Mom this Mother’s Day.
Central Texas loved our #texasstrong tanks benefiting Hays County flood relief so much that we’ve put them in stores! We have now raised over $138,000 on Teespring for the United Way of Hays County Disaster Recovery Fund, benefiting flood victims in Hays and Caldwell Counties. A limited quantity of Texas Strong tanks is available at…
