November is the month, purple is the color.

Two different causes, same month, same ribbon color, shared by brother and sister.

For some time now I've been raising awareness for my own affliction, Epilepsy. Recently my family received news that the new treatment the doctors put my brother on, didn't work. Every side effect listed on that little pamphlet you are given at the pharmacy, or maybe it comes with your medicine bottle, well my brother got all of them, awful! But what you may not know about my brother is I think my mother slipped that boy some kryptonite in his baby bottle, he is tough stuff!!!

 So they told him they could not do another round of treatment following this 2nd one he was abt to start. (Too dangerous- drug was very toxic) 

So, if this round of treatment doesn't work.... It has to work there is just no other way. God has my big brother in his hands, and my trust is in God!

Back to my point, y'all know I digress big time. Ok so I'm online looking up stuff for epilepsy awareness... When I stumble upon the first picture below.*

I looked at my sister and said,"Katie, your  never gonna believe this shit but guess what?"

She was half asleep ( whoopsie)," this better be good"

"ok, how about GIST Awareness month is in November"

"Good stuff." - lil miss sarcasm

But thats not all nugget (nickname)...their color is purple!!!! 

"Oh cool" (sincere..haha)

Now tell me that just don't blow your skirt up! Haha I know y'all are jumping up and down doing cartwheels and busting out with some sweet snoopy moves! Bahahaha!

My thought, as she zonked back out, was...how cool is it that I get to share that this with him? Even though I know without a doubt he won't give two shits about it, I do and it's kinda like my private little bond. Although I did tell him. I didn't have to say much just that I came across it and told him the month and color and smiled he gave me his crooked smile. And the man if many words said, ain't that some shit bet that tinkled you pink. No, I would rather share good health so no... But I will raise awareness for this rare cancer that needs more treatments and needs to be brought to attention so people are t misdiagnosed, and so it will be better funded by hospitals.

And in memory of my dear friend,Kat, who had epilepsy and GIST, I can now be an advocate for both who are in desperate need of awareness.

GI Stromal (GIST) is a rare form of cancer, this article can tell you more of what it is, and the second section tells a bit more about my brother who is in this unfortunate category.;

SECTION 1:

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a rare cancer affecting the digestive tract or nearby structures within the abdomen. GI stromal tumor, or GIST cancer, is a sarcoma. Sarcomas are cancers that grow from cells of the body’s connective or supportive tissues such as bone, cartilage, tendons, nerves, fat, muscle, synovial tissue (tissue around joints), or blood vessels. (Most cancers are carcinomas, not sarcomas.)

 

GIST cancers arise either from cells called Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICCs) or from less differentiated stem cells or precursor cells that can develop into ICCs. The ICCs are known as “pacemaker cells of the gut” because they send signals to trigger peristalsis, the digestive tract’s muscular contractions that move food along its course. 

SECTION 2:

Cancer is most threatening when it metastasizes or spreads to additional locations beyond the primary tumor site. In GIST the most common sites for metastasis are the liver (<HUGH) and the abdominal membranes (peritoneum, mesentery, omentum). GIST rarely spreads to lymph nodes, but it may occasionally affect local abdominal lymph nodes. Unusual sites of metastasis include lung (<)and bone tissue and muscle tissue.

In conclusion, I need prayers for my brother more so now than ever. Also, I get to share my awareness month and color with my big brother! How neat-o is that?

I guess I better get more ribbon this year!!!!

If you want to help raise awareness too, all you have to do is post something on your Facebook page. I will post another post with links to pages where you can get some cool pictures with great info and please tell everyone to share.

I will be raising awareness not just for Epilepsy but for GIST as well. 

Thanks for reading! 

Please don't be afraid to leave a comment just to say hi or to give some feedback.

Much 💜 & May God bless you all!

Holley