Relay For Life, American Cancer Society http://amore-images.smugmug.com/gallery/1801429_B6jFe/ <a href="http://www.amoreimages.com/event%20clients.htm"><b> <b><font color= orange> (Return to Amore Images Site)</font color></b><br> </a>My mother visited me from Chicago when Kai was just 3 days old (which many of you have met my now 5 month old son at the Relay). On her visit, Mom was in a lot of pain and thought she was just having stomache discomfort, and being old school, disregarded the symptoms and tended to my needs instead . This was my mom, who always put the needs of others first before her own. I found out a month later her pain had escalated and she was diagnosed with colon cancer. I was shocked with the news and the fact she experienced symptoms on her visit. I was upset with myself that I had not clued in on her had I not been preoccupied with my post-labor pain. Mom is presently receiving treatment. And she continues to suffer. When asked, she rates her pain an 8 on a 10 scale, described as being in labor all the time...this made me cry, because I now knew exactly what it felt like. I could barely stand that pain for a few hours- so how could she live with it all the time?!!! I invite you to view this gallery of images of the Relay For Life, which I volunteered my photography services. My goal is to bring you a better understanding of what cancer, this disease, is all about- and with the hope you could begin to understand the pain it causes and the sadness it brings to family and friends when a loved one suffers, or passes away...but to also experience the happiness and relief when the battle has been won due to medical treatments, research, and moral support. But mainly, I did this for my Mom- to let her know that I love her, as do my siblings. And as a message to Mom..."YOU HAVE TO WIN THIS BATTLE!!!" Love, Arleen (PLEASE support the American Cancer Society. Net proceeds from photographs purchased will be donated to them). http://www.smugmug.com/img/feed-icon.png Events Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 -0800 Mon, 21 Aug 2006 21:31:42 -0700 http://www.smugmug.com/ Copyright 2009, the copyright holder of each photograph. Some portions copyright SmugMug. All rights reserved. http://amore-images.smugmug.com/Events/Relay-For-Life-American-Cancer/DSC7672resize/89831388_FZtZC-Ti.jpg Relay For Life, American Cancer Society http://amore-images.smugmug.com/gallery/1801429_B6jFe/