TEAM Cakesy - A Lupus Walk: volunteer

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

TEAM CAKESY is BACK!!!!

Its almost that time folks! September is right around the corner and you know what that means.... Lupus walk time!!

We have had sooo many changes in our lives since the last post in October 2009. Sharon and Cherish have both updated our personal blogs but the Team Cakesy blog kinda got left behind... Here are a couple of quick updates you REALLY don't want to miss:

Sharon was featured on a PBS special that documented her life with Lupus. The special included interviews with her and her family and friends, along with tons of pics of her over the years. I managed to have a few photo cameos but sadly enough could not make it back to town in time to appear with her. I am soooo proud of her and Thankful that PBS is getting the word out! You can watch the full video HERE

As if that weren't enough, AOL's Blackvoices published an article this week about the daughter of rapper Snoop Dogg, who is also battling lupus. Such a sad story because she is so young... and what a spark for us when we opened the online article and see a link to Sharon's PBS video!! How amazing is that in terms of exposure???

Sharon is now working for the Lupus Alliance of America's Michigan Indiana Affiliate. She, along with the rest of the organization, are doing GREAT things! The word is getting out which means (hopefully) the research, funding and awareness are all growing even faster! Stay tuned for more great news and feel free to come out and show your support or donate to Team Cakesy:

16th Annual Walk For Lupus - Metro Detroit

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Metro Beach Metropark (31300 Metro Parkway - Harrison Township, MI 48045)

Registration begins at 10 am.

Walk begins at 11 am.

Lunch begins at 12:30 am.

Silent Auction closes at 1 pm.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

First Post, Here Goes...

Well, this is officially my first post for the TEAM Caksey blog that Cherish has so graciously put together for the Lupus Walk in September. While she is the technical brawn behind the operation, April is the muscle brawn. April said that she is going to "Run Forest Run" and come in first place in the walk. As for me, all I did was get diagnosed with Lupus and so I haven't quite figured what kind of brawn that is.

The wheels started spinning when April decided months ago that she was going to participate in the walk in honor of me. I thank God that she is walking in honor of me instead of in memory of me.

Not only am I thankful for these two but also for all of you that are reading this. Life always seems to throw unexpected twists and turns our way. I had no intention of being diagnosed with a chronic illness-trust me that was never on my radar-but since it has happened, I have decided that despite the rain, I will see rainbows. So with that said I have decided to volunteer for the Lupus Alliance of America's Michigan/Indiana chapter. I am beyond thrilled! I am going to do PR one day per week for the Alliance spreading awareness. I just want to help get the word out about Lupus and its devestating effects on a person and their loved ones.

I have Cherish and April to thank for this move. They are always very vocal about how I inspire them but now I am returning the favor. They were my inspiration in my decision to volunteer. I figured if they can do all this for my cause then I should be able to do something for my cause. Everyone can do something is what I have always said. So, publicly, you ladies already know that I love you but now I am saying thank you. Thank you for your friendship, understanding and inspiration. Furthermore, I went seeking a volunteer opportunity but left the Alliance with the director telling me that he is going to attempt to seek funds to pay me a lil something, something. "What the devil meant for evil, God set it up for good." Until...

Sharon's Story

Blessed.
Even when my hair had fallen out in patches.
Even when my face was torn apart.
Blessed as my feet "don't work" as they should.
Even when my mother has had to help me complete simple tasks such as put on socks or sit up in bed because I was just too weak. I was still too blessed to be stressed.
Even as I lost 30 pounds in 28 days and gained 25 in 3 months, there was not a doubt in my mind that I wasn't blessed.
Even when my joints have hurt so bad that it felt like wild beasts were feasting on me.
Blessed even as I've experienced "lupus fog" and couldn't remember to take my medication consistently.
Blessed when my 3 year old cousin would place a loving touch on my cheek and I would cringe because it felt like I was hit in a bar brawl.
Or even when I would get in my car and totally forget where I was going.
Blessed when my medication had me so confused, dazed and inebriated that I would call my mom talking incoherently. She would cry because she was over 1,000 miles from her child and could not do something to take my pain away.

As you can see, Lupus did not and does not care how blessed I am. Lupus is mean and unforgiving.

But through it all, I have been fortunate to have angels at work on my behalf. At work, I didn't tell anyone that I was suffering from the disease because I didn't want to be treated differently. But when the flare really set in, lupus ratted me out. I may not have said anything but it showed in my appearance and demeanor. When I was tired and felt like I had a ton of weight on my back, I went to work. Not letting lupus win was more important than me resting. I would get to work and my supervisor, Trish, would notice how fatigued and out of sorts I was. She would politely take my hand and tell me to take my sick self home. God sends angels to protect fools and babies.

As it stands, I’m still on bedrest and this affords me the opportunity to reflect often now. Many times a day I ask God to bless each of you that has been there for me. I think about how my co-workers who hadn't even known me eight months rally around me like I was their kinfolk. Ms. Woods made me healthy meals (I am missing that cabbage, by the way) and Aquilla, Shamika, Shonda, Ebony and Adrian always made sure that I was alright, whether it was carrying a bag, a text message or picking up a prescription. As I went through, God sent his angels to camp around me. Never once did I think that I was set up to fail.

Not only did my childhood, high school and college friends rally around me but so did their families. For all the "Mamas"-Mama Jones, Mama Hayes, Mama Kelly, Mrs. Knight, Ms. Ylaine, Mama Terri, Mama White and Mama Maggie-your calls, love and support always brought a smile to my face and heart. Brynna, B'Onko, Shana (the flowers were gorgeous), Kyle, Marlon, Madame, Berlinda, Belinda, Tim, Tammi, Aunt D, Theda, Rosie and Cousin Nicole who all visited just to hold my hand and offer words of encouragement. Then there are Cherish and April. I strongly believe every single member of their families, dead or alive, checked in offering support. I appreciate all of the love from their families, corspes and those with pulses, alike. Friendship is a powerful thing.

I’ve collected many great people in Tallahassee, also. They held me together until my mama made it to me. Kara cleaned and Kenyetta cooked. Renasia, Seyan, Nicole, Bettye, Kelly, Sydni, Jean, Lamar and Shanna made sure my daily needs were met. It is a wonderful thing to know that all I had to do was pick up a phone and my immediate need would be met. I was also all too fortunate to stumble upon Pastor Williams and First Institutional M.B. Church who continue to keep me lifted up in prayer. How lucky and grateful I am!

If it's one thing that I know for sure it is that the devil stays angry with me. His wrath towards me is because of you. You have kept me encouraged. You have prayed for me. You have loved on me. You have shed tears with me. You have visited with me. But most of all, you have encouraged my mother. And loved on her. And eased her mind. I do believe that it is common knowledge that I love my mama. I love you for loving her. As many of you know I am my mother and my father's only child. They don't get do-over's. It’s just me. I am so indebted to my aunts, uncles and cousins. They have provided unlimited financial, emotional and physical support. My support well never ran dry. I am my aunts and uncles only niece. I am my little cousins only female cousin. I am all they have and, by the grace of God, that's why I fight.

Help me in my fight to find a cure for lupus.

There hasn't been any new medication in 50 years so awareness and research is terribly important. Most of you don’t know but I have been taking Chemo in small doses since I was diagnosed in 2002. Since this flare my intake has been increased dramatically. I know that I don't say much about having the disease but when Cherish and April put this team and website together I had to confront it. Since the inception of everything regarding Team Cakesy (which, by the way, is a nickname my mother gave me as a child) I have spent many nights and some days crying and removing mental scabs of the effects that the disease has had on me. In order for me to move on in peace, I have had to confront lupus.

Yes, I have LUPUS but LUPUS does not have me.

I know who is working on my behalf. I've been through a lot and I've pressed my way through. I will continue to press on because this fight is much larger than me and it's so much larger than we. I’ve learned that when we are great, we will be challenged. Challenges come to show us what we are made of. Challenges produce soldiers when we resolve not to be defeated. Please, take my hand, and join me. I’m a movement by myself but I’m a force when we are all together.

Together We Will Win!

Peace and Blessings, Sharon

Sharon - Living with Lupus

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

TEAM CAKESY is BACK!!!!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

First Post, Here Goes...