The real life of Pancreatic Cancer

Nobody knows how hard it is to be a step parent. You have to take on the role of a parent but not stepping on the other parents toes. I have had a few "potential" step parents and once they tried to take on the role of my father, I immediately resented them.

This is not one of those cases.

My sister, Sylena is 15 years old.

She has an AMAZING step mom, I couldn't ask for another woman to take as good of care of her as this woman has. My mom actually went to high school with her! how crazy is that?

Dawn, she was a cheerleader in high school, outgoing, bubbly, real estate agent, mother of 2 sons, then became a step mother to my baby sister

are you wondering where I am going with this?

Dawn was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer is obviously cancer of the pancreas-

The pancreas is a large organ located behind the stomach. It makes and releases enzymes into the intestines that help the body absorb foods, especially fats.
Hormones called insulin and glucagon, which help your body control blood sugar levels, are made in special cells in the pancreas called islet cells. Tumors can also occur in these cells, but they are called islet cell tumors.

She was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer around May 6,2011 (Happy Cinco de Mayo-NOT), but she beat it the first time and was in remission. Dawn lost a ton of weight from going through chemo and radiation, her spirits were up and would often make jokes about the "cocktail" she was receiving. Those high spirits kept her going.

Sadly, her remission didn't last long, her spirits are getting dimmer and on my selfish side she is an AMAZING step mother to my sister. I don't want her to lose her, as well as her own 2 sons.

I never knew Dawn had a blog until today.

See here

I received a phone call this evening from my sister's father's friend who was wondering what day my wedding was, a very odd question from someone I rarely talk to.

I let her know my wedding date and asked why she wanted to know and informed me she is planning a benefit in the honor of Dawn. She is looking for people to donate anything they can in the Seattle area- but can be as north, south, east, or west, just in the Washington State I should say, to donate something for this benefit. examples; are a dental office has offered a whitening session, a restaurant downtown has offered a dinner for two. From what I gather these items will be at Dawn's benefit as a "silent auction" and all the proceedings will go to Dawn.

They are having a hard time with all these medical bills, Dawn lost her job after new management took over and didn't want to have the same deal her other manager had offered of when she was done with treatment she could go back to her job.


Dawn seems to be slowing giving up hope and if she is getting weaker she needs people around her getting stronger. Everyone needs to be loved, Everyone has someone that loves them.

I know I have felt a bond since I started blogging. The girls I have met and the messages I get when I don't blog is a love i have felt from women I have never met, and some I have met.

I would love for Dawn to feel this same love that I have felt. I have almost 400 followers in a year! I think that is amazing for I don't think my writings are really that great for that many people to want to know what I have to say.

I would love for you all to show Dawn that love. She is a true diva!


if anyone in the Seattle Area can donate a dinner, a lunch, shopping spree, anything that could be used for this benefit or if you can make a small donation to help out it would be amazing!!! I am trying to think of something great I could do for the bloggers that donate. I will think of something! I would love to get Dawn lots of followers to know that she is loved, so if you love me please love her.

She is a beautiful smart talented woman and like I said she has taken that hard role as a step parent for my sister that my mother and I could only be eternally grateful for.

In the sign off words of Dawn Jump "Live with passion"

Her blog here
Her website here

---Dawn if you see this I hope you don't mind that I stole your pictures off your site, divalicious---