Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Raise a Paw!

Dragonheart raising a paw
I am raising a paw for the Endometriosis Association. There are so many excellent charities out there, that it was hard to decide who to raise a paw for. As most of you know, my dad is an officer in the Canadian Forces, and there are many excellent charities that support Canadian Forces members, veterans, and families. There are also many wonderful animal charities out there, such as the many rescue groups and no-kill shelters. Then there are all the health-related charities. My mom, for example, suffers from four chronic, incurable diseases. Fortunately, they are all controlled (more-or-less) with medication. Then there are the charities who have helped our extended family. My mom's dad is a prostate cancer survivor, my dad's mom is a breast cancer survivor, and my dad's dad died of an inoperable brain tumour.

In the end, I decided to support the Endometriosis Association, because they have helped my mom out the most. My mom suffers from endometriosis, which can be a very painful disease. She has already had two operations for it in the past, and will likely need to have surgery again at some point in the future, since, unless a surgeon can remove every tiny little last bit of the endometrial lesions, they regrow, and cause pain and problems again.

What is endometriosis? According to the Endometriosis Association:

Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease that affects 5 1/2 million women and girls in the USA and Canada, and millions more worldwide. It occurs when tissue like that which lines the uterus (tissue called the endometrium) is found outside the uterus -- usually in the abdomen on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and ligaments that support the uterus; the area between the vagina and rectum; the outer surface of the uterus; and the lining of the pelvic cavity. Other sites for these endometrial growths may include the bladder, bowel, vagina, cervix, vulva, and in abdominal surgical scars. Less commonly they are found in the lung, arm, thigh, and other locations.

This misplaced tissue develops into growths or lesions which respond to the menstrual cycle in the same way that the tissue of the uterine lining does: each month the tissue builds up, breaks down, and sheds. Menstrual blood flows from the uterus and out of the body through the vagina, but the blood and tissue shed from endometrial growths has no way of leaving the body. This results in internal bleeding, breakdown of the blood and tissue from the lesions, and inflammation -- and can cause pain, infertility, scar tissue formation, adhesions, and bowel problems.

The Endometriosis Association does a lot to help women with this disease. They provide educational literature and materials, have support groups and chapters throughout the world, support research into the causes and treatment of endometriosis, publish books on endometriosis, and have a crisis line available for women who need someone to talk to in times of crisis. So I am raising a paw for the Endometriosis Association.

44 comments

michico*Adan*Lego-小芥*阿丹*樂高 said...

This movement supports many meanings~!
I am so admiring you doing, Dragonheart~!

Karen Jo said...

You picked a great group to raise a paw for, Dragonheart. I am so sorry that your Mom has so many health problems. I am glad that they can be controlled, though.

Daisy said...

You look so cute raising your little paw! And I think you picked a wonderful cause to raise your paw for. I am proud of you!

Ramses said...

Oh dat's a good cause! Since I's a girly I'm always interested in things that help other girlies even iffen they're not kittie girls! :)

Purrs,
Isis

Parker said...

Dragonheart, that was a great paw raise! I think you chose a very worthy cause - and you would be helping your Mom!

Tommy and Teaghan said...

Dat's a great cawse. Mom knew a woman years ago who went through horrible pains because of endometriosis. Yur paw looks so perfect in dat picshure.

Astrid (…and the kitties too) said...

that's a furry good cause to raise a paw for Dragonheart!

Mickey's Musings said...

That is a very good cause.Purrs to your Mom :)

Anonymous said...

Dragonheart you are raising your paw for a very worthy cause. We are sorry about your mom having health problems, but we know you are a great comfort and help to her.

The Furry Kids said...

DH, that is a great cause. Endo is very hurty.

Great job raising your paw, too!

Titus

Tara said...

Wonderful paw raising Dragonheart! Sorry to hear you mom suffers from some of those diseases. You snuggle with her and make her feel better, OK?

Tara

The Meezers or Billy said...

oh that is a wonderful cause Dragonheart! we is sorry that your mommy suffers from that - it is very painful.

Tybalt said...

Dragonheart, that is a wonderful cause for you to raise your paw for. You are such a caring kitty to support your mommy so well!

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Awe Dragonheart, our mom's have something in common. She finally found a little relief in menopause, so unlike other women our mom embraced it. The hot flashes are actually power surges to her! She likes it too cuz she is always warm now, no more whining about it being freezing in here at 68F...

LZ said...

I think you decided on a wonderful cause! What a hard disease and it affects so many women. You are right that there are so many great charities out there. We really need to work on ours!

Kaze

Monty Q. Kat said...

Ouch! MomBean's heard of endo...what your Mom has and can't imagine what it must be like. Excellent paw raising!

And I'm so glad you can eat the treats, I had MomBean go through lots of bags to find one you could have.

Forty Paws said...

That's a wonderful picture of you raising a paw, and we luf your blanket!

That's a great organization that you chose to endorse. Maw's niece has from endometriosis and has suffered a great deal because of it.

Luf, Us

Shilgiah the Cat said...

What a great cause to support. My mom has a friend who had to have a hysterectomy and other surgeries before she was 19 years old because of endometriosis. Thanks for the information about this charity.

Captain Jack and Sir Dante said...

Wonderful Raise a Paw and a worthy charity too!

Anonymous said...

That's a wonderful cause Dragonheart. Did you know that the Human who lives with Zevo Calamari is an acupuncturist and she has written a book about endometriosis? I think there are links on his site that go to her other sites, including the one that has the book.

Anonymous said...

You chose something that's very close to my staff. Henny's sisters also suffers from endometriosis and we know what it is.

Dragonheart, we are happy you're helping your mommy and so many others with raising your paw to support the Endometriosis Association!

Jimmy Joe said...

That is a very scary disease, Dragonheart, and it is great that you are helpin' out your momma by raisin' your paw for that association. Great job, buddy!
Your buddy, Jimmy Joe

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Oooo we is sorry to hear your Momma has to deal with this. Our Momma had a good friend who had this and she saw first hand how badly it affected her. We are glad your Momma is OK....

Purrs
Abby

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

Wow! Meowm was diagnosed with that when she had surgery to remove her uterus, but she says she learned something from reading all of that. She is going to go to the website to learn more. I am so glad youa re raising your paw for this cause.

Unknown said...

Dragonheart, that picture is beyond cute - you are ADORABLE!

You picked an excellent charity to support, my Mum knows people with this disease and apparently the pain can be unbearable.

I hope your Mum is doing well, give her a head bonk for me.

Diamond Emerald-Eyes said...

That is a great charity. I never hear of this thing before, but it sound like these people need support.

You do a wonderful job raising your paw!

The Misadventures Of Me said...

Great charity to go for. Dragonheart you are so helpful to beans and kittys alike.

Rosemary B❤️ said...

This is a great organization to raise a paw for. Many women do not like going to the doctor and they suffer thinking this is what all women put up with.
You look great raising your paw too!

Chrissie said...

My mom used to work with an an-es-thesi-ologist (wheww, that's a mouthful) who always says "Better living through chemistry!"-I'm so glad your mom's health is better because of medications-does she use "pill pouches"? :P

Queen Snickers, Empress and Princess Renna said...

That is a great organization to raise your paw for! My momma knows all about them. It sounds like your mommy and mine share a life experience: she has endometriosis, has had two surgeries for it, will have to have more in the future and is on medication too! It can be a difficult disease to deal with both physically and emotionally. I'm just glad I've been there for momma for most of it! I'm sure you mommy is very grateful for you! ~Queen Snickers

Sassy Kat said...

Sorry to hear that your mom has this. The mom of the house had it many years ago and it never goes away. She also had surgery and is OK now. It is a hurtful thing to have. Good for you to raise your paw at this nasty stuff.

Sunny's Mommy said...

Excellent job raising your paw :-D

Shaggy and Scout said...

Mom has a friend with that so we are glad you are raising a paw for it. We are sorry your momma has to endure it.

Dr Tweety of da Fab Five said...

dis iz a nice paw raizin ting to do. You iz a furry good & generous cat Dragonheart.

-Dr Tweety

Leona said...

That is a good cause to raise your paw to Dragonheart. Good job!

Puss-in-Boots said...

Oooh, endometriosis...your poor mom, Dragonheart. I do feel for her because that is not a nice condition to suffer from.

I think it's lovely that you have given a brief overview of the Endometriosis Assoc and what it does to raise awareness of the condition.

Well done, Dragonheart.

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

That's a great paw raise for a great cause Dragonheart.

Mr. Chen and Ollie said...

That is a very good cause to raise your paw for, Dragonheart!
Purrs,
Mr. Chen & Ollie

PB 'n J said...

What a great paw raise - for a great cause!

DK & The Fluffies said...

Excellent paw action!

Kimo and Sabi said...

That is a furry good choice of causes to support.

MaoMao said...

You look great raisin yur paw, Dragonheart! And you picked a great group to support!

Kittyhugs and purrs from MaoMao!

Anonymous said...

I knows about hurty endometri-badness 'cos my foster-mom-bean has it too. She says it's furry hurty. She's had a surgery for it too. :(

Thanks for posting the information link. I will tell my foster-mom-bean to lookie at it.

Purrs,
Ashley

Sassy Kat said...

It's bad enought that ya are putting in long hours at rehersal but ya have to come home and be given a bath. Geee...
Stop on by I have the main characters in CCSI II featured. Thanks for all the long hours of resheral