by Patricia Terrell | Feb 21, 2015 | Grief, Podcast, Survival
Podcast: Play in new window

Daniel Strong talks about the tragic car accident that killed his wife, unborn child and left him an amputee. Learn how Daniel regained his passion for life and proceeded to win a pro championship bodybuilding competition and how he is helping amputees and others at his gym Strong Fitness.
by Patricia Terrell | Aug 9, 2014 | Grief, Living Their Dream, Podcast, Survival
Podcast: Play in new window
Angela L. Walker knew at the age of eight that she wanted to be an actress, writer, artist and/or math teacher. Angela had to place her creative dreams on the back burner when God blessed her with a child doctors said she could never have. Angela quickly introduced her miracle son Joshua to the world of art, which also became his love and passion. Angela’s hope to live her dream as an artist was renewed!
Now imagine the excitement of mother and son sharing their love for art and poetry and taking the steps to start their own greeting cards business ….when tragedy strikes! While home alone, Angela received a phone call that her beautiful son Joshua (20 years old) was shot and killed in a random act of violence. After the loss of Joshua, Angela was in a crisis, became reclusive; all hopes and dreams lost with her only child.
Angela’s journey of grief over the loss of her only child eventually breathed new life into her passion to create beautiful artwork, write poetry, and teach. Finally Angela rose out of the darkness and into the light to honor Joshua by going public with a beautiful painting called “The Beginning.”
Angela also wrote a poem “4 Ever Changed” which best describes her journey. Her amazing artwork is now featured on duvet covers, throw pillows, canvas bags, greeting cards, iPhone and iPad cases, calendars, quilts, and more! Angela knows she is not traveling on this new journey alone. Joshua’s spirit is helping to guide her every step of the way.
You can visit Angela’s beautiful world of art at the websites below. Her designs will simply AMAZE you. Be sure to add her sites as your go to places to purchase extremely unique gifts for you and your loved ones. It’ll feel like having your very own one-of-a kind piece of art.
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/angela-walker.html
http://www.redbubble.com/people/alwfineart?ref=breadcrumb
http://angela-walker.artistwebsites.com/
Click the link below to read “Speak The Truth” a poem that Angela wrote and knows was a gift from Joshua’s spirit to let her know that it was okay to move through her grief and continue to live life and be her authentic self:
http://www.redbubble.com/people/alwfineart/writing/7270404-speak-the-truth?c=122279-my-story-the-me-i-am
by Patricia Terrell | Jun 7, 2014 | Cancer, Podcast, Survival
Podcast: Play in new window

After having a persistent cough for two weeks Erica finally decided to see her physician. After receiving two Computerized Tomography (CAT or CT) Scans Erica’s doctor informed her that she had enlarged lymph nodes on her lungs.
As her health began to deteriorate and during a hospital stay, doctors performed another CT scan, which revealed the enlarged lymph nodes had spread from her lungs to her stomach and arm pits, strongly suggesting lymphoma. After a battery of tests, Erica was finally diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 27.
What followed was a grueling ordeal that included low blood counts, shingles, resistant staph infection (MRSA), blood clots, anxiety, happy days and sad days. Within 6 months of her diagnosis, tests revealed that her lymphoma had gone into remission!
Despite the cancer going into remission, Erica still had to endure chemotherapy for another 6 months, which created nausea and painful tingling throughout her body. It seemed as if the sickness lasted until the following chemo treatment. There was a point when Erica felt like giving up, but her doctor insisted that she remain strong through the last therapy session to increase the odds that the cancer will not return.
The road to recovery was tremendously hard for Erica. However, after six months of chemotherapy, transplants, transfusions and lots and lots of prayer, as Erica puts it, “I BEAT CANCERS BUTT… by God’s grace!”
Erica founded “D’zire2Survive” to improve the quality of life of patients and their families touched by the lymphoma disease by providing education and up to date information. Erica wants to pay it forward by inspiring patients with peer to peer comfort to help them continue to fight and overcome their battle with blood cancers.
To learn more about Erica’s journey, copy and paste the following links to your browser:
Website: http://www.ericasurvived.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/beatcancersbutt
Instagram: @ericasurvived
Twitter: @ericasurvived
Lymphoma Research Foundation: www.Lymphoma.org