The Challenger Explosion

Twenty-five years ago the world mourned the loss of seven bright explorers who boarded the Challenger. We watched Christa McAliffe prepare to be the first to teach a lesson from space and even envied her for being the one chosen. Folks tuned in to cheer Christa along with her shipmates Francis Scobee, Michael Smith, Judith Resnik, Ellison Onizuka, Ronald McNair, and Gregory Jarvis as they waved to the cameras and headed toward the shuttle. This moment-we'd all waited for-morphed into the moment we'd all dread when the ship exploded in front of crowds of people and television cameras.

Today's news reporters have asked us to remember what we were doing when we learned of this disaster. It's not tough for anyone who lived through this news story. The memory took root in my mind twenty-five years ago and is still as vivid as ever.

My husband and I were in an airport returning home after a visit to my sister's house. As we stepped off our plane, the airport buzzed with stories from travelers deplaning one gate over. They'd witnessed the Challenger explosion first hand when the pilot came over the intercom and told everyone to look out the window to see the Challenger taking off. The passengers watched in horror as the O ring separated causing the shuttle to burst into flames. The pilot did not speak to his passengers again.

Between Shades of Gray

I know I haven't posted in a while, and my last blog discussed the colonoscopy, but something new and wonderful is upon us come March 1. Ruta Sepetys will be releasing her first book, "Between Shades of Gray," and it's already proving to be a winner. Check out Kirkus' review: http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/childrens-books/sepetys-ruta/between-shades-gray/

I'm talking about a beautiful and heart-wrenching story about Lina, a Lithuanian teen, thrust into a brutal environment by the henchmen of Joseph Stalin in the 1940s. Between Shades of Gray is a story of survival and love found in overly harsh conditions. This book reminded me of a classic like Anne Frank and is destined to go far!

Stalking the Bookshelves is giving away an ARC of this book at http://stalkingthebookshelves.blogspot.com/2011/01/arc-tour-between-shades-of-gray.html

Colonoscopy

My big bother sent me a detailed report of the extensive cancer in our family. He wants to have my mother's cancerous remains genetically tested to see if she had the "cancer gene" and may have possibly passed it down to us. Although I see a lot of value in this, it's a scary proposition. After all, the infamous they says, "Ignorance is bliss."

Not that any of us have ever enjoyed blissful ignorance in our family. I have always visited my doctor and suffered through medical tests at the recommended times. The problem, the typical five year span for a colonoscopy may not be enough. If we exhibit this gene, we should be tested every year.

For those who have not had the pleasure of a colonoscopy, let me enlighten you. First, one must restrain from eating solids while drinking chalk and visiting the toilet to expel more manure than anyone thought the human body could hold. Next, one's dehydrated body is wheeled to the hospital to have a needle inserted into a flat vein. It's nighty night while a doctor inserts a scope through the anus in search of polyps. These bugabears are instantly clipped and tested for cancer.

Luckily, I have been polyp free after each test but am also under fifty. In our family, the fun begins as we age.

So in conclusion, my big bother wants me to go through this delightful test more frequently . . . and why does he want this? Because he loves me. Colon cancer is one of the most easily preventable diseases; however, many fail to have the necessary test. If you are over fifty or have a family history, get moving to your doctor for some probe fun.