We have written here at the cancer blog about Courtney Nicole a few times. You can find posts here and here. Courtney passed way about eight months ago. Her mom still keeps a journal of what is going on in her life and how she is coping with the loss of her nineteen year old daughter.

I find myself going to her site often to see how she is doing. It is heartbreaking to read her words at times and encouraging at other times. She is trying to go on -- but how, without her daughter?

Recently, Court's mom posted Its Like a Scab! on her website. Here's what she said:

These days, politics and cancer seem to go hand in hand. In February, United States Representative Charles Norwood, from Augusta, Georgia, died of lung cancer. In March, Virginia Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis revealed the breast cancer she fought in 2005 had recurred. A few days ago Elizabeth Edwards, wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, shared that her own breast cancer, originally diagnosed in 2004, has relocated to her bones.

United States Press secretary Tony Snow is a colon cancer survivor. Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani is a prostate cancer survivor. Candidate John McCain has had three bouts with melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer. Bob Dole, now 83, was a cancer survivor at age 73 when he ran for the White House as the 1996 Republican presidential nominee against President Clinton. And the 2004 Democratic nominee, John Kerry, had prostate cancer surgery in 2003.

If I did more research, I bet I'd turn up a whole slew of other politicians who have received a direct hit from cancer. But that's not necessary. I think what I'm trying to demonstrate is already clear.

Take any sector of society and cancer will somehow be woven into the lives of those who define the population. Athletes and cancer. Celebrities and cancer. Musicians and cancer. Kids and cancer. Young moms and cancer. Men and cancer. Politicians and cancer.

This brings me to my next point -- cancer is widespread, so widespread it surfaces over and over again within any given group of people. This makes me sad. But this infiltration of the disease also means none of us is alone. And as a woman with cancer; a young mom with cancer; a wife, a daughter, a sister with cancer; and a writer with cancer, this makes me feel comforted, supported, and utterly strong.

University of North Carolina football coach Butch Davis recently received a shocking cancer diagnosis after a routine dental visit turned up a suspicious growth in his mouth. Pathology reports identify the cancer as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Davis, 55, has had the growth removed from his gum and while he received his first chemotherapy treatment last week, he's been told there is no indication the cancer has spread to other parts of his body.

Chemotherapy for Davis began at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio -- Davis coached the National Football League's Cleveland Browns from 2001-2004 -- but will continue at the University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill.

Davis says he is doing well, that his general health has never been better. And while fighting off cancer, he will work hard at preparing for the 2007 season.

"My family, my health and coaching this football team are my top priorities,'' Davis said. "I would appreciate and expect the focus to remain on the North Carolina football team."

The team opens the season on September 1 against James Madison University.

Virginia Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis announced this week that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer -- again. Her first bout with the disease began in October 2005. Her recurrence was spotted last month during her recovery from an unrelated medical procedure.

Davis, who received both a mastectomy and chemotherapy treatment during her first battle with breast cancer, knows she will conquer cancer for a second time.

"This cancer is treatable," Davis says. "I have just begun chemotherapy and I am very confident of a full recovery. I was able to beat this disease before, and I will beat it once again. I again plan on working throughout this process, and I once again believe that this experience will help me in serving Virginia's First Congressional District."

Davis, who is at home recovering from a ruptured ureter, will return to Washington this month.

A True Survivor - written by Courtney Nicole - April 18, 2005. Courtney passed away in November 2006.

When the word survivor comes to mind, there are always a few typical thoughts that come into one's mind. One might say a survivor is a person that never dies, or someone that can handle anything without any troubles. Another person might say something as simple as this" a survivor is someone that has beaten an illness". A common thought that most people have when they think of a survivor is that he or she is extremely tough, both physically and mentally. But a survivor is so much more than all of those things. A true survivor is fearless. He or she is not afraid of any challenge that is put in front of them. A true survivor is strong in all aspects of an individual. He or she can stay mentally strong during even the roughest times. A true survivor perseveres through it all. For example: when a cancer patient has been told that her next few months are going to be some rough ones, that doesn't mean it is time to just give up; she has to stay strong and keep fighting. That brings another point: a survivor is a fighter. He or she never loses hope -not even in their very last moments of life. What makes survivor so unique is their warm-heartedness. A true survivor is not someone who is only concerned about oneself, but he or she is concerned about others first. To sum it all up: a true survivor is one whom may undergo many battles and defeat without a single complaint.

A survivor is fearless. They are challengers. they are not afraid to take on a battle when the time comes down to it. Survivors take it to the limit because they know their boundaries and how much they can handle. Many children diagnosed with cancer fall into this category of true survivors. During my previous years in and out of the hospital, I have met the most amazing children. These kids are probably more mature than many adults I know today. These kids have been through it all and are fearless because of that. Kids don't have that self-consciousness about themselves. They are not afraid of what they look like. A person that has never been affected by cancer or some other illness would probably have a nervous breakdown if they had to go out in public bald. But a true survivor, on the other hand is not afraid of her appearance. They are not afraid of risking their reputation to benefit others. A true survivor is an amazing person all around.

One quality that people look up to in a survivor is their will to persevere. A survivor is one who never gives up, no matter how long it takes. The road may be a long one, but they will follow it every step of the way. A true survivor is an optimist. They never think about what might happen or what could happen. They always look at the bright side and never lose hope - those are the keys to survival. Survivors don't have time to dwell on what is happening now and wait around for something good to happen. They are go-getters and are not afraid of what might face them on the road ahead.

Finally, a survivor is warm-hearted. These people are the best of the best. I've always thought that it was so ironic when I heard that about 85% of the donations that are taken in by charities and cancer programs are from the survivors themselves. A true survivor is looking out for what is best for others. They feel obligated to stay strong for their family. They never show fear in any form, probably because they don't have any fears. As I said before, survivors are amazing people with amazing stories.

A survivor is an ultimate achiever, honored for his or her meaning as a person and contributions to humanity. A true survivor is surely a person of strength, power and grace. It may be further understood by those who know them well that he or she is bursting with patience and endurance, a little known key to success. Such a person is filled with inner beauty, elegance, and harmony. Survivors don't dwell on uncertainty when life deconstructs around them. Survivors resist weakness - they love and embrace every ounce and sign of life. Survivors are our life force, and because of this they never really die. Everyone looks up to them as our heroes. I know quite a few people who would call themselves survivors, but only a select few actually fit into this category.

These words were written by a True Survivor - my hero - my daughter...