LIVIA'S BOOKLET

  Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the digestive tract, most commonly in the stomach or small intestine. It originates from specialized cells called interstitial cells of Cajal or their precursors. GIST can vary in severity, from small, benign tumors to large, malignant ones. Symptoms may include: - Abdominal pain or discomfort - Bleeding in the digestive tract - Feeling full quickly while eating - Nausea and vomiting Treatment options depend on the size, location, and aggressiveness of the tumor, and may include: - Surgery to remove the tumor - Targeted therapy with medications like tyrosine kinase inhibitors - Clinical trials for new treatments Awareness and early detection are crucial for improving outcomes for patients with GIST. “Let’s Raise GIST Awareness together.” In the shadows, a war is fought A battle against GIST, a rare and silent thought A tumor grows, unseen and slow A threat to life, that few may know ...

  In a world that's loud, we often hide Our true selves, our struggles, our inner tide We're afraid to speak, to be ourselves Lest we're rejected, or judged by others' wealth But silence is a prison, that holds us tight A weight that presses, day and endless night It's time to break free, to shatter the glass To speak our truth, and let our voices pass Talk to us, and hear our story Of struggles, of pain, of victory We'll share our journey, our fears, our might And together, we'll shine with new light Our words, like bridges, will connect and bind Us together, in a bond of mind Let's talk, let's listen, let's be brave For in our words, our hearts will crave

  In silence, I suffer, alone and afraid My thoughts and feelings, locked deep within my shade The weight of my struggles, a burden I bear A heavy heart, that longs to share But fear of judgment, holds me back Afraid to speak, lest I am attacked My words, like stones, thrown into the night Hoping someone, will hear my plight My mental health, a fragile thread Easily broken, but also mended ahead For in my words, my heart will find peace - I hope

  The chapter ends, the page turns cold A heartbreak's lesson, a story to be told We part ways, with no regrets Gratitude remains, for what we've met Like June's end, we close the door On memories, on love, on what we explored No sorrows linger, no bitter taste Just appreciation, for the time we've chased We learned to love, we learned to let go Our hearts, though broken, still beat slow We'll cherish moments, we'll honor the past And wish each other well, at last In ending things, we find a peace A closure that our hearts can release No hard feelings, no lingering pain Just gratitude, for love that remained.

  I am not just the storm, I am the entire sky. My heart is painted with hues of indigo, a deep, mysterious shade that reflects the turmoil within me. I weep until rivers overflow, my emotions spilling over like a relentless downpour. The pain and the sorrow, the joy and the love – everything pours out of me like a never-ending storm. But amidst the chaos, I find my strength. I am the thunder and the lightning – my light always finds a way to burst through any cloud. The rumble of thunder is my voice, loud and clear, shaking the foundations of the earth. The lightning is my spark, illuminating the darkness and guiding me through the most turbulent of times. In the midst of the storm, I find my calm. The eye of the hurricane is my peace, a stillness that lies at the center of the chaos. That’s where I find my clarity, my purpose, and my strength. From this place, I can weather any storm, no matter how fierce or unforgiving. I am the sky, vast and expansive, with room fo...

  He has always been the giver, always pouring his heart into everything he does, offering support and kindness with a generosity that knows no bounds. His presence is a balm to the weary soul, a reminder that there is still good in the world. He gives without expectation, without condition, and without apology. His heart is a wellspring of love, overflowing with compassion and empathy. I wonder what grief would write about him if it were to scribble onto paper after he’s finally fallen asleep. Maybe something like; “Learn to count your blessings without denying your problems. You don’t have to choose between gratitude and struggle. Both can coexist, and you can thank the sunrise while facing the storm. Just breathe.” These words would be penned in the tears of sorrow, a reflection of the pain and the beauty that he embodied. In his absence, the world seems a little darker, a little quieter. The weight of his departure settles heavy on the hearts of those who loved him. ...

  Grief still sits in every corner of all the rooms in my house. It has lungs and a heartbeat, and it has grown into an everlasting thing. It's a living, breathing entity that has taken up residence within me, a constant reminder of what I've lost. It's a weight that presses down upon my chest, making it hard to breathe, hard to think, hard to be. It's been months since the silence fell, since the laughter stopped, since the tears dried up. But grief remains, a persistent and unwelcome guest that refuses to leave. It has revealed who truly stays, even when silence is all I had to offer. Some have come and gone, their visits brief and fleeting. Others have stayed, their presence a steady hum in the background of my life. Grief has a way of testing relationships, of revealing the depth of people's love and commitment. It's a crucible that refines the metal of our connections, separating the true from the false. And I've been grateful for those who ha...

  As I step into this new month, I stretch my faith beyond what I can see, believing in the power of your greatest miracles and divine intervention. I refuse to be limited by the constraints of my own understanding, instead, I choose to trust in your sovereignty and goodness. Your word reminds me that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1), and I cling to this promise, knowing that you are faithful to fulfill your plans for my life. I refuse to be paralyzed by fear, for I know that it is not from you. Instead, I choose to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, knowing that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). I am not defined by my circumstances, but by my identity in you. I proclaim that I am a force to be reckoned with – not because of my own strength, but because of who I am in you. I have poured out, sacrific...

  My heart yearns to be carried better, to be lifted by the gentle breeze of time, rather than being weighed down by the anchors of memories. But how do I forget everything so easily and never want to go down the memories ever again? The memories that once brought me so much joy, so much life, and now feel like a burden, a weight that I carry with me every step of the way. I think of all the passion, the fire, and the love that once burned brightly within me. I think of the way my heart used to swell with emotion, the way my soul used to sing with joy. But now, those same memories feel like a reminder of what's lost, of what's gone, of what could never be again. I have broken my own heart, piece by piece, because I know that there are some things that need to leave, some goodbyes that need to happen. It's a painful process, one that I've cringed at every step of the way. But I know it's necessary, like pruning a garden to make way for new growth. I want to k...

  Stop being the one who carries everyone's expectations, the weight of which threatens to suffocate your true self. Stop editing your personality to fit someone else's idea of love, and instead, let your authentic self-shine. Refuse to measure your worth by society's ruler, which often prioritizes conformity over individuality. Learn to respect your boundaries, treating them like sacred lines that protect your heart and soul. Don't let your goals and dreams remain distant stars; bring them closer, and make them a guiding force in your life. Stop burning yourself to ashes just to keep everyone else warm. Your own flame is worth nurturing, and your light is needed in the world. Let go of the need for validation from others and instead, find validation within yourself. Stop collecting fake smiles like souvenirs, and let your true emotions shine through. Your soul screams for authenticity, and it's time to listen. Let go of the weight that's holding you b...

  Sometimes, we find ourselves stuck in a cycle, reliving the same situations, the same struggles, the same heartaches, over and over again. It's as if we're trapped in a never-ending loop, unable to break free. But then, something shifts. We reach a tipping point, a moment of clarity, where we realize that it's time to do things differently. We begin to let go, to release the weight of our burdens, to surrender the need for control. But at times, letting go doesn't happen with a grand gesture or a dramatic revelation. It happens quietly, so quietly that you might not even notice its happening. You might look back and wonder when it even started, when the weight began to lift, when the burden became bearable. It's a subtle shift, a gentle release, a soft whisper in the darkness. Letting go isn't victory; it's surrender. It's realizing that holding on has only ever been a slow form of breaking. We've been clinging to something, someone, or some id...