How the term FROG related to a battle with Cancer
This will be a short series of posts,on how my Blog got it’s name and the people and meaning behind it. I have been wanting to share with you for quite a while on how my blog’s name originated and have finally decided to sit down and write it, although honestly, it is a hard one to do. I know there are so many people that are affected by Cancer, and honestly, that is a huge part of how my Blog got it’s name.
The main part of my blog’s name FROG , has a very special meaning to me and I feel that by sharing with my followers, that there will be others that can relate to why I included that as part of my blog’s name.
I had a best friend of about 20 years , Diane Atkinson, that was diagnosed with stage 4 Lung Cancer at about the same time that I created my blog. At the time of her diagnosis, the words she relied upon was F.R.O.G.** FROG** (Fully Rely on God). I had decided to create a blog during the same time she had been diagnosed, and what is the 1st thing you do when you decide to write a blog? You come up with a name. To me it was a natural progression to include the term FROG. I was also doing a lot of product reviewing and of course I tend to Ramble, so my blog’s name just naturally came to be , FROG Reviews and Ramblings. I may at some point in the future decide to rebrand my blog, but the FROG part of my blog’s name will always be there. It is my way of honoring our friendship and her fight with Cancer. I want to explain to you how important FROG was to not only the both of us, but to our families.
I can remember the day she called me to tell me her diagnosis. We cried and prayed and spent a lot of time on the phone that day talking about what was to come in the near future. I got off the phone that day, and looked at my husband and told him I needed to be there with her. He never even hesitated, he looked at me and said , “Honey, why are you still sitting there? Go pack a bag, let’s go, I will take you up there today”. We lived about 5 hours apart. That was on May 30th, 2014. I left to go be with her about 2 days later. (FROG was all I could think at the time)
We took this picture in June of 2014
I spent the 1 yr and 3 months, at her house more than I was at my own. I would go to Ohio, and stay there for a month to 6 weeks. Then I would come home for a week or 2, sometimes I would get a full month at home, then I would be right back in Ohio. I was there with her as she went through radiation and her chemo treatments. I was there for just about all the important follow up visits to the oncologists. If I wasn’t there for the day of the results, I was at home wishing I was there. I can remember, my suitcase sat in my room basically packed that whole year. For the next 14 months, I was at her home more than I was in my own.. I have to say that i have the ABSOLUTE BEST HUSBAND in the world. My wonderful, amazing husband would stay at home and take care of our kids, household, bills, and grand kids.
At that point in our life, the granddaughters were just starting to stay with us more than they were with their mom. (that is another story I will write another day) My son, Michael was 15 and starting High School and Tiffany was 17, just finishing High School. They were both at a stage in their life, let’s just suffice to say, it was a challenge to have mom gone for so long.
I can’t thank my husband enough for loving me enough to allow me to have that year with Diane and her family!! My kids were wonderful about it as well, although, I know they missed me being at home, they knew that I had to be there with her.
We were sitting on her porch, and she had her normal “diane” attitude that day. Kind of a “bring it on, I will kick your tail” attitude. LOL
Cancer is an evil awful thing that destroys your body as you go through the process of fighting it. It puts a strain on the family that has to watch you go through it, and to be there to help the person diagnosed with the awful disease. Diane’s’ daughter, Kelli Jo was amazing and loved her mom as she watched her fight that awful disease. She was still living at home , so she was the natural one to take care of mom. Diane’s other 2 son’s were there as much as they could possibly be, supporting and loving on their mom. Her husband, is over an the road truck driver (you will here more about him in part 2 of this series) , but he also had to watch his wife deteriorate as she fought this battle. Cancer doesn’t ever just affect the person that is diagnosed with it, but it becomes everybody’s fight. 
I want to end this segment of my series on this subject by saying during that whole year, Diane and I, as well as both our families, all lived by the saying , FROG…..Fully Rely On God. She never stopped Relying on God and asking Him to guide her every step throughout her fight with Cancer. She never once during those 14 months lost faith that God was there with her holding her hand, helping her stand, even when she couldn’t’ stand on her own. It was what helped her get up in the mornings, helped her make it to each and every treatment ,scan, and doctor appointments.
I am sad to say she lost her battle with Cancer on July 29, 2015. I miss her more than I can put into words, yet every time I look at my blog or make a post on it, do a Giveaway, do anything with my blog, I think of Diane and remember the meaning of FROG….to always Fully Rely on God!!
Coming soon will be part 2 of this mini-series, I will share more with you about Diane and our friendship. How important it is to have friends and family with you, as you go through a Cancer Battle. How hard it can be to Fully Rely on God when the world and your body is telling you to give up. I look forward to sharing the next part of my series with you.
If you have in any way been impacted by my post, please tell me in the comments section below. I truly would love to hear from you!!ggn
If you have had a family member diagnosed with Cancer, whether they won the battle or not, or maybe are still in the process of battling it, I would LOVE to hear from you!!! Please feel free to share this post with others, as I hope that when I am done with this series, it can give hope to those that have none, or encouragement to those that are in need.
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I have an aunt who is battling Breast Cancer. She always says “It’s in God’s Hands”. Today I’m going to go buy her a Frog! Thank you for sharing your story!
Cancer is so cruel! I lost the greatest son-in-law Sept 17, 2014. He was such a fighter but he lost the battle. He too never complained or asked why me. I loved reading how you came about your blog title and can see how it has to stay in the name even if you rebrand parts of it.
I couldn’t agree with you more Martha! It is a cruel and senseless disease! I am so sorry to hear about your son-in-law!! Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to read my blog!!. Keep your eyes open for part 2 in this mini-series. I will tell more about Diane and the Blog’s history.
Beautiful blog. Cancer is evil!
Kim, It truly is in His hands. I will keep her in prayer…I am not one that says that lightly…so know that she is covered tonight with prayer.
I LOVE that you went to buy her a FROG. Diane was given a dog ( I believe that is what it was LOL) and she named it FROG. She kept it with her through every treatment, while she laid in her hospice bed , etc. Her husband strapped it to the back of his bike during the funeral procession. Please stop back by , I will be writing part 2 of this mini-series to tell y’all more about Diane , her battle, our friendship and the beginnings of this blog.
Thank you SO MUCH for stopping by and commenting!!!
Cancer is absolutely horrible. Others dot realize how far a little support goes. Just having some one in your corner in a painful time like that. #Cancersucks
I love how you came up with the name FROG. We all need to Fully Rely on God during all times not just bad times. God is ALWAYS there for us but most only turn to God during hard, tough times but we need to know He is there ALWAYS. I thank God for everything no matter how small. Thanks for sharing this blog post with us all.
My Dad lost his battle with cancer and I was told Mom had it before she passd from hert failure My Aunt beat cancer after losing both breasts 30 some years ago shes still with us! My sister-in-law is in remission This story made me cry and remember i all but it alsoshowed th kind of fighter your friend was and the strong friendship bond you had i wondered how you came up with this name Was t just a simple love of frogs or something more? F.R.O.G. Fits perfectly Don’t ever change it She’s watching and smiling at your ability and love to carry her frien in your hear and share it with the world! ?
Cancer is so devastating! Everyone has been affected by it some way!
Thank you for stopping by Christy I couldn’t agree with you more! It is so scary when I stop and think about how many people I now that have been affected in someway by it
Thank you so much for stopping by and your encouraging words! I cried the whole time I wrote it and it has taken me over a year to actually get it written. It truly warms my heart to know that my explanation of how the title of the blog came to be has torched you !!
I am so sorry to hear you have had so much Cancer attack your family. It sounds as though you have seen it from all sides. So thankful your Aunt has beat it and praying for your sister in law, that she stays in remission!!
Keep your eyes open for part 2 of this series, as I am working on it now. It goes into depth of who Diane was , her fight, our friendship , kids etc. As I started writing this, I realized it was just too long for one post.
This blog is sad and enlightening at the same time. It is special and a privilege to be able to provide love and support to a loved one as they battle this horrible disease. God brought my mother through breast and lung cancer. God has always been important in our family. I thank and rely on God no matter if my life is great or if I am dealing with turmoil. My God bless you, your husband, and all other family members involved for taking time to love, support and fight with your loved one.
Rochelle, thank you so much for stopping by and commenting!! I love hearing from my followers. I am so thankful to hear that your mom beat her battle with cancer,not once but twice!! That is a huge God thing!!!
Please be sure to subscribe to the blog, so you can stay updated on additional posts and of course check out my Giveaway page section!! Lots of cool giveaways going on all the time!!
My Mother died from Cancer. I pray one day they will find a cure. I am sorry your dear friend lost her battle, but she was extremely blessed to have you and her other loved ones in her life. Thank you for sharing how your Blog got it’s name. I look forward to reading more!
I remember you going through this. If I am thinking correctly Sherry was diagnosed around the same time with Ovarian Cancer. Sherry passed away June 11, 2015. They are both gone now but I am so thankful for all of the memories. In February of this year I was also diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. How ironic is that! I am in Florida with my best friend and her family going through treatments. I often think back and remember FROG ?! Thank you for sharing the experience with us! Love you!!
I had a cousin who had breast cancer. I also lost an Aunt to pancreatic cancer. I will keep your friend in my prayers
Interesting name, I now know the story behind it! Great share.
Sorry to hear about your lost. Our mom died of cancer and other people we knew ,also had some form of cancer. I like the FROG idea too.
Thank you for sharing your touching story.
How wonderful that you were able to spend so much time with your friend on her journey.
I love how you got this name. I am so thankful I am a child of God. God has been so good and each day He is making me better able to serve Him. Thank you so much. God Bless
Thank you for sharing. My mom had cancer and it finally got her.
Bless your heart. I’m so sorry for your loss. Cancer is such an evil disease. I love your acronym and have used it myself for different things in my life. Thanks for sharing your beautiful story. Our words of pain helps and inspires others. Don’t stop writing!
Cancer really sucks. I have lost so many friends and relatives to this dreaded disease.
What a beautiful story! I did the same for my sister from 2000-2002 due to breast cancer. I too had a wonderful husband who would fill up the gas tank in my car and leave a $20 bill in the cup holder. He took care of our 15 and 8 year old son while he worked 50-60 hours a week. And you did this for a friend not a relative. It is good to know there are people out there like you because many people don’t have family. I, like you, miss my sister every single day. But I know she is happy in heaven and I will be with her someday.
You are awesome. Thanks for sharing your story. God bless.
My dad died of lingering leukimia….it can be such a divisive or unifying event
I lost my Mamaw to cancer about 12 years ago. Cancer doesnt care about age it is very very sad. Thanks for sharing your story definitely a warrior