As many of you may be aware, I strongly support the California Cancer Research Act. This was placed on the ballot by the American Cancer Society, former Ca President Pro Tem Don Perata and a lot of other folks that care about figuring out the cure to this terrible disease. My fabulous oncologist, Dr. George Fisher is a huge advocate for the effort (which inspires me even more).
I've decided to use this blog posting to give everyone a little feel for what this is about and why you should care. Before I do so, however, I'll tell you what happened on Thursday at the colorectal surgeon's office. In a word - nothing. He saw my hernia and said that he wasn't going to do anything about it. The area is too fragile and the hernia has no impact on anything. He told me that if it bothers me that I should just wear spanx. So - for now, no surgery is being scheduled.
Now - back to the California Cancer Research Act....
Nearly one out of two Californians will develop cancer in their lifetimes and one out of five will die from the disease. This year alone, 140,000 Californians will die from the disease. Cancer has impacted all of us and the way to beat this disease is through more funding for research. Next year, we will have the opportunity to take a tremendous leap forward in the fight against cancer.
The California Cancer Research Act (CCRA) will generate nearly $600 million every year for cancer research and triple funding for cancer research by increasing the price of cigarettes by $1. All of the money in this initiative goes to fight cancer and no more than 2% will be spent on administration. The California Cancer Research Act will go before voters in June 5, 2012.
The measure is expected to save more than 100,000 lives and prevent 200,000 youth from becoming life long smokers. More than two-thirds of Californians are in favor of the measure, but the tobacco companies are set to spend tens of millions of dollars to lie to voters to get them to vote no. Our best defense is you. By joining the campaign, you can help spread the word that Big Tobacco is funding the opposition. If an undecided voter goes into the booth knowing the American Cancer Society is behind CCRA and the tobacco companies are opposed, we are overwhelming likely to get their vote. Please go here to sign up to the campaign: http://www.californiansforacure.org/action/acs.
By joining the campaign, you will get updates on the campaign both in your community and across the state. You will also learn the latest deceitful tactics the tobacco companies are engaging in. There is no commitment to sign up, but you will certainly have the opportunity to volunteer for the campaign as the election gets closer.
Think about it. How many times in our lives do we have the opportunity to save 100,000 people from premature death? We have all been touched by cancer in some way (some more than others!) and most of us know how painful the experience is. We have the opportunity to prevent the next generation of Californians from experiencing that. Please join our campaign and help us win this fight.
So that's my plea for today. Please please please get involved in the campaign. Soon I will be announcing my online fundraiser for the campaign. (This will enable those of you those of you who don't live in California to support this important effort.) They need money desperately to help counteract the money that big tobacco is throwing at the opposition. Cancer sucks. Let's join together to wipe it out.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
It's Been A Long Week
I have just left the urgent care center in Davis. Why was I there? I haven’t been able to breathe easily for the last few days. The good news is that after an x-ray, EKG and blood tests, the doctors can’t find anything physically wrong with me. They are blaming my shortness of breath to stress, potentially too much chemo and possibly some tomato spraying that’s going on in Davis. While I am relieved that the diagnosis wasn’t more serious, the whole experience forced me to relive that day after Thanksgiving almost 2 years ago in Palm Desert when I woke up not being able to breathe and was told hours later that the cancer had returned in my ovary. Needless to say, today’s results are a whole heck of a lot better than that day in 2009.
I’ve been trying to figure out what could possibly be making such a significant impact on me stress-wise. My job is stressful, but I can’t remember a time when I haven’t had a ton of stress at my job. Our home sale and purchase are complete, so that’s not causing stress. The girls are all settled at school, soccer, gymnastics and Brownies – so that’s not causing stress.
And then it hit me – Steve Jobs’ death. Each time I hear of a celebrity’s death due to cancer, it is like a knife in my chest. Fear grips me. But, Steve Jobs’ passing impacted me more than any other. Perhaps it’s because I’m in the tech sector now and his death is part of a continual conversation with my peers, or perhaps it was because he shared my oncologist and acupuncturist, the same people who I depend on to save my life couldn’t save his…
For whatever reason, his death upset me to my core. It made me question my ability to beat cancer and stay alive. Although I have had dark thoughts over the past few years, they have never lasted for days or even hours. This time, they had. But, now that I know that my shortness of breath does not signal a return of my cancer, I am reminding myself that each person has their own story…that pancreatic cancer is a hell of an adversary and it was miraculous that he remained alive as long as he did…that I am doing great and that I have to get my head back on straight if I’m going to continue to do great. And so, with a deep breath – that is what I’m doing.
Unfortunately, while I wish that I could announce that all is well (except the cancer in my spleen and rectum), as of last Friday, I was told that I am facing yet another hurdle – a hernia where the bag used to be on my stomach. Apparently, it’s not that uncommon. After all, I’ve had a lot of surgery in that area, so the muscles are weak. I am heading down to see my colorectal surgeon on Thursday, to see if anything can be done. My guess is that I’ll be told to do some basic exercises (my SF oncologist showed me some exercises to strengthen the muscle) and leave it alone. As one of my doc friends said to me this morning, “Eve, this is number 33 on your list of concerns. It’s really not a big deal.” I will keep you all posted if I need to return to surgery – but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this won’t be in the cards for the near future.
So – the cancer journey continues. I continue to look for the lessons. But – I gotta say, it’s hard. I know that some say that "cancer is a gift." Although I have learned a lot from the journey, I wouldn’t classify this as a "gift." Frankly, if it is a gift, I want to be standing in the "returns" line. But, for whatever reason, this is what I’ve been given and I’m going to do whatever I can to learn from it.
As we begin the Jewish New Year, I have faith that this upcoming year will be a good one. I have a new job, new home, am ostomy bag-free and have only marginal amounts of cancer. I’m starting off pretty darn ok. I pray that this year is filled with many wonderful moments and lots of health for all of you as well.
And please – come and visit us in Davis. This year, my goal is to fill my home with lots of love and laughter – which is, after all, the best way to heal…..
I’ve been trying to figure out what could possibly be making such a significant impact on me stress-wise. My job is stressful, but I can’t remember a time when I haven’t had a ton of stress at my job. Our home sale and purchase are complete, so that’s not causing stress. The girls are all settled at school, soccer, gymnastics and Brownies – so that’s not causing stress.
And then it hit me – Steve Jobs’ death. Each time I hear of a celebrity’s death due to cancer, it is like a knife in my chest. Fear grips me. But, Steve Jobs’ passing impacted me more than any other. Perhaps it’s because I’m in the tech sector now and his death is part of a continual conversation with my peers, or perhaps it was because he shared my oncologist and acupuncturist, the same people who I depend on to save my life couldn’t save his…
For whatever reason, his death upset me to my core. It made me question my ability to beat cancer and stay alive. Although I have had dark thoughts over the past few years, they have never lasted for days or even hours. This time, they had. But, now that I know that my shortness of breath does not signal a return of my cancer, I am reminding myself that each person has their own story…that pancreatic cancer is a hell of an adversary and it was miraculous that he remained alive as long as he did…that I am doing great and that I have to get my head back on straight if I’m going to continue to do great. And so, with a deep breath – that is what I’m doing.
Unfortunately, while I wish that I could announce that all is well (except the cancer in my spleen and rectum), as of last Friday, I was told that I am facing yet another hurdle – a hernia where the bag used to be on my stomach. Apparently, it’s not that uncommon. After all, I’ve had a lot of surgery in that area, so the muscles are weak. I am heading down to see my colorectal surgeon on Thursday, to see if anything can be done. My guess is that I’ll be told to do some basic exercises (my SF oncologist showed me some exercises to strengthen the muscle) and leave it alone. As one of my doc friends said to me this morning, “Eve, this is number 33 on your list of concerns. It’s really not a big deal.” I will keep you all posted if I need to return to surgery – but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this won’t be in the cards for the near future.
So – the cancer journey continues. I continue to look for the lessons. But – I gotta say, it’s hard. I know that some say that "cancer is a gift." Although I have learned a lot from the journey, I wouldn’t classify this as a "gift." Frankly, if it is a gift, I want to be standing in the "returns" line. But, for whatever reason, this is what I’ve been given and I’m going to do whatever I can to learn from it.
As we begin the Jewish New Year, I have faith that this upcoming year will be a good one. I have a new job, new home, am ostomy bag-free and have only marginal amounts of cancer. I’m starting off pretty darn ok. I pray that this year is filled with many wonderful moments and lots of health for all of you as well.
And please – come and visit us in Davis. This year, my goal is to fill my home with lots of love and laughter – which is, after all, the best way to heal…..
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