Wow – it’s been a long time since I’ve written on this blog. I’ve thought about writing many times, but I just didn’t take the time. For example – after watching 20 minutes of the Farrah Fawcett TV special that captured her going through chemo, I was going to write about what an idiot I was to watch the program. Going through chemo was perhaps the worst experience of my life (taking the bar exam was a close second) so why would I sit and watch someone else go through it? Some days I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed.
I was also going to blog about my experiences visiting with many other cancer patients and survivors over the past couple of months. The strength, love and compassion that emanates from so many of them is extraordinary. Interestingly – I was just about to write “it’s an honor to be one of them,” but as I started to write this I thought “what the heck am I saying – it stinks to be one of them.” But they are an amazing bunch nonetheless.
Another noteworthy happening occurred over the past couple of weeks – Dawes Eddy, the father of my best friend from high school, summited Mt. Everest. He was the oldest U.S. citizen to hit the peak (unfortunately, his record was broken 3 days later by a guy who was one year older than him…) I was going to write something compelling about his difficult journey and compare it to surviving cancer – but again, I never got around to writing that blog entry. (If you are interested in reading about his climb, go to the Discovery Channel’s site and do a search for Mount Everest then look for Everest 2009. There’s a good blog posted there by Ed Wardle, the summit cameraman who followed Dawes to the top.)
I was trying to figure out why I haven’t written when I’ve had many thoughts that only a year ago, would have warranted a blog entry. I think it’s because I no longer dwell on these moments. I seem to be able to acknowledge them and move on. Cancer no longer defines me. I’ve stopped beginning every conversation with a statement indicating that I’m either a cancer patient or survivor. Although I do think about cancer every day, it is not every minute or even every hour and sometimes it is only a fleeting thought as I go through my day.
You will be hearing from me a little more frequently over the next few weeks, since I already know what my next blog entry will be about. (I know that the suspense is probably killing you…)
In the meantime, on Tuesday I will be returning to Stanford for some tests just to make sure that all is well with me. Once again, please send your positive thoughts my way…
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Cover Your Butt!
So, tomorrow is the last day of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Sadly, it’s time to start taking down the streamers, blow the last horn and put away the banners until next March.
However, I have just learned that you have one last opportunity to celebrate this important month. Tomorrow, March 31st, thousands of people throughout the US will be calling into Congress in support of colorectal cancer screening legislation. This legislation, currently in Congress would create a National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.
Fortunately, the Colon Cancer Coalition has made it easy for you to call Congress. Tomorrow, simply dial 866-615-3375 and enter your ZIP code at the prompt. You will be directly connected to the offices of your Members of Congress. When your phone call is answered, you simply need to say, "I support the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act." If you’d like a more detailed script, go to the following: http://coveryourbutt.org/c3-butt-in/.
To be honest, you really don’t need a more detailed script, since all that’s going to happen is that a staffer is going to put a check mark in the box that says that someone called in support of the legislation. Although it may seem trivial, Members of Congress do listen to what the people want and are very curious to hear what their constituents are calling about. So – all you really need to do is just say that you support the Act and you’ve done your part.
At the end of your phone call, DO NOT HANG UP. You will be reconnected back to the Butt-In line, where you can direct your call to your remaining Members of Congress. Please be sure to speak with all three of your Members of Congress (your representative and both senators) tomorrow. This will take less than 5 minutes of your time, but it could be tremendously valuable in the fight against colorectal cancer.
The more calls that Congress receives, the better, so urge your friends, family and co-workers to join you in the Congressional Butt-In! Afraid you'll forget to call tomorrow? Then use your cell phone now to text BUTTIN to 30644 and the Colorectal Cancer Coalition will message a reminder to you tomorrow.
Thank you for being a part of an important movement to eradicate colon cancer. We will win this battle. I just know it.
However, I have just learned that you have one last opportunity to celebrate this important month. Tomorrow, March 31st, thousands of people throughout the US will be calling into Congress in support of colorectal cancer screening legislation. This legislation, currently in Congress would create a National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.
Fortunately, the Colon Cancer Coalition has made it easy for you to call Congress. Tomorrow, simply dial 866-615-3375 and enter your ZIP code at the prompt. You will be directly connected to the offices of your Members of Congress. When your phone call is answered, you simply need to say, "I support the Colorectal Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment Act." If you’d like a more detailed script, go to the following: http://coveryourbutt.org/c3-butt-in/.
To be honest, you really don’t need a more detailed script, since all that’s going to happen is that a staffer is going to put a check mark in the box that says that someone called in support of the legislation. Although it may seem trivial, Members of Congress do listen to what the people want and are very curious to hear what their constituents are calling about. So – all you really need to do is just say that you support the Act and you’ve done your part.
At the end of your phone call, DO NOT HANG UP. You will be reconnected back to the Butt-In line, where you can direct your call to your remaining Members of Congress. Please be sure to speak with all three of your Members of Congress (your representative and both senators) tomorrow. This will take less than 5 minutes of your time, but it could be tremendously valuable in the fight against colorectal cancer.
The more calls that Congress receives, the better, so urge your friends, family and co-workers to join you in the Congressional Butt-In! Afraid you'll forget to call tomorrow? Then use your cell phone now to text BUTTIN to 30644 and the Colorectal Cancer Coalition will message a reminder to you tomorrow.
Thank you for being a part of an important movement to eradicate colon cancer. We will win this battle. I just know it.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Stories of Hope
I am delighted to announce that the Colon Cancer Coalition has put my story on their website under the heading “Stories of Hope.” Let’s just say that I’d rather be on this list than in the other column entitled “Forget Me Nots,” the list that talks about those who have passed away from colon cancer. What is disturbing is the fact that the “Forget Me Nots” list is longer than the “Stories of Hope” list. I am hoping that we can change that.
While I was going through treatment and even to this day, the stories that I needed to hear were not of those who didn’t make it, but of those who survived and, even better, those who continue to thrive.
The strength and courage of survivor stories breathed hope into me during my treatment – if these people made it, so could I. Now, I get to pass on my story of hope to those who read the Colon Cancer Coalition’s website.
I know that several people who read this blog either are colon cancer survivors or know survivors. I’m asking you to share the survivor stories. Let’s make the “Stories of Hope” list 5 or even 10 times longer than the list about those who have passed away.
To read how to add a story or to read my story, just go to www.getyourrearingear.com/stories.
And – while registration information is still not out for the October 4th Get Your Rear In Gear 5K – there’s no time like the present for beginning your training (it’s only 3 miles, for goodness sake…)
While I was going through treatment and even to this day, the stories that I needed to hear were not of those who didn’t make it, but of those who survived and, even better, those who continue to thrive.
The strength and courage of survivor stories breathed hope into me during my treatment – if these people made it, so could I. Now, I get to pass on my story of hope to those who read the Colon Cancer Coalition’s website.
I know that several people who read this blog either are colon cancer survivors or know survivors. I’m asking you to share the survivor stories. Let’s make the “Stories of Hope” list 5 or even 10 times longer than the list about those who have passed away.
To read how to add a story or to read my story, just go to www.getyourrearingear.com/stories.
And – while registration information is still not out for the October 4th Get Your Rear In Gear 5K – there’s no time like the present for beginning your training (it’s only 3 miles, for goodness sake…)
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
NED (No Evidence of Disease) and Dress In Blue on March 6th!
I am thrilled to tell you that you don’t have to wait until Thursday to find out the results of yesterday’s CT scan and blood tests. I got the call from Dr. Fisher this afternoon informing me that there was no sign of cancer and that I remain in remission. He also said that as a little gift to me, I don’t have to travel to Stanford on Thursday to meet with him, since as far as he was concerned, I was doing just fine. A huge thank you for all of your praying and positive thoughts. They must have really worked for me to get the information 2 days early!
So – now that I can breathe a huge sigh of relief, I am going to launch into my National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month celebration. I have a great first activity – to promote Dress in Blue Day on March 6th. The purpose of Dress in Blue Day is to promote awareness about colorectal cancer and encourage people to get screened.
The following bullet points from the Colon Cancer Coalition outline very clearly why it is so important to raise awareness of Colorectal Cancer:
So – now that I can breathe a huge sigh of relief, I am going to launch into my National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month celebration. I have a great first activity – to promote Dress in Blue Day on March 6th. The purpose of Dress in Blue Day is to promote awareness about colorectal cancer and encourage people to get screened.
The following bullet points from the Colon Cancer Coalition outline very clearly why it is so important to raise awareness of Colorectal Cancer:
- Colorectal cancer is the #2 cause of death in the U.S.
- This year in the United States, colorectal cancer will kill as many people as breast cancer and AIDS combined.
- Over 150,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year.
- Colorectal cancer often has no symptom at all until it’s at an advanced stage.
- Colorectal cancer is 90% preventable when detected early.
- You can reduce your risk through regular screening.
- Beginning at age 50 (or earlier if you have a family history), everyone should be screened for colorectal cancer.
So – I know that my family will be wearing blue on Friday (the girls are already picking out their outfits) and I encourage you to do so as well. In fact, please encourage everyone you know to wear blue this Friday and then each of us can contribute in our own small way to raise our world’s awareness of this dreaded disease.
If you are interested in reading more about the Dress in Blue Day movement or would like ideas about how to effectively spread the word, please go to http://www.ccalliance.org/news_events_dress-in-blue.html.
Happy National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month!! (I’m so relieved that I’m starting mine cancer-free…)
Monday, March 2, 2009
The 6th Month CT Scan
Today I headed down to Stanford for blood work and the 6th month post-chemo CT scan. It seems both like it was yesterday that I was going through chemo, but it also feels like it’s been a very long time. To be honest, I’ve been on edge for the last several days in anticipation of the scan and, more importantly, finding out the results.
So – off I went to the beautiful Stanford Cancer Center for blood work. I had forgotten both how exquisite and unnerving that place is. While waiting to be called for my blood draw, I tried to guess what kind of cancer the other people in the waiting room were battling. I had this overwhelming urge to walk around the room and ask everyone what they had and how they were doing. Fortunately for the other patients, the phlebotomist called my name and finished my lab work fairly quickly. They then sent me to the brand new Stanford Radiology Center in Palo Alto for my CT scan.
When I arrived I discovered that they were running early so they were able to take me an hour before my scheduled appointment. I have to note that the technicians and nurses were amazingly kind and caring. Really – if you’re going to get cancer – Stanford is a heck of a place to go.
I made it through the CT scan without anything noteworthy to talk about. Unfortunately, I won’t know the results of the scan until my appointment this Thursday with Dr. Fisher. However, after the scan, I found myself searching the faces of the staff to see if they “knew” something. When the doctor came in to tell me that they had what they needed and I could leave, I had an internal debate as to whether he was being so pleasant because he knew that I was ok or because he knew that they had found something.
After about 10 minutes of overanalyzing everyone that I came into contact with, I finally let it go and decided that there was nothing that I could do until Thursday.
So – please keep me in your prayers this week and on Thursday at 3 pm PST – send a little extra positive thought my way.
So – off I went to the beautiful Stanford Cancer Center for blood work. I had forgotten both how exquisite and unnerving that place is. While waiting to be called for my blood draw, I tried to guess what kind of cancer the other people in the waiting room were battling. I had this overwhelming urge to walk around the room and ask everyone what they had and how they were doing. Fortunately for the other patients, the phlebotomist called my name and finished my lab work fairly quickly. They then sent me to the brand new Stanford Radiology Center in Palo Alto for my CT scan.
When I arrived I discovered that they were running early so they were able to take me an hour before my scheduled appointment. I have to note that the technicians and nurses were amazingly kind and caring. Really – if you’re going to get cancer – Stanford is a heck of a place to go.
I made it through the CT scan without anything noteworthy to talk about. Unfortunately, I won’t know the results of the scan until my appointment this Thursday with Dr. Fisher. However, after the scan, I found myself searching the faces of the staff to see if they “knew” something. When the doctor came in to tell me that they had what they needed and I could leave, I had an internal debate as to whether he was being so pleasant because he knew that I was ok or because he knew that they had found something.
After about 10 minutes of overanalyzing everyone that I came into contact with, I finally let it go and decided that there was nothing that I could do until Thursday.
So – please keep me in your prayers this week and on Thursday at 3 pm PST – send a little extra positive thought my way.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Get Your Rear In Gear!
As many of you know, last year I was thinking about putting on a gala to raise money for colon cancer. Fortunately, many friends urged me to discard this notion, since putting on a gala while I was going through chemotherapy was insane. I then told myself that I would do it “next year.” Well – next year has arrived. I have been debating what I should do given the current economic crisis.
Yesterday, my brilliant friend, Gina, figured out a new way for me to raise funds for colon cancer and engage everyone else in the effort as well - without having to wear a ballgown. In fact, this activity is more geared toward t-shirts and running shoes.
What is this exciting opportunity? The Colon Cancer Coalition is holding a 5K Run/Walk on October 4 in San Francisco entitled “Get Your Rear In Gear.” I am planning to form a team to participate in this terrific event. I am telling all of you early so that you have plenty of time to prepare. For those of you not from the Bay Area, October is a beautiful time to come and visit (and get a little exercise while raising money for a great cause).
The sign-up forms aren’t out yet. They will be available next month during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (I’m sure you’re already buying your streamers for this year’s celebration). For more information about the race, go to http://www.getyourrearingear.com/events/get-your-rear-in-gear-events/san-francisco-october-2009.
I’m really excited about this. Our team will need to come up with a snazzy name, but I’m sure that we can come up with something since “colorectal” lends itself to so many many options.
Stay tuned for more information and start your training…
Yesterday, my brilliant friend, Gina, figured out a new way for me to raise funds for colon cancer and engage everyone else in the effort as well - without having to wear a ballgown. In fact, this activity is more geared toward t-shirts and running shoes.
What is this exciting opportunity? The Colon Cancer Coalition is holding a 5K Run/Walk on October 4 in San Francisco entitled “Get Your Rear In Gear.” I am planning to form a team to participate in this terrific event. I am telling all of you early so that you have plenty of time to prepare. For those of you not from the Bay Area, October is a beautiful time to come and visit (and get a little exercise while raising money for a great cause).
The sign-up forms aren’t out yet. They will be available next month during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (I’m sure you’re already buying your streamers for this year’s celebration). For more information about the race, go to http://www.getyourrearingear.com/events/get-your-rear-in-gear-events/san-francisco-october-2009.
I’m really excited about this. Our team will need to come up with a snazzy name, but I’m sure that we can come up with something since “colorectal” lends itself to so many many options.
Stay tuned for more information and start your training…
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Isn't It Done Already?
Over the past month, I’ve written several blog entries, but I haven’t submitted them to my blog. Why? Because I felt like my blog sounded so wrapped up and neat and done. My cancer was done. There was a happy ending. I assumed that people didn’t want to hear from me anymore.
But it’s not done. The fear of recurrence remains. About once a day the fear sweeps through my body, generally catching me off guard. It takes my breath away. Every story that comes out about cancer – most recently the Ruth Bader Ginsburg story - strikes fear in me to my core.
A couple of weeks ago, I met up with an old high school friend (who is also a survivor) and told her about my dilemma about the blog. As a fellow cancer survivor she also struggles with everyone’s need to be done with her cancer. But then she urged me to keep writing. This blog was not just for me to express what was going on as I was going through treatment, but also to educate others who know people with cancer about what a cancer patient and survivor goes through both during and following cancer treatment. It is important that friends and family of cancer survivors know that although it may be done and over with for them, it really isn’t over for the survivor.
So – I’ve decided to keep writing. For those of you who have decided that you’ve had enough of Eve’s life with cancer – I promise I won’t be hurt if you remove yourself from my blog. For those of you who stay with me – I hope that every time you hear from me it reminds you that you need to set up that colonoscopy or urge someone you love to do so. Or maybe it’s just a reminder that life can take unexpected turns and so you should treasure every day.
But it’s not done. The fear of recurrence remains. About once a day the fear sweeps through my body, generally catching me off guard. It takes my breath away. Every story that comes out about cancer – most recently the Ruth Bader Ginsburg story - strikes fear in me to my core.
A couple of weeks ago, I met up with an old high school friend (who is also a survivor) and told her about my dilemma about the blog. As a fellow cancer survivor she also struggles with everyone’s need to be done with her cancer. But then she urged me to keep writing. This blog was not just for me to express what was going on as I was going through treatment, but also to educate others who know people with cancer about what a cancer patient and survivor goes through both during and following cancer treatment. It is important that friends and family of cancer survivors know that although it may be done and over with for them, it really isn’t over for the survivor.
So – I’ve decided to keep writing. For those of you who have decided that you’ve had enough of Eve’s life with cancer – I promise I won’t be hurt if you remove yourself from my blog. For those of you who stay with me – I hope that every time you hear from me it reminds you that you need to set up that colonoscopy or urge someone you love to do so. Or maybe it’s just a reminder that life can take unexpected turns and so you should treasure every day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)