It's been quite a year, and one that I am glad to see out the door. 2008 pretty much sucked for me, my family, and a lot of others I know. I hope 2009 is better; although it certainly couldn't get much worse.
I was going to do a highlight and lowlight list, but I decided not to. If you read this blog, or you know me, you know what they are.
I go in for some additional scans Friday, and as soon as I get the results from those and the others I took last week, I will post them here.
To all of you, may you and your families have a blessed New Year filled with happiness, health, and prosperity.
To my family, I could not do this without you. Thank you.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Long Time No Post Update 12-27-2008
Let me fill you in on what's been happening since last we spoke... yesterday I had some MRI's done as well as a bone scan. Next Friday (Jan 2nd) I will have a PET scan as well as some CT scans done. This will give all of us an idea of where the disease is and what steps we will take next. As soon as I know, I will post it here.
I caught a cold right after I got back from San Francisco, and it took me quite a while to recover. Two weeks ago, my tumor flared up something fierce and that knocked me for a loop. I haven't experienced that sort of pain for quite a while. I am pretty well recovered now (knock on wood).
The holiday season has been bittersweet for me. Quite frankly I am looking forward for 2008 to be over. This year pretty much sucked for me. However, all of my horoscopes say 2009 is supposed to be a highlight year... anything has got to be better then the year I just went through.
Happy Holidays to you and yours.
I caught a cold right after I got back from San Francisco, and it took me quite a while to recover. Two weeks ago, my tumor flared up something fierce and that knocked me for a loop. I haven't experienced that sort of pain for quite a while. I am pretty well recovered now (knock on wood).
The holiday season has been bittersweet for me. Quite frankly I am looking forward for 2008 to be over. This year pretty much sucked for me. However, all of my horoscopes say 2009 is supposed to be a highlight year... anything has got to be better then the year I just went through.
Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Update 12-15-2008
I have written before about looking through various public blogs online and being disgusted by some of the things I read. In a public forum open to everyone, anyone can say anything. This, on the surface, seems like a good thing. Upon further examination, I think it is not.
People can and do say anything they want in a public forum. They can make remarks that are insulting. They can make remarks that aren't thought out well. They can make remarks which have nothing to do with the actual subject matter. These remarks distract from the forum topic and prevents a true two way (or multi way) conversation or discussion. They, in fact, inhibit free speech.
I am becoming less of an advocate for "free speech." If the definition of "free speech" is that anyone can say anything they want to, I think I am not for that. My opinion is that speech should be a conversation, or dialog, between people. I don't advocate that we should all have the same opinion. But let's at least have some ground rules that people will stay on topic and not be uncivil to each other. Otherwise, it all becomes noise.
I write this because I was reading an open blog on the San Francisco Chronicle in which the subject was supposedly art and one artist's experience in creating art. Instead, as it so often does, the forum became a place where people inserted their own politics and insults, which had nothing to do whatever with the topic at hand. It was impossible to hold a cogent discussion because the forum was hijacked by attack and rhetoric.
I guess I still expect people to respond to the subject at hand and perhaps bring something unique or personal to the conversation. Maybe my problem is I think a forum IS a conversation, rather then a soapbox.
People can and do say anything they want in a public forum. They can make remarks that are insulting. They can make remarks that aren't thought out well. They can make remarks which have nothing to do with the actual subject matter. These remarks distract from the forum topic and prevents a true two way (or multi way) conversation or discussion. They, in fact, inhibit free speech.
I am becoming less of an advocate for "free speech." If the definition of "free speech" is that anyone can say anything they want to, I think I am not for that. My opinion is that speech should be a conversation, or dialog, between people. I don't advocate that we should all have the same opinion. But let's at least have some ground rules that people will stay on topic and not be uncivil to each other. Otherwise, it all becomes noise.
I write this because I was reading an open blog on the San Francisco Chronicle in which the subject was supposedly art and one artist's experience in creating art. Instead, as it so often does, the forum became a place where people inserted their own politics and insults, which had nothing to do whatever with the topic at hand. It was impossible to hold a cogent discussion because the forum was hijacked by attack and rhetoric.
I guess I still expect people to respond to the subject at hand and perhaps bring something unique or personal to the conversation. Maybe my problem is I think a forum IS a conversation, rather then a soapbox.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Absolute Insjustice Update 12/8/2008
I have just been made aware of a terrible injustice which took place in Valentine, Nebraska, today.
The person known as the Butt Bandit has been sentenced to 13 months in prison. His crime? Applying petroleum jelly to his tushis and then placing said tushis on windows throughout the town, leaving an imprint.
Now, let it be said that I personally would not want someone to leave their butt print on my window. Nor would I personally be so inclined as to do something similar, although I have mooned several people during my lifetime (their therapist sends me holiday cards). However, a 13 month stay in the clink for this sort of thing seems to me rather excessive, even for such a traditional, conservative town as Valentine, Nebraska.
I can't help think that this is another example of injustice, right up there with waterboarding and Guantanamo Bay.
I'm thinking a Presidential pardon here.
The person known as the Butt Bandit has been sentenced to 13 months in prison. His crime? Applying petroleum jelly to his tushis and then placing said tushis on windows throughout the town, leaving an imprint.
Now, let it be said that I personally would not want someone to leave their butt print on my window. Nor would I personally be so inclined as to do something similar, although I have mooned several people during my lifetime (their therapist sends me holiday cards). However, a 13 month stay in the clink for this sort of thing seems to me rather excessive, even for such a traditional, conservative town as Valentine, Nebraska.
I can't help think that this is another example of injustice, right up there with waterboarding and Guantanamo Bay.
I'm thinking a Presidential pardon here.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Jimmy V Foundation Update
As some of you know, Jimmy Valvano was an NCAA basketball coach who died of cancer in 1993. The V Foundation for Cancer research was started that year. It takes its motto from a line in a speech Jimmy V. gave upon winning an ESPY award that year: "Don't give up, don't ever give up."
Even before I had cancer, that particular speech and the circumstances in which it was given has always inspired me. After losing my stepmother and uncle to cancer, it resonated even more. Now that I myself have cancer, it has become a talisman, a rallying cry, to have faith and fight on one more day.
This week is the Jimmy V Foundation's fundraiser. There are numerous events going on both to raise awareness and money, including several NCAA basketball games at Madison Square Garden. Many ESPN personalities will participate. And, no doubt, the Jimmy V. speech will be played. If you haven't seen it or heard it, I am sure it will inspire you.
I am asking my friends and my family to consider making a contribution to the Jimmy V. Foundation for Cancer Research. If you go to their website, jimmyv.org, you can find out more information about the work they are doing and the goals they have to cure cancer and to support those of us who have it.
Anyone who reads this blog who knows me knows how horrific cancer is, not just to the person who is afflicted with it, but to their friends and family. Despite all the advances in treatment and technology, going through cancer treatment is amazingly difficult. Certainly it has been the most difficult, life-affecting event that I have experienced in my short time here. Please consider donating to the V Foundation to continue to fight for a cure and treatment so others don't have to go through this.
Even before I had cancer, that particular speech and the circumstances in which it was given has always inspired me. After losing my stepmother and uncle to cancer, it resonated even more. Now that I myself have cancer, it has become a talisman, a rallying cry, to have faith and fight on one more day.
This week is the Jimmy V Foundation's fundraiser. There are numerous events going on both to raise awareness and money, including several NCAA basketball games at Madison Square Garden. Many ESPN personalities will participate. And, no doubt, the Jimmy V. speech will be played. If you haven't seen it or heard it, I am sure it will inspire you.
I am asking my friends and my family to consider making a contribution to the Jimmy V. Foundation for Cancer Research. If you go to their website, jimmyv.org, you can find out more information about the work they are doing and the goals they have to cure cancer and to support those of us who have it.
Anyone who reads this blog who knows me knows how horrific cancer is, not just to the person who is afflicted with it, but to their friends and family. Despite all the advances in treatment and technology, going through cancer treatment is amazingly difficult. Certainly it has been the most difficult, life-affecting event that I have experienced in my short time here. Please consider donating to the V Foundation to continue to fight for a cure and treatment so others don't have to go through this.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Post Thanksgiving Update
It was quite an eventful weekend! My cousin Alison got engaged to a great guy, Mario; and my brother's sister-in-law, Jenny, gave birth Saturday morning to a baby boy. This was on top of Thanksgiving, family, and San Francisco in general. We had a lot of fun. I got to spend some great times with family, particularly my cousins and aunt. I got to take my Mom to some of my favorite San Fran neighborhoods, Haight Ashbury and Cole Valley (as a side note, as we were trying to get home on the N Judah streetcar, the doors closed before my Mom could get on board. Fortunately, I had a cell phone so I could give her directions, and I waited for her at the Powell Street station. It was quite funny). It was nice, but it's always nice to come home, particularly to my new place.
I'm going to save the medical news for tomorrow; hopefully I will have an update on scheduling scans for the cancer tomorrow when I meet with the oncologist.
I'm going to save the medical news for tomorrow; hopefully I will have an update on scheduling scans for the cancer tomorrow when I meet with the oncologist.
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