So the Light The Night Walk is less than two weeks away. I have to say I'm a little disappointed this year. Our team is only half the size it was last year and the fundraising hasn't gone as well as I'd hoped. I've already lowered our team goal twice, from a lofty $5000, to a more reasonable $2500, and recently down to $1000. I've also lowered my personal goal to $100. As of today, the team has raised $645 online. One way that Maria, Vivian and I are trying to raise money is by selling candy at work. We sell candy for $1 each to our co-workers and all the profit (just under 50 cents) goes towards our Light The Night goals. It's an easy way to raise money without having to constantly bother our friends and family for donations. We haven't added that money to our total yet, so I'm hoping for at least $200-250 more between the three of us.
It just seems like people aren't as interested this year in walking, and/or raising money. My only guess is that last year, both Sarah and I were in the thick of dealing with cancer and treatment, so we had a lot more people who wanted to be there and support us. Since we are both now in remission and back to our normal lives, I think some people have moved on. I really do appreciate those who signed up this year and who are trying to raise money. I'm glad people want to be there to support me, but unfortunately, it doesn't help cancer research and save lives unless they also fundraise. Maybe I have the wrong attitude about it. I just can't help that I feel disappointed this year. I'm sure the day of the walk, it'll be great to see everyone there for a good cause and to know that whatever amount we come up with is more than if we didn't do anything at all.
It's not too late for you to donate!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Still cancer-free
Last week I had a follow-up CT scan of from my neck to my pelvis and I found out on Tuesday that everything is still clear & cancer-free. My oncologist explained that I do have a slightly enlarged lymph node though. He explained that the PET scan they did on me back in December, right after I finished all treatment, was negative for cancer. So one thing they check for with the CT scans is to make sure that lymph node doesn't get any bigger. If it stays the same size, even though it's "enlarged," it's most likely just scar tissue. If it would get any bigger compared to its size on the PET scan, then they would have to check into it further. The nurse practitioner also went over my lab results and explained how various counts have returned to the normal range after treatment or are on their way - all good signs. The list of what they test from that vial of blood they take was huge. They also both ask the routine questions - how am I feeling? Any sickness? Any change in eating/sleeping/pooping? Any pain/tingling/numbness? How is my energy level? It's basically 5 minutes of me answering "no" to every question. Overall, it was a pretty uneventful - but good - visit.
And now onto some random cancer related thoughts...
One thing you never have to think about until you have cancer - or some other life altering disease or condition - is how and when to tell people. It was heart wrenching to tell people when I first found out I had it. I'm not sure I handled it the best in hindsight - I probably should have waited to tell most people until I knew how bad it truly was and what the treatment plans were. But now that I'm in remission, telling people that don't already know I have it and what I went through has its own set of challenges. When I started my new job in January, I kept it to myself of course. But over time, you make friends with people and I found myself having to purposely think of how to word things in general conversation based on the fact that the person doesn't know that I have cancer. I knew eventually I would have to tell someone, but when is the "right" time to bring it up? How would they react? Would they think I was lying to them this whole time? Am I going to ruin their day?
About two months ago I told one of my co-workers who I am friends with and it was a big relief. We eat lunch together every day and it was just getting annoying trying to tiptoe around the elephant in the room of my head. He thanked me for telling him and I'm glad I did. Last week, I told another co-worker. This time, I felt some pressure. I knew I was having a CT scan and that I would post something about it on Facebook, which he would be able to see. I didn't think someone seeing a Facebook post about still being cancer-free is an appropriate way for someone to find out. So I told him at lunch. It's still a hard conversation to start. You don't just want to spring it on someone - "I have cancer." Their mind will probably immediately think that you are dying. So I wanted to break it gently, but even that builds up to sounding bad. "I have something that I want to tell you." "I'm not sure how to say this." "I just want to first say that I'm OK." I think I'm just going to print up some business cards to hand out when the time is right. "Sorry to break it to you like this, but I have cancer. I'm OK. I went through chemo and radiation last year and I'm now in remission. If there is anything specific you'd like to ask, please do."
I once heard that Hallmark has a card for every occasion. Well, I now know that it's true. I was looking at greeting cards at Kohl's recently and I came across a small section of cards to give to people with cancer. There were only 4 of them, but it was interesting to see them nonetheless. They were your basic cheer you up, get well soon type card, but a bit more humorous and clearly aimed at cancer and related issues like the side-effects of chemo or whatnot. I'm glad they make them because having cancer and going through treatments can leave you lonely and depressed and I wish more people knew about them so they could brighten a loved one's day. In addition to Kohl's, they are available online here and probably most Hallmark stores.
Pretty soon it will be time once again to start fundraising for the Light The Night Walk. I'm still hoping more people join our team. I registered a couple months ago, sent email invites and posted it on Facebook, but so far, there are only a few people signed up. Not sure why everyone is waiting. I hope they had a good time last year and found it worthwhile. I was hoping our team would grow to be even larger this year and I even stretched our team's goal to $5000! I hope that wasn't just wishful thinking. To anyone reading this blog, please consider signing up to walk & fundraise and/or making a donation.
And now onto some random cancer related thoughts...
One thing you never have to think about until you have cancer - or some other life altering disease or condition - is how and when to tell people. It was heart wrenching to tell people when I first found out I had it. I'm not sure I handled it the best in hindsight - I probably should have waited to tell most people until I knew how bad it truly was and what the treatment plans were. But now that I'm in remission, telling people that don't already know I have it and what I went through has its own set of challenges. When I started my new job in January, I kept it to myself of course. But over time, you make friends with people and I found myself having to purposely think of how to word things in general conversation based on the fact that the person doesn't know that I have cancer. I knew eventually I would have to tell someone, but when is the "right" time to bring it up? How would they react? Would they think I was lying to them this whole time? Am I going to ruin their day?
About two months ago I told one of my co-workers who I am friends with and it was a big relief. We eat lunch together every day and it was just getting annoying trying to tiptoe around the elephant in the room of my head. He thanked me for telling him and I'm glad I did. Last week, I told another co-worker. This time, I felt some pressure. I knew I was having a CT scan and that I would post something about it on Facebook, which he would be able to see. I didn't think someone seeing a Facebook post about still being cancer-free is an appropriate way for someone to find out. So I told him at lunch. It's still a hard conversation to start. You don't just want to spring it on someone - "I have cancer." Their mind will probably immediately think that you are dying. So I wanted to break it gently, but even that builds up to sounding bad. "I have something that I want to tell you." "I'm not sure how to say this." "I just want to first say that I'm OK." I think I'm just going to print up some business cards to hand out when the time is right. "Sorry to break it to you like this, but I have cancer. I'm OK. I went through chemo and radiation last year and I'm now in remission. If there is anything specific you'd like to ask, please do."
I once heard that Hallmark has a card for every occasion. Well, I now know that it's true. I was looking at greeting cards at Kohl's recently and I came across a small section of cards to give to people with cancer. There were only 4 of them, but it was interesting to see them nonetheless. They were your basic cheer you up, get well soon type card, but a bit more humorous and clearly aimed at cancer and related issues like the side-effects of chemo or whatnot. I'm glad they make them because having cancer and going through treatments can leave you lonely and depressed and I wish more people knew about them so they could brighten a loved one's day. In addition to Kohl's, they are available online here and probably most Hallmark stores.
Pretty soon it will be time once again to start fundraising for the Light The Night Walk. I'm still hoping more people join our team. I registered a couple months ago, sent email invites and posted it on Facebook, but so far, there are only a few people signed up. Not sure why everyone is waiting. I hope they had a good time last year and found it worthwhile. I was hoping our team would grow to be even larger this year and I even stretched our team's goal to $5000! I hope that wasn't just wishful thinking. To anyone reading this blog, please consider signing up to walk & fundraise and/or making a donation.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
A long, overdue update
I’ve been meaning to update this blog for a long time now. I’m not sure why I haven’t exactly. I probably just never think of doing it at a time where I can actually write. So here is my long overdue, catch-up blog entry.
First things first – I’m cancer free! I had a PET scan in early December which came back clear. I also recently had my three month follow-up, a CT scan of my neck and chest, which also came back clear.
I am scheduled for two more CT scans this year, one in June and another in October. My oncologist said that the first year or two is when Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is most likely to come back. So I’ll have scans every 3 months or so during the first year and then they will start to spread out a bit more in the 2nd year and beyond.
I still get nervous on occasion about the possibility of the cancer coming back or of a different cancer appearing, but overall, I seem to be managing that pretty well. I’m sure around the time of each scan and waiting for the results will be the hardest. I do think about cancer every day though in some form. It is something that has affected my life forever and I’m not sure there will ever come a day where I don’t think about cancer somehow. All I can do is hope the scan results keep coming back clear and work on getting myself healthier in other ways so that the chances of cancer developing are minimal.
Since I last posted at the end of October, my life has slowly become as normal as it can be. While I was a nervous in November, waiting for my scan in December and the results, Maria and I were able to visit family for a week in Houston over Thanksgiving. In December, I was offered a job that started in January. It was the same job that I was offered back in August that was unable to work around my remaining treatments and doctor appointments. I got to enjoy the holiday season cancer-free, while anticipating starting a new job.
Just after the new year, Maria and I took a much needed mini-vacation to Las Vegas. Since we didn’t know if or when I would get time off for a vacation at my new job this year, we decided to take a trip before I started working again. We had a great time in Las Vegas. We stayed at Mandalay Bay and upgraded to a penthouse suite, which was amazing. We saw the Lion King broadway musical and went to the Hoover Dam. It was so nice to start the year off with something fun and relaxing after such a terrible 2009.
The following week I started my new job, which is going well so far. Everybody at work is very friendly and seems to enjoy working here. Plus, the company has never laid off a single employee from what I’m told, so that’s comforting. If things go well, I could see myself working here for a very long time.
I guess that’s about all I can think of for now. I’ll still post from time to time, most likely around scan times or regarding my fundraising efforts for the Light The Night Walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Remember, I’m very open to answering questions from my family and friends, so feel free to check in with me other ways. Until next time…
First things first – I’m cancer free! I had a PET scan in early December which came back clear. I also recently had my three month follow-up, a CT scan of my neck and chest, which also came back clear.
I am scheduled for two more CT scans this year, one in June and another in October. My oncologist said that the first year or two is when Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is most likely to come back. So I’ll have scans every 3 months or so during the first year and then they will start to spread out a bit more in the 2nd year and beyond.
I still get nervous on occasion about the possibility of the cancer coming back or of a different cancer appearing, but overall, I seem to be managing that pretty well. I’m sure around the time of each scan and waiting for the results will be the hardest. I do think about cancer every day though in some form. It is something that has affected my life forever and I’m not sure there will ever come a day where I don’t think about cancer somehow. All I can do is hope the scan results keep coming back clear and work on getting myself healthier in other ways so that the chances of cancer developing are minimal.
Since I last posted at the end of October, my life has slowly become as normal as it can be. While I was a nervous in November, waiting for my scan in December and the results, Maria and I were able to visit family for a week in Houston over Thanksgiving. In December, I was offered a job that started in January. It was the same job that I was offered back in August that was unable to work around my remaining treatments and doctor appointments. I got to enjoy the holiday season cancer-free, while anticipating starting a new job.
Just after the new year, Maria and I took a much needed mini-vacation to Las Vegas. Since we didn’t know if or when I would get time off for a vacation at my new job this year, we decided to take a trip before I started working again. We had a great time in Las Vegas. We stayed at Mandalay Bay and upgraded to a penthouse suite, which was amazing. We saw the Lion King broadway musical and went to the Hoover Dam. It was so nice to start the year off with something fun and relaxing after such a terrible 2009.
The following week I started my new job, which is going well so far. Everybody at work is very friendly and seems to enjoy working here. Plus, the company has never laid off a single employee from what I’m told, so that’s comforting. If things go well, I could see myself working here for a very long time.
I guess that’s about all I can think of for now. I’ll still post from time to time, most likely around scan times or regarding my fundraising efforts for the Light The Night Walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Remember, I’m very open to answering questions from my family and friends, so feel free to check in with me other ways. Until next time…
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