Still Going Strong!

I just had another check up today.  CAT scan, blood work and vitals are all normal. 

I requested to add on a scan of my hips as they have been giving me some discomfort lately, especially on a day after I have gone running - even for the shorter distances I've been doing lately.  It appears the aches are from aging and not from cancer - a bitter tradeoff, but I'll gladly take age over cancer!

That's all the news that's fit to print!

Introducing my Cancer Management booklet

I've written a very simple, brief booklet called A Survivor's Quick Tips for Managing Cancer that is meant to be used for quick and easy reference for people dealing with cancer.  It is free for downloading at www.quicktipsformanagingcancer.com and you are welcome to view, download and print it as well as share it with anyone you think it might help.

I've known I wanted to share my experience with others since early into my diagnosis so I've been collecting thoughts and ideas for a couple years before I wrote the booklet. 

My intention is for people to scan the table of contents, find a topic that looks interesting to them, read the page (each topic is no longer than one 4 x 6 page) and be done (unless another topic interests them at that time).  The small size is intended to make it portable to fit in a purse or back pocket so people can easily refer to it when they are thinking about something related to managing their cancer.

I learned how to build a website on my own to house the booklet so it can be a free download (using Kindle or Nook requires you charge people).  I am now looking for an organization to help with the cost of printing hard copies, which I'd like to leave in oncology waiting rooms and cancer wellness centers.  I'll also be contacting a lot of cancer support organizations and hospitals to spread the word about the booklet.  If you know of an individual or an organization that would be interested in accessing the booklet, please send the link to the website to them. My vision is to get the booklet in the hands of anyone who can benefit from it.

Thanks.

A Happy Holiday Indeed

I just had my latest appointment with Dr. Bonomi, along with blood work and and MRI, yesterday.  Nothing new was found so I remain in remission.  What a great gift for the holidays.  I wish you all good health, happiness and success over this holiday season and through the new year.

Hooray for another lung cancer survivor!!

I just wanted to share the happy news that one of my fellow lung cancer fighters who is also my friend was declared to be in clinical remission on Thanksgiving day!  What a great thing to celebrate and give thanks for!  Way to go, Barb!  I'm so happy for you!

Please support Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Once again, I send out my annual plea to spread the word and contribute to the cause of eradicating lung cancer.  November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month.  Take a look at this video from Lungevity which gives a pretty personal perspective of how lung cancer impacts so many people:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2eRyEDZMsQ.

Lungevity is one of many lung cancer organizations that are funding lung cancer research; promoting more public awareness of this issue; and providing support to people affected by lung cancer.

Here are some of my favorite organizations providing effective and helpful resources for lung cancer:

Lungevity - http://events.lungevity.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homepage&autologin=true
Lung Cancer Alliance - http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/
National Lung Cancer Partnership - http://www.nationallungcancerpartnership.org/
GRACE - Global Resource for Advancing Cancer Education - http://cancergrace.org/
Uniting Against Lung Cancer - http://www.unitingagainstlungcancer.org/

They all have useful information for learning more about lung cancer and all are worthy of support in their goals of improving the state of lung cancer research, prevention, treatment and eradication for our world.

My Internet Video Advocacy Debut

Two postings in one day - that's a new one!

A few months ago, I participated on a web panel with 3 other people to discuss three topics - Coping with Lung Cancer, Scanxiety and Dealing with the Stigma of Lung Cancer.   There is also a video introducing each of the panel members.  The videos just posted at this link.

The video was paid for by the pharmaceutical company that makes my Tarceva in conjunction with the lung cancer awareness charity Lungevity.  I think these videos are a good step in creating more awareness and support for lung cancer.

Pictures from our Cruise through Greece and Turkey

It took longer than I thought it would for me to get my act together, but here is the link to Shutterfly with the "highlight reel" of pictures from our sailboat cruise to the Athens and the Greek Isles of Mykonos, Santorini and Rhodes and the Turkish ports of Bodrum, Kusadasi (which takes you to Ephasus) and Istanbul.  What a great trip!  http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=7688c72f14d97ada&sid=0Absm7Jo1ZOGTrQ

The story behind this trip is that Doug and I had originally planned to take a cruise through the Greek Isles for our honeymoon and it didn't work out for logistical reasons.  We never stopped wanting to take this trip.  This September marked our 20th wedding anniversary and that, in combination with my cancer diagnosis, prompted us to make this dream a reality.  It was worth the wait!