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Relay for Life

24 May

What a great weekend at Upper Arlington High School. Michelle Davis and the Relay for Life did an outstanding job organizing a first class event. I was honored to be invited to be a part of it and can’t wait for next year. Meeting other survivors, caregivers and some just general, all-around do-gooders was an uplifting experience.

This far out from treatment, I tend to forget what a hard and harrowing ordeal it was on my family and me. As we circled the track with luminaries lit in honor those who were not so fortunate as me, I was overcome with a confusing mixture of sadness and joy. Glad that I had recovered but felt almost a sense of guilt for my good fortune. I was reassured by the fact that all of these people were willing to spend a large chunk of their weekend (plus countless hours in preparation) to help fight cancer and provide comfort for those who lives it has touched. I can’t thank them enough.

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Lighten Up People

20 May

Looking forward to tonight’s Relay for Life at Upper Arlington’s High School. I was invited to speak to the participants and lead the Survivors Lap. I am really honored.

Yesterday got e-mail from my friend Pat Dull (of Pat Dull and the Media Whores fame, Columbus’ best rock band, check’em out) wishing me luck on my “speech.”

I asked him if he had any good cancer jokes. He told me to check Google, duh!

After a quick check of “cancer jokes,” was disappointed by the quality and quantity of results. Even adding “tasteless’ to my search netted very little in the way of chuckles. Most were tired retreads of old jokes or so tasteless, unfunny and uncreative that I won’t bother to waste your time with them. Cancer is serious stuff but laughter is supposed to be the best medicine. Where are all the good jokes? If you have any send’em my way, I go on in a couple of hours.

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Feeling Fine

18 May

Amazingly, I turned forty-five this week. Not amazing that I lived this long, but I remember my friend’s parents being forty-five and thinking that was old. I sneak peeks at old high school classmates on Facebook and wonder where the all rowdy dudes and seemingly, out of my league, cheerleaders went. Did we all turn to mortgage brokers and soccer moms overnight? That’s never gonna happen to me. But as I pulled up support stockings (for my varicose veins, I know, TMI) this morning I realized that it already has. I am good with it though. As a cancer survivor you can’t take these things for granted. I am still having a hell of good time and despite the various aches and pains. And my prized birthday presents from my family were Philadelphia Union soccer hat and an Evan Turner 76ers jersey, so I think I still I have some growing up to do. I think I will take my time.

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Good Luck to Marcus Cotton

4 May

The offensive lineman from TCU was the picked with 10th pick of the fifth round by the New England Patriots in last weekend’s NFL Draft despite a recent diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The intense scrutiny that NFL teams place on their potential draft picks just might have saved his life. After coming off a stellar season that saw his team go 13-0 and defeat Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, Cotton headed off to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis where the players are measured, timed and tested in everyway imaginable. On of the teams requested a biopsy of a benign growth in his groin and the cancer was discovered.
Cotton has already had one chemo treatment and the prognosis is good. So good in fact, the Patriots went ahead and drafted him. Shows how far we have come in the treatment of cancer, as Cotton expects to be ready for training camp in June. Although I usually root against the Patriots, obviously I am pulling for Cotton. His success can show that a cancer treatment doesn’t have to keep you from reaching your dreams.

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Relay For Life

6 Apr

I was honored to be invited to be the opening speaker for this year’s Upper Arlington/Grandview Relay For Life. This year’s event takes place May 20, 6pm through noon the next day. I was also invited to lead the Survivors Lap around the track at Upper Arlington High School. Get a team together and help us fight cancer. I hope to see you out there. Check out their website for more details.

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Creating a community

5 Apr

Among all the great work they do, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society plays a huge role in creating a community for those whose lives have been affected by these diseases. Many of the blogs features survivor stories as well as fundraising events. The Year My Went Bald is featured in a guest blog this week. Check out all the blogs for some great information and inspirational stories.

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A Friend in Need

9 Mar

We received this amazing note today from Chantal in Canada:

“Have been trying to find a book to explain to our 6 year old why dad is sick went to Chapters nothing we live in Canada and my husband was diagnosised with Hodgkins Lymphoma NS Stage 2 and we have just started cycle 2 of 6 and the hair just went just watched your you tube video and word for word it is exactly how my husband feels guilt frustration and strugling to explain to our son why Dad can not do all the wonderful things with him as he did before you are amazing and thank you for sharing your story I am going on amazon to order the book now this book needs to be avaiable to all young families All the best Chantal.”

Chantal actually ordered two books–one for her family, and one for her cancer resource center, which seems to focus only on books for seniors. We are so grateful to “meet” Chantal and her family, and hope TYMDWB can hopefully help them face this challenge head on with a little humor. Chantal, please know we are here for you–and for all families who have been forced to join this wicked cancer club.

“The Year My Dad Went Bald” goes to college

24 Feb

Had a great time yesterday meeting Maryanna D. Klatt. Ph.D.
Assistant Professor Clinical Allied Medicine and her students. Was invited by Maryanna to speak to her the Evolving Art and Science of Medicine class at The Ohio State University about “The Year My Dad Went Bald,” and the healing process that went along with the creation of the book. It was a great opportunity to share my story with some future doctors. They had lots of great questions and seemed to be appreciative to meet someone who has been though cancer and was willing to share their story.

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Join Us Tonight for Family Skate for a Cure

12 Feb

Big end of week and weekend. First, Brian get a clean bill of health from his doctor–no sign of cancer and no more CAT scans until February of 2012. Woo hoo! Now tonight he will hold his first book signing at Chiller North, 8144 Highfield Drive, Lewis Center, OH 43035-9673, (740) 549-0009, as part of FAMILY SKATE FOR A CURE, organized by Leukemia and Lymphoma Society supporter Jen Richards and her fellow teammates with TEAM IN TRAINING. Please join us from 7:30-91:15 p.m. for the skating, and pick up a copy of TYMDWB while you are there–signed by the author! Click and print the discount skating coupon below!

FAMILY SKATE FOR A CURE

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Thanks (614) for Great TYMDWB Profile

4 Feb

We had a wonderful interview with Erin Norris of (614) magazine a month ago–and she turned it into a wonderful article on “The Year My Dad Went Bald.” Erin profiled the book as part of the magazine’s Charity Profile–what a great idea to spotlight organizations that give back. We are just honored she felt we were worthy of being included.

(614) is a terrific magazine for everyone in Columbus to stay connected to the city, and it is an honor to be part of it! Hope you will check the magazine out on Facebook, on the web and at news stands around the city.

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