Sigh... I have known this post day would come.
I am writing to say that I will be posting less often from now on, because I need to start focusing on my MBA work. But I will definitely keep this blog up and running, and I look forward to the insights I will gain as an MBA student!
There is so much more to learn and there will never be enough time to learn it, but I look forward to continuing to chronicle what I do learn (and when I do learn it) here.
So - sigh. But! Yay!
Onward.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Quote for the Long Weekend
We have come upon a holiday weekend here in the UK (yipee!) and my boyfriend and I are headed to Germany.
I won't be posting for a few days, so I will leave you all with one of my favorite quotes*. My mom and I discovered this morsel of wisdom and loveliness right around the first anniversary of my stepdad's death. We were in Sephora, walking by the philosophy section, when the Amazing Grace eau de toilette caught our eye.
A couple mornings ago, I realized that my Amazing Grace shampoo bottle has the same quote, and it's just as meaningful to me today as it was those years ago:
"how you climb up the mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain. and so it is with life, which for many of us become one big gigantic test followed by one big gigantic lesson. in the end, it all comes down to one word. grace. it's how you accept winning and losing, good luck and bad luck, the darkness and the light."
Grace. Sometimes - many times - that really is all it takes.
Have a great weekend!
*By the way, for those of you grammar and spelling enthusiasts out there, I do know that I should be using the word "quotations" instead of "quotes" but I just like the short word better. Please take no offense.
I won't be posting for a few days, so I will leave you all with one of my favorite quotes*. My mom and I discovered this morsel of wisdom and loveliness right around the first anniversary of my stepdad's death. We were in Sephora, walking by the philosophy section, when the Amazing Grace eau de toilette caught our eye.
A couple mornings ago, I realized that my Amazing Grace shampoo bottle has the same quote, and it's just as meaningful to me today as it was those years ago:
"how you climb up the mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain. and so it is with life, which for many of us become one big gigantic test followed by one big gigantic lesson. in the end, it all comes down to one word. grace. it's how you accept winning and losing, good luck and bad luck, the darkness and the light."
Grace. Sometimes - many times - that really is all it takes.
Have a great weekend!
*By the way, for those of you grammar and spelling enthusiasts out there, I do know that I should be using the word "quotations" instead of "quotes" but I just like the short word better. Please take no offense.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Good News for Applegate
Great news! Christina Applegate has been pronounced cancer-free after undergoing a double mastectomy. Wow.
I have read a lot about mastectomies and other breast cancer treatments, between Bathsheba's Breast and The Secret History of the War on Cancer (which I am slowly but surely plowing through, I promise!). Needless to say, the various surgeries have come a long way, as has a woman's right and ability to choose how far to go with her treatment. Applegate's mother is a long-term breast cancer survivor who had a recurrence many years after having a single mastectomy. So Applegate's attitude was to take no chances on a recurrence. As she says, "I just wanted to kind of be rid of this whole thing for me. This was the choice that I made, and it was a tough one."
I applaud Applegate's proactive approach to her treatment and I am thrilled that the outcome is freedom from cancer. She also says she will start raising money for cancer research (catch her appearance on SU2C!), MRIs (the test that saved her life), and gene testing (she has the breast cancer gene, BRCA1).
Perhaps best of all, Applegate is raising awareness about breast cancer and cancer in general by speaking out. The breast cancer movement has been able to move into mainstream consciousness thanks to fearless women like Applegate, who will talk about their breast cancer candidly and publicly. I hope survivors of other cancers that still have stigmas attached to them (HELLO! Aren't butts just as cute as breasts? Come on, colon cancer survivors! Put the word out there!) will follow the example of these incredible women.
Share your thoughts about Applegate's cancer journey in the comment section!
To read the complete ABC News article and watch the video of Applegate's interview, click here.
I have read a lot about mastectomies and other breast cancer treatments, between Bathsheba's Breast and The Secret History of the War on Cancer (which I am slowly but surely plowing through, I promise!). Needless to say, the various surgeries have come a long way, as has a woman's right and ability to choose how far to go with her treatment. Applegate's mother is a long-term breast cancer survivor who had a recurrence many years after having a single mastectomy. So Applegate's attitude was to take no chances on a recurrence. As she says, "I just wanted to kind of be rid of this whole thing for me. This was the choice that I made, and it was a tough one."
I applaud Applegate's proactive approach to her treatment and I am thrilled that the outcome is freedom from cancer. She also says she will start raising money for cancer research (catch her appearance on SU2C!), MRIs (the test that saved her life), and gene testing (she has the breast cancer gene, BRCA1).
Perhaps best of all, Applegate is raising awareness about breast cancer and cancer in general by speaking out. The breast cancer movement has been able to move into mainstream consciousness thanks to fearless women like Applegate, who will talk about their breast cancer candidly and publicly. I hope survivors of other cancers that still have stigmas attached to them (HELLO! Aren't butts just as cute as breasts? Come on, colon cancer survivors! Put the word out there!) will follow the example of these incredible women.
Share your thoughts about Applegate's cancer journey in the comment section!
To read the complete ABC News article and watch the video of Applegate's interview, click here.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Leroy Sievers, 1955-2008
Oh gosh. This is a sad one.
Leroy Sievers, a well-known journalist, died last night. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2001, and passed away at the age of 53.
I have been following Leroy's cancer journey through his NPR blog, My Cancer. I must admit, I didn't read it as thoroughly as I could have - the parallels to my stepdad hit a little too close to home. But the blog is astonishing in its candor, and if you have the emotional energy for it, I greatly encourage you to read it.
Sievers began the blog in February 2006, when his cancer returned after first being treated four years earlier. What began as colon cancer had spread to his brain and lung. Sievers was told he had six months to live. Two and a half years later - this morning, at 7:59AM eastern time - came the post that began, "Dear Friends: I'm so sorry to bring you this news." And it wasn't written by Leroy.
Cancer never ceases to deal bad hands to good people, which, to me, is the most frustrating thing about it.
But instead, I try to focus on the silver lining: look at Sievers' legacy. Not only did he have an exceptional career as a journalist, but he has also left us his blog, My Cancer, the accomplishment of which he said he was most proud. This blog is tragic, but full of insight and even - way down deep in there, between the lines and beyond the pixels - hope.
What was to be Leroy's final post came on Thursday, August 14th. He titled it "The Dog We Never Had," and he wrote:
"He is the dog we never had.
I remember thinking to myself at the time, "So this is the circle of life. It's not a cliche after all." Leroy Sievers' final post captures the same feeling. "A boy and his dog." Tragically, Leroy Sievers' circle, like John's, closed far too early. But how phenomenal that he let us all inside before it did.
For complete NPR coverage, click here.
Header courtesy of NPR
Leroy Sievers, a well-known journalist, died last night. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2001, and passed away at the age of 53.
I have been following Leroy's cancer journey through his NPR blog, My Cancer. I must admit, I didn't read it as thoroughly as I could have - the parallels to my stepdad hit a little too close to home. But the blog is astonishing in its candor, and if you have the emotional energy for it, I greatly encourage you to read it.
Sievers began the blog in February 2006, when his cancer returned after first being treated four years earlier. What began as colon cancer had spread to his brain and lung. Sievers was told he had six months to live. Two and a half years later - this morning, at 7:59AM eastern time - came the post that began, "Dear Friends: I'm so sorry to bring you this news." And it wasn't written by Leroy.
Cancer never ceases to deal bad hands to good people, which, to me, is the most frustrating thing about it.
But instead, I try to focus on the silver lining: look at Sievers' legacy. Not only did he have an exceptional career as a journalist, but he has also left us his blog, My Cancer, the accomplishment of which he said he was most proud. This blog is tragic, but full of insight and even - way down deep in there, between the lines and beyond the pixels - hope.
What was to be Leroy's final post came on Thursday, August 14th. He titled it "The Dog We Never Had," and he wrote:
"He is the dog we never had.
He's a Bernese Mountain dog. A big one. We always knew what his name was going to be ...'Spanky' ... no matter what.
The fact that he would be a toy didn't really bother us. We couldn't have a real one because we both traveled too much.
So here he is, sitting with me on the bed. My comrade in cancer.
A boy and his dog."
I remember thinking to myself at the time, "So this is the circle of life. It's not a cliche after all." Leroy Sievers' final post captures the same feeling. "A boy and his dog." Tragically, Leroy Sievers' circle, like John's, closed far too early. But how phenomenal that he let us all inside before it did.
For complete NPR coverage, click here.
Friday, August 15, 2008
I Stand For My Stepdad
Here I am! (At about 2:08 - right after the french bulldogs - coincidentally, my favorite type of dog! That must be a sign of something, right?)
Wow. Can't say I don't have tears streaming down my face after that one. Hope you'll take a moment to watch it all the way through.
To learn more about this video, check out When Tara Met Blog and SU2C's Virtual Stand Up.
Wow. Can't say I don't have tears streaming down my face after that one. Hope you'll take a moment to watch it all the way through.
To learn more about this video, check out When Tara Met Blog and SU2C's Virtual Stand Up.
Cancer Quote Friday!
As we greet (or, in my case, start to wrap up) another fabulous Friday, with brains fried by the week and flitting toward the weekend, it is my pleasure to offer someone else's wisdom for your consideration.
The following is an excerpt from an article in the Stand Up to Cancer online magazine about caregiving. The article is written by Ellen R. Silver, who is a nurse and also the mother of a long-term cancer survivor. The article is a great read! As a former caregiver, I feel like caregivers cannot hear these things enough...
"No matter what, the relationship must remain the same. If you are a parent, continue to parent. If you are a friend, continue to do the friend things you always did. If you are a co-worker, continue to work as a team. If you are a spouse, continue your marriage in the same way and manner.
The roles might be changing in the relationship--perhaps now the caregiver is taking the prominent role in some decision-making or taking on some additional duties – but the relationship must remain the same in your heart, in your style, in your approach. Changing the innate chemistry between you as the caregiver and the person with cancer will cause great harm to the relationship during the cancer experience and for years to come. So the most important tip is – be yourself!"
Word.
Have a great weekend!
The following is an excerpt from an article in the Stand Up to Cancer online magazine about caregiving. The article is written by Ellen R. Silver, who is a nurse and also the mother of a long-term cancer survivor. The article is a great read! As a former caregiver, I feel like caregivers cannot hear these things enough...
"No matter what, the relationship must remain the same. If you are a parent, continue to parent. If you are a friend, continue to do the friend things you always did. If you are a co-worker, continue to work as a team. If you are a spouse, continue your marriage in the same way and manner.
The roles might be changing in the relationship--perhaps now the caregiver is taking the prominent role in some decision-making or taking on some additional duties – but the relationship must remain the same in your heart, in your style, in your approach. Changing the innate chemistry between you as the caregiver and the person with cancer will cause great harm to the relationship during the cancer experience and for years to come. So the most important tip is – be yourself!"
Word.
Have a great weekend!
Olympic Spirit when the Foe is Cancer
I must admit I am totally distracted by the Olympics these days. Michael Phelps! Holy cow! I just can't get enough.
Of course, the one race I missed the other day featured one of the most determined and high-spirited athletes: Eric Shanteau. Eric competed in the 200m breast stroke semifinal and set a personal best time. But he came in 10th overall, with his time .013 seconds short of assuring him a spot in the final.
Now that Eric's participation in the Olympics is over, he has another foe to face: testicular cancer.
Holy crap. Are you kidding me? This 24-year-old swimmer, the 10th best in the world in breaststroke, has cancer?! And he competed with cancer?! As if competing against the greatest athletes in the world wasn't enough, to have to compete against cancer at the same time is just awful. Not to mention that his father was diagnosed with lung cancer last summer, so his family has been coping with one traumatic diagnosis already. But Eric says that his father wanted to see him compete. And so he did. Eric's determination to realize his lifelong Olympic dream in the face of his cancer, I think, captures the Olympic spirit like few other athletes can.
But of course there is a debate. Should he have delayed treatment to go to the Olympics? Surely this time has compromised his health, when he could have been operated on immediately and been recovering by now. What is any dream worth if the price is your health, and possibly your life?
Fortunately, Eric's doctors monitored him and did not see the need for immediate care, which Eric says he would have done if it was necessary. Now that the Olympics are over for him, he will be able to focus on his health and hopefully kick his cancer. I support him - with a little relief that he didn't make that final - and I plan to follow his progress throughout his treatment and recovery.
Check out Eric on the CBS Evening News:
"The road to my Olympic dream has, you know, gone over many mountains." An understatement if there ever was one. Sending good karma your way, Eric.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Open Letter: Is It Appropriate?
Breast cancer survivor Suzanne Somers has written an open letter to Christina Applegate, published on People.com. I'm a little dubious about this, as "Thighmaster" Somers clearly likes media attention... but she's a cancer survivor, she's been married for 31 years, and she has built a multi-million dollar empire in addition to her decades-long career as a television actress, so I suppose I can't knock her too badly. Plus, there are some good, positive thoughts here:
Dear Christina,
Cancer is scary, and lonely. You can't ask anyone to make decisions for you because it's just too heavy. There is a lot of 'rush to treatment,' when what you really need is time to research and think about how you want to approach this. Take your time Christina, there is no rush. Take your time and think it through. Use your cancer to learn and grow and as a force to work for you. You might choose to take an alternative approach. There are more options than the ones presented to you in the oncologist's office. You will make it. The success and drive you have had in your career will be the same strengths you will use to win over this nasty disease. And I am here if you want to talk to someone who was 'there.'
Sincerely,
Suzanne Somers
A nice gesture, I guess. But is this really appropriate, or is it just to get a little press? I am going to choose to believe that it's a kind, genuine gesture meant to give support from a breast cancer survivor to a newly diagnosed patient. Perhaps this letter will give hope to others as well. So... okay.
Now back to the Olympics!
Dear Christina,
Cancer is scary, and lonely. You can't ask anyone to make decisions for you because it's just too heavy. There is a lot of 'rush to treatment,' when what you really need is time to research and think about how you want to approach this. Take your time Christina, there is no rush. Take your time and think it through. Use your cancer to learn and grow and as a force to work for you. You might choose to take an alternative approach. There are more options than the ones presented to you in the oncologist's office. You will make it. The success and drive you have had in your career will be the same strengths you will use to win over this nasty disease. And I am here if you want to talk to someone who was 'there.'
Sincerely,
Suzanne Somers
A nice gesture, I guess. But is this really appropriate, or is it just to get a little press? I am going to choose to believe that it's a kind, genuine gesture meant to give support from a breast cancer survivor to a newly diagnosed patient. Perhaps this letter will give hope to others as well. So... okay.
Now back to the Olympics!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Cancer Quote Friday!
As we greet another fabulous Friday, with brains fried by the week and flitting toward the weekend, it is my pleasure to offer someone else's wisdom for your consideration.
"There are no villains in this story in the old-fashioned sense. If anything, we are all victims of the pressures created by a disease that won't wait for answers. We eagerly turn to technologies we hope will work, and by the time we learn that they may not, we are too committed to change course... The fact is oncology is a business, as well as the grounds for trying to keep people from dying of cancer. Sometimes, its business side stands in the way of its larger, more noble goals."
- Devra Davis, The Secret History of the War on Cancer
I have been ploughing through this book since April (yikes!) but am determined to finish it soon! More on this amazing book next week... Have a great weekend!
"There are no villains in this story in the old-fashioned sense. If anything, we are all victims of the pressures created by a disease that won't wait for answers. We eagerly turn to technologies we hope will work, and by the time we learn that they may not, we are too committed to change course... The fact is oncology is a business, as well as the grounds for trying to keep people from dying of cancer. Sometimes, its business side stands in the way of its larger, more noble goals."
- Devra Davis, The Secret History of the War on Cancer
I have been ploughing through this book since April (yikes!) but am determined to finish it soon! More on this amazing book next week... Have a great weekend!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Cancer Nerd Kudos to Applegate
I was so sad to hear of Christina Applegate's breast cancer diagnosis. The announcement came only five days after another, more positive cancer-related announcement: her participation in the Stand Up to Cancer telecast on September 5. But perhaps the best news of all is that Applegate still plans to participate in the show.Phew! That was a lot of links there.
I have always loved Christina Applegate. I never really got into "Married With Children" but I always thought she was beautiful, and I was always impressed that she never fell prey to the perils of Hollywood fame. She just seems very down-to-earth. And she is genuinely talented! They don't show "Samantha Who?" here in the UK but it looks supercute and I'm happy she's had this re-boost to her career.
I'm happier, of course, that her diagnosis is an early and positive one, and that she is expected to make a full recovery. And I'm really glad that she will still appear on the SU2C telethon. She will be getting a lot more attention than she would have otherwise, so kudos to her for having the courage to stand as a survivor mere weeks after her diagnosis.
You go girl!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Check this out!
The lovely ladies over at Young Working Women have posted an interview with me! Check it out if you want to learn a little more about me (and see a sneak peek of the photo I sent into SU2C for the montage).
And if you are a young working woman (even if you're between jobs, like me!) I urge you to join this supportive and fabulous group.
And if you are a young working woman (even if you're between jobs, like me!) I urge you to join this supportive and fabulous group.
It's Never Too Early to Advocate, Apparently
Uy. It's way too early here to be awake and functioning, especially for those of us who are currently funemployed (read: taking a hiatus from work and not back in school quite yet). Alas, I was woken up at 7:30 this morning by the recycling truck, of all things. Only in this quaint lil' ol' country would the garbage men be up and at 'em by dawn. Uy yuy yuy.
But anyway, once I failed at my attempt to sleep in, the www came calling, and I stumbled upon a really great blog: Cancer is Boring, written by Brad O'Brien, a lymphoma survivor (multiple times over) in San Francisco. I love his candid, open, fearless attitude. Brad exemplifies survivorship and advocacy. I hope you will take a moment to check out his blog! I know I will keep reading.
Even though Brad and I don't know each other, we have one thing in common - we were both invited by Tara Settembre, a PR gal and cancer survivor herself, to send photos showing why we stand up against cancer. The photos will be used in a montage on the September 5 airing of Stand Up To Cancer. I will post my photos closer to the air date, so you can keep your eyes peeled for me...
Meanwhile, check out Tara's fabulous blog. She has quite the life out in LA!
I have added both Brad's and Tara's blogs to my new blogroll. If you know of any other great blogs by cancer survivors and advocates, please let me know!
But anyway, once I failed at my attempt to sleep in, the www came calling, and I stumbled upon a really great blog: Cancer is Boring, written by Brad O'Brien, a lymphoma survivor (multiple times over) in San Francisco. I love his candid, open, fearless attitude. Brad exemplifies survivorship and advocacy. I hope you will take a moment to check out his blog! I know I will keep reading.
Even though Brad and I don't know each other, we have one thing in common - we were both invited by Tara Settembre, a PR gal and cancer survivor herself, to send photos showing why we stand up against cancer. The photos will be used in a montage on the September 5 airing of Stand Up To Cancer. I will post my photos closer to the air date, so you can keep your eyes peeled for me...
Meanwhile, check out Tara's fabulous blog. She has quite the life out in LA!
I have added both Brad's and Tara's blogs to my new blogroll. If you know of any other great blogs by cancer survivors and advocates, please let me know!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Cancer Quote Fri - uh, Saturday!
Ok, so it's not Friday, but it is in the early morning hours of Saturday here in London - and the very wee hours in the States - so here goes.
I just uploaded my photos from my recent trip to the Midwest, and couldn't wait to share this quote from the Richard & Annette Bloch Cancer Survivors Plaza in Chicago. It is on the first of a series of bronze plaques that surround the plaza entrance.
The plaque reads:
"Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells. It is the most feared disease in America, because it is not understood, even though it is not the largest killer. If we understood cancer, we would not be as afraid of it. It is estimated that the average individual has a wildly dividing cell six times a day. The immune system recognizes this, kills it, and we never know the difference. When the immune system lets down, even temporarily, and these dividing cells get established to the point that the immune system cannot control them, we have cancer."
Upon further Googling, it turns out that Richard and Annette Bloch have named a number of these cancer survivor parks all over the USA. Richard Bloch, co-founder of H&R Block, was a lung cancer survivor (!!!) who died of heart failure in 2004 at the age of 78. After being declared cancer free, he and his wife Annette dedicated their lives to helping people with cancer. The R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation website has some good information; a free e-book for cancer supporters; links to cancer articles and programs; and more. This is an incredibly positive site, clearly reflecting the attitude of its founder.
Ooh, heartwarming stuff! I love it! A great way to start a weekend.
I just uploaded my photos from my recent trip to the Midwest, and couldn't wait to share this quote from the Richard & Annette Bloch Cancer Survivors Plaza in Chicago. It is on the first of a series of bronze plaques that surround the plaza entrance.
The plaque reads:
"Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells. It is the most feared disease in America, because it is not understood, even though it is not the largest killer. If we understood cancer, we would not be as afraid of it. It is estimated that the average individual has a wildly dividing cell six times a day. The immune system recognizes this, kills it, and we never know the difference. When the immune system lets down, even temporarily, and these dividing cells get established to the point that the immune system cannot control them, we have cancer."
Upon further Googling, it turns out that Richard and Annette Bloch have named a number of these cancer survivor parks all over the USA. Richard Bloch, co-founder of H&R Block, was a lung cancer survivor (!!!) who died of heart failure in 2004 at the age of 78. After being declared cancer free, he and his wife Annette dedicated their lives to helping people with cancer. The R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation website has some good information; a free e-book for cancer supporters; links to cancer articles and programs; and more. This is an incredibly positive site, clearly reflecting the attitude of its founder.
Ooh, heartwarming stuff! I love it! A great way to start a weekend.
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