I was on T.V. :)

For anyone who missed it, here is a link to the ABCNews story:

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/PersonOfWeek/story?id=5734944&page=1

Death to Cancer
Cancer is Dead

15 Minutes of Fame

Since I have finished treatment for stage-4 cancer, I have had several opportunities to raise awareness of the issues that patients under treatment for cancer face. I spoke at the opening of the new Melanoma Clinic at M.D. Anderson, as well as to the M.D. Anderson Advance Team, and the Donor Dinner. In November, I will also speak to the M.D. Anderson Board of Visitors.

Last week, I was given another opportunity to tell my story of diagnosis, treatment, and survival. This Friday, September 5, my story will be featured on ABC World News as part of their “Person of the Week” (http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/PersonOfWeek) series. A film crew spent most of last Friday evening interviewing me and filming me around my apartment and with Jake.

The show will be on your local ABC affiliate (ABC13 in Houston) at 6:30 Eastern, 5:30 Central, 6:30 Pacific. Check your local listings to confirm.

Those of you that know my story will probably not hear or see anything new, given that I blogged my experience extensively. However, it should be interesting to watch anyway!

After the news, please watch the Stand Up 2 Cancer show. It will be broadcast on all the major networks, hosted by Katie Couric, Brian Williams and Charlie Gibson, and will feature talent including Jennifer Aniston, James Taylor, Scarlett Johansson, Meryl Streep, David Cook, Christina Applegate, Lance Armstrong, Jack Black, Kirsten Dunst, Charles Barkley, America Ferrera, Halle Berry, Hilary Swank, Forrest Whitaker, Jimmy Fallon, Keanu Reeves. Go here (http://www.standup2cancer.org) for more information.

Enjoy the show!

Death to Cancer
Cancer is Dead

A long-Awaited Update

Hey Everybody!

If you are still reading this blog, you rock! I know I haven't updates since April, but what has there been to write about?

So, I thought I would chime in and update everyone on my recovery from cancer. First, my health: I have been to two checkups and still test negative for cancer. It looks like I'll go back every 3 months for the rest of my life. It sounds bad but you know what? I made alot of friends at the hospital, and its nice to go back and visit.

OK, some bad news... Jen and I are getting divorced. Most of you already know this, but I thought I would put it out there anyway. It is very amicable, and we are still good friends. Jake is handling it well.

Back to good news... School has been great. I have met alot of people in my new class (2008!). They are all very nice and seem excited to integrate me into the group. Classes have gone well. I just finished my mid-terms and I am pretty sure I aced them. Time will tell...

An interesting tidbit: In September, I was asked to speak at the dedication of the new Melanoma and Skin Center at MD Anderson. It was quite an honor, with other speakers such as the President and CEO of El Paso Corporation, the President of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, A very prominent Houston lawyer, and many doctors (including my own). I have youtube videos here showing my speech.





Love you guys, thanks for still reading.

Death to Cancer
Cancer is Dead

A Quick Note

I finished treatment today. They took my PICC line out and sent me home.

It feels good to not be a cancer patient.

Death to Cancer
Cancer is Dead

Getting Ready to Jump Back On

Hola Mi Familia! Things have been going well here, but it has been quite hectic. The miracle that has happened with my health still has me dumbfounded. It is a good emotion though. I still cry every now and then thinking about it. Almost done, one more step. Life is a merry-go-round, and I have been watching it from the sidelines.

I did another round of High-Dose IL-2 last weekend. I won’t get into the gory details, since I have described this treatment in previous posts. Suffice it to say though, that this was the toughest one yet. My body did not react well, and I came out of it looking and feeling bad. I got out on Sunday, and I still feel like I am recuperating. I have this new condition in my shoulders that is similar to arthritis, but caused by the drugs. Thankfully, it is not permanent, but may last awhile. Ugggghhhhh…..

Most of my time is spent finding my perfect internship for the summer. Because of the timing of my illness, I did not get to do an internship after my first year of school. So, before I start my second, I am going to do one this summer. The decision of what to do is a hard one; compounded by the fact that I am not sure what my long-term goals are. I am a bit tortured right now, and I feel like I am deciding my future. The good news is that all the possible opportunities are amazing. How do you decide between awesome opportunities? I don’t know yet. It will be resolved soon.

The party is coming along, and I am glad that some people have already RSVP’d. It is turning out bigger that originally planned; but what the hell? Just like too many job opportunities, having too big of a party is a great problem to have.

One more treatment. I go in a week from Monday (the 9th) for my last chemo treatment. After that, I will officially be in recovery. I am scared of returning to life and work, but so ready. Physically, I have a lot of work to do. I have been doing nothing for a year, and I need to be able to work 8-10 hours per day. If anyone can recommend a personal trainer, please let me know. I will have about a month from my lat treatment until I start work.

With my eyes closed, I can see it. The merry-go-round is slowing down and I can get back on. All my friends are on it, and I want to ride badly. Soon. Very soon.

Death to Cancer
Cancer is Dead

Time to Party!

Hey everybody,

I said I would be throwing a party when I beat cancer. Well, it’s been beat and it’s time to party. Jen and I would like to thank you for your support by inviting you to the Fighting in Texas Cinco de Mayo Party!

Click the link below for party details. I don’t have everybody’s email address, so please feel free to forward this to anyone that may be interested, all are invited. I ask only that people R.S.V.P. on Evite so that I know how many people are coming.

Come celebrate with us!

http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?event=UQRPDTNUOHEFEFULQLLG&unknownUser=true

Death to Cancer
Cancer is Dead

Sinking In

For a couple of days after getting my good news (see link opt the left), I actually felt depressed. Can you believe that? I know it doesn’t make any sense, but that’s what happened. More than anything, I felt alone. I think that is how you feel when your world changes in an instant.

When I was first diagnosed, I felt the same. Obviously, the news was bad that time; but the feeling of the world changing under my feet was the same. It took some time to sink in and settle in.

I feel great now. I spent the last week in California with my brother, and we had a perfect time. I am moving forward on finding a job for the summer. I feel like I have never been closer to my son, and we are having a good time together.

I is still hard to believe that we (you too) did it! I have read through my blog posts. This is the last paragraph from my first post.

“Thank you for you prayers and thoughts.. I plan on getting through this and ending up in full remission. The is no other alternative I will accept.”

Isn’t that crazy? I am now, almost a year later, in full remission. Awesome.

Going forward, I have 2 more treatments to do. I go in on Monday (19^th), and I should be there a week. I will have 2 weeks off, and then back in on April 9^th. I’ll be out by April 15^th, and they will take my PICC line out before I leave the hospital. I’ll go back in 2 or 3 months for scans, but no plans for more treatments!

Look for the big party to happen the weekend of the 21^st or 28^th or April. More on that later.

Death to Cancer
Cancer is Dead