I Kicked Cancer's Ass

Still Kicking Some Cancer Ass

2010-10-31T07:41:00.000-07:00

I'm not even going to say it, but you know I miss you all! A lot has been happening with me these past months. I've starting working for a great social media marketing agency RealTime Marketing Group as the Social Media Director. I am loving this job because it allows me to be creative and help other people, win win for sure! As some of you may have noticed I am also writing for Mashable.com which is such an honor and allows for me to meet many of the greatest minds in the social media marketing world. And finally I am producing conferences with Global Strategic Management Institute (GSMI)! In fact my very first is Social Media Strategies this February in San Francisco, I am super excited.

You haven't heard from me in a while because I've been so busy living life! While I feel guilty about this at times I stop and remind myself what this blog was really all about - KICKING CANCER'S ASS and if I'm doing that it means I don't always have time to write. My life is no filled with.....LIFE!

I just wanted to give you all an update and assure everyone that I haven't gone anywhere. I will work hard on continuing this blog and reminding everyone who reads it that there is life after cancer. It can be a difficult journey back but once you get there it's pretty amazing!

It's beautiful outside

2010-06-07T06:09:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted so I thought it was about time I pop in and say hello.

Right now I am in NYC at my dear friend Dominique's. It's absolutely beautiful outside and I am enjoying every minute of it! Tomorrow I am attending the Mashable conference to learn more about the latest social media trends.

Yesterday I handed in my third Mashable article. It's definitely fun doing things I never dreamed I would. Life has been strange for the past several years but I am grateful for each day!

Now go get outside and enjoy the beauty!

Powerful Kid Contest, Little CJ

2010-05-26T05:01:00.000-07:00

I've written about CJ before and he is part of my nonprofit, Spirit Jump. This brave young cancer fighter has been nominated for the Powerful Kid Contest and I would love if others could help win this. You can vote daily and its very easy just CLICK HERE. You can read more about CJ's brave fight below.

CJ, is a powerful kid! We know that for sure because we remember when he struggled to find an ounce of strength that could become power. You see, CJ struggled with extreme anxiety and fear for many years as a young boy. Often that fear would lead to panic and an overwhelming sense of dread that he could not seem to shake. But then something unexpected and amazing happened. At age nine, CJ was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer. This was difficult and we did not know how CJ would get through this with all the fear he had.

Initially, CJ’s fear was still there; but soon an amazing thing happened! CJ learned the secret to staying strong. It happened when he was at the hospital and he saw all the other little kids and families that were there dealing with illnesses. He started focusing on them instead of himself and his own fears. That’s right! CJ learned the secret to power is focusing on helping others.

For example; CJ started organizing a food drive at Thanksgiving to deliver boxes to hospitals, clinics, cancer clubs, and individual families who had a sick child. On the day of delivery, CJ had to have his own blood drawn for his cancer treatments. CJ was helping carry food boxes upstairs, stopped off to get his blood counts done, and then went right back to delivering boxes. This is something that would usually cause fear for CJ, but because he was focused on delivering the food boxes for the other families, the fear left him. Ever since, CJ knows the secret to power over fear is to focus on others, so he does just that. At Christmas he made stockings and collected, wrapped, and delivered presents for sick kids while he was in between his own chemo appointments.

Then he did something amazing. He donated his birthday to raising support for other families by asking others to donate to them instead of him. We believe that all this focusing on others is what has made CJ the most powerful kid. He has found the strength to get through something we would have said he could never do before, by focusing on others instead of himself.

Fellow Fighter Lynn

2010-05-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Meaghan for creating I Kicked Cancer’s Ass! I don’t usually use that word in public, but then I’ve been quiet for a long time. I kicked 3 types of cancer in 1987 and have been cancer free since then. Woohoo - that’s 23 great years of appreciating my life like I never did before cancer.

I was preparing myself to die with breast, colon, & skin cancer in 1987, and I’m so thankful to the people around me who helped me to change my mind. I did a lot of work myself, but my support team helped to make it easy for me.

If you have cancer and you want to kick its ass – get a support team to help you as it’s very tough to do this alone. If you know someone with cancer who wants to kick its ass, then whatever support you give them will make a big difference in how they’re able to live their life.

I was fortunate to have a wonderful health care team all through surgery and chemotherapy. My doctors were helpful and they inspired me to do everything I could to complement conventional medicine and help myself get well.

The Cancer Agency ran a support group where I learned to do meditation, visualization, guided imagery, deep breathing, and deep relaxation. My surgeon recommended a psychiatrist to help me deal with unfinished business, and a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy course to help me deal with depression.

With love and support from family and friends, I learned how to manage my stress and change my diet and exercise pattern. Reading books, listening to tapes, and attending workshops taught me many other coping skills and bit by bit I built my road to health and wellness.

I’ve been an active member of the cancer community for many years now as a survivor, health care worker, and as a volunteer. It’s with sadness that I’ve seen many people die of cancer. If we don’t know cancer is there and we let it grow too long, it just takes over like an aggressive weed. When cancer is advanced it takes over our bodies and takes away our energy; with more cancer and less energy we have less chance of kicking it out.

I think the best defense is an offense; we need to be aware of our bodies and check out signs and symptoms when they begin. This way I hope more people will give cancer a swift kick, and take control of it before it controls them. Cancer is like a bully! When we let cancer have its way, it takes over our lives and even takes our lives for no good reason. When we stand up to cancer we at least have a chance of kicking it out of mind and out of sight. By focusing on being as well as we can possibly be, we improve our quality of life and possibly our quantity of life.

One day at a time, I give thanks for every day.

You can visit Lynn's blog to read more about her story, prevention, early detection and recovery. Please stop by and thank her for sharing her amazing story!

Check Out My Article On Mashable

2010-05-12T07:57:00.001-07:00

Hi folks! I am so excited to announce that my article was recently published on Mashable. Please check it out and let me know your thoughts.

8 Tips For A Successful Social Media Cause Campaign

Join My Facebook Community Page

2010-05-06T07:54:00.000-07:00

I just started a community page on Facebook called, I Kicked Cancer's Ass. I am hoping that all my fellow cancer fighters and supporters will join this page and share their stories. We are a powerful group and even on those most difficult days we stand up against cancer and fight!

The world needs to hear our voices, cancer needs to know we are here working together to survive and regain our lives after our battle.

This page is meant not only for survivors but also for those currently in their battles and the friends and family who support cancer fighters. We are all in this together and need to share our stories to give hope and courage to each other.

Please join me and the many other men, women and children who are kicking some serious cancer butt! FACEBOOK.COM/IKICKEDCANCERSASS

Skin Care For Cancer Patients & Survivors

2010-04-29T07:36:00.000-07:00

If you have, or are now going through cancer treatments you know what havoc it reeks on your skin. I remember my skin literally peeling off when I tried to shower. In fact, at one point my mother took me to a spa as a treat. The plan was to get my hair cut and eye brows waxed. For some reason no one mentioned to the salon that I was undergoing radiation and chemo therapy. Because I looked like a cancer patient the esthetician asked me a very important questions, "do you have cancer and if so are you undergoing treatment?"

Well the answer was of course yes and that's when I realized what a huge disaster I had just avoided. If I had gone through with the eye brow waxing I would have lost all the skin along with any eyebrow hairs I had. Read more about this on my former post: Note To Self: Do NOT Wax Eyebrows When Getting Chemo.

So what should you be doing to take care of skin during and after cancer treatments? Skin can become very dry after treatments and that means the focus should be on hydrating the largest organ in your body. There are several ways to keep skin hydrated so as to avoid lines, wrinkles and that sickly yellow skin color.

1) Drink plenty of water and eat raw fruits and vegetables high in anti oxidants

2) Try 100% chemical and preservative free moisturizers like Dr. Beckers

3) Avoid invasive or harsh facial services and replace them with light massages.

4) Use products that are similar to your skins own natural oils. Squalane moisturizers are great as they the finest, most delicate moisturizers available in the world.

If you have any tips or suggestions please leave a comment

Cool Giveaway & Need Opinons

2010-04-28T17:48:00.000-07:00

So as many of you know I now work for a fantastic new skin care company, Natural Skin Shop Right now I am working on building their Facebook Fanpage and I must say its looking pretty awesome. I would love to hear your opinions and suggestions if you have time to swing by and check it out. As a bonus.....there is a really awesome giveaway to promote the Fanpage. Natural Skin Shop will be giving away 2 full Vitamin C Treatment Kits to two lucky fans. Just go to their blog or Fanpage to find out the details!

Working Girl

2010-04-26T07:28:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to announce that I got a great new job as the Social Media Director for Smashyn. This does not mean I will no longer be doing Spirit Jump. In fact my new job is a perfect match for what I have been doing for the past year, using social media to grow my nonprofit. Now I can use all the skills I have gained to help a great company grow.

If you would like to watch me work check out these social media platforms and please leave comments and ask questions.

www.naturalskinshop.blogspot.com

www.twitter.com/naturalskinshop

www.facebook.com/naturalskinshop

www.naturalskinshop.com

And a HUGE thank you goes out to all of you who have supported me through so much. You all have helped me move forward with my life and I see great things coming!

I spoke at NTEN & you can benefit

2010-04-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

Just last week I had the honor to speak at NTEN with Melissa Jones Social Media Specialist for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and Barb Alvarado who is Architect For Humanity’s Developmental Director. All three of us spoke on PayPal’s panel about how to use social media to fundraise.

The room was packed full of people who wanted to learn how to use social media to benefit their organization. There were representatives from very small grassroots nonprofits and also large ones who have been existence for decades. One thing they all shared, a desire to join the social media wave.

As most of my readers know I have successfully used social media to start and grow a nonprofit, Spirit Jump. With no start up money, sponsors or experience in marketing I had to figure out how to make my dream work. Social media was just the right fit for me and my organization and I want to help others learn how to use this great new tool to help their non-profit or for-profit.

Here are a few tips shared during the panel:

1- Keep your voice consistent in social media. Try to only have 1 person who tweets & updates to keep your organizations voice consistent.

2- Engage your audience: ask and answer questions, post results and new programs, have polls. Think of creative ways to keep your supporters engaged in your organization.

3- Create and follow policy for negative feedback. If someone leaves a negative comment or tweets something not so favorable about your organization what will you do. Its easier to have a policy set in place before anything happens. Hopefully you won't have to implement your policy but with millions of people having access and the ability to voice their opinions you're likely to face some criticism.

4- Social media is NOT the Holy Grail. Lots of people talk about how wonderful social media is and how it can do great things for your organization. But remember it's not a quick fix. The implementation of your social media campaign will take time. Don't forgo conventional efforts.

These are only a few tips but they should help tremendously. Let me know if you would like more by leaving a comment.

Great News!

2010-04-18T14:30:00.000-07:00

I have some really exciting news!

This past Tuesday I went to Dana Farber Cancer Institute for my PET scan. I have been having PET scans since April 2007. At first I went every three months then recently graduated to every 6 months. Well.....this one started like every other PET. I couldn't eat or drink 6 hours prior. I woke up that morning at 6:30 and grabbed a cab to Dana Farber. I arrived right around 7am and signed in getting my beautiful hospital bracelet. They took me back right away as I was the first appointment of the day. As usual I sat down in my chair and prepared for the doctor to inject me with the radioactive stuff. After about an hour I was taken to the machine where they scanned me for about 45 minutes.

Much later that day I went to see the doctor who orders my PET scans. After small talk she congratulates me on my graduation. Graduation!?! I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about. My Doc. must have seen the perplexed look on my face because she blurted out...."You are done with PET scans"

I had absolutely not a clue that this was even an option. As many cancer patients know we are often kept in the dark. Apparently my doctors had ordered PET scans for me much longer than normal. Because of the extreme situations of my diagnosis they wanted to be absolutely sure everything was okay. But, after three years of totally clear scans the doctors have ordered that I no longer need them. I will still need to see my doctors for physical exams every six months but the dreaded PETs are over.

Im excited and nervous at the same time. I have been fortunate. Its strange to have had such a gruesome diagnosis, difficult time with treatments and almost a 2 year recover afterwards. But now I am doing so well. I am happy but am always acutely aware of my body and ready to start fighting if the cancer returns.

Here is an inside look at my PET Scan

Spirit Airlines Solves A Crisis And Starts A New One

2010-04-15T13:56:00.000-07:00

Okay this post is pretty off my normal topic but I really want to share. As many of you know I travel a lot whether for health reasons or speaking engagements. Over the past year I have flown Spirit, okay so now you know where this is going I'm sure! Just today I received an email from the CEO of Spirit Airlines titled: Message from Spirit Airlines CEO about the carry-on crisis

Oh my there is a crisis!! When I hear crisis I think Haiti, homelessness and cancer so I thought, this must be important, yes im being snarky. If you didn't receive one of these calls for action here is the original email:

To our valued customers,

We have all seen how carry-on baggage has gotten out of control. Longer security lines and boarding process, injuries due to overcrowded overhead bins, delayed flights and passenger frustration has become commonplace.

At Spirit, we are always looking for new ways to save you money and improve the customer experience. We recently announced our latest innovation, which is designed to relieve the carry-on crisis, saving you time and money.

Our solution to the carry-on crisis:

1-Lowered fares
2-Lower checked bag fees
3-Give everyone a free personal item allowance
4-Allow customers to carry on an additional bag for a fee and give them
priority boarding so they have time and space to stow their extra bag

Everyone Wins!

1-We expect total prices to be lower
2-Security lines will move faster
3-The boarding process will be smoother
4-Deplaning will be faster
5-Passenger and employee safety is improved with less over-stuffed bins

I was absolutely appalled by this email. Not only am I not pleased with being told I will have to pay $45 to bring a small carry on bag but I am pretty pissed that im being told its for my own good and the safety of those around the world. So annoyed am I that I decided to write an email to Spirit and encourage others to do the same: spiritair@mailnj.custhelp.com Here is what I wrote

I write today to express my absolute disgust about your decision to charge for carry on baggage. What bothers me the most is the email that was recently sent out claiming there was a "Carry On Crisis" With so many real crisis in our world today this was an obvious, and disturbing, ploy to act like your company is doing something to improve our world. Clearly your only focus is to make more money and do less work.

1- Lower Fares? By lower fares do you mean it will "appear" to be lower but in reality after you nickel and dime us your fares are not lower they are higher than better airlines!

2-Lowered Checked Bag Fees?? Lower than what? You are now charging us for literally everything how could you act like you are doing your customers a favor by "lowering" checked bag fees. How about not charging for the first bag to encourage customers who want to wait in lines to check a bag for free. Instead you find a way to make more money then claim you are lowering fees! You must think your customers are really stupid!

3- Give Everyone a Free Personal Item Allowance? Are you serious with this one!?! So you are telling us that you will allow your customers to bring a purse with them without charging, well thank you so much. As of today we already have the ability to bring personal items on every airline including Spirit. How is it that you are so graciously giving us something we already have? Again, you must think we are all a bunch of bumbling fools.

4 Allow customers to carry on an additional bag for a fee and give them priority boarding so they have time and space to stow their extra bag? Would this not be FIRST CLASS?? If people want to pay extra for the comfort and ease of boarding first they purchase a first class ticket which already costs more money. We dont want to pay to bring on an extra bag when we can do it for free now and on other airlines. Again, you take us for fools and have very little respect or insight when it comes to your customers.

The best part of the letter is the section entitled: Everyone Wins! The only winner, in the short term at least, would be Spirit Airlines and their pockets. But, as you will soon discover, your customers are not fools and will not stand for this. To insinuate that by not charging for carry on bags people around the world have been injured is ABSURD to say the least. Your attempt at telling us that you have solved a crisis and that its in our best interest and for our good is insulting and frankly out of line. Furthermore, I would like to address your "penny fares" which in reality cost around $80, if you can even find these fares for your destination, not including the charges for carry on or checked bags, a beverage, pillow etc.... this according to your most recent clarification email.

Prior to receiving your "Carry On Crisis" email I was an avid flier of Spirit. In fact I have flow on your airline over 10 times in 2009 and 4 times in 2010. I have recommended your airline, purchased a $9 fare for my father and have had nothing but nice things to say. But this my friend goes too far. Out of principle alone I will not fly Spirit in the future. In fact I think my pocket book will thank me. You should be embarrassed! Your current customers are much smarter than you give them credit for and if you haven't already realized, its your customer who keeps Spirit Airlines afloat.

~Meaghan Edelstein

A New Way To Fight Cancer

2010-04-04T12:18:00.000-07:00

Social media & cancer is a topic I have written on before. In one of my earlier posts: Social Media & Social Good I wrote about how social media played a vital role during my personal recovery. Blogging, Facebook and Twitter were all outlets I used to find other fighters, ask questions of survivors and express myself during a very scary and difficult time.

Just yesterday I received my spring issue of Cure Magazine and inside found the following article: Social Media & Cancer: Finding Friends & Support. This article is fantastic and conveys the same message I have shared: social media provides a unique opportunity for those battling cancer. Its not just about researching your disease. You can connect with friends and family to keep them updated, receive messages of love and support from people around the world, ask questions of those who have had similar experiences and find resources to help you through a variety of problems.

Social media isn't just about promoting your business, sharing photos and telling people what you are doing. Because of social media hundreds of thousands of people, strangers even, are able to help each other battle a scary and powerful disease. Its a way to create an army of knowledge, support and information.

If you know someone facing cancer who is not using social media as part of their "treatment" please share the article and let them know about this new, unique, tool for fighting cancer.

How To Use Social Media For Social Good

2010-04-01T07:18:00.000-07:00

Social media for social good has been a pretty hot topic. If you are on Twitter, Facebook or Blog you can't go one day without hearing something about online cause marketing. But what does all this mean and how do you use this new wave of marketing to help your favorite charity?

1- Twitter: Make sure you follow your charity on Twitter. Many nonprofits will tweet out requests, updates and answer questions. Twitter is a great platform for you to connect quickly and directly with the charity you have been supporting from afar. If your favorite charity isn't on Twitter contact them and suggest that they start using Twitter. Some awesome charities on Twitter right now that you can follow are:

2-Facebook: Many charities have Fanpages on Facebook where they post pictures, videos, questions, and requests. You are able to respond directly to these posts and communicate with other supporters of the cause. Fanpages create a unique way to learn more about the cause you support, work together with fellow supporters and voice your support and concerns in a public forum. Check out these great Fanpages:

Charity Water

Kiva

Twestival

Facebook and Twitter are only two social media platforms where can find your favorite causes. Most charities also have Blogs, Linkedin and websites. Take advantage of these wonderful ways to communicate with your favorite causes.

Sex After Cancer

2010-03-30T10:20:00.000-07:00

Yes there is such a thing! I've written about how life after cancer is difficult, how sometimes the post treatment issues are much more difficult and devastating than the actual treatments. But what specifically is so hard about living after cancer? The answer.....lots of things. One thing included- Sex After Cancer.

I know this is a very personal subject but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be talking about it. Its something that's an issue for most men and women who have been traumatized by their diagnosis and treatment. Some issues are physical and others are mental and of course many battle with both the physical and mental aspects of sex after cancer.

For me personally its both. Having had a gynecological cancer treatment, pain and fear all play a role in my sexuality post cancer. I received an enormous amount of both internal and external radiation. This resulted in scar tissue which can cause the vagina to literally close up, if not dealt with. Even when dealt with the scar tissue can make penetration extremely painful. The pain experienced during treatment can also cause high anxiety, flash backs and even physical pain.

Because I think this is such an important topic I decided to invite two experts in the field to be guests on my show tonight. Tonight, March 30, LIVE 8-9 pm EST we will have two in studio guests talking about how to cope with sex after cancer. Dr. Rachel Needle and Life Coach Paual Holland De Long will be answering your questions, my questions and shedding light on ways to improve sex after cancer. www.justin.tv/spiritjump to watch live and join the chatroom to ask questions during the show. There will even be a few books given away.

Hope to see you all there!

Birthday #32

2010-03-28T20:35:00.000-07:00

In about 30 minutes I will turn 32 years old! Some people would be thinking, "wow im getting old" or "how will I celebrate this year" but my thoughts are a bit different. I am thinking, "I made it!" I am looking back and reflecting on what has happened in my life these past few years, how much I have changed....how I survived!

While most people would want to celebrate their "birthday weekend" with friends, family and loved ones I found myself wanting to spend time with myself. You see no one but me was there, can understand or reflect on what this birthday really means to me. So this weekend I spent time making cards for the many cancer patients who are still at Dana Farber and other cancer centers around the world. I thought a lot about what they were going through, what fears and hopes were going through their minds and hearts. I spent much time being thankful and hoping that my cards would help the so many who are still in the midst of their cancer battle.

Here I am three years after my original diagnosis with end stage cervical cancer. I have a whole life ahead of me, a much different life than I had planned prior to my diagnosis. I can't help but wonder, who would I be and what would I be doing had cancer never found its way into my life. Such a dramatic and drastic curve ball thrown my way changed everything and will continue to change who I am for the rest of my life. But the point is... I have my life and I will celebrate that with utmost joy and respect. This gift I was given is one I hold close to my heart. I do my very best to make the best of each day, to help others, to love all those around me.

I welcome this 32nd birthday and look forward to an amazing year filled with helping the many who are still fighting cancer!

Meaghan On ABC World News With Diane Sawyer

2010-03-22T18:36:00.001-07:00

Wow pretty cool you can see me about 10 minutes and 30 seconds into the clip. I cant get the code to work so here is the LINK

Appearing On Good Morning America For A Second Time

2010-03-21T05:38:00.000-07:00

Wow im super excited and honored to be featured on Good Morning America for a second time. The topic, this new Health Care Bill. Several months ago I was featured on GMA talking about my battle with cancer, being dropped by health insurance and pre existing conditions. I thought it was a great piece and I was so honored to share my story.

With the new health care bill being voted on today GMA wanted to do another piece. They asked me how my life would change if pre existing conditions were done away with. What would my life be like it if I could get prescriptions in Florida and go to the doctor when I get sick. How would my life be different if I didn't have to fly up to Boston for doctors visits every 3-6 months.

Catch the show today by checking your local listings. The show will also be up on Good Morning America's website later today if you missed it.

If you would like to see the first GMA clip I was featured in CLICK HERE.

Watch todays clip here:

Discounted Hotel Prices For Cancer Patients

2010-03-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

Being diagnosed with cancer sucks! Treatments suck even more! Then in additional to all that many people have to find flights and stay in very expensive hotels during treatment and follow up PET Scans. Well, I actually have some good news!

Many hotels offer a medical discount if you are a patient going in for treatment or follow up exams. For most of my treatment I was either in the hospital or staying at my Grandmothers house in Boston. I was very fortunate to have a family member who lived near my cancer center. However, Grandma got sick this year and had to move out of the city and now lives with my fabulous aunt in Texas. This means I have no place to stay when I have early morning exams at Dana Farber.

I fly from Florida up to Boston whenever I need to see my doctors. My parents live in Massachusetts but about 2 1/2 hours away from Dana Farber. This time around I have a PET scan at 8 am and that means I would have to leave my parents home at 5 the latest and then complete a long day of exams then drive 2 1/2 hours back to Western Mass.....not something I think my body can handle. So for the first time I need to stay at a hotel.

Hotels in Boston are extremely expensive, not to mention there is a huge event in the city that week. I'm not in town to "party" or site see I'm there to do something I don't enjoy at all. The last thing I want to do is pay several hundred dollars to stay at a hotel so I can go to doctors appointments all day. So I started calling around and asked if people had any special rates for patients of Dana Farber.....Can you believe it they all said YES!

The Double Tree in Boston is normally $190 but with the discount is $159
The Best Western in Boston is normally $214 but with the discount is $159
The Ramada in Boston is normally $84 but with the discount is $79

The discounts aren't HUGE and honestly I think they could do a little better for those who are undergoing treatment BUT it is something. So if you are traveling to receive treatments at a hospital or cancer center and need to stay in a hotel be sure to ask if they have a medical rate.

Cards 4 Cancer Day Video

2010-03-12T16:30:00.000-08:00

I made this video using pictures of cards made by people around the world. For those of you who don't know I am the founder of a nonprofit organization, Spirit Jump. We are putting on a project called Cards 4 Cancer Day. On or around 4-10-10 people around the world will be delivering cards they have made & collected to local cancer centers. We are looking for people around the world to help us with this project.

To get the word out Spirit Jump is throwing a contest to encourage people to blog and make videos about Cards 4 Cancer Day. There are 5 $50.00 gift certificates up for grabs from One Hope Wine. You can get amazing wine, gift baskets, wine openers and more. There will be 5 winners here is how you can get one of these $50.00 gift certificates:

1) The Cards For Cancer Day blog post that receives the most comments by noon (EST) ~~3/16/10-~~ Contest has been extended to 3/22

2) The most creative blog post about Cards For Cancer Day by noon (EST) ~~3/16/10~~- 3/22

3) The two most creative & fun YouTube videos about Cards For Cancer Day by noon (EST) ~~3/16/10-~~3/22

4) The team to recruit the most team members from ~~3/9/10-3/16/10~~. For a team member to count they must sign up using a full name and email address. The team member must also type in the name of the team they are joining.-Contest has been extended to 3/22

To be considered for this contest you must email the link to your blog post and/or YouTube video to cards4cancer@spiritjump.org Submissions must be received by noon (EST) Tuesday March 16. Winners will be announced live on the Spirit Jump Show ~~3/16/10~~ 8-9pm EST. Winners will also get an opportunity to be guests on our show that night!

You can read previous blog posts to help you write yours HERE

If you want to start a team you can do so by clicking HERE

So watch my video and let me know what you think

Things Are Good

2010-02-07T11:53:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited about my nonprofits newest program, Cards For Cancer Day For those of you who don't know we are reaching out to people all over the world asking them to help us make/buy, collect and deliver cards to local cancer institutes. People who know my personal story know the cards and gifts I received while in the hospital meant so much to me. I want others who are in hospitals right now to feel that same joy I did when someone sent me a card.

Spirit Jump has reached over 200 cancer fighters and we have over 1,000 members who send cards and gifts. These are great numbers but I know there are so many more people who need their spirits lifted but just don't know about our services. That is why we created Cards For Cancer Day. On 4-10-10, or around that date, people will deliver cards to cancer centers in their hometown. This project is open to anyone living in any state and country. I hope that we can deliver at least 100,000 cards!

People have been signing up to help left and right. Right now we have teams in over 35 states and 5 countries. Its very simple. If you can make or buy a card then you are a perfect Team Member and dont worry we will connect you with someone in your city who is a Team Leader. If you can make/buy, collect and deliver cards to a cancer center than you should be a Team Leader. Its really very easy and you will be making a huge difference in someones life.

Here are some great pictures of people making cards for Cards For Cancer Day. If you want to get signed up click HERE then you will get an email with all the details. Hope you like the pictures:

A Bit Outdated!

2010-02-05T08:35:00.000-08:00

When I was having cancer treatments in 2007 I was handed a magazine similar to the one in the picture above. You may notice that Jen looks a bit younger in this picture and she is sporting that Jennifer Aniston hair cut, never mind that she is being referred to as "Friends" Jennifer Aniston. Well if you couldn't tell this magazine is from 1996. It doesn't take a math genius to figure out this magazine is a bit outdated and so was the one handed to me while I awaited radiation treatments.

At first I was really confused, I was on a ton of drugs, and then I started looking for the magazines date....1996!!! At the time I was waiting for my treatments on a stretcher and couldn't get up to ask someone so I started calling for a nurse. "What is with the magazine from over 10 years ago", I asked. The nurse took the magazine from me and looked at it closely. She assured me that there was no reason behind handing me such an old magazine and that she simply took it from the stack they had.

My next thought was, "at least people don't take magazines from radiation waiting rooms". What reminded me of this event was a post someone wrote about what to do with magazines. I suggest that people donate any magazines they have read and are thinking of throwing away to cancer centers. Apparently they are in great need of them, and not the ones you had when you were in high school please :)

Survivor & Author Kairol Rosenthal & her book Everything Changes

2010-02-02T09:06:00.000-08:00

Last year Kairol Rosenthal was featured on my blog as a Fellow Fighter. She shared her amazing story and wrote a little about her book: Everything Changes The Insider's Guide To Cancer In Your 20s and 30s.

Im excited to announce that Kairol will be a guest on the Spirit Jump show tonight 8-9 pm EST. Her book is fantastic and I can't wait to talk to her about it! Kairol was diagnosed, at 27, with stage II thyroid cancer that had metastasized to nineteen lymph nodes. Her personal journal is amazing but her book is about much more than that. 25 cancer fighters share their journeys with Kairol as she travels around the country. Everything Changes is a book about what its really like to be diagnosed, battle and live with cancer. Along with each story there are useful tips and resources for the reader, something I think many books lack.

I hope people stop by the show tonight because its going to be GREAT. After watching us talk about some of my favorite portions of the book I know you will want to rush out and get a copy for yourself!

Check out the show on www.justin.tv/spiritjump 8-9pm EST

I'm So Proud Of My Friend

2010-02-01T06:35:00.000-08:00

Donna Martin is an amazing woman. She has lost her entire family, mother, father and sister. Donna stood by each of them through their lives, during their deaths and continues to give them life through her spirit and determination. Donna was with me in DC at Tamika and Friends Cervical Cancer Day On The Hill and her message was heard, no woman should die of cervical cancer! Please take a moment to read this article and learn more about Donna's message:

Fort Pierce woman, spurred by sister's cervical cancer, lobbies in Washington

I Didn't Ask For This!

2010-01-31T16:53:00.000-08:00

I don't think anyone "asks" for cancer but sometimes I want to scream from the roof tops...."I DIDN'T ASK FOR THIS". Those given the diagnosis of cancer do the best they can, some people write about it, others start nonprofits or speak to fellow fighters/survivors and then there are those who try to shut the door on that chapter of their lives. But no matter how someone deals with their cancer there is no "right" path that will make it all better.

How does one really come to terms with the fact that they have cancer? This is not a rhetorical question I really want to know. Some days are better than others but mostly its still a battle. What would I be doing right now if I had never had cancer? Who would I be? What job would I have? Would there be a little Meaghan running around? Would I be married? What state would I be living in? Would I still have a normal sex drive? Would I be complaining about my period instead of trying to figure out what menopause is? Most importantly would I be happy?

I'll never know the answers to these questions and I am not looking for anyone to console me I just need to ask them out loud. These questions, and many more, go through my head like a song on repeat. I know there are many cancer fighters and survivors who feel the same way and that's why I am writing this post. I know its very personal and that's scary but I don't want you to feel alone or be afraid to ask the same questions out loud.

So many of us put on a brave face when we tell our stories. People look up to us as though we are strong or have some type of cancer fighting super power. I wish that was true but we are just like those who never heard, "You have cancer" The only difference is we were given something no one wants, we fought it and for some of us we won. But we are still regular people who have fears, hopes and dreams.

Cancer SUCKS and that never goes away even if you get a clear PET scan! You can never go back in time and change things and maybe our lives would not have been better off or even that different but those questions are still haunting. Its important for people to understand that cancer is an ongoing battle with good days, bad days, normal days and frustrating days. Life makes us who we are, shapes us and gives us character even those things in life we did not ask for.

Me answering a question about what to do when you think you might have cervical cancer

2010-01-30T16:12:00.001-08:00

Cervical Cancer Day On The Hill

2010-01-28T15:39:00.001-08:00

Cards For Cancer Day

2010-01-23T07:42:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to announce Spirit Jump's first project, Cards For Cancer Day.

On Saturday April 10th, 2010 Spirit Jump and the team leaders around the world will bring bags of cards to their local cancer centers to be given to those battling cancer. Cards can be collected by asking family members, friends, neighbors, schools, youth groups or just about anyway you can think of getting them. Cards can be handmade or store bought and should have a positive message to help JUMP the SPIRIT of someone who is battling cancer.

I'm hoping that some of my readers might be interested in helping us make this project a success. Here is a bit more about Cards For Cancer Day. If you think this is something you want to participate in CLICK HERE to sign up.

Team Leaders:

Each Team Leader must commit to the delivery of the cards on Cards 4 Cancer Day. Cards 4 Cancer Day is Saturday April 10th, 2010. Teams may have more then one Team Leader if they like. Team Leaders will collect their own cards as well as the cards from their Team Members in time for delivery.

Team Members:

The only difference between Team Leaders and Team Members is that Leaders commit to bringing cards to cancer centers on 4-10-10. Members are committed to helping their team collect as many cards as possible. After collecting as many cards as they can, Team Members will hand the cards off to their Team Leader in time for delivery to the cancer center.

Teams:

Teams may create a team name just for fun. Teams may have as many Team Members as they would like. Make Calls…lots of them. Call friends, family, neighbors, youth groups, schools etc… Use your Blog, Facebook, Twitter and any other social media outlet to get the word out. Cards do not need to be fancy or store bought but should convey a simple, positive message to someone who is battling cancer. People who make the cards DO NOT have to be on a team. When possible we encourage cards to mention Spirit Jump so that those receiving the cards learn about our services.

Team Leaders Must Choose a Cancer Center:

Once your Team chooses the cancer center you would like to deliver the cards to please send an email to cards4cancer@spiritjump.org with the name and address of the cancer center (if possible please provide the phone number as well). Spirit Jump will contact the hospital to set up delivery details. If you have an affiliation with someone at the center please let us know who they are and what the affiliation is. We will also contact the hospitals PR department to arrange media opportunities to help create more awareness. Spirit Jump will keep you informed regarding delivery and media details.

Promote

Talk about your experience. Blog, post updates on Facebook, Tweet about it, tell friends, classmates, youth groups etc… Send an email to Spirit Jump at cards4cancer@spiritjump.org telling us about your experience or where we can read about it. We may use your story in one of our emails or post it so others can read it. We will be sending you a flyer which you can post or email.

There are lots of fun ways you can promote this event. Throw a card making party, make cards and ask others to sign them or make a day of it with the family and create an event on Facebook inviting your friends. There will be prizes and awards handed out to Teams and Team Leaders. This will be announced int he coming weeks so get a head start now!

Bloggers:

Bloggers Unite will connect bloggers who participate in Cards 4 Cancer Day. To get connected visit: http://www.bloggersunite.org/event/spirit-jump-cards-for-cancer-day
You will then be brought to the Cards 4 Cancer Event Page. If you are a Bloggers Unite member just click Join Event under the picture. If you are not a member but do have a blog click Join then follow the instructions. It should take you less than 2 minutes to join. After you have completed the registration process go back to the Cards 4 Cancer Event Page and click Join This Event. This way everyone will see that you and your blog support Cards 4 Cancer. You will also be eligible for future contests TBA. If you would like to share any posts you write about Cards 4 Cancer click submit next to Have An Article For This Event.

If you need help or have any questions please email cards4cancer@spiritjump.org

Cervical Cancer Day On The Hill

2010-01-15T08:30:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to be a part of Cervical Cancer Day On The Hill. This event is important for so many reasons.

First, Cervical Cancer is a deadly disease that takes too many lives. But, you aren't hearing about it. As many of you know that's one of the main reasons I started this blog and talk about my battle with anyone who will listen. Far too many people are simply uneducated about cervical cancer. People think its, "no big deal" or dont understand how easy it is to contract the deadly virus HPV that leads to cervical cancer. They aren't aware that cervical cancer treatments are horrendous and leave fighters with side effects sometimes to horrific to mention. And most importantly people don't realize that cervical cancer kills, It kills young and old women of all ethnicity's in all corners of the world.

Secondly, I am thrilled to meet so many wonderful men and woman who are passionate about raising cervical cancer awareness. There will be survivors, supporters and advocates all gathering for the same purpose and I will be a part of that.

Thirdly, we will all have an opportunity to share with our representatives the importance of cervical cancer. We will advocate for increased federal funding for cervical cancer prevention, detection and treatment.

I will take pictures and notes so that I can share my experience with all of you!

Check out Tamika and Friends for more information about Cervical Cancer Day On The Hill.

Woman Of The Year Self Magazine

2010-01-13T09:35:00.000-08:00

First of all I have to say I am so honored and humbled! Several of my friends nominated ME for Self Magazines Women Doing Good in 2010. What an amazing honor to have friends that think so highly of little ole me :) So this post is a BIG THANK YOU to those who have nominated me ;)

So what is this Women Doing Good Award anyway? Self Magazine is putting on a contest looking for:

"extraordinary women—who make a difference and work tirelessly so others may live better lives. That woman could be you or someone you know—a woman driven by compassion, who truly strives to improve her community, the environment or the world around her."

"The judges will score entries based on the following criteria: Commitment to Others (33.3%), Ingenuity (33.3%), and Successfulness of execution (33.4%). The entry with highest overall score will be declared the potential winner"

I think its great that a magazine is taking the time to honor those who work to make our world a better, happier, safer and more caring place. Its not an easy task and often times the financial reward is small if at all. But, I can tell you first hand that helping others without any monetary motivation can be the most rewarding experience you will ever have.

After hearing about the nomination my first reaction, "wow why do I deserve such an honor". Then I sat down and started thinking about why those who know me think I should be considered for Women Of The Year Award and here is what I came up with:

I beat cancer! After being told I had little chance of surviving I took the bull by the horns and kicked some serious cancer ass! There was nothing I wouldn't do, chemo, external radiation, internal radiation, nephrostomy tubes, stents, weeks upon weeks of hospital stays and even a kidney removed. If thats not EXTRODINARY then I don't know what is! Yea thats right im finally patting myself on the back and giving ME the credit that I deserve for winning my battle...Phew that felt good!

So that takes care of the Extraordinary Women part but what about the rest......"Who Make A Difference" That is a very important sentence for me. When I was going through my battle I kept saying to myself and anyone who would listen, "this all has to be for a purpose". I thought long and hard during and after my battle about what I could do to make my terrible diagnosis meaningful. As you all know thats when and why I started this blog, to reach out to others battling cancer. I wanted to share resources, stories and support. But that wasn't enough I felt I needed to do more to really make a difference. So I decided to forgo my career as a lawyer and instead run a nonprofit full time. I wanted my nonprofit to help ALL people battling cancer no matter what their age, gender, staging, or type of cancer. Helping those who are going through the scary, lonely terrible battle I endured was what gave me a reason to live and so I started Spirit Jump So that is how I feel I make a difference.

Working Tirelessly So Others May Live Better Lives: well I will admit that I definitely do this and my friends and family are all too aware. I, along with my boyfriend Bryan, friend Dominique and Lillie work 7 days a week and often over 12 hours a day to reach and lift the spirits of those battling cancer. I know cancer never sleeps, it never gives up and does everything it can to win its battle. That means we cannot take days off or work 40 hour weeks. But working tirelessly doesn't just mean you work long hours and many days. What you do while you are "working" is what really counts. I am proud to say that I work tirelessly by always looking for new ways to help, trying to find cancer fighters who may not know about our services, talking on the phone with people who are scared and confused by their cancer battle and trying to find ways to create new programs that are so needed. To me working tirelessly means you are always looking for new, creative ways to make a difference all while keeping yourself motivated and excited each day. So I know I work TIRELESSLY.

Finally The Women Doing Good Award should go to a woman driven by compassion, who truly strives to improve her community, the environment or the world around her. I am all these things. I am driven by my desire to help anyone who is unfortunate enough to be faced with a cancer diagnosis. I want to improve their battle by providing comfort and support because the comfort and support I received helped me win my very difficult battle. Even though some of those we help may not win their battle it is enough to know that they felt comfort and love during their last days. Facing death I know life is short and therefore I want to spend each day on this earth helping those around me. Driving a fancy car, living in a big house or wearing expensive jewelry does not motivate me. Im motivated by the bravery and courage of those battling cancer.

So I am proud to say I do think I am qualified to be nominated for Self Magazines Women Doing Good Award! The women who wins this award will be given 10,000 to donate to the charity of her choice and it should be no surprise that I would doante that to Spirit Jump so that we could start some much needed programs like, rides to chemotherapy, house cleaning and grocery delivery.

If you would like to nominate me for this I would be honored. You can do so through this LINK and will need the following information:

First Name: Meaghan

Last Name: Edelstein

Address: 2121 West Woolbright Road K101, Boynton Beach, FL 33246

Date Of Birth: 03/29/1978

Phone: 561-292-3853

Email: meaghan@spiritjump.com

Category: Cancer

Photo: You can take the picture from this post

Charitable Organization: Spirit Jump

Mission Statement: To lift the spirits of men, women and children battling cancer

Website: www.spiritjump.org

I Hate Tumors Guest Post

2010-01-11T04:29:00.000-08:00

Recently I have become inspired to start posting regularly. This inspiration didn't just come to me in a dream. Last week I was contacted by Tamika from Tamika and Friends asking if I would like to speak in DC on The Hill about cervical cancer. Being a survivor and somewhat of an advocate I jumped at this opportunity. I started thinking about my personal battle with cancer, the chemo, radiation, nurses, doctors....all of it. This was a painful journey for me and that brought on tears of joy and sadness. It also got me started thinking about someone who helped me through some of my most darkest days, Heather.

I never met Heather, in the sense that most people consider "meeting". Heather had passed away from cervical cancer at the young age of 28 in 2005. I had never met her and we shared no common friends. In fact I had no knowledge of Heather while she was alive. But, Heather helped me through my battle each day, she inspired me, comforted me and encouraged me. Our battles were so similar, same age, stage, treatments but our outcomes were very different.

While researching cervical cancer one of my friends came across this article and that is how I met Heather. I remember reading it for the first time, it was a pivotal moment in my life. I've read this article hundreds of times, like visiting an old friend. For the past three years I have attempted to find Heathers friend Sara and her sister Donna with no luck. Last week this all changed. After agreeing to speak with Tamika and Friends I found out that Tamika knew Donna and Sara. Tamika message them both and then Donna friended me on Facebook.

Donna and I spoke on the phone and have texted back and forth since our call. Its so amazing for me to have this opportunity and it has inspired me to continue sharing my story. This Tuesday Donna will be a guest on my Spirit Jump Podcast show and I hope you all get a chance to tune in. The show will be 8-9pm EST and can be viewed at www.wafs.tv.

Please take a moment to read this amazing article about Fellow Fighter Heather. She is an inspiration and with your help we can keep her story and spirit alive.

Social Media & Social Good

2010-01-10T10:50:00.000-08:00

Cancer Sucks! With that said social media has helped make cancer suck a little less. Stuck in the hospital, you're not alone you can use your phone or laptop and Tweet or check out Facebook. Doesn't matter what time of day or where you are, social media provides a way to stay connected. You don't have to worry about germs, cold, weakness or time of day, social media allows you to maintain and create relationships with all sorts of people.

I know this first hand! During my cancer treatments the laptop became my best friend. Television got old quickly and didn't provide the human interaction I longed for. That's when I popped open my laptop and started checking out my friends on Facebook. I could look at pictures and see what everyone was up to. The status updates allowed me the unique opportunity to know what friends and family where doing on any given day even though i was too sick to be there with them. I could even play games like Scrabble and Bejewelled against friends in other states. Facebook kept me in the loop and helped prevent me from falling into deep loneliness and depression.

Then there was blogging! I started this blog as my free therapy. Writing about my battle, fears, anxieties and hopes gave me an outlet I had been searching for. My blog allowed me to connect with others who battled cancer. Then I started learning more about all types of cancers, nonprofits that help and endless resources. Blogging helped me pull myself out of the cancer fog and back into the living.

Twitter became my good friend a bit later, when I had my kidney removed in March 2009. Because of intense internal radiation I could not have a laproscopic surgery. A rib was removed in order to take out my left kidney and that meant lots of bed rest. Here I was again stuck in a hospital bed with no one to talk to. My body didnt' care that it was 4 am, I was awake and bored. But I knew that social media was my friend and always awake. I started exploring more on Twitter and was blown away at how happy it made me. There were thousands of people up at 4 am and they were happy to chat. I could tweet with other survivors, those who had the same procedure, people who wanted to support me..it was GREAT!

Social media provides so much for those battling cancer. You can now find others who share your battle, talk with experts, access helpful resources and even play games. This is why I founded Spirit Jump through social media. I knew that there were so many like me who were reaching out through social media, looking for human interaction. Some people criticize social media for hindering human interaction. However, for those battling cancer often times human interaction is not an option. Social media allows cancer fighters to stay connected, fight the loneliness and LIVE!

Lets Talk Cervical Cancer

2010-01-08T13:52:00.000-08:00

As many of you know I haven't been posting frequently but that is changing. I've been very busy building up my nonprofit organization, Spirit Jump. After a lot of work and tons of help Spirit Jump is growing and doing well. This means I can start giving my blog some love!

This is a very important month, Cervical Cancer Awareness Month! The reason I started my blog was to create a place where other cervical cancer fighters could find information, connect with another fighter and share their stories. I've been doing a lot of research and reaching out to the cervical cancer community. I have always known they were there but must admit I was a bit scared to actually reach out. Helping others with their battle is one thing but facing my own is much more difficult than I ever expected. But now I am ready to do more than just blog about my experience! I'm ready to speak out, to connect with others like me and to start working harder on raising cervical cancer awareness....what a perfect month to come to this realization.

I could share a lot of information with you, tons of stories, pictures and statistics. But, I think the best way to share information about cervical cancer and those who it has touched is to share some amazing websites and articles. Some of the sites and articles im about to share with you helped me through my own battle. They are brave, heroic, touching and tragic all at the same time. Please take a moment to visit each link and share with anyone who will listen:

Another Year Under My Belt

2010-01-04T12:19:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe its been almost 3 years since I was diagnosed with cervical cancer! February 2007 was not a good time for me. Pain, fear, death, poison all words that defined my life then. When I was diagnosed with cancer my life changed dramatically.

December, January, February, March, May and June are tough months for me. These were the months I endure so much and fought so hard for my life. I find myself thinking, this is when I had my first surgery, first round of chemo, lost 50 pounds, had tubes coming out of my back.....I find myself daydreaming about those days and feeling as though I will never get far enough away from that them.

Three years seems like such a long time ago and also too soon. I have changed so much in such a short time and all because of those words: "You have cancer"

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and I am happy to be healthy enough to finally participate in an event. Tamika from Tamika and Friends (a fantastic cervical awareness nonprofit) is having an event in Washington, DC January 26-27. I will be speaking, with other cervical cancer survivors and fighters, on The Hill. If you are a cervical cancer advocate, survivor or fighter please let me know and I can get you the information to attend.

Happy To Be Alive

2009-12-13T17:18:00.000-08:00

Recently I have been thinking a lot about my cancer survival. Its been a long, difficult two years full of treatments, surgeries, PET scans....well you know the story. There were many days when I asked why did I survive while others dont. I even found myself wishing I could exchange my survival for those, children, parents and spouses who lost their battles. However, recently I have been feeling so very grateful.

My amazing two year old niece has helped me through my cancer battle without even having knowledge of her aunties cancer diagnosis. She makes me laugh, smile and remember my own childhood. She loves me unconditionally and to her I am an invinsible super hero. Every time she laughs, smiles, hugs me....I thank God that I beat that monster they call cancer. Each moment I have with her in my life is a gift that I cherish.

I may not write every day about what happened to me but it is still such a large part of my life. Even being close to three years from diagnosis it feels just like yesterday when the doctors told me my chances of surviving were slim. Often I wonder what my nieces life would be like without her auntie and thats when I know I was meant to live so that I could bring love and happiness into the lives of others. So that I could be the best auntie, sister, girfriend, daughter and friend!

Watch Meaghan On CBS-4 Talking About Spirit Jump

2009-11-09T08:36:00.000-08:00

Just last week I was interviewed on South Florida's CBS Channel 4 and it was a blast. The interview was about my NPO Spirit Jump. The camera's came with us to CJ's home and recorded while we gave 10 year old cancer fighter CJ a Spirit Jump. Please click the link below to watch this short clip and let me know what you think. AND....if you are moved to join Spirit Jump and help me help the many still fighting their battle with cancer.

WATCH CBS INTERVIEW

VISIT SPIRIT JUMP TO JOIN

DigiJeff Jumps Out Of A Plane To Support #beatcancer

2009-10-28T07:17:00.000-07:00

As a lot of you know I am the founder of Spirit Jump, a non profit organization with the mission to support those battling cancer. Spirit Jump was honored to be 1 of 4 charities involved in the #beatcancer mission to get the most shared messages on the internet. This attempt was successful and got in the Guinness Book Of World Records!! And ontop of that over $70,000.00 was raised to be shared between the 4 charities involved.

While this was only a 24 hour attempt the message continued on long after those 24 hours lapsed. In fact someone even jumped out of an airplane to support #beatcancer. DigiJeff, who works with Chamillionaire a multi platnium artist, had never jumped out of a plane before nor did he ever want to. But, he saw an opportunity to make a difference and took it.

Please take a moment to watch this video about DigiJeff's #beatcancer jump!

Vegas!

2009-10-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

As many of you know Spirit Jump had the honor and privilege to attend both Blogworld and Sitscation in Las Vegas. It was an amazing experience and we met so many wonderful people, organizations and business.

Our founder, Meaghan Edelstein, was invited by Blogworld to be a speaker on the Kick Cancer's Ass Panel along with Jay Scott of Alex's Lemonade Stand, Drew Olanoff from Blame Drew's Cancer and Natalie Lent of Stand Up To Cancer. It was an amazing opportunity for Meaghan to meet some very influential, inspiring and brilliant people who fighting to bring cancer awareness to the forefront of peoples minds and hearts.

As many of you know Spirit Jump was also invited to Blogworld as 1 of 10 winners of the Name Your Cause contest held on Twitter. This gave us an opportunity to have a booth at the Expo on Friday 10-1:30 where we gave out "swag" bags and encourage everyone around to sign up and become a Spirit Jumper. All the items in our "swag" bags were donated by Spirit Jumpers like Live Life Solid, Do Life Now, Pinwheel Girls, Destiny, Amy B.- THANK YOU!

Spirit Jump was also involved in a charity contest called Charity Smackdown with the other winners of Name Your Cause. We were the heavy underdogs and won by only $30. We could not have done this without all our amazing supporters who made this win possible! As the winners of Charity Smackdown Paypal will donate $2,000.00 to Spirit Jump!

Spirit Jump knew right away that we had to donate some of our winnings back to the other charities. Each one of these charities raises money for important causes and were represented by amazing people who we fell in love with. So, when Spirit Jump receives its $2,000 prize from PayPal we will be donating some of that to the following charities:

Heifer Portland
3For5
Canine Companions for Independence
Best Friend Animal Society
Alex's Lemonade Stand
Stepwise Foundation
Surfrider Foundation
LA's Best
Mothers Fighting For Others

Here are some photos of the Spirit Jump team with some of the above charities:

(Jay & Melissa of Alex's Lemonade Stand)

(Meaghan with Noland & Bryan of Heifer Portland)

(Rocky of Mothers Fighting For Others)

(Kerri with 3For5)

(Sally of Stepwise)

(Bryan with two representatives of LA's Best)

Spirit Jump was also very honored to be invited to SITSCATION and man did we have a blast with these ladies!

The amazing ladies at SITS threw a fabulous fundraiser party for us last Friday at the Venetian and it was so much fun! I (Meaghan) met many of the women I have been looking up to for the past year and a half I have been blogging, I danced my butt off AND SITS raised over $900.00 for us that night!!!! This was just more than we could have ever imagined and for that we will be eternally grateful!

To top it all off SITS also hosted an online auction that very day and will be hosting a second one this Friday. We have been in such desperate need for funding and these ladies really pulled through for us....THANK YOU!

Spirit Jump was part of a Historical moment

Some of you may have seen the #beatcancer over the past few days. This was an attempt by an organization called Everywhere to set a Guinness World Record for distribution of the largest mass message through social media. Four charities were chosen to be a part of this record setting attempt and Spirit Jump was one of the four which also included Stand Up To Cancer, Alex's Lemonade Stand and Bright Pink. Along with setting a record over $70,000 was raised to be shared between the four charities involved.

We at Spirit Jump would like to extend a huge thank you to MillerCoors, Ebay/PayPal and Everywhere for making this possible and for including us in this important record setting message #beatcancer.

Im Speaking At Blogworld!

2009-10-13T08:41:00.000-07:00

Spirit Jump is extremely excited about our upcoming trip to Las Vegas where we will attend Blog World and SITSCATION .

Thursday 10/15, SJ founder Meaghan Edelstein will be a panelist on the Kick Cancer’s Ass panel at the Blog World conference along with other fellow cancer ass kickers like Drew Olanoff of Blame Drew’s Cancer, Stand Up To Cancer & Alex's Lemonade Stand

Friday night, SITS will be throwing a fantastic party for Spirit Jump with a raffle and online auction. SITS is generously donating 100% of the proceeds generated from the raffle and online auction to Spirit Jump! You can participate in the online auction by clicking here starting this Friday morning.

HELP THE UNDERDOG WIN CHARITY SMACKDOWN

Spirit Jump is about to get seriously SMACKED DOWN. Here's why. As many of you know Spirit Jump is a small grassroots organization that operates with virtually NO budget. We will be going up against some VERY LARGE, well organized organizations with MUCH LARGER budgets in what's called the Charity Smackdown. So it looks like we are about to get SMACKED DOWN BIG TIME...UNLESS... YOU HELP THE UNDERDOG WIN!

This is how the CHARITY SMACKDOWN works.

Spirit Jump will be competing against 8 other charities who all won spots to Blogworld through the Name Your Cause contest (you can see the other causes by clicking the link).

The contest begins on Thursday October 15 @ 1pm EST and runs through Saturday October 17 @ 12pm EST. Whichever charity receives the most donations through Paypal wins! The first prize winner receives $2,000 from Paypal, second place $1,000 and third $500.

HOW YOU CAN HELP SPIRIT JUMP WIN

Make a donation to Spirit Jump on any one of the following sites through Paypal. Any amount will help $1,$5, $10, $20 whatever. Also if you know any BIG HITTERS who would like to donate to a great cause this would be the time to call them. (You do not need to have a Paypal account to do this you can use a credit card):

Charitysmackdown.com -Be sure to click the Spirit Jump widget

facebook.com/charitysmackdown- Be sure to click the Spirit Jump widget

Spiritjump.org - Be sure to click the Spirit Jump Smackdown widget

facebook.com/spiritjump - Be sure to click the Spirit Jump Smackdown widget

Only donations made through the PayPal widgets via the sites listed above count towards the contest!

The charity with the most donations WINS! You can see a who is winning by visiting the Charity Smackdown website.

Whether you are able to donate or not here is how you can also help us win:

We are HUGE underdogs and the only way we stand a chance at winning is with your help!

1) If you use Twitter follow @BWsmackdown to watch the smack talk and keep track of who is winning. When Tweeting use the hashtag #BWsmackdown.

2) Post and alert all of your friends on Facebook

3) If you Blog then Blog about it

4) Call your friends, email your contacts, knock on your neighbors doors whatever you can think of to help get the word out

Thanks so much for your support! Now let's not let those BIG BULLY'S PUSH LIL OL' SPIRIT JUMP AROUND! NOW GO GET EM!

A couple firsts for this Cancer Ass Kicking Gal

2009-10-11T06:55:00.000-07:00

Wow I have been neglecting this amazing blog and that is bad, bad, bad! Don't worry I am not going to abandon it so please stick with me! So much has been going on and there have been so many firsts for me these days. Therefore, this blog is dedicated to FIRST:

I RAN A 5K

I ran a 5k in honor of those who lost their lives and are currently battling Breast Cancer. It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we should all be doing our part in raising awareness. Most people reading this blog know that I do not nor did I ever have breast cancer but instead had 3b cervical cancer. However, many of you do not know that my mother and aunt both battled breast cancer. This is a serious disease and we all need to show support for those who have and are facing it.

This run was also about me though. Since my battle with cancer I have lost all my muscle and a lot of my courage to run. Thanks to my amazing boyfriend, Bryan, I have been running every day. Bryan encourage me to to do this run and while it was difficult I felt so amazing when I crossed that finish line. I did something I thought I could never do after cancer and man does that feel great - IN YOUR FACE CANCER!

I WENT TO A CANCER WORKSHOP

I know it sounds strange but since my diagnosis in February 2007 I have NEVER participated in any type of therapy (individual or group). Yesterday I did participate in a workshop for woman who have battled cancer. All I can say was this experience was amazing and showed me how much I need to work through. After this experience I would highly suggest workshops for those who are not so interested in private therapy sessions. I met some wonderful men and women and was able to share my experience and hear that I am not alone in the feelings I felt were so strange and hard to express.

I WAS INVITED TO SPEAK AT TWO CONFERENCES

I never thought anyone would want me to speak at a conference so man was I surprised when I was asked to participate in two very impressive conferences. The first is SITSCATION an amazing two day conference put on by the lovely SITS Girls Next Friday night they are hosting a party/raffle where all proceeds will go to my charity, Spirit Jump. I am also going to attend the entire conference, learn tons and meet some amazing people.

The second conference I was invited to speak at is Blog World Yes you heard me right Blog World! In 2007 they had 98 Million viewers (attendees + online viewers) and MEAGHAN EDELSTEIN is going to be on a panel. I am so excited about this. I will be on the panel with Drew from I Blame Drew's Cancer, Stand Up To Cancer and Alex's Lemonade Stand. The panel is set for Thursday 10:00-11:15.

AND....Spirit Jump won 1 of 10 spots for NPO's to participate in Blog World. This means Spirit Jump will be a part of the Expo and have an opportunity to share our mission with over 40,000 attendee's. We are just beyond excited!

So things have been crazy but with GREAT things! I can't thank you all for the support you have given me and the guidance as well. Don't give up on this blog I promise to post more often and share all the things that I can do and be after Kicking Cancer's Ass!

The Begining

2009-09-04T08:19:00.000-07:00

December 2006 is when it all began. I went to an OBGYN in Florida for a yearly checkup. The doctor pulled me into his office and this is how the conversation went:

Dr.- “Things look pretty bad”

ME- “What, what does that mean?”

Dr- “I think you have pretty advanced cervical cancer”

ME-“What…what…could it be anything else, are you sure?”

Dr-“If you hear hooves, its probably horses not zebras”

ME-“What, what, what I don’t follow”

Dr- “Have a good holiday I’ll call you after the holidays”

Needles to say I was SHOCKED! I mean I never imagined I had cancer and if I did this was not how I expected to be told. For the next half hour I sat in my car, alone, confused and scared. There was no way this could be happening to me. So, I started calling family and friends and everyone said, “No way, that can’t be the case”. What was I suppose to do, think or say. What I did was make an appointment with another OBGYN for a second opinion.

After the first doctors visit I started bleeding heavily and experiencing terrible pain. I had to wait two weeks before I could be seen by the new OBGYN. When I finally got to see the new doctor things had gotten pretty bad. I was passing tennis ball sized blood clots, bleeding through my clothes and sleeping maybe 4 hours a night. They conducted all sorts of tests on me. When they attempted to do a PAP I screamed in pain. The Nurse Practitioner tried three times but the pain was too much. She decided to get one of the doctors but he was “too busy” to see me. They scheduled an appointment for an ultra sound and sent me on my way.

The next month is a bit of a blur for me but basically this is how it went. After the first visit the pain and blood increased significantly. I called the doctor’s office the next day and the day after that. “There’s nothing we can do for you” is basically the answer I got. When I got the ultra sound it was horribly painful (it shouldn’t have been under normal circumstances). All the tests showed no STDS or PID and the ultra sound showed no cysts. But the pain was getting worse and the bleeding too. Law school had started up again, my second semester of my second year. I had to go to school. The drive was an hour each way and I couldn’t make it the entire way without stopping because I was in so much pain. Each day the pain and blood increased. I called the doctor everyday and went into the office several times a day but nothing. I asked if I could have a CT scan but they didn’t want to do that. On several occasions I brought someone with me to my visit because I felt like I was going crazy! How could these doctors not be helping me? How could they let me go home when I was bleeding so badly? How can I keep living like this? But even with others in the examining room with me the answers were the same: “There’s too much blood I can’t see anything”. WHAT!?! And if you are saying to yourself, “no way that can’t be true” just ask my friend who was sitting by my side holding my hand and she will tell you, “yup that’s exactly what they said”.

This continued for a month. Eventually I stopped sleeping entirely. I would lay in my bed in horrific pain. So many thoughts went through my head, am I dying, should I call the doctor, should I call my parents, what can I do….The only time I felt any kind of relief was when I was in the bathtub so I took, and I am not exaggerating, between 20-30 baths throughout the night. I would wait till 7 or 8 in the morning and then call the emergency line at my doctors. Why you ask, because I didn’t want to bother them, I didn’t want them to be annoyed with me, I needed them!! The answers I got were never helpful; “maybe you’re constipated” was one of my favorites. What’s even funnier is I believed them!!! Now you may be asking yourself, what about the first doctor who told you the hooves bit? Well I just thought he was crazy. What a crazy way to tell someone they might be dying of cancer. Insensitive, dangerous and cold are only three of the many ways I could describe that guy. I believed these doctors. I trusted them! Aren’t we always told to get a second opinion, well that’s what I did and I believed them. I told my new OBGYN about the first doctor and his diagnosis but they said, and I quote “If you were 60 years old I would tell you, you advanced cervical cancer, but you are too young and there is no way-YOU DO NOT HAVE CANCER I CAN ASSURE YOU OF THAT”. Thankfully my friend was with me during this visit so she can tell you that yes that is what the doctor said right after he said there was too much blood to see anything.

One day my OBGYN returned one of my many calls and left a message, I was in class when he called. That’s right folks I was going to ALL my classes, taking notes, getting called on etc….I checked the message and started crying as I listened. He was dropping me as a patient; actually his secretary was doing it!! “The doctor wanted me to tell you there’s nothing more we can do for you” How could this be happening? What was I suppose to do now? I’ll tell you what I did, I called a new doctor. I also called the OBGYN that was trying to drop me back. What did they say you ask: “No, no, no we aren’t dropping you we are just telling you there’s nothing more we can do” So I was annoying them, I was “putting them out”. Well excuse me I thought you were suppose to call your doctor when you were bleeding, in pain, losing weight. I forgot to tell you, one of the many visit they weighed me and I had lost 10 pounds in less than a week. If you want my opinion I think they thought I was crazy but crazy people don’t bleed excessively so how do they explain that??

I went to a GP who told me he thought I was just suffering from shocked. I had told him my entire story and this doctor believed that I was shocked and stressed from the original doctor telling me I might have cancer. I told this doctor that it had been at least a week and a half since I last slept. Not one minute, thirty seconds, nothing. NO SLEEP! He gave me Lunesta and said that I should take two and if I didn’t sleep to call him at home the next morning. No sleep! I even took 3 and still didn’t sleep one minute. PAIN, PAIN, PAIN that’s all I had. I called the next morning, a Saturday, and the Dr. told me to come to his office immediately. He wasn’t working but would meet me there. This time the doctor gave me Seroquel. This is a medication that is giving to people with chemical imbalances. It worked the first night. But the second night it did not and I was back to no sleep.

Finally one day I could take no more. I was still with my OBGYN, even though he tried to drop me. Even though my OBGYN told me not to go to the hospital I did. I drove myself to the hospital. That’s right I went alone. I was alone through all of this. Besides my friend going to the doctor with me that one day and one of my sisters friends going to the doctor with me I was all alone. That was the worst time of my life. Worse than Chemo, Radiation, Surgery etc…Even thinking about it brings me to a dark place.

That’s all I can write for now.

CranioSacral Therapy & My Guest This Tuesday On The Spirit Jump Podcast Show

2009-08-23T12:58:00.001-07:00

This week I was lucky enough to try CranioSacral Therapy and I LOVED it! So I decided to invite Kimberly LaRue to be this Tuesdays guest on The Spirit Jump Podcast Show (Tuesday 7-9EST www.wafs.tv).

Kimberly is a licensed Massage Therapist, CranioSacral Therapist, Yoga and Meditation Instructor, Holistic Cancer Therapist and Lecturer. Kimberly strives to encourage and support people in their discovery of their own natural healing ability, leading to a greater sense (awareness) of well-being and overall health.

I had the pleasure to meet Kimberly and benefit from a CranioSacral Therapy session. It was amazing and I am shocked I had never heard of it before. After my session I felt lighter, less stressed and just plain better. My first thought as I was walking out of the center was "I wish I had taken advantage of CranioSacral Therapy earlier".

As a cancer fighter I have endured many types and levels of pain. For the past two years I have tried almost everything including more pain medications than I care to mention (Fontanel patches, lolli pops, diloted, hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxycoton etc...) All these pain meds did was numb me. I still had pain but I cared less about the pain.

Yoga, Meditation and CranioSacral Therapy are wonderful ways for people with cancer to heal both emotionally and physically. I encourage you all to stop by, watch, listen and call in this Tuesday to learn more about the healing power of a gentle touch!

You can read more about Kimberly and her amazing work by visiting Shade Tree Yoga and Wellness

Fellow Fighter Art

2009-08-20T07:19:00.000-07:00

When I had Hodgkin lymphoma in 2002, I promised myself that when I was healthy again, I would do something to make a difference for those suffering from cancers. One thing I have done, starting in 2005, was to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as a marathoner with their Team in Training Program. Having never even run a 5K before cancer, I have completed three marathons and one half-marathon since then, while raising over $40,000 for LLS. I plan on doing another event next year.

Even as a survivor, it doesn’t always come home every second of why I put myself through this. Memories of what it was like to have cancer can fade a bit over time. But then, while in Nashville this past April for the Country Music Half Marathon, I had this brief magical moment that immediately reminded me of why this is so important. It was the kind of instant that makes you want to smile and cry all at the same time. I cannot get this out of my mind, and decided to share it with the world.

I went to take a walk that afternoon from the team’s hotel down to the Cumberland River, get a bit more of the lay of the land in downtown Nashville. I was wearing a Team in Training shirt. As I rounded the corner by the convention center, two young women and two young girls passed me walking the other way. The girls were about six to eight, I would guess. I barely noticed any of them, given that I didn’t see them until I rounded the corner, and as quick as I walk we passed each other in less than 2 seconds. But then I heard one of the women speak to one of the girls: “Look! There’s one of the Leukemia Society people!” I turned my head – they were now about 25 feet behind me – and looked at them. She was talking to one of the little girls, who happened to be bald with just a hint of hair growing back. And in an instant it hit me – “My God! This young girl has leukemia!” I smiled at her and waved, and she gave me a shy, sweet smile back. Then we went on our separate ways.

For a second I thought that I would go back and chat with them, tell them that I am also a survivor and assure her that she will be, too. Then I felt like I might be intruding, and decided to keep on going. But as I walked along, choking back tears for a short time, I thought of her. I thought about her as I sat by the Cumberland River a little later. I thought of her during the Inspiration Dinner the next night, and again during the race the day after that. And at the Victory Party the night after the race. And of course since then, which is why I am writing this now. I know I will wonder about her for a long time. Will she ultimately survive? Will she graduate from high school and college? Fall in love? Get married? Have her own children and maybe grandchildren someday? Maybe do a marathon herself with Team in Training for LLS? Discover a cure for cancer someday or invent something that helps the world?

And I thought “This is why I do this.” Why I get up at 4AM and 4:30AM to run and walk miles alone in the dark before work. Why I give up Saturday mornings when sleeping in and then relaxing with a cup of tea might sometimes be easier. Why I train so long at times that I have to soak in a tub of ice water from the waist down. Why I am willing to run and walk 13.1 miles two days later in the heat, and 26.2 miles three times before. Why blisters and blackened and lost toenails are tolerable. Why I am willing to ask people, many whom I barely know, for donations over and over and over, until now and then one of them will email back and say “Take me off your mailing list.” And it is why my teammates, thousands of them at any given time around North America, 650 of us in Nashville that weekend alone, do all of these things, too.

It is so this young girl, and others like her, can have a future. Seven years ago, I received the gift of life when I survived a form of blood cancer that was treatable only because of much medical research and clinical trials. So to do what I can to help others have this same chance now and in the future feels like the least I can do.

Whoever you are, young Nashville girl with leukemia, I hope you survive. I hope you have a long, productive, healthy and happy life! And I am glad that our lives crossed for a brief, bittersweet instant that day.

Visit Art's Blog by Clicking Here

I have a Podcast Show

2009-08-17T06:47:00.001-07:00

I have some fun and exciting news, I have my very own podcast show! You can see me, chat in the chat room and call in every Tuesday 7-9 EST. I am also looking for guests to interview on the show. So bookmark the site www.wafs.tv and tune in. The call in number is 561-228-4020

We talk about all sorts of things from what its like to be a person battling cancer, how you can help others battling cancer, interviewing authors, other non profits and all sorts of fun stuff. Just like my charity Spirit Jump there are no boundaries!

This week I have two guests:

Cindy Papale

Cindy is the author of The Empty Cup Runneth Over. She is also a breast cancer survivor and associate producer - Board member to The Kristy Lasch Miracle Foundation -www.kristylasch.org
You can visit her website to see all the amazing things Cindy has going on:

www.theemptycuprunnethover.com

AND....on the show Cindy will be giving away one of her autographed books to a lucky caller

My Second Guest Is~

Paula Holland De Long:

Cancer survivor, life coach, speaker, and founder of What’s Next For My Life, Inc., Paula Holland De Long is an authority on how the lessons of survivorship can bring joy, passion and purpose to anyone's life. Her workshops for survivors are offered at cancer treatment centers and support organizations. Her women's teleconference action groups attract participants from around the country. What’s Next For My Life?™, is launching two new products in October, 2009. The “What’s Next For My Life? Survivor Companion Journal and DVD. To learn email paula@WhatsNextForMyLife.com or visit

WhatsNextForMyLife.com

Great Gift For Someone Battling Cancer

2009-08-13T11:42:00.001-07:00

Spirit Jump Blossoms From DK Designs
$5 donated to SJ for each sold

Cheer up and lift the spirits of those in need with the little gifts of beauty and hope. Handmade clay flower arrangements are the perfect gift to give to a Jumpee because they not only lift their spirits with a realistic, yet beautiful everlasting flower, but each little votive also has a inspirational message (i.e. "hope", "faith", "love", etc). The initial launch of flower votives will contain either single bloom of pink rose, pink ranunculus or purple hydrangeas. More flower types will eventually be available.

Many times cancer patients who are in critical care are not allowed to have fresh flowers in their rooms so these little gifts are perfect and will definitely lift their spirits.

You may ask why Diane of DK Designs decided to create these little arrangements on behalf of Spirit Jump. The reason is simple, she herself has been affected by cancer (her mother died of breast cancer over 21 years ago and her mother-in-law currently suffers from an aggressive form of bladder cancer). She was moved by the premise of what Spirit Jump stands for and what we do to help cancer patients and wanted to give back. Thus, the little flower spirit jump was born!

Spirit Jump Blossoms

Price - $30.00

Shipping - $5.00

Amount to be donated back to Spirit Jump - $5.00

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOURS

About DK Designs

DK Designs specializes in custom, handcrafted clay floral designs, as well as tropical and Asian-inspired wedding stationery. Clay flowers are created utilizing CLAYCRAFT™ by DECO© Soft Clay, formerly DECOMAGIC Soft Clay.

DK Designs was founded in 2002 by Diane Katsuyoshi-Phillips in San Jose, California, helping brides make their wedding days uniquely their own. In November 2003, DK Designs became accredited by the DECO Clay Craft Academy headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii and its instructors are now able to share with others this beautiful craft developed in Japan.

In 2005, DK Designs moved the business to the island of Oahu. During that time Diane worked hard to expand her destination wedding business, working with her brides-to-be and helping them create their own custom wedding theme. It was definitely a great opportunity to work with so many wonderful people (both from the client and industry professional perspective) on the islands!

In late 2007, DK Designs made a move back to the Bay Area. It's been non-stop since the move and Diane is busy designing new custom wedding and event stationery as well as clay floral creations for her clientele! Diane is also actively teaching the Deco Clay Craft Academy courses to share her knowledge and art of Deco Clay with others! Diane still enjoys working with destination couples and continues to return to the islands, her home away from home!

Diane Phillips of DK Designs was recently featured on the Martha Stewart Show on April 1, 2008. She showed Martha Stewart how to make hydrangea flowers out of CLAYCRAFT by DECO Soft Clay. Click here to watch the video segment. Diane's work has also been featured in several bridal magazines both online and in print.

Ill Be in Boston Soon

2009-08-11T15:12:00.000-07:00

Hi folks things are GREAT! I had a tough little patch trying to get to my PET scan but things are all sorted out now. I will be in Boston for my PET scan September 19-26 so wish me luck everyone. Until then I will try not to think about the what if's too much. Anyway here is a little video Bryan and I made for Spirit Jump...thought you might get a kick out of it :)

Whats Wrong With These Cancer Charities?????

2009-07-30T20:19:00.000-07:00

I had a very bad experience with a cancer charity today and after being upset all day I decided the best way to deal with it was to vent here on my blog.

I think most, if not all, of you know I am a cancer fighter. I live in Sunny Florida but receive my treatments and follow ups at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. For the past two years I have flown up to Boston every three months for Surgery, PET Scans and other fun doctor appointments. For the first year the cost of these flights came out of my pocket (or my parents pockets). Then I was told, by a fellow fighter who lost her battle, that there were services for people battling cancer who needed to fly. And so I started using one of these organizations, Mercy Medical Airlift, and they were wonderful!

Because I fly so much I had to find another charity to help me with my flights and let others use the services of Mercy Medical (they are a small organization with limited funds). So began the very difficult search for help. To say it mildly it did not go well....

I was put in contact with a charity called Miracle Flights. This charity requires you send a photo of yourself before they will donate a flight. I have gone through several other charities for free flights to treatment centers and have never been asked for a photo of myself. To ask is one thing but these people REQUIRE it before they will consider giving you a flight for cancer treatment.

Having cancer is horrible. Telling friends and family that you have cancer is difficult. Letting current or future jobs know of your diagnosis is also unfair and at times humiliating...cancer becomes a part of your identity. If you need assistance to pay for services you are required to share all your very personal medical information, call many numbers, talk about your cancer and divulge extremely personal information just to get some assistance. I understand why this is and that its necessary but to take it a step further and also require I send you a photo of myself, thats one step too far.

What could be the purpose? Everyone knows you cannot get on a flight without a picture ID. All my medical information includes my full name and social security number. I know what they want my photo for....PROMOTION! Well to that I say "NO" I am not going to be exploited because I have cancer. You do not get a picture of a sick young woman who needs chemo/radiation and surgeries. It makes me sad that a charity that is suppose to be doing something good insists they have the right to require so much from the one in need. They feel its their right to know every personal detail about your battle with cancer and then put a photo of you in their file to complete their intrusion.

I would rather not get my treatment than to let an organization violate my privacy any more than it already has!

Help Spirit Jump Win 2009 Cancer Fighter Award

2009-07-28T09:48:00.000-07:00

My life has been so busy and wonderful these past few months. After two long years filled with so many difficulties I am living a "normal" life. I can go fishing with my boyfriend, out to eat with my friends and make future plans. I am so grateful to be where I am today. This also creates some anxiety for me as I find myself feeling anxious and stressed that things could change in a moment. Cancer is a very scary disease to battle because it is never truly gone.

Some very exciting things are happening with my charity Spirit Jump. We are in the running for an amazing award. The winner is the charity with the most positive reviews. Right now we have 113 reviews but we could use more. AND...the cool part is, every person who reviewed the winning charity gets put in a drawing for a bunch of awesome prizes! So im asking my friends, followers and supports to PLEASE take a minute to write a quick review. It doesn't have to be much, a sentence works.

http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/spirit-jump/

Fellow Fighter Ezra

2009-07-23T14:21:00.000-07:00

This blog post was written by Ezra's mom. This little boy is has been a part of our Spirit Jump charity and we have all fallen in love with him. Please take a moment to read his story and put him in your prayers. Also, if you would like a button for your blog you can get on on his moms site: MANIC MOTHER

May 22nd, 2009 will forever be marked the day the world fell out from underneath us. That is the day that I heard cancer and baby used in the same sentence.
Let me back up though first for a moment. I am sure you are asking yourself how we found ourselves where we are.
Over the weekend Ezra had got bit by a spider and had a handful of bites on him, we were concerned they were venomous spider bites. He was also limping in the leg that the bites were. We took him in to see the Dr.s and they basically said just to monitor him. They ordered an x-ray for a precaution because of the limp.
Its those x-ray results that changed everything.
The radiologist noticed abnormal markings in his bones, which can be indicative of leukemia. They of course said it was just a precaution but we needed to see an oncology Dr. to follow up.
The oncology Dr. looked him over and did not see any of the typical tell tale signs of Leukemia. He told us not to worry and had Ezra’s blood drawn to rule Leukemia out.
Later that night we got a phone call and were told some of the lab results looked abnormal, and were told to bring him into ER. They did more labs there, and it was by far the worst night of my life ever.
Results came in, and although they were still waiting on one more result to officially diagnose Ezra, they told us then that they thought he had Leukemia.
We sat there in our curtain enclosed area in the ER weeping, holding our sweet little boy. So many questions swirling in our heads. Why him? Am I to blame? Could it have been prevented? Is he going to die? What next?
The next morning an oncology Dr. came in and gave us the official news and told us Ezra had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Some of his first words to us were “ He is going to be fine, he is going to go on to graduate college, be a father, and a grandfather.” In my darker hours, I find myself revisiting those words often. I cherish those words. I need those words. Those words keep me afloat, they give me hope, peace, and reason.
It still doesn’t make any sense to me, how did my perfectly healthy baby go from a limp to Leukemia? Ezra did not present any of the typical symptoms of Leukemia, besides being pale. But if you have seen me or my other son, the paleness is no cause for alarm.
The reason Ezra was not yet exhibiting symptoms of ALL was because it was still really early. Typically when kids are diagnosed with ALL they have any where from 60-90% cancer cells (or blasts as they call them) present . The disease does not usually present itself till 25% blasts are found. Ezra’s were at 15% at diagnosis.
We caught his cancer on a complete fluke, and we caught it really early. Sometimes fate has a beautiful way of interceding, thank you Mr. Spider. So Ezra spent his 2nd birthday in the hospital receiving chemo.

His bone marrow was tested a week into the chemo to see how he was responding. They only found 1-2% cancer blasts left. This labels Ezra as a rapid early responder, which is highly favorable. He will be tested again at day 28, were they expect to find his cancer has gone into remission.

Ezra will receive three years of chemotherapy treatment. Most children recover completely from this cancer, and go on to live a normal cancer free life.

Prior to Ezra’s diagnosis my husband and I always talked about how there was something special to Ezra. There is a light in Ezra , that not every child encompasses. His light is infectious and can put a person at ease, make them laugh, or make them cry. He is a sweet old soul, who is knowledgeable beyond his years. He is a fighter.

He will make it through all of this just fine. He has been braver than I can ever imagine myself being.

He is my hero.

Its Been a While But I need to VENT

2009-07-11T16:22:00.001-07:00

First I have to apologize for not writing very much lately. I looked back and noticed that soon after I had my rib & kidney removed my posts dwindled off. While I feel bad I also feel a huge sense or relief. I think my lack of posts demonstrates my huge strides in both physical and mental health.

Things have gotten so much better for me. Sitting here writing I have tears in my eyes thinking of all the painful years I spent battling my beast. The sleepless nights, the tortured days....I was never truly honest with those who loved me about how difficult my battle with cancer was. But now I can honestly say I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. At night I do what most people do, sleep. When I go to the bathroom I am not pulling my hair out because the pain is so bad. I'm not secretly throwing up in the bathroom because my stomach hurts so badly. And I am no longer ashamed that I can't remember something that happened just moments before.

Yes I am still scared that a PET scan will come back with bad news. I still dread my doctor visits and the possibility I will hear the the cancer is coming back. Im also aware that until my 5 years (3 years from now) I am not cancer free, not a true survivor. But for now I am so much healthier than I ever imagined I would be.

While my health is doing better I have had some difficult battles these past few weeks. As many of you know I started a non profit organization called Spirit Jump. I did this because when I was fighting my battle cards & gifts that arrived in the mail truly lifted my spirits. I wanted to share this experience with the others out there who, like me, are faced with battling cancer. At first Spirit Jump was immensely rewarding and I knew I was doing the right thing. It wasn't easy for me to put aside my lawyer career but I felt that I needed to give back to all those who were still in the darkest place I have ever been in my life. Leaving them behind, shutting my eyes to their battle just wasn't an option.

However, there have also been some negative aspects to my charity work. Because of the success of Spirit Jump our numbers have grown and others have been taking advantage of my kindness & sincerity. This charity is so important to me as it is about what I went through and how my spirits were lifted when I was sick. Unfortunately I think this makes me an easy target. I am learning how to be stronger and more of a "business woman". I am an intelligent, professional and good honest woman. I surround myself with good honest people who want to see me and my vision for Spirit Jump succeed. Spirit Jump is now a real organization and not just a dream. We are a team made of Professionals, Marketing Technology, Nonprofit advisers, Attorneys and Business owners. Those who make up Spirit Jump protect me by stepping in to deal with people/situations that are merely political and do not advance our mission in anyway. I have been extremely disappointed and hurt by those who do not trust that I am handling many difficult situations with the utmost care and integrity.

I am angry and hurt that I am working 12 hours a day 7 days a week and still it is not enough for many. I am angry that I have been attacked as a person by people who are not interested in helping people with cancer. These people want fame & attention and have used me as a way to achieve this. BUT I will not let them bring me or Spirit Jump down. I will rise above this and continue to help the MANY men, women and children who are battling for their lives.

I thank you all to my friends & followers who have supported me and loved me through my battle. I hope you continue to do so and I promise I will be updating this blog more often.

Jewelery Giveaway To Help Lift Spirits Of Cancer Fighters

2009-07-05T15:42:00.000-07:00

THIS WEEK'S DONATION GIVEAWAY IS GOING TO BE A BIG ONE. OUR THEME.. ....JEWELERY!

SPIRIT JUMP IS A SMALL CHARITY RUN BY TWO YOUNG WOMEN BATTLING CANCER. AS WE HAVE NO SPONSORS, ALL OF OUR COSTS ARE PAID FOR DIRECTLY FROM DONATIONS. IN AN EFFORT TO RAISE FUNDS TO SUSTAIN SPIRIT JUMP WE HAVE DECIDED TO HOST A FUNDRAISING DONATION GIVEAWAY.

The first prize (Pictured Above) was donated by Ginny over at CISZEK DESIGNS. With a value of $85.00 this necklace is made of Chinese Turquoise Antique "Olive" Trade Beads with Silver & Czech Glass all on beautiful Hand Knotted Silk.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Second & Third Prizes were donated by Megan (former High School classmate of Founder Meaghan). Both pairs of earrings were hand made and have a retail value of $10.00 per pair.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prizes Four & Five were donated by Erin over at FLAIR. These beautiful pendants have a retail value of $20.00 each. Both pendants are hand made and one-of-a-kind. Erin tells us "Think of them as little mirrors reflecting your own unique style."

Our Sixth Prize was also donated by FLAIR and is pictured below. One-of-a-kind and handmade this belt buckle is sure to show off your FLAIR. With a retail value of $50.00 the Buckle comes attached to a black genuine leather belt.

For each donation of $2 you will receive 1 entry for this week's drawing. There is no limit to the number of entries you can receive. This weeks Giveaway starts Sunday July 5 @ 12:01 am EDT and ends Saturday July 11 @ 11:59 pm EDT. We will draw 6 winner's for this week's giveaway.

Spirit Jump Giveaway Official Rules:

No purchase necessary. For each donation of $2.00 made to Spirit Jump, donor will be assigned one(1) ticket for this week's raffle. If you do not choose to donate but would like a raffle ticket at no charge, send an email with your complete name, address and telephone number to spiritjumpraffle@aol.com. All donations or email entries must be received by 11:59 pm EDT on Saturday July 11, 2009. Winner will be selected among all donations/email entries received in a random drawing. Descriptions of prizes listed above. Approximate retail value of Czech Necklace $85.00, Earrings $10 each, Pendant Necklaces $20.00 each, Belt Buckle $50.00 All prizes will be awarded. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Spirit Jump www.spiritjump.org

Podcast Interview With Me About Spirit Jump

2009-06-26T15:54:00.001-07:00

If you would like to hear a Podcast Interview with Myself about my battle and Spirit Jump

CLICK HERE

Fellow Fighter Kairol Rosenthal

2009-06-09T15:47:00.000-07:00

Life Beyond Treatment

By Kairol Rosenthal

I was diagnosed with cancer at 27. After treatment, I ditched my hospital gown and hit the road. Traveling from the Big Apple to the Bible Belt, I recorded one-on-one conversations with 25 young adult cancer survivors who confessed to me experiences they had never told anyone else.

I was surprised by how many patients said that the hardest part of their cancer experience was life after treatment. Here’s a snippet of my conversation with Geoff Luttrell, a twenty-something survivor interviewed in my book Everything Changes: The Insider’s Guide to Cancer in Your 20s and 30s.

“When you have cancer and you wake up every morning, man, you know what’s happening: chemo, scans, IVs, the whole protocol. Everything else just falls away. There’s no confusion. Life was perfectly clear on chemo. A lot of people recovering from cancer talk about trying to live life like there’s no tomorrow, but you have to work, you have to go grocery shopping, you can’t just walk around 24/7 thinking, I have to make the best of it because I could die in the next five minutes. It’s not realistic.”

Like Geoff, I wanted to be realistic about how to deal with the directionless fray my life had become after treatment. Through my own trial and error, and while talking to other patients for my book Everything Changes, I learned some lessons that made the transition back into daily life just it a bit easier.

After treatment, be kind to yourself. Take it slowly. You don’t have to dive back into life where you left off. In fact you can’t, because life has moved ahead since you were last in it. Step slowly into your life, taking time to learn about what you want from other people and from yourself.

The entire world will want to know how you’re doing. Create a standard yet honest reply – an elevator line, that will educate them about what you are facing, such as, “I’m glad that treatment is over, but it’s pretty common to feel fatigue for a while, so I’m still recovering.”

When I traveled to Alabama, I met Tracy, a 37-year-old breast cancer patient who said, “Some people think that after an experience like cancer, if you are not smiling and doing cartwheels every day, then you’re just sitting around and feeling sorry for yourself. I am grateful to be alive, but I have good days and bad days just like I did before cancer. I also believe you can’t help yourself if you deny that you have suffered.”

She’s right. Life after treatment is hard. Maybe you’re dealing with medical bills, adjusting to a missing a body part, or making sense of your work, love, or family life. Perhaps fear, anger, or sadness about your diagnosis or recurrence are smacking you in the face. Don’t pretend that everything is fine if it is not. Being real about how you feel helps relieve tension. Don’t worry - you won’t get stuck here forever. I’m living proof of this.

If you have gone through treatment, what was life like afterwards? What was the biggest challenge you faced and how did you deal with it? Are you surprised that so many people said life after treatment was the hardest part of cancer?

For candid stories, practical tips, and expert advice on 20 and 30-something cancer, check out my book Everything Changes: The Insider’s Guide to Cancer in Your 20s and 30s. Visit my blog.

Have you met my Non-Profit Spirit Jump

2009-06-01T07:20:00.001-07:00

Im sorry I haven't written for a while but I have been so busy and life has been great lately! As many of you know I started a non-profit organization with my good friend Stacy. Spirit Jump has been such a positive part of my life and I want to share it with you.

I started Spirit Jump in November 2008 when I was trying to think of ways to help others who are battling cancer. Donating money was not an option for me but I could connect people who want to give with those who are in need of support. This is how Spirit Jump was born!

Spirit Jump connects the gift giver with men, women and children who are facing cancer and other debilitating diseases. When you join Spirit Jump all you're asked to do is send a card or small gift when and if you can. Its that simple. With a tight economy many people are not able to give as much to charity as they use to but when you are part of Spirit Jump you don't need to send money to help. In fact a simple home made card is priceless when received by a person who is battling such a dreadful disease.

For those of you who have kids Spirit Jump is a great way to involve them in charity. When children who are facing cancer receive a card from another child that can make their day and lift their spirits.

If you are not a jumper and would like to join or learn more please email me at spiritjumper@spiritjump.com If you know someone who could use a Spirit Jump email us and we will give you all the information on how we can help.

We are also on Twitter @spiritjump

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1069667546422&f=1&e=-12#/group.php?gid=197520490523

RAFFLE

We are planning a big raffle as a way to raise money for Spirit Jump so that we can keep up with our rapid growth. In order to have the raffle we need some donations. Quilts, jewelry, gift certificates etc...would be greatly appreciated for our raffle. All donations are Tax Deductible AND we if you have a shop it will be showcased on our website, twitter and Facebook.

Email us if you can help spiritjumper@spiritjump.com

Fellow Fighter Destiny-Neurofibromatosis

2009-05-19T07:01:00.000-07:00

“My daughter Destiny is 9 and she has Neurofibromatosis (Nf). All I do is tell her story and I spread awareness to whoever will listen. You would be surprised how many doctors and nurses that don't know what Nf is for instance here is my daughter's story.

Destiny was 10 months old when she was trying to walk. She took 2 or 3 steps and then she sat in the floor crying, there was nothing I could do to console her. Finally, after a while, I took her to the emergency room. While there they examined her and found that she had multiple fractures in her right leg and they saw the cafe au lait spots and said that they were bruises after she was misdiagnosed for child abuse.

Child Protective Services took her away and 2 days later she was seen by an orthopedic who diagnosed her with Nf. Her broken leg was tibial dysplasia and psuedoathrosis which is a congenital bone defect that sometimes occurs with NF. That's how I found out my daughter had Nf.

Destiny has had several surgeries to repair her leg but none of them helped and 2 years ago when she was 7 she had her foot amputated and she now wears a prosthetic leg as a result. She was also sent to a neurologist who found the tumor on her brain stem and the optic glioma on her left optic nerve. My daughter has to have a MRI every 6 months.

All I do is tell her story. I do it because I want the world to know what nf is. If the world knows there can be no more mistakes.

Destiny likes to read, draw, sing ,dance. She loves babies and video games and loves animals.

for all Destiny goes through she is a true inspiration to everyone. She may have Neurofibromatosis but that doesn't stop her from striving to be that best that she can be everyday and touching everyones life in the process.

Surviving Mesothelioma

2009-05-15T08:29:00.000-07:00

Recently I was contacted by National Awareness Coordinator,Mesothelioma Cancer Center and asked if I could help spread awareness about this terrible cancer. Please take a minute to read this guest post and share it with friends and family.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of organs. This type of cancer occurs most often in the lining of the lungs (pleural) but can also form in the linings of the stomach (peritoneal) and heart (pericardial) as well. The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, a substance that was used widely throughout the 20th century in a number of industrial applications.

This type of cancer has a very low survival rate because mesothelioma symptoms lay dormant for 25 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. By the time the cancer is diagnosed it is usually too late for treatment to be effective. But, while the usual mesothelioma survival rate is less than one year from the time of diagnosis, cases of patients living past their predicted survival date are continuing to surface. With each survivor story that comes to light, current mesothelioma sufferers are gaining a little more hope about their future.

There have been a number of mesothelioma victims that have lived far beyond the typical one year survival period and a handful that have even been cured, with no trace of the cancer many years after treatment (though recurrence is always probable). This has perplexed many medical professionals as they experience difficulty in explaining why some mesothelioma patients survive and others do not.

Research shows one common thread – the immune system. Studies of those who have either survived or been cured of the disease reveal that most of these patients took part in some sort of treatment that improved their immune system. Some treatments incorporated clinical trials in immunology while others involved alternative therapies dealing with the immune system.
One case where this immune system theory proved true was with a man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma at age 58 (no name was given in the report*). He had a chest wall resection performed after he was diagnosed and has had no symptoms or recurrence since. His doctors think there was "moderate host inflammatory response" and that spontaneous regression may be an immune-mediated phenomenon" - in other words, his immune system played a role in his survival.

A number of mesothelioma cancer survivors have posted their stories on the Internet and have spoken to patients and their families with the hope of providing a brighter outlook for their future.

*Pilling, J.E., et al., Prolonged Survival Due to Spontaneous Regression and Surgical Excision of Malignant Mesothelioma, Ann Thorac Surg, 2007; 83: 314-5.

Fellow Fighter Kimberly Doyle-Eberhard

2009-05-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

My Awakening – Kimberly Doyle-Eberhard

In July of 1998 I had my first daughter, Faith. I was a single mom but very determined that she and I were going to have the best of everything. I would work hard to give her everything I never got as a child. After her birth, I was well on my way until I hit a big, brick wall.

At my 6 week post partum visit the OB/Gyn informed me that my thyroid felt enlarged and referred me to a Endocrinologist. Rather than hesitate, I made an appointment quickly. My first appointment was the regular, blood work, ultrasound, etc. The physician told me that there were multiple goiters and he wanted to monitor my TSH level and do a needle biopsy. A few weeks went by and I went in for the biopsy. It felt like a hundred years waiting on the results. Good news, it was negative. So, the plan was to continue monitoring my TSH and do ultrasounds every six months.

We continued that plan until 2002. Late 2002 I had my normal follow up. I told the physician that it was starting to feel like I had something caught in my throat. We knew the largest goiter (golf ball size) had been growing, very slowly. So, we made the decision to go in and remove the entire thyroid. We scheduled surgery and in December 2002 I had my entire thyroid removed. I went in for my regular post-op visit on December 17, 2002 and my life was forever changed. My physician walked into the room as white as a ghost. Here, on my 29th birthday, he had to tell me that the pathology came back showing cancer. I sat in complete shock almost thinking he was joking. I kept waiting for him to say “just kidding”. Instead, he took his time explaining what our course of action was going to be. I was sitting in this room all alone thinking about my daughter. It felt like everything was closing in and I was on the verge of collapse. Then, something changed, my fight instinct took over and I decided this was not going to get the best of me. I had a daughter to raise and I was going to be around for her.

So, we scheduled internal radiation in January of 2003. I had to go off of my medications and begin a low iodine diet. Radiation for the thyroid is very different than any other. You take a radioactive pill as an in-patient. This pill make you, the patient, radioactive. You are put in a room that looks like quarantine and the nurses and doctors are only allowed limited contact. I was in the hospital for 2 days. Upon being released, I was not allowed around my daughter for almost 14 days. It is imperative that the radiation not be passed to pregnant women or children. Being away from my girl was harder than the actual diagnosis and treatment. I had never felt so alone in my life.

The next few years included blood tests every few weeks and Nuclear Thyroid Uptake Scans every six months. Each time, everything looked okay so we stayed on the regular course of treatment. Synthroid 200 mcg.

In March 2007 I had my second daughter, Grace. Throughout my pregnancy we carefully monitored my TSH and I never had to change my dose. We did have to put off my scan for 2006 due to the pregnancy.

In September 2007 I had to see a new doctor because we moved to Colorado. During my first new patient appointment we went through all of my history. I also had new blood work drawn. The bloods work came back showing elevated levels of thyroglubin. The doctor ordered and ultrasound. This was the first ultrasound I had since removing my thyroid. A few days later I received a call that the doctor wanted me to come in and discuss the results. At that appointment I was told that there was a mass in my throat and it was in an area that can’t be biopsied. We scheduled a Nuclear Thyroid Scan to see if this mass would uptake any radiation. We did the scan, got the results and thankfully there was no uptake. So, the advice of the physician was to get another ultrasound in six months.

We moved to west Virginia in May 2008. I immediately scheduled an appointment with an Endocrinologist. At my first appointment we did an ultrasound. I have to tell you, I was not pleased with this physician at all. He took literally one minute to do the ultrasound and then said, “I’ll see you in a year”. I left his office distressed. If the physicians in Colorado could see this mass, how is it gone? So, I have spent the last year contemplating what to do and hoping that this WV physician is right.

Rather than put my life on the line I have scheduled this years appointment at UVA in Virginia. I am taking all of the films from Colorado and all of my past medical records. I am certain we will do an ultrasound. I just have to pray that there hasn’t been any growth. If there has and I waited a year for this second opinion, I will be devastated. The appointment is June 3rd and I am praying that the mass is merely scar tissue and no a recurrence.

I thought I was living life before the cancer. But, in hind sight I see I wasn’t living, I was just breathing. Although cancer is not a mere medical condition, I feel blessed that it opened my eyes to see the wonder that is in front of me. I live each day now as if it were my last. I love deeper, harder and more unconditional. I appreciate things that I used to disregard. Most importantly, my relationship with my girls is key to my continued growth and strength. Now I just want to be able to open up and share my story so others can see that the “C” word doesn’t have to be a death sentence, it can be an awakening.

Fellow Fighter Meg

2009-05-09T07:29:00.000-07:00

At the age of 14 I never thought I'd have to ever face what I would. I was a fun loving teenager playing competitive soccer, had tons of friends and loving life..... December 14th 1998 changed my life forever.

December of 1998 I couldn't get over being sick, I'd gone to the doctor 4 times and they had sent me home with various viruses and infections and of course the medicine to treat these. By the 5th time it was pretty apparent that it wasn't a virus or an infection, or if it was it was something nasty! I finally got in to see a real doctor (not a PA) and after poking at me for about 10 minutes he decided that he needed to take some x-rays to see what was going on in my lungs because they sounded pretty bad. I went back and had a few s-rays taken of my neck and then my chest...... I had no idea what was going on. About 45 minutes passes and the doctor came in and asked my sister (who had taken me to the doctor) to call and get my parents there as fast as possible. At this point I still didn't think anything was too wrong, I've since learned that anytime a doctor asks to have anyone called in it's not a good thing.

My parents showed up about half hour later and the doctor asked them to go into his office with me, he put the x-rays up on the light board and started to point out a bunch of big white things in my neck and chest. He kept saying something about Hodgkin's Disease, I of course had NO idea what the hell this Disease is but I knew it wasn't good. As soon as we left the doctors office I was full of questions to my parents. I knew I was going straight to the hospital for more tests but I still had no idea why. The next 48 hours were a blur, they were full of CT Scans, Gallium Scans, X-Rays, Ultra Sounds and Biopsy's. On December 14th, 1998 I found out that I had Cancer. My first thought was "how the hell do I have cancer? It's what old people get, not teenagers".

Trying to explain to a bunch of junior high kids that I had Cancer but that I'm going to be ok was pretty much impossible. They had to pull me out of school due to my immune system and it just seemed like none of my "friends" even cared. It was like they were too scared of getting it, or too scared of me dieing. That alone was devastating. I wanted them to support me so bad, I wanted them to come visit me at the hospital, I wanted them to call and see if I was ok, but they didn't know how to. On December 18th I had my first Chemo Therapy Session. I had no idea what to expect. All I knew is that I would be getting 4 different drugs and that it would take about 8-10 hours to get all the medicine I needed and I'd probably go bald and get sick. Fun stuff huh? Well they weren't lieing at all. I got to the doctors about 7:30am and got my freshly inserted port accessed and the meds pumping. I knew I hated this already. I didn't want to be there. I wanted to be with my friends more than anything....but I couldn't. At this point my attitude sucked, my parents were trying everything they could to make it positive, my doctor was amazing and cute, so were my nurses but something inside of me just hated everything about it. I thought it had ruined my life forever.

About 2 months into the treatment somehow my attitude changed totally. My mom is a high school teacher and all of these "older, cooler" high school kids had totally adopted me as their best friends and were determined to make me happy. I would come home from Chemo and my bedroom would be full of pictures and posters and stuff hanging from my ceiling. I had a full wall that they created that they named "Meg's happy wall". My parents are beyond amazing, my mom had a theory that every day we had to do something to laugh, she didn't care what it was but we had to! I think still to this day my mom can recite lines from the movie "Dumb and Dumber", for some reason that movie made me laugh so she'd sit and watch it with me over and over.

I walked into my doctors office one day for Chemo, I put out my arm out and said "I'm ready" Something kicked in. I was ready to fight this, I knew it was going to be a bitch but I wanted to get over it and live life! I wanted to be a Survivor, I wasn't going to let this win!

After 8 months of Chemo it was time for Radiation. I had heard it was a breeze compared to Chemo so I wasn't too worried. I went through 2 months going every day of Radiation and then it was the moment of truth! It was time for the final scans and check up. It came back clean!!! My doctor had warned me not to get my hopes up in case I needed more treatments but it was GONE! The thought of only having to go to the doctor once a month was a dream come true! I didn't have to puke my guts out for 4 days every other week, my hair could start growing back that I'd lost. Life was good! We celebrated like crazy!

Chemo was over, life was supposed be getting back to normal...but it wasn't. I attempted to go back to school but had a few problems. My immune system had been so damaged by the Chemo I wasn't able to go anywhere without getting everything everyone around me had. Finally that all got worked out and life was supposed to go on. Anyone that has had cancer knows about the emotions you go through. I felt so lucky, but at the same time I was so upset for having to be so sick..... I didn't know how to feel!

Since then I've been lucky enough to only have a few scares and just have my thyroid fail. I look back at everything that happened and it still amazes me and scares me, it makes me proud to be a survivor but makes me ache for those who have lost family members due to this.

Right before my 10 year anniversary of being cancer free I decided it was time to get a tattoo that would forever remind me of the awesome thing it is to be a survivor.

Cancer has changed my life

2009-05-08T07:36:00.000-07:00

So much has happened in the last two years. One minute i was a "regular" person in law school living life as most people do. Then I was a person with cancer, fighting for my life. Now here I am cancer free and living a completely different life than I ever expected.

I have worked so hard throughout my fight with cancer. Chemo, various types of radiation, more surgeries than I can count, law school, the Bar exam, having a kidney removed, Spirit Jump, Get The Bean....Often people tell me how proud they are and wonder how I was able to accomplish so much. The answer is so simple that sometimes it evades me. I saw my life slipping away, I looked at death and thought it won, I never thought I would see my 30th birthday, graduation or becoming a lawyer.

I fought like hell to beat cancer and then I just couldn't stop fighting. I fought to re-claim my life, to have all those things that once seemed impossible. My fight with cancer hasn't stopped and I doubt it ever will. A fire was ignited in me and each day it grows.

I AM A SURVIVOR! I am a woman who fought cancer and after that I know there is nothing I can't do. The cancer might come back someday but if it does I will be fighting. Each morning I wake up its my day, im alive and ready to take on any challenge that comes my way.

Can You Help in the Fight Against Cancer? Bid Now!

2009-05-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

This is a very Important post! Please read and pass along to everyone you know.

The picture you see above was created by one of our Spirit Jumpers in an effort to lift the spirits of a young child batting terminal cancer. Now she continues to help the fight against cancer by auctioning the painting off and donating ALL proceeds.

I asked the artist to tell you, in her own words, how she came to create this beautiful painting and why she is auctioning it.

Basically, I was doing the spirit jump for Sammie (handmade soap with a dolphin bath toy swimming in it!) and thought it would be nice to send a card to Sammie’s mum too. I decided to paint a nice relaxing sunset scene for her (I paint with beeswax) and I made a print of the painting for her, to put into a card. I thought it would be great to be able to raise some money for charity by auctioning off the original painting!! After some careful thought, I decided to donate the proceeds to the Anthony Pilcher Bone Cancer Trust based here in the UK. I chose that Trust because of the similarity with Sammie’s own battle with bone cancer – Anthony Pilcher was diagnosed at 14 and passed away aged only 15.

The Ebay auction is running for 10 days to bid please click HERE

I am taken aback by the generosity here and I truly hope that everyone considers bidding and forwarding this on to friends and family!

The Happenings of Meaghan

2009-05-03T09:02:00.001-07:00

Sorry I haven't written a post in a little while, lots of things going on. As many of you know I had my regular 3 month surgery on March 30. That went okay but when I went to get a little checkup before leaving the doctor decided that the next step would be removing the kidney. Thats when I had to make a decision.

As I was driving away from the doctors, eagerly awaiting my plane ride back to Florida the next day, I made a big decision. I am going to have this kidney removed before I do anything else. So plans were made, flights changed and I was on the road to getting my life back.

I posted about the surgery, it went well. The incision was much bigger than I had anticipated but it definitely signifies the battle I have been through. But its over now! No more 3 month surgeries, no more stents, no more cancer. I passed the Bar and my next step is to look for a job and start living life.

Don't worry this does not mean the end of my blog, its just the beginning. Cancer has changed me in so many ways and I still need to explore that. Spirit Jump is taking off and I'm very excited about that. Get The Bean is also lots of work and I enjoy selling coffee & tea with my boyfriend.

I hope everyone is doing well. I am now on twitter and if you are too please follow me and I will follow back. My twitter is @cancerlost @spiritjump and @getthebean ......lol I like to keep busy.

fellow fighter Briar

2009-05-01T04:55:00.000-07:00

BRIAR’S STORY: LIVING LIFE LIT UP!

“Each year over 190,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and the National Cancer Institute reports that 5-10% have a hereditary component!”

Just over six years ago I would have read this information and thought, "how sad for those anonymous far-away people". Who knew that in December 2002 I would be diagnosed with breast cancer? Everything went mercifully but freakishly fast! On December 6 2002, the last night of Chanukah, I showed my doctor a suspicious lump. He bi-opsied it then-and-there feeling it looked suspicious. On Monday December 9, I found out that it was a malignant carcinoma. On Thursday I had a lumpectomy and by the following Monday, I was meeting with my oncologist trying to wrap my brain around this while making significant treatment decisions. I had a case of "Stage 1" ductile invasive carcinoma---breast cancer, which was very aggressive (they say that when you have breast cancer under the age of 50, it is often more aggressive). When I received my diagnosis of cancer I could barely breathe. My mind went to a time, when almost 30 years earlier, my best friend's mother was diagnosed with cancer. She lived for several years before succumbing to her illness, and it was devastating to watch her die bit by bit. I saw myself as my friend's mother. I felt as though I had been handed a death sentence and that a bolt of lightning would flash from the sky in a moment and snatch away my precious life; my life that I was absolutely not ready to give up!

And so I had entered the statistical ranks! While I was in the hospital for my lumpectomy, I was regaled with voluminous bundles of literature from the American Cancer Society and other concerned parties. Among the information was a fact sheet about BRCA. "Hmmm", I thought, "I think I heard about BRCA at a women's health fair a few years ago---and I don't think this is a good thing". It was at that Hadassah Women's Health seminar that I actually was shown how to do a breast self-exam---something I started doing religiously going forward which saved my life! That's how I found my tumor. Among the information on the BRCA Fact Sheet, was a mini questionnaire. It suggested that if you answer "yes" to three or more of the questions you might consider that there is a genetic link to your breast cancer. Do you have a parent, grandparent, or sibling who has had breast OR ovarian cancer? "Well...yes, my maternal grandmother died at a young age of ovarian cancer." Were you under the age of 50 at the time of diagnosis? "Yes, I am 42." Are you of Ashkenazy (Eastern European Jewish) descent? "Yes, I am."

So there I was, a few hours post-lumpectomy, reading this information, and my heart resumes pounding at a new rate of hysteria! Oh my God!! What if I have the crazy mutation that puts me at a 90% risk of having breast cancer in the future and 85% risk of developing ovarian cancer? (The statistics of the gene expressing itself are lower if you have not YET had breast or ovarian cancer---once you have had cancer, you are at higher risk for future occurences of new cancer. Your risk for "recurrence" remains statistically the same as anyone else.) No! This just couldn't be so. I mean, the only person that I knew of in my family's history who had cancer was my mother's mother. I have always been so healthy. I had my children at a young age, and breastfed forever---factors, they say, which lower the risk of having breast cancer! I have always been health conscious about my diet and love fruits and vegetables. No!

So what does anyone in this situation do (besides drink heavily or eat bon-bons?) You go to your family, friends, and physicians and start polling them on their opinions and what they think. Could I have the BRCA mutation? My oncologist, ironically, thought it was highly unlikely and that I shouldn't worry too much about "that". THAT turned out NOT to be good advice! My husband, parents, and gynecologist were of the school that you can't have too much information and it's what you DON'T know that'll kill you. So, my husband and I marched off to the City of Hope and met with a doctor who is a leader in the genetic studies about BRCA! He was warm and caring and spoke to us in terms we could understand and digest. What I came away with was the understanding that if I had this mutation, I would be like a time bomb waiting to go off. If I had the mutation and removed my ovaries, I would have almost 0% chance of having ovarian cancer in the future and it would reduce my chances of having breast cancer to a wopping 60%. I could DEFINITELY LIVE with early menopause! If I also removed my breast tissue, I would reduce my risk of having breast cancer in the future to almost 0%. This was harder to get my mind around, but I WOULD definitely live without my breasts if I could live my life out fully and not have cancer again! I knew I would have to do the blood test, and that if I was positive for the BRCA mutation, I would have a challenging road to walk, but it could give me a chance at living out my full life span. I knew that if I was BRCA positive, I would elect to have a double mastectomy and ooferectomy.

I chose to do the blood test at my gynecologist's office. I paid for the test with cash under an assumed name so that my health insurance would not be in the loop and wouldn't penalize me if I was positive for BRCA. Within a week of my lumpectomy, and before even starting chemo I went in for the blood draw. December 2002 was a LONG month. By New Year's Eve I had built up a healthy veneer of denial, and was still a few weeks away from starting chemotherapy. Life almost seemed normal and my husband and I planned a romantic evening out. At the lovely restaurant, over champagne and hors d'oeuvres, I noticed my husband was a little quiet and out of sorts. As I asked him what was bothering him, a chill ran through my body. I knew. I was positive for BRCA1. I didn't know if I would faint, vomit, or die on the spot. I did none of these. Remarkably I survived!

What next?

We broke the news to our parents. Now there was a bigger question at hand. Where did the mutation come from and what was the risk now to my three children, and what were the implications for my sisters, cousins, etc. I assumed that the mutation came from my mother and, in shock, she stepped up and got tested. She survived the two-week wait to find out that she too was positive for the BRCA mutation but not BRCA1, rather her mutation was BRCA2. Now our family was reeling from the shock that the mutation had lain embedded in my family's genetic coding on both sides. Immediately my father, his brothers, and my sisters got tested. I received the BRCA1 from Dad. My middle sister tested positive for BRCA1 & 2, gifts she inherited from both my parents, and my baby sister was negative, having no mutation.

We got word out to our family near and far. We had cousins reaching out to cousins out to cousins. We started hearing stories of how breast cancer had stricken other branches of our family. I had a distant cousin contact me and thank me for the information. She too found that she was positive for the BRCA mutation, but not from the side of the family that made us related, but from HER other side!

I started chemotherapy in February 2003 and finished in May. Those first few weeks, prior to starting my chemotherapy, were so lonely and frightening. I tried to find information on my own about breast cancer and BRCA mutations by looking through the internet at very late hours of the night, but it seemed that time on the web only plummeted me into deeper and darker despair. I would find all sorts of studies and articles about the likelihood that I would die. I soon realized that I had to back off of the internet and rely on my husband, family, friends, and community to keep my spirits up. I resolved that I would keep my eyes on the present and really appreciate every relationship and every breath I had. Sometimes this worked, sometimes not.

I made it to and through chemotherapy. Chemo was very aggressive for me, and I was very sick for several days after my treatments, and then, just as I was actually feeling “back to normal”....boom....another sickening blast. The hardest part of the chemo and the surgeries that would come, was supporting and processing with my children. My beautiful smart sparkly girl was 13, and my sweet brilliant boys were 11 and 5! My middle boy had the hardest time, and it was when he saw that I was well, 2 years later, that he really expressed how tough and painful the whole thing had been for him and needed some tender---and not-so-tender--- love and care by way of an amazing therapeutic boarding shcool!!! What do you tell children? How do you tell children? And how do you live day to day beyond the descriptions into the reality? One of the best moments we had was explaining how my hair would fall out. My wonderful husband and I explained that just like sometimes anti-biotics give you a tummy ache, the medicine I would be taking would make my hair fall out, but with both, the side-effects were signs that the strong medicines were working. We decided that before the medicine made my hair fall out, we would take matters into our own hands and have a head-shaving ceremony. My daughter was the interviewer, my husband was the shaver and one son took photos while the other videotaped. Over the course of all my treatments and surgeries we became very creative and adept at making lemonade from the lemons---until there just were no more lemons! There was also a lot of hugging, kissing, and lots of snuggling and open conversations.

I read many books of encouragement and support about cancer over this period. I met another mother my age in my pre-kindergarten-age son's class who was also undergoing treatment for cancer, who became my friend and we went to weekly groups at The Wellness Center. There were times I was scared, but I found support and community. My children's schools rallied around me and my family, as did the community at my synagogue. People organized schedules to bring us food, sit with me while I had my treatments, watch my children and even take them for the weekend when I was having chemo. I came to realize how previously, before cancer, I rarely let anyone take care of me. I rarely gave myself time and space for rest and relaxation. I noticed that there were some "perverse benefits" to this "cancer thing", and that I was learning some important life lessons! I was learning to smell flowers and watch clouds float, ever-shifting in the sky. I was appreciating every small moment! I was noticing how loved I was and how much I loved. I learned to look at my children and know that if I died, they would be okay and would always have me in their hearts. I became able to stare death in the face and know that one day death would win---one day, but not yet.

One month after completing chemotherapy I had my ovaries out; a simple procedure done on an outpatient basis. That night I was cooking dinner. A month later I had my double mastectomy and began breast reconstruction, a process that stretched out over a year and a half. During this time, my mother who had had an ooferectomy fifteen years earlier, decided to have her double mastectomy and breast reconstruction. My sister had her ovaries out and was uncertain about the mastectomy. After a year she found what she thought was a benign lump on her breast and decided it was a sign that she should go ahead with her prophylactic bilateral mastectomy. Unfortunately, pathology indicated that her benign lump was not benign after all, and she too, having cancer, had to undergo chemotherapy---three rounds---and all the worry and fatigue and general yuck of cancer!

I have learned that my daughter does not have the BRCA mutation. I must wait a little longer to find out if my boys have it or not. We do not know yet if my sister’s children have it. The BRCA genetic mutation is insidious. It is carried by both men and women. It may or may not express itself---Women affected by BRCA have a higher incidence of breast and ovarian cancer, and possibly colon cancer. Men with BRCA have a heightened incidence of breast and testicular cancer, and may also have a heightened incidence of colon cancer. BRCA is also found to be more prevalent amongst Jews of eastern European descent, although is also found in Scandinavian, Asian, and African American populations. The expression of this mutation may skip a generation or may show up as cancer at a very young age. It has little predictability and certainly no sense of fairness----I guess that's true of all cancer: not predictable and not fair!

It seems that once upon a time ago, Tay Sachs was unheard of---and now all Jewish parents-to-be are tested and they are able to make informed choices about becoming parents. I hope that as we become more educated and aware of BRCA and other genetic connections to cancer, as a community, it will likewise become a practice in the not-distant-future, that testing becomes the standard of care, like Tay-Sachs. We may not be able to counter the effects of this mutation...YET....but to have the information is to have power. Knowing whether or not you have the BRCA mutation, or any other genetic anomaly allows for choice and clarity.

In my family, because I chose to be aggressive about gathering as much information as I could, I was able to have a huge impact. Having been diagnosed with BRCA1 I chose to have surgeries which have allowed me to live my life fully and without stress. I have been able to contact so many branches in my family tree and alert people to the quiet threat that could be waiting to claim our lives. I have heard back from family members who have tested negative and others who have tested positive---all who have been grateful.

I wish I could stand on a mountain top and scream out to the world, "check yourself", "know your body", "be informed and be bold"! There are so many areas in life where we get little say. We don't get to know when the next big earthquake or tornado will come, we don't get to know if today we will be the victim of a crime, or if the next time we fly if that plane will be air safe. However, we do get to be aware, conscientious, and proactive. We can set an example for others that can make a positive difference for generations to come!

Six years have passed and my life has been forever altered. I have lovely perky breasts and no cancer and a passion for wellness and speaking out about what I have learned and making a difference for others. I am loud and proud! I often get phone calls from women who are just entering this scary and trying journey, and it is my privilege to let them know that life goes on, and they will prevail on their path. We all know that there are no assurances in life, and there's no way to know when and where our time to die will come, and until it is that time, what I have learned is that we have NOW. I was so afraid of the unknown and the images I had of having my body mutilated from the mastectomy, of being ruined sexually, of being so disgusting my husband would leave me, of doing it all only to have my life claimed by cancer. I now know that fear is the greatest cancer. I have had three friends die since I was diagnosed with cancer, and I know that there, but for the grace of God go I. However, I have had luck and good grace on my side, and my passion is for life and living life lit up--- My husband adores me and is always by my side. I no longer look at cancer statistics as I did a few years ago. I am not happy that I have this BRCA mutation, but I am happy if my story can make a difference for others and save even one life. I am fulfilled knowing that perhaps others will be motivated and inspired to explore the etiology of their cancer and be fact gatherers and proactive participants in their treatment. I know that I am able to participate in my children's lives, enjoy my husband, celebrate life's special moments, and delight in my health and wellbeing because I chose to pursue the unlikely and the unthinkable and take radical, decisive, life extending action---Life is great and there’s no time to waste a moment of it. I live...surviving cancer whole!

Briar Grossman, L.C.S.W.
Psychotherapist and Life Coach
Co-Founder of www.survivingcancerwhole.com

For more information about cancer, my story, to share your story, and/or to create personal groups to support you on your journey, please see my website.

Surviving Cancer Whole is a website where Chicken Soup For The Soul meets Facebook!

Spirit Jump Changes Lives

2009-04-29T06:25:00.000-07:00

Many of you know about Spirit Jump my charity organization that I run with Stacy. However, I think there are still many who don't so I am taking an opportunity today to post about it.

I started Spirit Jump (SJ) in November of 2008. It was a small idea based on how I felt when all of my friends sent me cards, gifts, flowers and food to me while I was battling cancer. Each day I received something and as the days passed these tokens of love lifted my spirits and gave me the strength to continue fighting for my life. At first I thought the cards/gifts would stop shortly and that everyone would move on with their lives quickly forgetting about me. But they didn't. Each day more and more came and no one EVER forgot about me. I was not left behind, even if I tried. So I decided that I wanted to start a charity that lifted spirits and reminded cancer fighters that they were not being left behind but instead they were being cheered on and loved by many.

"I have received many emails from people SJ has supported and I want to share some of the things they wrote to me with you:

I have been more blessed with Spirit Jumpers then you will ever know. Not because of the gifts...because of the love, the support and the idea that there is someone who is thinking of me and Philip...praying for us...and cares.

In today's busy world..that is amazing.."

"I have been overwhelmed by the heartfelt cards and beautiful gifts complete strangers have sent me."

"I cannot explain enough how great it is to get a package in the mail and know that someone is thinking of me and rooting me on. In the Thankful Thursday Post we mentioned Spirit Jump and what they have done. The simple things really do jump my spirits in ways most never understand."

I just need you all to understand how important what you do is! These are only three out of the over 75 people we currently have who need Spirit Jumps. Think of the lives you touch, the smiles you bring, laughter, curiosity, joy, hope and wonder you bring into the lives of those touched by cancer. And not only the person who has been diagnosed but their parents, siblings, husbands and wives. The power of a small gift is beyond any of our comprehension. Do you understand what you are doing and have done? I dont think you do because it is indescribable!

I just thought it was important to thank everyone who has become a Spirit Jumper and I encourage all of you reading this who are not yet to join and do something that really matters yet is as easy as sending out a card that says I care.

I am posting pictures of some of the things Spirit Jumpers have sent out. There is something I have to address. I get many emails from people saying they do not own shops and/or dont consider themselves creative. I have to admit im one of those people who isn't gifted in the area of creativity but that does not stop me from being a jumper. If you are gifted in the pocket book consider purchasing something from one of the jumpers who does have a shop (their links are listed under jumpers on the Spirit Jump site) and if you are like me and not gifted in the area of hte pocket book simply buy a card or look to see if you have a couple extra in your drawer left over from Easter/Christmas/etc....Remember nothing is too small!

I hope you enjoy the pictures and consider becoming a jumper yourself. Just email me at spiritjumper@spiritjump.com and I will send you an email telling exactly how the program works and then you can decide if you would like to become a member:

DONATED BY:
NORADORA

Donated By:
Carol

Donated By:
Krissy

Donated By:
Kristen's Custom Creations

Donated By: Curly Q Cuties!

Donated By: Silver Sachet

Egg shaped Soap

DONATED BY: Marie Maglaque
Singapore
http://satinetsoie.blogspot.com/

DONATED BY: Barbara Plyler

http://www.cbcrafts.etsy.com

DONATED BY: Noreen Farrington

http://www.noradoramora.etsy.com

DONATED BY: Michelle Kolachi
www.kolachishop.com

DONATED BY: Barbara Plyler

http://www.cbcrafts.etsy.com

DONATED BY: Marie Maglaque
Singapore
http://satinetsoie.blogspot.com/

DONATED BY: Noreen Farrington
http://www.noradoramora.etsy.com

DONATED BY: Jean-Marie
http://daisycakessoap.etsy.com
Jellybean Soap

DONATED BY: Jean-Marie
http://daisycakessoap.etsy.com
Hockey Puck Soap

Hand-Made Pendants Donated by: Erin at Bits of Flair

Donated By: Dana Marie's Art

Hand-Made Pink Ribbon Angel Charms Donated By: Pat from The AngelPatch

Hand-Made Art Donated by: Frannie's Heart

Hand-Made Cards Donated by: Cards By Amy's Angels

Hand Made Cards by: UrbanDebris Artlog

Care Package Donated by: Eye Kandy Glassware & Gifts

Journal Donated by: CBCrafts

Hand-Made Crocheted Hat Donated by: Noradora

Donated by: Tabitha DeGruy

Hand-Made Breast Cancer Awareness Necklace

and Cell Phone Dangler

Donated by: Jewelry By Janine

Donated by: Constance Deeney

Donated by: Just Add Cake

Donated By: Sauk Mountain Lavender Farm

Donated By: Tara's TieUps

Donated By: Silver Dot Jewelry

Donated By: Crafty Moose

Donated By: Silver Dot Jewelry

Painting Created & Donated By: Tracy Griffin

Fellow Fighter Hope

2009-04-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

I’ve had many people ask me to share my story, to talk to parents of newly diagnosed children, why don't I post more about it and much more. To be honest, it's difficult for me. I have survivor's guilt. I don't know why I lived while so many others do not. With that being said, I will share some of my story with you. I want my story to give people hope.

Keep in mind as you read this that the amount of chemo, radiation and types of surgery I had were all experimental, this is a long time ago. (Okay, not that long, but……Just sayin…..) I am a case study. They had nobody to compare me to, so they didn't know what was "too much" or not.

Things are done differently now and so much more is known! My mom knew something wasn't right (like most mothers) and wasn't believing the "she must've hit her head to have gotten that knot" and "All babies scream like that, she's not in pain, it's colic....." Finally, after weeks, the golf ball sized knot coming out of my left temple was scanned. I was admitted and was given 3-6 weeks to live. I had Neuroblastoma stage 4. The Cancer had spread everywhere. Liver, brain, lungs, spinal fluid, etc.. My family was told to say goodbye.

At the time of my diagnosis, nobody had ever survived stage 4, Ever. I was dying. The surgeons decided to take me to the OR as a last ditch effort. What did they have to lose, right? I had a radical (for that time) surgery to remove as much cancer as possible. My left adrenal gland, left kidney, partial bowel in more than one location, appendix, gallbladder, over half of my liver, part of my pancreas, surrounding soft tissue and lymph nodes removed. I was taken to the ICU where I was given my Last Rites. I coded many times.

I had very large amounts of radiation to my left temple and abdomen. I also had chemotherapy in astronomical doses. It was even noted at one point that mustard gas killed cancer, so I was even given some form of that too. Crazy, I know, but I was a case study. I will say that the medical staff may have went a bit crazy with their experiments, but they were great people. My parents were struggling financially at that time (not surprising with the medical bills), so the hospital had a phone installed at my parents house. When picked up, they were automatically connected to the oncology/hematology floor. They are like family. They saved my life. (I know He gets the real credit!)

Some people think that once the cancer is gone, then you’re in the clear after a while. What you need to realize is that Neuroblastoma is TOUGH, as all cancer. It takes some nasty, toxic chemicals to kill cancer. Imagine what these toxic chemicals do to your normal cells. It kills them too. It alters them. Not to mention the radiation's effects. The destruction that Cancer has caused is still there, as is the destruction that the treatments caused. Add lifelong effects from the surgeries I’ve had while we‘re at it..

Once you've had Cancer, your chances of a secondary Cancer (different type) goes up. Radiation causes Cancer. Chemo drugs can cause Cancer. Ironic, Isn't it? I'm still checked regularly by Cincinnati CMC. The thing is that we really don't know the long-term effects of these things, which is why I'm still being studied.

I now have a beautiful family. My youngest daughter is battling many congenital birth defects. Among them are an array of upper airway anomalies as well as skeletal problems. Could the treatments that saved my life cause my baby’s health problems? It’s a very distinct possibility. We don’t know how my DNA was effected. Cancer effects your life no matter how long you’ve been in remission.

That is my condensed story of survival. I know I’ve been blessed with an amazing gift. I’ve been given an incredible miracle.

Using Twitter as a tool to Kick Cancers @ss

2009-04-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

Hoping everyone had a fabulous day! There are lots of positive things going on my charity Spirit Jump these days. Becoming a part of Twitter has opened so many doors for our charity. If you are on Twitter we have a treat for you. One of our Jumpers, @mccmarianne, designed a beautiful, personalized Twitter Background for Spirit Jump. And then she created another background that included the Spirit Jump Logo along with something personal for my cancerlost twitter account. Further, she did the same thing on her twitter page, the Spirit Jump Logo with her own personalized touch.

So here is my request: If you are a Spirit Jumper and use Twitter Spirit Jump would love for you to use our background on your Home Page. If you would like a little something to personalize @mcmarianne has been generous enough to do that for you.

The reason I would like use all to have this background is it will help bring exposure to our charity. People will visit your Twitter page and will see you are a Spirit Jumper, the website of Spirit Jump and a little info about what Spirit Jump does.

Here are the Spirit Jump Backgrounds you can choose from:

Design #1

Design #2

Example of Design #1 w/ personalization

If you are interested in using one of these as your background please email spiritjumper@spiritjump.com. Please include in your email which Design you like (#1, #2) If you would like to have it personalized please include that request in your email.

Meaghan Is Out of the Hospital

2009-04-24T08:32:00.000-07:00

CANCER INSPIRED TATTOOS

2009-04-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

If you have a Cancer Inspired Tattoo please email me and I will add it to this list megse5@netscape.net

I have finally been able to put together all the great cancer inspired tattoos. Hope you enjoy looking at all the beautiful tattoos and please leave a comment to let them know how much you like the ink. If you have a tattoo you would like me to post send me an email and I will add it :)

ERICA'S TATTOO

I got this tattoo in honor of my cousin Mark who I lost to cancer.

-Erica

TAMMIE'S TATTOO

I chose to add the angel wings to the ribbon because I felt my guardian angel was taking care of me through out the fight. The word hope because I sure "hope" it does not come back!! I had the tat designed at Tattoo You in Columbia, Mo just a few blocks away from Ellis Fischel Cancer Hospital.
-Tammie
KRISTY'S TATTOO

I'm 27 years old and had stage 3 melanoma. I got the hummingbird which is the melanoma foundation symbol which stands for wings of hope.

-Kristy

ALAN'S TATTOO

This is how I am living as a four-year stage 3A Hodgkin's lymphoma. I will livestrong for life! I will do my part. Even though I am in my own fund-raising event with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Trainings, I'm makiing a $100.00 donatio to STand Up 2 Cancer. I believe that we're all in this together. And I received a letter from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society confirming their cooperation with this effort and leading in the fight for 60 years, so I believe what comes around goes around. So if you have donated to Stand Up 2 Cancer or if you haven't, please log into my fundraising page and give to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Not only am I standing up 2 Cancer, I'm running a marathon for a cure!

Click Here to Visit My Fund raising Site
JEN'S TATTOO'S

These tattoos are done for every remission for my son who was born with infant ALL. The first he drew for his 6th remission. I have a total of 20 done for him, ever bday, remission and diagnosis date each year

BOBBIE'S TATTOO

A friend of mine is a tattoo artist, and after the cancer, and life altering surgery he drew this tatt, and then inked me. After it all, he gave me wingz. What an awesome tribute you are creating!!Props to you. Cancer is so hard to deal with. I was 26 when the journey started for me. Uterine and cervical cancer were both just too much for the chemo and my body to deal. Ultimately, last year, I had to have a total hysterectomy.

-Bobbie
SHARON'S TATTOO

I have several tattoos dedicated to my experience, but the photo you see basically says it all. Because I felt so blessed to have survived breast cancer, my life's work has changed dedicated to the Komen promise (thus the running ribbon). The three cherry blossoms are dedicated to three Komen volunteers who lost their lives due to beast cancer recurrences. Since getting this tattoo, we hve lost one more volunteer.
-Sharon

STACY'S TATTOO

Like me Stacy got her cancer inspired tattoo to cover up Cancer scars.

GABRIELLE'S TATTOO

There is soooo much stuff packed into this tattoo. I got the Chinese symbol ten years ago when a friend died. It means little brother. That tattoo got lonely, so I added the rest about three months ago. The swallow symbolizes returning safely home, so I got one for each of my children (Emma is six and Jack is three) They also symbolize my beating breast cancer and returning home to them. The cherry bblossoms are for my dad who died when I was three months pregnant with Emma. He used to take us to see cherry blossoms every year. And dont forget the little pink ribbon! So tthats my tattoo story :) This tattoo means so much to me!
-Gabrielle

JEFF'S TATTOO

Brad Andress inspired my tattoo. He has been my inspiration since I met him a year before he passed.

-Jeff

VANESSA'S TATTOO

"STEALING'S" TATTOO

RAVEN'S TATTOO

"PIORNACK'S" TATTOO'S

LYNZY'S TATTOO

This is the ghost orchid tattooed on my left hip when I was first diagnosed with cervical cancer at age 20. The ghost orchid is known as one of the most elusive orchids in the world, as was my cancer. I designed my own tattoo and it is the exact size of the ctual orchid. Both tattoo and survivor are as vibrant and vivid as they were the day they came into existence.

-Lynzy

JOSEPH'S TATTOO

The purple ribbon is for testicular cancer and cancer survivorship. I am coming up on 1 year being cancer free.

-Joseph

IRISH MAMMA'S TATTOO

HELEN'S TATTOO

My tattoo is the symbol for Sloan-Kettering Memorial Hospital and is where I go to get my follow-up's and MRI's (one more and i'll stick to the fridge..haha) The symbol actually means several things, the arrow going upwards is the ongoing quest to conquer cancer and each line represents something as well, such as education, patient care and wellness. They have this no where on the website, my Doctor actually told me and loved my tattoo.

-Helen

DEE'S TATTOO

DANIELLE'S TATTOO

CRYSTAL'S TATTOO'S

I got this one done at topnotch tattoos in Elign, IL. I went on my 2ndt year anniversary of being diagnosed with 3C papillary serious ovarian cancer on Nove 15, 2005 at age 22. I went with my 18 year old sister who also designed the tattoo. The words Faith, Hope, Courage are words I live by and so does the rest of my family. The 2 stars I have represent the years I have survived so far. Every year on my anniversary I will add a new star in bright colors. This year I think its going to be hot orange. I have recurrent ovc and have been on about 5 different chemos and will most likely be starting a new one this week. This is my 5th tattoo

-Crystal

I got this one done when my grandma, at age 63, was diagnosed with stage 4 peritoneal carcinoma-almost identical to ovca but starts in the peritoneam and not the ovaries. I got the idea because I love rosaries and I bought her one in this color because its the color of her birthstone(july) and I bought her one wrapped around a panda teddy bear.

-Crystal

ANGIE'S TATTOO

This is the tattoo I got after I lost my Mother to cervical cancer. Every time my mom had to go in the hospital I would take her a huge Butterfly balloon. She loved it so much and it made her smile. It was our thing. Before her death she told me she wanted her four grandchildren to write her a letter and then send the letters up to heaven on a butterfly balloon. We did exactly what she wanted and it was so beautiful seeing four big Butterfly balloons making their way up to her in heaven. So now I symbolize the butterfly with my mom and the smile she would get when she saw the balloon.

-Angela
ANGELA'S TATTOO

It is a lotus flower. I got it after I found out I was in remission 2 weeks ago, plus my 30th birthday is September 11. It is a symbol for life and new beginning.

-Angela

ANDREW'S TATTOO

My late husband was a Captain on our Fire Dept., and our son Andrew is on the Fire Dept. Andrew just turned 21 and got this tattoo just a few days before our Relay For Life in June 2008, in memory of his dad. It is the Fire Dept. Maltese Cross with flames. It says Capt. Strong with Mike's Fire Dept. # 9506, his year of birth 1960 and death 2005 and the blue ribbon is for colon cancer, which is what Mike had. Andrew designed the tattoo himself.

-Andrew's mom

Hope everyone enjoyed looking at these great tattoos. Some of the ones I got would not load up so if yours isn't on here I am working on fixing it.

xoxo
Meaghan

Fellow Fighter Scott

2009-04-23T08:28:00.000-07:00

MY STORY:

In July of 2002, I was diagnosed with a Stage 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme Tumor located in the right frontal lobe of my brain. That was 7 years ago and I had just turned 37 the month before. At the time, my wife and I had been married for 10 years and we had 3 children, Jacob (8), Benjamin (6) and Hannah (2). Prior to my
diagnosis, I had been having severe headaches that my Dr. just told me were probably migraines and not to worry about it and to just take Advil.

After about 4 months of these come and go headaches, my vision began to get blurry with the headaches. I had to call my Dr. again and tell him that this was not normal and that he needed to schedule a scan of my head.

Since I have a pacemaker (put in when I was 20 due to an electrical anomaly in my heart) I couldn’t get an MRI, so I had a CT Scan. Immediately after the scan was done thatFriday night, they admitted me to the hospital and scheduled me for surgery Sunday morning.

My family and I had the car packed and ready to go to Florida for summer vacation on Saturday. My parents were already there waiting for us (really bad day).after 5+ hours of surgery that Sunday, the surgeon had removed a 5 ½ oz tumor from my brain that had been wrapped around my optic nerve. When the pathology report came back the Dr’s told me that they don’t even treat that type of tumor and they recommended some specialists that I should talk to. The name that kept coming back was Dr. Henry Friedman at the Brain Tumor Center at Duke. They took me in right away and put together a treatment plan for me.

The Doctors told me that there was hope. I immediately began with 8 weeks of
IMRT brain radiation and began my first round of chemotherapy. Shortly after my second round of chemo, there was some activity in the surgical cavaty and they brought me into a clinical trial that involved a new chemotherapy agent and additional medications administered with it. The trial lasted a year and I did another 2 years of chemo after that.

Today, I am six years with clean checkups, I have a CT scan every six months and I have follow up visits at Duke once a year. Six years ago I had to make a decision to fight or rollover, I chose and still choose to fight. I made a commitment that no matter what they asked me to do that I would do it. No matter what the side effects or risks. As I see it, I had no choice. The alternative was unacceptable and I was prepared to do anything no matter how scared I was and I was scared. I didn’t listen to any of the statistics and stayed away from anything or anyone negative. I tried crying, but it didn’t help and I stopped asking why me and started asking why not me.

As Cancer Fighters and survivors, we can not sit idle and wait for a miracle. we must fight fight fight, stay positive and not give up before the miracle happens. NEVER QUIT NEVER QUIT NEVER QUIT!

I believe that as a survivor, I have a responsibility to help others that are fighting and surviving by sharing my experience strength and hope so that they too may see that miracles do happen and you have to have faith that you will get there. Faith is hope with a track record so don’t stop hoping and do not give up.

Update on How Surgery Went

2009-04-21T03:36:00.001-07:00

quick update before I pass out at the key board. The surgery went well and now I am one kidney & 1 rib less. Its hurts but its bearable.

I will write more about it but im on too much drugs for now.

If anyone wants to visit me or send something to the Hosp:

Hosp. New England Baptist c/o Meaghan Edelstein
125 Parker hill ave Boston MA 02120

Thank you all for the support u have no idea how good that makes me feel. Even sitting alone in my hopital bed late at night or early in the morning when no on is around I still feel all of your rooting me on!

Someone Needs Our Help Please Read

2009-04-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone I hope you all had a great Holiday weekend! As a lot of you know I got the good news that I PASSED THE BAR! I am so excited to get this good news and even better I got sworn in yesterday! I have to thank everyone of my readers for all the support, kindness and encouragement. Its been a tough journey but I hear I am a survivor and now lawyer too. If I can do it so can you. Just because you get a difficult diagnosis does not mean you have to give up your dreams!

I also wanted to share with you an email I received recently in hopes that one of my readers would have some advice or insight. Please read the following email I received and let me know if you can help:

Hi. Thanks so much for getting in touch with me.

I live in Johannesburg, South Africa.

I Went to my fourth chemo session yesterday and was told that it might be my last. That is, probably no more chemo needed. In three weeks's time, I will have an ultrasound scan of the left breast plus the axillary nodes to the left, plus have many blood tests. Then am scheduled to see my oncologist and a surgeon two days later.

Although my oncologist has twice said that I may not need surgery if my MRI scan was negative for a tumour in the left breast, he is now saying we need to see what the surgeon is saying. I have been to that surgeon twice already (my daignosis was quite confusing so ended up seeing surgeons initially) and certainly before I started treatment he recomended a masectomy of the left breast. He admitted there was no evidence of cancer in it, that microcalcifications might suggest cancer but did not state it was there and, providing my scans are negative as the oncologist believes they will be, think I might be placed in a predicament to have a preventative masectomy of the left breast.

If it will prolong my life and prevent the cancer from returning, think I have no choice but am very keen to speak to other women who have breast cancer without any evidence of a primary tumor in the breast.

Please visit her blog @ www.gillian-fromundermyhat.blogspot.com

Amy's Amazing Story

2009-04-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

I would like to introduce you to an amazing woman, Amy. Amy and I met online a while back when she emailed me about a product for her son, Philip. It was then that I learned about Philip who has been bravely fighting for his life since he was a baby. When Philip was three weeks old he was flown to Arnold Palmer. He had a large arachnoid cyst and needed a brain operation. At the age of 6 months the cyst came back and he once again needed a brain operation. Philip has had a total of 15 brain operations to date. He also has had a stroke and over 20 Orthopedic operations. To read more about Philip please visit his CaringBridge Page by clicking HERE

Amy has also asked that I ask all of you to pray for Philip's upcoming surgery to be succesful. He is having a major brain and spine operation May 12th. This will be Philip's 17th brain operation and 3rd spine operation. He has had a stroke on right side and now his left side is losing strength.

Amy has dedicated herself to her family and recently her family was given another battle. Please read Amy's story and leave a comment. If you are a member of Spirit Jump I have sent out an email asking for Spirit Jumps for both Amy and Philip. If you would like to give a Spirit Jump to this family please email spiritjumper@spiritjump.com

You can also visit Amy's blog @ Our Daily Blessings

My name is Amy. I am a 40 year old mother of 4. About a year ago I started to just not feel well. No matter what I did or tried I just did not feel like myself. My first thought was it was due to my weight loss. I had weighed about 223 pounds and been on a pretty strict form of Low carb and gotten down to 136. Instead of feeling better, I felt awful.

In Jan 2008, I decided to go visit my family doctor and explain my concerns with her. She decided to run some basic test , which all turned out "okay". She decided to send me to a rheumatologist to have them run some more advanced testing. The next day I received a phone call from the new DR office and was told their first available appointment was in 6 weeks. While I was disappointed in having to wait for so many weeks, I figured it would be well worth the wait to finally get some answers.

I guess it is never a good thing to place all your hopes on a DR you have never met before. I went to the appt and within 5 minutes she had me diagnosis and pushing me out the door. I left feeling more discouraged then before I went.

I brought the original lab work results from my Family DR to the rheumatologist appt. I explained to her that I was overly tired. That I was cold all the time and had no energy. I also told her I had severe bone pain to the point I was taking 4 advil every 4 to 6 hrs most days. I told her I had a thyroid problem that was very controlled with meds and that my check up with endocrinologist showed my thyroid level was fine .

The DR asked me if I happen to have any stress in my life. She noted that I was a mom to 4 children and that had to be very stressful. I kind of shrugged and said I think it is more of a blessing then stressful. I then shared with her that my oldest son did have some serious medical issues which included over 15 brain operations and a stroke. I told her that while this was stressful it was something that our family had been dealing with for a long time and I felt like my stress level was really pretty well balanced. This was all she needed to hear. She decided right then she wanted me to take sleep medication and a antidepressant. I was a little taken back..okay a lot. I told her that I really felt like there could be something medically wrong . She said she was sure I had and sent me off with the scripts and told me she would see me back in a month. I left feeling defeated and wondering if maybe it was all in mind.

Over the next few months I spent some time reading information on fibromyalgia. I wanted to see if there was a blood test or scan that could show if you have fibromyalgia The more I read the more I learned that it can be hard diagnosis and even harder to treat.

Over the next few months I tried to fake it till I could make it. I kept taking my daily advil and resting on the harder days. I would sleep with my heating pad...sweat all day...things just seem to get worse . NO matter what I did I just felt awful.

In September 2008 I decided I needed to go back to my family DR . My bones hurt so bad I could not even get out of bed some days. I also had developed a painful condition with my feet. It was so odd. They would feel numb but at the same time I had needle pains in them. Sometimes it was hard to walk on them .I explained to her what the rheumatologist had said. She suggested I go back and see my endocrinologist . She thought maybe there was a sugar issue.

My endocrinologist took some labs that showed my sugars to be perfect and once again my thyroid level was perfect on my current level of medication. The endocrinologist wanted me to see a neurologist for a follow up to the pain in my feet. They made me a appt for the following month for a appt and testing. Little did I know this new appointment would end up saving my life.

October 2008 I started having a odd feeling in my left side. I ended up doubled over and was rushed to the ER. It was found that I had a large mass on my left ovary. It would need to be removed immediately. I ended up losing my left ovary and my left tube. I can remember feeling like such a bad mom because it was Halloween and I could not go trick or treat with Cole my 4 year old. I promised myself that I would get better and be ready to enjoy the holidays. My path report came back showing pre cancer cells. It was a relief to have it removed and be able to move on and put it all behind me.

A few weeks later I had my scheduled appt with the neurologist to follow up with my foot pain. He asked me a bunch of medical questions . He asked me how I was feeling and actually listened to my answers. He decided to run some medical test including a lyme test. It was planned for me to return the Wed before Thanksgiving for a EMG of both my feet and to review my blood work.

November 2008...I go for my EMG testing . He said all the blood work that had come back was fine and we continued on with the EMG. As he is doing my test the nurse knocked on the door and brings in some blood work. He shakes his head and I think...wow that person must be getting bad news. Sure enough it was my blood work. He explained to me that while my EMG was normal I did have two blood test that concerned him. He asked if I happen to have any lumps.. I knew then I could be in trouble. I had a appointment with my Family DR the following week because I had a lymph node in my neck that was swollen and had not gone away. He looked at it and then said we need to talk.

He said I needed to see a surgeon and a oncologist within the next week. He wanted a surgeon to remove what he thought was a cyst. He wanted the oncologist to go over my lab work.

From that point on my life changed in ways I never expected.

My first reality lesson was when my caller ID said Cancer center. Wow. Then I had to actually go and walk into the office marked cancer center. I sat there and looked around. I will never forget that "feeling". I looked and wondered if the people there were scared. I wondered what was wrong with them. And I wondered if they would live. I just sat there and felt really bad for the people who were "really" there for cancer. As for me I was there for some blood work mistake. I met with the oncologist who seemed nice enough. He explained to me that I did have some blood work that was abnormal and could indicate cancer but he said he could assure me that it was a fluke. He asked me to have a bunch of blood work done and return to see him after I had my "cyst" removed.

The oncologist wanted me to get a mammogram. It was my first one. I felt empowered getting It done. Taking charge of my health. Of course my first one turned out to be exciting. They found something on my right breast and had me stay for a second one and then a ultrasound. They said they would send the results to my oncologist. The oncologist wanted me to have a MRI done after I healed from my cyst removal.

The following day I saw the surgeon. She was wonderful. She explained to me that we needed to remove the "cyst" . She wanted to me to have a MRI so she could have a mapping of where it was at. WE decided to go ahead and plan the surgery for right after Christmas. I left with a plan of action and was relived I would be able to have the holidays free of operations.

My MRI was scheduled for Dec 4th . A few days before that I noticed that I had a second lymph node. I kind of half joked that there was a baby one now. But within a few days I found I could not swallow easy and my neck was swollen with two very large nodes. The day I had my MRI the radiologist asked to speak to me after my scan. He said there was a issue that needed to be addressed. His first question was had I ever smoked. I said no , why? While doing my scan they happen to see some nodules on my chest wall that concerned them. He said he would be putting a call into the ordering Dr to let them know. I nodded and said thank you. I walked to the bathroom and sat down and cried. I panicked . I called my mom and my MIL and cried hysterical. For the first time I was scared. Really scared. I could not believe all this was happening.

That afternoon my Surgeon's office called and asked me to come in first thing Monday morning. What a wonderful way to spend a weekend...worried too death. She examined my neck and was shocked at the second one that had grown so large. She wanted to put me on a very strong antibiotic and move up my surgery date. She explained that she was not sure she would be able to remove the whole nodule. She said they were both very large and very deep. I had a very unpleasant test done on her office where they put a tube down to look at my vocal cords. I asked her if she was worried about the cyst and she said well...I still feel pretty confident they are cyst but we will not know until we get them out. She decided to do a cell biopsy and send them off to a lab stat. She also decided to have a pathologist in the OR so she has a better idea of what needed to be done. I look back and think..I should of known then.

It was decided we would do a PET scan to follow up on everything after we got the "cyst " out.

Dec 10th I went into the hospital for removal of the cyst and left in really and shape. When I woke up the first thing I realized was I had major pain in my neck and drains and a large bandage wrapped very tight. I whispered to my DH what did they find. He said we needed to wait for the results. I noticed it seemed that no one would look me in the eyes. For days I had a drain and bandages and the most incredible pain I could ever imagine. The pathology results were due to be back the following Monday. I found myself feeling like Monday would never come. I also noticed my DH seemed very distant. I figured it was just a lot of stress.

The Following Monday Jim was on his way to get me for my follow up appt and drain check. The phone rang and it was the nurse. She said she wanted to let me know that I could wait till the following day to come in because they were still waiting on the form and staging of cancer and they hated for me to try to get up and come in when I was in so much pain when the results were not back. She then said. How is your DH doing the Dr was very concerned when she came back to the office and had to tell him you had cancer when he was alone.

So I had cancer.

I called my DH and asked him is he thought we should talk about my cancer diagnosis. He came straight home and said he was sorry. He explained to me that he could not look at me and tell me when we did not know what kind or stage. He also said the DR said she knew I needed to rest from the aggressive surgery and they agreed to wait to tell me when the path came back. Someone forgot to tell the nurse.

I have been asked if I was upset with Jim for lying to me. How could I be mad. He gave me a few more days that I did not know I had cancer. He took care of me knowing that in a few days my whole world would change. He did it out of love.

For days we waited for the final report. It was then decided it needed to be sent to Mayo clinic. The DR saw me daily for weeks. I had to have the drain put back in days before Christmas. The Dr told me the pathologist told her that the whole nodules had to come out. He was sure if any was left it would kill me. She said she was so deep in my neck she had to get on the table. That explained the pain factor.

During this time period the DR noticed a few bumps on my face that had to be tested for MRSA. I ended up with 8 band aides on my face. I then had to go back in a antibiotic that was known to cause CDIFF. So that required some specialized testing every other day. It really felt like I was falling a part. And in some ways I was.

Christmas eve I got the call that the same infection that was on my face tested in my lymph node at MAYO clinic. A course of 12 weeks of strong antibiotics and a Infectious disease Dr was added to the team.

I finally got the diagnosis of NON Hodgkin's stage 2. I also had a secondary infection that needed to be treated. During this time period it was found that the original symptoms I had when I saw the rumetolgist was due to a underlying auto immune disease. .

I am doing a course of once a week chemo and steroids. I just had my second PET scan yesterday to check how the treatment is working. I need to see if the nodules on my chest wall are stable. MY new treatment plan will be based on the scan results. I have a MRI in June of my breast with a follow up for a biopsy.

Yesterday when I had my PET scan done , the tech happen to be getting my history. He said wow you have a lot of lumps in your body. I have to admit that was really hard to hear. I sure hope the new PET shows less "lumps" then last time.

I wish I could come here and say I am sure everything is going to be okay. But I have to admit that I am scared some days . This is all still new to me. Some days it feels like a bad dream. I find myself wondering how things turned out this way. How did I turn into one of those patients in the waiting room of the cancer center? But most days I feel strong. I am digging deep and finding a new stronger me.

I hope Meaghan will invite me back when I can share the great news that I am cancer free.

God is GOOD .

An update on my Health

2009-04-09T12:35:00.000-07:00

Some major things are happening and I thought I would let everyone know. Last Monday I had my routine surgery. They were going to try to remove my stents and hope that everything would drain properly and I could stop having surgery every three months. Unfortunately when they attempted this it was discovered that the scar tissue was too much and there was no draining. So, the stents were changed and I was sent home to rest.

Wednesday I went into my urologists office to discuss our next step, removing the left kidney. Just to clear things up my kidney is perfectly healthy. Its the ureters that are damaged. My tumor crushed my left ureters (I have two ureters on both sides). My kidney filled up with fluid and ripped open before anyone knew that I had cancer. When I was finally properly diagnosed I had bags put in and my kidney was given a chance to heal, which it did. However the ureters that were crushed remained crushed and also started getting scar tissue which made them even more damaged. I had the stents which allowed fluid to flow from my kidney to my bladder but those stents must be changed ever three months.

They are removing my kidney because there is no other way to bypass the ureters. We now know that we cannot simply take the stents out and let things work themselves out. We are also unable to cut off the bad part and re attach to the bladder because I had radiation. The radiation leaves all my organs thin and attempting to reattach would most likely rip my bladder.

Because of the radiation they are also not able to remove my kidney laproscopacly. They are not able to have any contact with my abdomen whatsoever. This means they will be cutting my 11th rib and removing the kidney from my side. I will be in the hospital for three days. For those of you in the Boston area I would LOVE some visitors. I will be at the Baptist from April 20-22/23 (2-3 days in the hospital not sure exactly which yet).

Look @ the fish Bryan caught!

Hope everyone is doing well and wish me luck!

Stress

2009-04-07T15:09:00.000-07:00

I have been reminded what a role stress plays in my life and I thought I would share that with you. Before my cancer i never gave stress any credit. I was stressed all the time and honestly didn't think it really had any type of effect on me other than, stressing me out.

After cancer I realized stress is a huge monster, one that can take my life and turn it upside down. When I get stressed, either physically or mentally, I change. Sometimes its a fever, other times its pain and most often its exhaustion. Its taken me about a year and a half to really realize the power of stress. But what I have learned is how to deal with the stress and to really appreciate how important it is.

If you are a survivor you need to really listen to your body. If you are feeling tired, rest. If you are feeling sad its okay to sit in your sadness for a moment but then do something that makes you happy. If you are feeling sick eat some soup, have a cup of tea or cuddle up on the couch and watch a good movie! LOVE YOURSELF.

Sometimes we forget or under appreciate what we have been through, what we are going through. This goes for the supporters and care givers too. In order to heal you must be happy, rested and most importantly you cannot let yourself succumb to stress, no matter how easy it is!

Another Battle Won

2009-04-06T13:48:00.001-07:00

Its been a tough couple of years for me. Specifically these last several months have been very hard. I graduated from law school, about 1 year after beating cancer. Then I took on the Bar exam. After chemo, surgery every three months, pain, stress etc...it was unbelievably difficult to study for the Bar. Then 1 week after the bar I had the MPRE (ethics portion of the bar). Then after the Bar and MPRE I had surgery, tests and PET scan. Its been difficult and the news not always good but today I did get some good news.

I PASSED the MPRE!!! I found out just a few hours ago and have been in a little bit of shock. Now I am just waiting for the Bar results, next Monday. Its wonderful to know that life does go on after cancer. That you can still remember things, be passionate and dream those big dreams!

Meet My Friends the Harry's

2009-04-02T05:59:00.000-07:00

I want to share an important story with everyone. Matt & Nancy Harry go to the church my father attends. They are wonderful, warm, loving people and they need our help. Please read the story bellow and if you have any advice, comfort or anything at all to share let me know. The nomination process is over but I think their story is extremely important and I wanted to share it with my friends.

I asked everyone if they heard that Extreme Home Makeover is coming to Western Mass. Humbly, it is to ask you to nominate us. For those who do not know, 2 of our daughters have Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy. This is a progressive degenreative disease that destroys muscle tissue as the child grows older. Eventually the ability to move will be lost and will result in death. This may sound harsh, but for us is no more then Life. Naomi, aged 9, is already to the point where her walking is a hardship. If we are blessed she will make age 10 or 11 before she is totally wheelchair bound. (She already uses a wheel chair extensively).Our house is a 16 year old modular with no way to reach the living area on the first floor without climbing stairs. Naomi has not been able to use stairs for 2 years now. The girls room is currently on the 2nd floor. Matt and I pretty much have to carry her upstairs and help her down. Children grow and it is very hard for me to do this. Matt is great, but I'm not sure how much longer he can continue to carry her upstairs. Our bathrooms are not handicap accessible. Of the 2 bathrooms in the house, the 1 most adaptable is upstairs on the second floor. Right now we have no Garage. Naomi cannot walk on ice or snow at all. When winter comes we must carry her to the car.That is not the end of the story. My youngest daughter Deanna was diagnosed at birth with Duchennes also. This multiplies the issues that we face. She is 2 1/2 and in 3 short years the same issues we now face will resurface.If you should know another family who would benifit just as much and feel led to nominate them by all means nominate them. We are blessed by the freindships that we have and are amazed by the support that has been so freely shown us.May God Bless You All.
Nancy and Matthew Harry

Enjoy Yourself

2009-04-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes life is pretty tough, well a lot of the time. That is why we must all remember to do things that make us smile and laugh every single day. Right now I am listening to David Saderis and man is he funny. Actually my friend Jessica is taking me to see him live next week for my 31st Birthday!! If you could use a laugh click HERE and please let me know what you think!

By the way it is free so that is a bonus! Just click on full episode.

PET Scan Results Are In

2009-03-31T09:23:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that there was some good news today....PET was negative! Thank you all for the prayers and healthy thoughts, it really helped.

Dissapointing News

2009-03-30T14:47:00.001-07:00

Not writing much because i just got home from surgery & very groggy with a ton of pain. As I wrote before we were going to try to remove these awful stents this time. When Dr. K tested to be sure that my ureters would drain on their own there was absolutely no draining going on at all. So, the stents went back in which really sucks! Im in a lot of pain and pretty dissapointed. Next we are going to take out the left Kidney. This will probably happen sometime this year.

I'll be writing more later.

Birthday Card From Bryan

2009-03-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

I got a wonderful B-day card from my boyfriend, Bryan. Its all black with write writing:

"To LAUGH often and much, to win the RESPECT of INTELLIGENT people and the AFFECTION of children, to earn the APPRECIATION of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to APPRECIATE BEAUTY, to find the BEST in others, to leave the WORLD a bit BETTER, whether by a HEALTHY child, a GARDEN patch...to know even one life has BREATHED easier because you have LIVED. This is to have SUCCEEDED! " -Emerson

What a great card and great words!

Surgery Is Soon

2009-03-28T07:21:00.000-07:00

* Picture of a butterfly that I took at the Boston Science Museum.

Tomorrow is my 31st Birthday and then Monday is the big surgery! If this surgery is successful that means I will be that much closer to being "normal" and recovering from my cancer. Let me explain....

I was misdiagnosed for a while. At first I misdiagnosed myself. I had spotting for about 8 months but thought it was simply stress. Law school was certainly stressful as was the day to day life as a young adult. Unfortunately I ignored the bleeding.

Then the pain began about 8 months into the spotting. A sharp pain in my left side, kinda like runners cramp. To help with the pain I took tylenol and eventually I was taking about 20 a day. The pain increased as did the bleeding. Finally I went to the doctor.

The first doctor actually gave me the correct diagnosis but I just couldn't believe it. Cancer....No way I thought. And that is what everyone else said too when i told them what the doctor had said. So, I got a second opinion.

The second opinion said no cancer. The PAP from the first doctor also came back negative for cancer. So I kept on going to school and trying to live life but the pain and blood kept on increasing. Finally I was bleeding so much I couldn't leave the house and the pain was so bad I stopped sleeping. Thats when I got a third opinion.

The third doctor said I was just extremely stressed. He gave me sleeping pills and psychotropic medication. Still I couldn't sleep.

Finally I brought myself to the ER, it had been 2 months since my first doctor appointment. At last I got a CT scan and the findings were not good. I did have a tumor and it was crushing my ureters which caused both my kidneys to swell. My left kidney had actually ripped open and the fluid was spilling into my gut. In short, I was dying.

The chemo, radiation and surgeries were successful and I am now cancer free. BUT, my ureters and kidney are still not well. I have stints in my ureters to keep them open, allowing fluid to flow freely from my kidney to my bladder. Unfortunately the stents are very painful and require surgery every three months. My previous doctor said that this was how I would live the rest of my life. However, my new doctor thinks the stents can be removed. If the surgery is not successful then the kidney is coming out.

We did try something like this last year and it was not successful. They took out 1 stent but I became very ill a few months later and they had to put it back in. Now we are taking BOTH out, im pretty nervous.

I will let everyone know how it works out and what my PET scan results are. Fingers crossed :)

#9 on Top 30 Inspirational Cancer Survivor Blogs

2009-03-27T15:49:00.000-07:00

I just got an email letting me know I was listed as one of the Top 30 Inspiration Cancer Survivor Blogs. #1 is Jonathan's Blog, which I wrote about a few posts back. I really think everyone should take a couple minutes to check out these blogs. Its a wonderful thing when those struck by cancer use their experience in a positive, life inspiring way!

Click Here To Check All 30 Out

Having a Blast!

2009-03-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a couple days. Bryan and I have been touring around Boston and its been a blast. We did the freedom trail and walked 7 miles on Saturday. I was shocked that I was physically able to do it, great sign. We have done literally everything you can think of during our visit to Boston and its been so much fun. Its a bit on the chilly side but nothing we can't handle. Here are some pics of our trip:

My First Blog Video

2009-03-18T13:58:00.000-07:00

I have decided to start adding some video's to my blog. Watch and let me know what you think.

Hate Cancer and Love coffee

2009-03-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to remind everyone that Bryan and I also have a coffee site where we sell gourmet coffee and fight cancer. There is a tab called "Charity Coffee". If you drink coffee and hate cancer please think of purchasing one of the coffee's under Charity Coffee. You can click on the coffee's listed there to see what cancer fighting charity proceeds will go to.

While we love fighting cancer and selling coffee things have been very slow at Get The Bean. We want to keep raising money to fight cancer but with the slowed economy and super slow business we may be shutting our doors down. So, please think of us when you go out to purchase coffee from one of the big chains. Our coffee is delicious and we raise money to battle cancer, could it get any better.

Visit Get The Bean by CLICKING HERE

"Dear Zachary" An Amazing Documentary

2009-03-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

Heart wrenching, warming and inspiring! This is an amazing documentary. At first I was not interested in watching it but it just kept popping up on my Netflix so today I just hit play.

I would LOVE if some of you would watch this documentary so that we can discuss. Its just such an amazing piece.

If you have a netflix membership you can watch it instantly on your laptop. If not please go out and rent it. This is a story that should be heard.

www.dearzachary.com

Newly Diagnosed With Cancer...Read This!

2009-03-16T09:49:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned the magazine CURE before. Its a great magazine/journal for those fighting cancer, surviving, supporting or care giving. There are countless articles with information on medical breakthroughs, suggestions on how to deal with difficult recovery, steps to take when newly diagnosed etc....

This magazine is FREE for those who have been touched by cancer. I signed up for it several months ago and was very impressed when I received my first copy. If you are interested just visit their website and sign up, its easy. www.curetoday.com

An article that I would like to discuss in this post is entitled "Dealing With Emotions, How to recognize normal reactions at diagnosis and when you need help" This is a great article for those who are newly diagnosed. The article talks about 3 stages: initial response, distress and adjustment.

For me being diagnosed with cancer was a relief at first. I had gone so long not knowing what was wrong and being told I was "crazy". Now that I knew I was sick and that I was not alone relief set in. But after the initial Shock and response I experienced I didn't know what to feel. I knew that I was suppose to feel something but I just didn't know what or how. I still feel this way and that is one of the reasons why I blog. To put my feelings out there and see if others feel the same.

This article talks about the many emotions that come along with a cancer diagnosis including, anxiety, depression, positive thinking and guilt. I have to say that a lot of the article is spot on. Guilt was one feeling I had and still have a lot but not something I would have expected.

ANXIETY:

This is one of the first emotions discussed in the article. For most people when they are first diagnosed they are given options. You get to help decide what treatments you will have, what hospital you will go to, when you will start etc...This is a lot of pressure and you don't have all the time in the world to make these decisions. How can you help but feel anxiety and stress. The article suggests you educate yourself on the type of cancer you have been diagnosed with, the types of treatments available and what hospitals and doctors available.

Personally I skipped this step. When I was diagnosed I was pretty far gone and there were no decisions left up to me. I was flown to Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and they, along with my parents, decided which treatments were best. We got started right away as time was of the essence. One concern for me that did cause anxiety was wanting to harvest my eggs. However, the doctors informed me that because I had to start treatment there was no time for that. Therefore, I did not have to make those big decisions, weigh options and educate myself on my disease. I can imagine how difficult that must be.

This article also provides information on how to obtain all the tools you need to help during this first phase of anxiety. They tell you how to find reliable information online and discuss treatments with your doctors.

If you would like to read more about this article and ways to navigate through your cancer journy please CLICK HERE. I have linked this post to the Cure Website and to an amazing resource they have there.