A Childhood Cancer Survivor Blogging about the World of Childhood Cancer

Posts tagged ‘cancer’

First Page Proofs and Livestrong Virtual Bikes

An overnight Fed-Ex package arrived today with first page proofs of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery!  I never thought I could be so excited about a box containing pages of my writing with marks all over it.  Somehow, in school, those marks all over papers are not as exciting!  Now, I have one week to look everything over and give it back.  I should be studying for my end of the year AP World History exam tonight, but I am having a really tough time tearing myself away from those purple-marked pages.

Did anyone else receive an email from LIVESTRONG today that tells about how we can help them, in the next 48 hours, to raise $75,000 from a RadioShack donation for the global fight against cancer?  All you have to do is click on http://www.livestrongaction.org/en/ride/jointheride and

Lance Armstrong at Tour of California, Solvang

 make your bike.  Join the ride and help fight cancer.  Really… do it now!

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Lance Armstrong and Grace

Yesterday, I told you I was speechless, and today, I have still not recovered.  I can’t help but think back to a year ago when I was battling for my life.  I think of all of the struggles, and I think of how people came along to lift me up… physically, mentally, and spiritually.  Can you imagine life without someone who cares enough about you to stand by you when you are completely incapacitated?  I am blessed.

Also, I think back to two years ago yesterday.  Exactly two years to  the day after I danced in my recital (the light at the end of my treatment tunnel) and celebrated with an amazing End of Treatment Party, Lance Armstrong sends me his book endorsement for Grace!

I admire Lance Armstrong very much for his dedication to helping others with cancer.  He could just “ride off into the sunset,” but instead, he puts enormous time and effort into making a difference for others, now and in the future.  That he has reached out to help children with cancer means the world to me.  I feel strongly, like Lance does, that I cannot just stand by on the sidelines and think, “Oh boy, I’m healed… whooptie-doo!”  I plan on using whatever I have, and all that I am, to work for a change for the better.  A change for healing, and a change for comfort, and a change for a bunch more love in this world.  And Lance has just come “under my wings” to help me soar toward my goal of helping suffering children.  This is a treasure to me. 

Can you guess whose quote will be on the cover of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery?   I think there will have to be at least three.  I will post the new cover very soon:)

And ARCs have been sent to press… I am so excited that it won’t be long before I can share!

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My Sincere Gratitude to Lance Armstrong

I know that I have toyed and played with my readers… teasing you about my fervent desire to have Mr. Lance Armstrong take a look at my book.  Today, yes today, I found out that he has read what I sent.  And oh my gosh… oh my gosh… oh my gosh…

Lance Armstrong gave me a thoughtful, caring, and amazing endorsement for Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will admit that I am glad that I am writing right now, because I am honestly still speechless.  Words have left my mouth, and I am here shaking my head, feeling all of those words rattling around with no place to exit.  

I love that Lance took the time to pay attention to what I wrote.  I love that Lance knows my words will help people.  I love that Lance has used his words to work to help find a cure for cancer, and I love how he has used his words to help me help others.

This makes me happy.  This makes me very happy.  I want my words to help others.

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Reason For Celebration!

If you could have just one thing in life, what would you wish for?

I would wish for my life!

Two years ago today, I finished my cancer treatments… yes, the year that followed treatments was even more difficult than during, but what a celebration to be done with treatment!  When I got home late this afternoon from Relay for Life book signing this morning, then rehearsing all day with NHS Dance Company, I found pink balloons in my room.  It was mom’s way of saying, “I love you… it’s a special day!”

I think I will gather stories from other survivors, and ask them what they did to celebrate their end of treatment.  Maybe they taped pink balloons and sticky stars to their heads and danced to “Funky Town?”  Maybe they wore Mickey gloves, or maybe they carried  a huge monkey donning a chef’s hat, apron, and a  basket of cookies. 

Or maybe that’s just me.

I know for sure that I am unbelievably grateful to be here.

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Nobel Prize!

Does anyone happen to know who Dr. Lee Hartwell is?  If your brain is clicking, you might be guessing he has something to do with the title of my post.  Yes, Dr. Lee Hartwell is a 2001 Nobel Laureate in medicine.  He has done some amazing cancer research, and I am beyond excited when I read about what his research interests are, and the medical advances he has contributed.  With people like Dr. Hartwell working to end cancer, cancer better run and hide somewhere in a deep, dark hole. 

Are you wondering why I am telling you about Dr. Hartwell?  Dear, kind Dr. Hartwell sent me a beautiful endorsement today for Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery!  I am very grateful that he would took the time to look at what I sent to him, and that he responded in such a thoughtful way.  I am so motivated to follow in his footsteps, and I know I will have to “apply myself!”  (This is what I always say to my brother, Dean, when he leaves for college… “Dean, I want you to apply yourself!” )

Crackin’ those books…

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Cover Design and Endorsements!

My friends, I am one excited person.  We finalized the cover design for Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery today… I am in love with my book cover!  My mom and I were joking, as I spurted my excitement about this, that I am going to have to change my “relationship status” on my Facebook Page from “single.”  We even took it a step further, imagining changing from “single” to “in a relationship” to “engaged” as my love for my cover grows!  It won’t be long before I reveal the book cover mystery:) for all to see.

I am very, very happy that endorsements are coming in each day from places where cancer patients can receive support.  Some of these organizations have even been so kind that they forward my information to other people, and foundations that they think will be interested in my story!  Now how nice is that?! 

So, even though my trip to the doctor’s yesterday revealed that I have a sinus infection and a touch of pneumonia, I have a big smile on my face, and a huge dose of gratitude growing in my heart.  I am grateful for the blessings of today!

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Subbing, Silliness and Dr. Josh

Guesses? 

There hasn’t been a correct guess yet for “Someone #1” or “Someone #2.”  I have had some very thoughtful ideas, but no bullseye yet.  Do you need Clue #2 for “Someone #2?”

First I want to tell you that all weekend, I have been thinking of Dr. Josh at his computer.  I wonder how it is going?  Do you think he is enjoying writing the Forword for Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery?  I am so excited to see what he will write!  Dr. Josh has a great sense of humor, even donning a cardboard crown for my end of hospital chemo party.  What a guy.  You know, looking back, I realize even more how much his kind and caring ways helped me express joy that day that I needed to let out.  Being my “substitute” doctor, he could have stayed aloof and indifferent.  But he chose to give me joy by participating in my silly party games, and by wearing silly props. 

Silliness rocks.  I love silliness. 

Thank you Dr. Josh… for subbing, for silliness, and for your kind gift to me and the rest by writing the Forword.

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Clue #2 For “Someone #1”

I loved being able to see many people who I love and care about today at the book signing for Relay for Life!  I was so surprised to see my basketball coach (who was an awesome coach,) Joe Moreno walk in.  Another wonderful surprise was Nat Fast showing his always incredible smile and warmth, and if you haven’t seen his artwork… well, it is way past time!  (Faculty Emeritus, Art Department, Allen Hancock College/PCPA Associate Artist)  Barbara Miller, my homeschool teaching advisor for several years before I got sick surprised me too.  And then, there were Gramma and Poppy who are always there to love and support me. 

It was fun sharing, and the people who came asked really good questions.  It seemed like everyone had fun, and we raised money to fight back against cancer.  Very, very, very cool.

On to the Guessing Games…

Okay, now for clue #2 for “Someone #1.”

Do you remember clue #1?

Anyway, clue #2 for “Someone #1” is “Type of.”

Wait till you see the prize! 

By the way, have you figured out who “Someone #2” is yet?

Wow, you are quite sharp, aren’t you?

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Kairol Rosenthal

My favorite thing about the whole book endorsement process is meeting new people.  It has been fascinating, and an amazing study in human nature.  I love seeing how people respond.

One person who responded with tremendous warmth and kindness is Kairol Rosenthal, author of Everything Changes: The Insider’s Guide to Cancer in Your 20s and 30s.  Besides being a fellow cancer survivor, she shares my love of dance as well.  It means so much to me that she took her very valuable time to read my work, and she responded with a heartfelt and well-thought out endorsement for Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery.  

Kairol told me that she gets inundated with endorsement requests from authors who write about their cancer experience.  I can imagine her email inbox exploding.  And then I very gratefully acknowledge what she has done for me.   Kairol, thanks so much for showing your care for cancer kids in such a beautiful way.

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Jeff Foxworthy is a Hero for Kids!

Did you know that Jeff Foxworthy has been a fundraising chariman for Duke Children’s Hospital for fifteen years, and he has worked with Camp Sunshine in Atlanta for over a decade. I have to say that this touches my heart so deeply… that he would commit to help sick children for many years.  He is genuinely concerned for cancer kids, and he shows it by giving his time, and by giving from his heart. 

Can I share with you the latest gift he has shared with a “cancer kid?”

Jeff Foxworthy wrote me a kind, encouraging, supportive, and inspiring email, and guess what?!

 Mr. Jeff Foxworthy wrote a beautiful book endorsement for Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey through Cancer and Recovery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can tell by his words that he really does spend time with kids who are battling cancer.  In this world that is becoming more and more devoid of people we can look up to for an example of how to live our lives, Jeff Foxworthy has given me something to reach for.  Integrity is a wonderful thing to share.  Please excuse me while I go cry happy tears.

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