Happy belated holidays from Diet Cancer.
2012 is finally here and I know it's a going to be a great year. We ended on a high note in December and want to carry the momentum forward. There's a lot of good things happening this year so lets live it up, I mean if the Apocalypse is really coming in December we have to go out on a high note. Don't hold back, just wear sunscreen.
It's official MelaNoMo'! INC. is now a non profit company. We are up and running and wanted to thank Gary Arnold, the Caswell family, Milner family, and also the Owings brothers at the Ozone Sports Institute to be the first contributors to MelaNoMo INC. We have laid a great foundation and plan to expand this year beyond our annual BBQ, to have a kayak race, pub crawl, and more. It's a whole lot more fun to raise money doing something you enjoy (eat,drink,kayak). The website is under construction, but will be up shortly where there will be pictures, videos, posts, and other melanoma survivors testimonials. It is melanomo.org and we expect it to be running in February.
I'm sort of a procrastinator so I set my new years resolution starting February 1st. Anyway it's just amateur hour at the gym so I'll let them thin out and then I will be back getting into that new years shape.
Also it's is very important to pay attention to the blog and website in the near future to what MelaNoMo'! will have to offer later in the year. It is going to be groundbreaking and will definitely add that "winning touch" to melanoma awareness and prevention.
Here's a tribute to all who have attended our fundraisers over the past 3 years, watch, enjoy, and judge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcHR3fZhwB4
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
NED
-Groundhogs Day
Groundhogs day is a classic that you either love it or hate it. I love it, Margaret not so much. Am I right or am I right, am I right, amirite?
We definitely had some groundhog days earlier this year in the battle. But we did it! We didn't just go through the motions in fighting this. We knew we would do whatever it takes and took a proactive route to find out what is the best path. How can a disease with so few options have so many life altering decisions? Emory or Moffit? Moffit or MDA Anderson? Surgery/no surgery? IL-2 or TIL? Cream or sugar? Beatles or Stones? You can really drive yourself crazy second guessing yourself when dealing with something as serious as this, but when you have faith and choose a path knowing that it's in Gods hands and do it without looking back it's a powerful feeling and even more so when you get the results that you wanted.
Our hopes going into the appt on 12-6-11 were that the tumors were going to be stable. This was not the case. The tumors were gone. I don't have cancer. That's a good x-mas present. That was the results that we wanted.
We started our fundraiser in 2008 called MelaNoMo'! That name sounds fitting to me now and I plan on staying MelaNoMo'! The battle is won but...... We will continue to be monitored closely by oncologist and dermatologist shooting for that pinnacle 5 year mark. But for now I will take being NED (no evidence of disease).
I have to thank everyone who kept us in their thoughts and prayers. Some of you did something right so keep it up.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Vocab word of the day
New word for people not familiar with melanoma
NED: no evidence of disease!
Neil Gaines: NED!!!
NED: no evidence of disease!
Neil Gaines: NED!!!
Monday, November 28, 2011
PET of the week.
According to dictionary.com:
PET:
PET:
1.any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately.
2. a person especially cherished or indulged; favorite.
3.a thing particularly cherished.
In this instance I am going to go with definition number 3. In a week from today I am going back to Emory to have my follow up thing particularly cherished Scan. I have been a pet lover my entire life because a pet can bring so much joy and life to someone. So a PET scan will be no different come next Tuesday when I am sitting in that same stupid patient room that has a horrific melanoma poster, next to one of those one-word posters like, Attitude or Preserverance, and then a butterfly painted on the ceiling(I stare at all 3 and get confused). But when the doctor or nurse can come in and say everything looks great, it brings joy and life in every meaning of the word. So I look forward to getting a thing particularly cherished scan next week. I am thankful for all of the prayers and keep them coming. Go Dawgs.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Dog Days
"I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren’t certain we knew better. They fight for honor at the first challenge, make love with no moral restraint, and they do not for all their marvelous instincts appear to know about death. Being such wonderfully uncomplicated beings, they need us to do their worrying."
~George Bird Evans
If you have kept up with this blog then you have heard me mention Stoli aka Wild Man. The only thing that is bigger than his head (or balls) is his heart. He will literally cry when you walk into the house after work. Imagine if someone or something made you that happy. How weird would it be if I cried everytime I saw Margaret, or friends or family? He loves people that much. There is something about this dog, or anydog that can just make you forget about stress at work, money, or dealing with cancer. I don't know what it is but, I wish we all had it.
Jennifer Arnold(margaret and I's aunt) might have the answer to this. Her second book came out today and is a must buy for any dog lover. She is the founder of Caninne Assistants, a non-profit which trains dogs to assist people with varying disabilities. She does amazing things for humans and human's best friend. This would be the ideal gift for the holidays and a great heart warming read. It's called "In a Dogs Heart." Please check out the link.
http://www.tabsite.com/Canine-Assistants
90% of the pictures on my phone are of my dog, enjoy:
~George Bird Evans
If you have kept up with this blog then you have heard me mention Stoli aka Wild Man. The only thing that is bigger than his head (or balls) is his heart. He will literally cry when you walk into the house after work. Imagine if someone or something made you that happy. How weird would it be if I cried everytime I saw Margaret, or friends or family? He loves people that much. There is something about this dog, or anydog that can just make you forget about stress at work, money, or dealing with cancer. I don't know what it is but, I wish we all had it.
Jennifer Arnold(margaret and I's aunt) might have the answer to this. Her second book came out today and is a must buy for any dog lover. She is the founder of Caninne Assistants, a non-profit which trains dogs to assist people with varying disabilities. She does amazing things for humans and human's best friend. This would be the ideal gift for the holidays and a great heart warming read. It's called "In a Dogs Heart." Please check out the link.
http://www.tabsite.com/Canine-Assistants
90% of the pictures on my phone are of my dog, enjoy:
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| Stoli hoggin the window from Chauncey |
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| Blood Mtn |
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| spoiled! |
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| Birthday visit @ Emory |
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| @ the beach. |
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| Gameday |
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| Chauncey is almost human |
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| Stoli catching up with neighborhood pal. |
Friday, September 30, 2011
"Oh Happy Day"
MelaNoMo'!
It was just an idea that Graham and I brewed up over 3 years ago to create an event to bring family and friends together at a scenic venue for a common cause. I was knee deep in interferon and the side effects that come along with it, so I was unable to work full time but I felt the need to do something proactive about melanoma in a fun celebratory style.
Who wants to walk for three days? Or walk from 8 pm to 8 am around a track? Hear the same bone chilling sad stories about cancer? That's not our style. MelaNoMo'! might be the funnest cancer fundraiser this side of the misipi. It was just a good ole' fashioned fall Saturday. Friends and family came in numbers and brought their appetites, thirst, checkbooks, and most importantly everyone brought a positive ambiance that became contagious throughout the day. Everyone was all smiles and enjoying such a "happy day". The word melanoma is scary and nasty, but now the word MelaNoMo'! Hopefully can bring life and joy and is known for changing the lives in many people that are affected by it. The weather was perfect, johnny's BBQ was excellent, UGA beat Ole Miss, JP Parker Smith Adam Strong & Will Begnaud sounded great on stage, and we even had a Heineken keg. It really all came together in the end to make it the best MelaNoMo'! we have had to date. (going to be hard to top)!!
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| Can you say, "Thank You" |
I can not thank the people that made this years MelaNoMo! Event an absolute success enough. We have surpassed our fundraising goals of $20,000 and are closing in on reaching $30,000!!! This is going to the Melanoma Research Foundation that will use this to fund grants and research trials to help find a cure and create better treatment options, but also they educate and advocate current melanoma patients around the world. THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME!!
Accessnorthga.com put together a video the party, check out the link below:
Also 50/50 is a movie that is coming out this weekend, and I'm pretty sure that it's based on my blog although I'm not getting any royalties. It is a true story of a guy in his mid 20's getting diagnosed with cancer and using humor and a good attitude to get through the difficult times. It's supposed to be the best medicine. Check it out.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Quartely Statements.
The last quarters numbers are in and they are looking pretty good!
This doesn't refer to the economy nor does it reflect the last 15 minutes of the UGAvBoise game. My CT and MRI took place earlier this week and we like what we see. There is no sign of progression anywhere, and the spots that they believed "might" be cancer are still responding to the medicine and have been shrinking. Hells yea.
As we were anxiously awaiting the scan results, sitting on the toilet paper wrapped table, I was playing with the ear and eye instruments when the nurse walked in. CAUGHT! She didn't care and nonchalantly said scans look good. Not knowing how to react Marge and I just did a quick high-five, and moved on about what's the next move. So in 3 months we will have a PET scan in December and are expecting even better numbers in the last quarter to wrap up 2011. I hope that the economy and UGA football can do the same. We are truly thankful for every one's thoughts and prayers and thankful for the results that we are seeing.
I also wanted to thank everyone for the tremendous response we are already getting for MelaNoMo'! which is on 9-24-11. Our goal of raising $20,000 to go towards research grants and patient advocate programs is in reach. Check out www.firstgiving.com/melanomo.
Go Dawgs this weekend, but more importantly GO AMERICA!!
This doesn't refer to the economy nor does it reflect the last 15 minutes of the UGAvBoise game. My CT and MRI took place earlier this week and we like what we see. There is no sign of progression anywhere, and the spots that they believed "might" be cancer are still responding to the medicine and have been shrinking. Hells yea.
As we were anxiously awaiting the scan results, sitting on the toilet paper wrapped table, I was playing with the ear and eye instruments when the nurse walked in. CAUGHT! She didn't care and nonchalantly said scans look good. Not knowing how to react Marge and I just did a quick high-five, and moved on about what's the next move. So in 3 months we will have a PET scan in December and are expecting even better numbers in the last quarter to wrap up 2011. I hope that the economy and UGA football can do the same. We are truly thankful for every one's thoughts and prayers and thankful for the results that we are seeing.
I also wanted to thank everyone for the tremendous response we are already getting for MelaNoMo'! which is on 9-24-11. Our goal of raising $20,000 to go towards research grants and patient advocate programs is in reach. Check out www.firstgiving.com/melanomo.
Go Dawgs this weekend, but more importantly GO AMERICA!!
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