Getting Involved!!

I have recently had the opportunity to connect with other brain tumor survivors through a couple different online services. One is through a LinkedIN group called Immerman Angels. The Imerman Angels are a group of people dedicated to the support of people with cancer. Here is a blurb straight from their website...(http://www.imermanangels.org/)

Imerman Angels connects a person fighting cancer today ("cancer fighter") with someone who has beaten the same type of cancer ("cancer survivor"). The relationship provides a fighter the opportunity to ask personal questions and receive encouragement from someone who is uniquely familiar with the situation. The relationship provides a survivor the opportunity to personally help a fighter as he or she battles the disease

I found these guys and joined their online group, while in the normal course of business using an online networking tool called LinkedIN, which in essence is the MYSpace or Facebook for business networking.

What a great organization and concept. As I have been going through this treatment & healing process, I have been blessed with an amazing support team. A group of people that keep me strong, keep me fighting, and keep me sane! What I have found is that not everyone has the amazing level of strength of a support group that I do.

I can't imagine facing the battle OF and FOR your life without support!

I am in the process of becoming one of Immerman's Angels. I want to be able to directly connect with people that are fighting the same Cancer that I am fighting. I want to be able to channel the power that each of you have given me to give to others.

As you can see, I am extremely excited about this opportunity. I have wanted to give back by working with other Cancer Fighters. I have finally found a way to do that in a one on one basis!

I will find out more about the organization and the process to get involved over the next week. I will let you know what I find. Wish me luck, as this could be the way to share the power that each of you gave me with others who are in need.

Thank you to all who have given me the strength to get to this point!

Check these guys out...its a pretty cool organization! http://www.imermanangels.org/

Peace Out!

PS. By the way, I know the first thing I will share with other CANCER Fighters...How to get around...the "Cool Way" SCOOTERS RULE!

Health Update!

I apologize for not writing more often, but I have been caught up in NORMALITY...Not sure if that is a word, but what the heck!

So last Wednesday night, Kim and I had a remake of the "Snow Days" from Jan/Feb and went up to Madison and stayed at the hotel next to the "Brain Clinic". We of course got our standard UPGRADE and stayed in what Kim and I call...the Cloud Room! Great room with a comfy bed, and a nice LCD Flat Screen.

We did this, for a reason, and not because we like to vacation in Madison... :). The reason was my latest MRI. The MRI was at 7:15am, and I had to check in at 6:45am so we decided to go up early. We got to the hotel, checked in, and then hung out and watched TV...what an exciting get away...

The getaway did have a great ending, however, here it is straight from the MRI Report

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The current MRI is compared with the prior MRI July 24, 2008.

Findings:
Stable exam. Stable postoperative change or right middle cranial fossa. New mass or abnormal enhancement is not identified. Stable white matter changes in the right hemisphere. There is nonenhancing high signal which persists at the inferior aspect of the right frontal lobe, extending posteriorly along the surgical margin, to involve the HIPPOCAMPUS. These regions are also stable. Stable ventricular system.
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Ok, now that you have all had your Medical Terminology lesson for today, I will give extra credit for anyone that can tell me what the hell a Hippocampus is, and what the hell it is doing in my head. :) Dem Smart Docs tell me it means that I am ROCKING AND ROLLING along this healing process!

Seriously, I am mid stream on cycle 7 of Temodar. I have 5 more cycles after this one, and I have 3 more months until I hit the 1 YEAR MARK! Life is not good, it is FANTASTIC!!

PS...the above means...I am doing great, and that Dr. Crute continues to be my hero, and the greatest Neurosurgeon on the planet! :)

I promise to get back in the swing and write more often, but as you can tell I am loving living!

PEACE OUT!

***********************************EDITOR's NOTES**************************************

WE HAVE A WINNER! I have already received my first correct response as to what a HIPPOCAMPUS IS...Thank You Val! See Below! (NOTE THE GUY IN THE TENT)

Not to be out done, Mr. Mark Patrick has found a picture of the University of Talbott Hippo-Campus...See Below.