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.

Health and Friends

This has been a big week. I will start with a health update. Met with Dr. Ian on Tuesday. This was just a check up and to get my Chemo pills for the month. He says that I am doing great! I am in my 6th cycle of chemo (Temodar) and have 6 more to go. We talked alot about how treatment will go forward. After 6 more cycles, I will be done with Chemo. I will continue to get scans every 2-3 months indefinitely. The goal again of this disease is to make it chronic so we just treat it forever. Dr. Ian described it in a great way. "The goal of my treatment is to make this disease chronic and treatable, like diabetes or heart disease. The only difference is that after 5 years of no reoccurence, Heart Disease, and Diabetes aren't considered cured...Brain Cancer is." He said that on his way out the door. When one of North America's Top Neuro Oncologists talks of hope and promise for my Brain Cancer prognosis....I tend to listen. :) So, I am Feeling Great, Loving Life, and growing healthier with every DAY!

I left Madison on Tuesday, only to pack up my Chemo Drugs and get on a plane on Wednesday for a working trip to Dallas, TX and the New Horizons International Conference.

Now, I have been involved with New Horizons internally, or as a partner for 9 or 10 years. Every year, this conference has been a summer ritual. Many of the people of New Horizons that I have met over the years have become my friends and mentors. They have helped me to grow as a leader and as a sales professional.

So when I arrived this year, I expected to see the same conference and atmosphere that I see every year. I underestimated the reach of my friend Marky P. Through his communication of my condition and journey, he has reached a huge contingent of my New Horizons friends.

The reception that I have received has been amazing! I run into people in the halls, and the outpouring of true good wishes and emotion has been tremendous. For those of you that are reading this that I have had an opportunity to see this week....THANK YOU. I can not tell you how good it feels to be here and to see good friends. It is things like this in life that makes me realize how rich my life has been and continues to be. You all give me strength!

NOW FOR ALL OF YOU AT NH.... SHOULDN'T YOU BE READING SOME RECORDS!! :)

Free to Ride

As has been the case for months, my doctor has put restrictions on my ability to drive. This has been a severely limiting restriction. I have had to burden the people I work with, friends, and Kim to allow me to get to Business Appts, Dr. Appts, and just out of the house errands.

I understand the rationale from the Doctor's perspective. They are afraid that I will have a seizure while driving (although I have not had one to date) and cause an accident. The biggest reason that I honor the Dr's wishes is that I don't want to take the chance of hurting someone else.

It is what it is, is our mantra, so I continue to follow his wishes. Dem Smart Docs know what they are doing. I am LIVING proof. :)

With the summer rolling through, the only chance I have to let my hair blow in the wind is riding my lawn mower!

But then it hit me! The doc is ok with me riding the lawn mower, and riding the golf cart, so why not a Scooter? Hell, my lawn mower has a bigger motor.

Now we had this idea several months ago, but never proceeded down the path. We have finally done it. Kim and I have purchased 2 - 49.5cc scooters! They are perfect for a trip in town down to the coffee shop, the gym, and even the ice cream shoppe. I think I could ride my bike faster than the scooter goes, but what the hell, I am FREE to get out of the house and let the wind blow in my HAIR! Did I mention I was bald?

So as a tribute to my new freedom, I asked a couple of friends to take a ride with me. We got a picture of it and I thought I would share. I hope you enjoy.

Peace out!

ENUFF SAID. When I stop Laughing, I will write a little more about the scooter.

The Year of Still Here!

"The Year of Still Here" is the slogan of the 2008 Jimmy Buffett tour. I don't think I could have written a better slogan based on my life circa 2008. :)

Kim and I were lucky enough to get tickets with a couple of our good friends to see the show last night. After almost 20 years of going to Jimmy Buffett shows, not much suprises me, but as soon as I saw the slogan when we got to the parking lot, I was FLOORED! Freaks and Fins on Parade, (of which Kim and I have been many times in past years) didn't phase me, but the irony of the slogan blew me away- The Year of Still Here, I can soooo relate. :)

It was a great show. You would think that after 38 years of touring every summer, that he might slow down, but if last night was any indication, he just gets better! After almost 3 hours of a show led by the king of summer himself, the 60 something Jimmy promised to be back for another summer! Kim and I are already making our plans!

The Year of Still Here! I think the Talbotts may have to adopt this slogan for our remaining 2008 Vacation Plans.

Talbott's on Tour 2008 - THE YEAR OF STILL HERE!

Doesn't quite have the ring that Jimmy puts to it, but it will definitely do!!

FINS TO THE LEFT!

An Inspiration passes, but his spirit is alive!

Today, Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon Professor who gave the famous "Last Lecture" passed away. His lecture was about living and dreaming. I have written about the impact on me in earlier blogs, but needless to say the news hit me pretty hard today.

His energy and love of life and dreaming has been a huge inspiration to me. I truly feel for his family - Wife and 3 young children, but I am confident that he lived EVERY last moment he had with them and will continue to be with them in spirit forever.

His passing saddens me today as I think about what his family is going through. That sadness has begun to pass, because I know that Randy Pausch would not stand for it! He would want us to keep looking forward, keep dreaming, and keep living and cherishing every moment as he did.

Although Randy Pausch has passed from this Earth, I know his inspiration will live within the millions of people that he touched with his amazing lecture and unbreakable spirit. I know it will with me!

Thank you for the inspiration Mr. Pausch.

The results are in

Ok...my 3rd post radiation MRI Day has come and gone! The Results...Stable, no enhancement and no progression!

In other words, Results that I can LITERALLY LIVE with!!! Woo Hoo!

Our Clinical Trial coordinator made a point to say how good the resection was (the surgery to remove the tumor). Dr. Crute, once again proves that she is a ROCKSTAR!

It still amazes me what she accomplished. She not only removed the tumor, but had to untangle and rewire the blood flow. 11 Hours and 38 minutes of surgery.

Dr. Crute set the stage by removing as much of the GBM (Tumor) that was humanly possible, Dr. Mehta then took aim with the radiation beam and killed anything remaining, and Dr. Robbins is keeping me stable with Chemotherapy. I have to admit...I am one of the luckiest guys on the planet to have a crew of doctors who are so good! Dem Docs sure are smart!! :)

So, with all that in mind, its hard to express what I am feeling at this moment... MRI is clean, Cubs are in 1st Place and Jimmy Buffett is playing on Saturday. What more could I really ask for? World Peace? Not until we get that Republican out of office. :)

Ok, now that I have offended my parents, Republican Friends, and Sox Fan friends...I think I will call it a night.

Just wanted to drop a quick note tonight to tell you how well I am feeling and share the amazing results of our MRI today! 6 cycles down, 6 more to go. So, unlike the Sox, I am batting 1.000. :) (Sorry Marky...couldn't resist) ;)

Thank you all for your continued prayers, they continue to work!

Miss Ava says... GO CUBS!