Veteran's Day/MRI Day...

Veteran's Day

Thank you to all of our men and women of the military, past and present. We appreciate what you have done for us. Thank you to my Dad for his service to the Navy, to our Country in WWII, and to our family. Today is Veteran's Day, a day to thank everyone that has served in the armed services, and for me, another chance to thank my Dad for his part in making me who I am. Thank You Dad!

MRI Day

Sing along with me.... "It's off to see the wizard...the wonderful wizard of the tube" (ie MRI)... We knew it was going to be a great day for my 5th Post Radiation MRI. Kim had the day off, we had to go to Madison, and the forecast was for SNOW/RAIN Mix...yippee yippee. :)

So we got up early and started our trek north...turns out...it was worth the hassle.

To sum up the MRI results, I will phrase it the way Dr. Ian did... ROCK SOLID! Ok so to work down my checklist of living... Get a clean bill of health from my 5th Post Radiation MRI, and begin my 9th (of 12) cycles of Chemo... CHECK!, CHECK! WOO HOO!

Short Post tonight, but I wanted to pass on the good news and say thanks!

Peace Out!

Oops I forgot...

My apologies for not writing this entire month! I got caught up in that living thing again... I get so caught up in living that I sometimes forget that I have brain cancer. :) Oh isn't that just too bad! :)

Seriously, I have been feeling great! I bitch and moan about allergies, but my Mom and my Wife just write that off to me being a whiner...which could be a little true..."Big Damn Baby" I think is the term often used about me. :) And last time up to Madison, they even got Dr. Robbins in on the act...He asked my Mom if "I whined alot" and after my Mom stopped laughing, she informed him that I have a "low threshhold for pain"

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Talbott Time Machine circa 25 yrs ago, aka the "Jello Brain" years

Now the story on this goes back to middle school and AYSO Soccer games. My parents were convinced that I was a Drama Queen and every time I would get hit, I would fall to the ground and writhe with pain...In reality, it is because it probably hurt. Now granted, my father is allergic to all pain meds and in addition to walking up hill barefoot both ways to school, only gets to bite on a silver bullet for pain...in otherwords...he has a very high threshold for pain. Both my Mom and Kim fight Migraines and can function with headaches, etc... Me....HELL NO...GIVE ME DRUGS AND KNOCK MY ASS OUT! Hence...I accept it...I have a low threshhold for pain. :) Now back to your regularly scheduled program.

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Ok...back to current day. Things have been going great. I was just matched up by Jonny Imerman (Imerman Angels) with a young woman who at 36 was diagnosed with a GBM and her husband. They are just beginning the Chemo phase with Temodar and Jonny thought I would be a match to connect with. I am really looking forward to being able to share my experiences, my attitude, and the perspective that each of you have helped me to develop! She is just beginning the fight with this disease and I hope that I am able to help them both through this challenging time!

So, although I haven't written lately, and I keep getting myself all caught up in this business of living...realize that all of you collectively known as the "Talbott Support Group" have created something special in me that I fall back on often to guide me through dark times.

Thank You all again!

PEACE OUT!

Dr.s and Angels

After every MRI, I am supposed to meet with my Neurosurgeon, Dr. Crute. These meetings as I have blogged before are always uplifting. I met with her on Monday and this time was no exception. First and foremost, she pointed out the Hippocampus and I was shocked that it wasn't a little guy in a furry costume (see last 2 entries to get the joke. :) )

Dr. Crute was fantastic as usual, she explained that she was late getting to our appt because she had to spend so much time looking at the MRIs, she is still just amazed that I am as stable as I am considering the tumor that I had. She looked and looked and couldn't find any changes...how cool is that! We talked about the future and that future keeps getting further and further out. Yeah! I like the sound of that.

As an added bonus, I was finally able to see Michelle, Dr. Crute's surgical nurse/PA who I haven't seen since I left the hospital. Now there is significance to that fact. I have not really blogged about Michelle before, but let me tell you she was a savior of mine. She was the one person who consistently checked on my several times a day at the hospital. She was the first person who told me NOT TO BELIEVE THE BULLSHIT that the house resident gave me about "getting my things in order" and I had 6-18 months. For that, I owe Michelle alot. She helped get my head around my diagnosis (no pun inteneded). So it was really cool to see her. I ran up and gave her a great big hug! I get emotional just thinking about it. Thanks Michelle!

That emotion was met with more emotion as I had the opportunity to connect directly with Jonny Imerman. Jonny is a mid 20's 6+ year survivor of testicular cancer and the founder of Imerman Angels, which is an organization that matches one on one cancer fighters with cancer survivors for mentoring and support. As I relived the story of my quest through cancer treatment, I got emotional as I told him about the "night to remember" event that you all through for me with Marky P at Cliffbreakers. I explained to him that I don't know how I would have every made it to the point I am at now without the love and support of my amazing wife Kim, my family, and my support group...YOU!

Jonny started this organization to help people who don't have that love and support. Jonny has added me to the list to help another Brain Tumor patient on a one on one basis. I can't wait to pass on the learning that I have had, the inspiration that I have received from Dr. Crute, and Michelle, and most of all the love and support that I have received from each and every one of you! It's now time to Pay it Forward.

PEACE OUT!

For those of you reading this that may have been touched personally by cancer in your lives, I encourage you to reach out to Imerman Angels, they can match you with someone that has survived your cancer and can help you do the same. www.imermanangels.com or call Rynell Cook at (312) 274-5529. There is no cost, just help.

If you want to help in another way, please consider donating, and donate in honor of your loved one who is fighting this horrible disease called cancer.

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.