Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Jimmy V Classic
Admittedly, I often thought of the Jimmy V Classic as a couple of good basketball games, I think UK even played in it recently. I watched Jimmy V's speech today and have come to appreciate how much he has meant to so many and how special that speech really was. "If you can do 3 things in a day: laugh, use your mind to think, and move yourself to tears all in one day, then you've lived a full day." Not exact quote there but same premise. It's true. Yesterday, I lived a full day. I got have to fun with a buddy of mine and laugh as I constantly reminded him a cancer patient was whipping him at wii golf and tennis etc. I got to spend some Craig time alone as I rested in bed during the evening and I thought, A LOT. It moved me to tears for a good 30 minutes as I reflected on how many blessings I have and how enjoyable life really is. Yesterday was a great day, it was an exhausting day but a great day. Good exhaustion = Good Day; not to be confused with those other exhausting days we often have as well. Anyhow, Jimmy V left behind a great legacy as he started a foundation for the purpose of cancer research so he could help others. It was already too late for him but he desperately wanted to help maybe his kids or anybody beat cancer if that would ever happen to them God forbid. I researched the foundation and in its 18 years, his foundation has raised over 100 million dollars with the proceeds going to research to help find different cures for cancer. This is emotional for me because research is the biggest thing is needed. We have made great strides but we still lose too many people every year. Clinical trials are absolutely great and are needed to further what we know. I often say I'm glad I didn't have this problem 5 years ago because we've learned so much since then. However, if I could only have gotten this 5 years from now, imagine how much more we'll know. The foundation actually promises 100% of donations go directly to research as it's endowment covers all administrative costs. I'm donating my $25, least I can I do I guess. I think the numbers are 1 in 4 will be touched by cancer. Many people on here have been closely effected either by a parent, a sibling, a child, good friend, etc. Heck we've got survivors following the blog. I'd like to do something interesting, see how many people on here have someone close to them (other than me :) ) that has been affected by cancer. You can tell me mulitple. Let me know how they are doing. It will also let me know if you are still reading. We monitor our comments so it may a take a little bit for it to show up so don't fret about that, we'll get you added. Enjoy your basketball games tonight and catch the Jimmy V speech on Youtube if you get a chance. "Cancer can not touch my mind, it can not touch my heart and it can not touch my soul."
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24 comments:
I lost my pappaw 6 years ago to prostate cancer. I'll let my aunt speak for my cousin and her fight and I'll let miss ViviAnne's mom and dad recoginize their successes.
My Grandma died of breast cancer 30 years ago. After her mastectomy it spread to her liver, brain and other areas of her body. My grandpa had throat cancer. My Dad is a prostate & bladder cancer survivor!! My two uncles are cancer survivors!! I, myself, had a brief cancer scare earlier this year when my doctor found a mass on my colon during a routine colonoscopy. And while it was only precancerous, I thank God every single day that my doctor found the mass and removed it before it turned into cancer. Most people in their 20's do not start getting routine colonoscopies, but I'm glad I do and I make colon cancer prevention awareness a part of my life.
My Mother had her right lung removed in 1995 due to lung cancer. The cancer appeared in 1997 on her left lung and they removed 15% of her left lung. I am happy to say she has been cancer free since then and remarkably does not use oxygen. Miracles do happen and I pray for yours. Thanks so much for your honesty and I appreciate Michelle's post also.
We have been touched multiple times at my school with cancer victims. All have been fighters who never, ever quit. There are three that have/had prostate cancer. One gets his two year checkup tomorrow -hopefully there will be another zero PSA. Another died of lung cancer two years ago, planning lessons to the end. It is nice when we can take that victory lap each Spring.
My dad had cancer of the mouth in 1980. He had surgery and thank God they were able to remove all of the cancer. He lived cancer free until December 1999, when he died from complications of pneumonia.
Jennifer Holmes
My mom is a breast canncer survivor. Many of my friends have family members battling. The disease effects so many. We will join you and send a donation to the Jimmy V foundation. Thanks for allowing us to follow your journey. You are always in our prayers.
Jennifer Vittitoe
My mom died 12 years ago from Colon Cancer at the young age of 48. My pappaw died 29 years ago of cancer and I honestly don't know what kind it was because people didn't talk about it then like they do now. We have come far and I pray that if this same question is asked in 5 years that we would all have to think long and hard to add someone else to our list.
Lori Vernia
My Grandpa (PaPa) had colon cancer and died in 1987.
My Grandma (DoDo) had small cell lung cancer and dies in 1992.
A little boy named Doug touch my life in 2002 when he died from large b-cell lymphoma.
A little girl named Cecelia touch my heart in 2000 with leukemia.
A teen girl in 2003 with hodgkin's lymphoma.
Lynn (a med school friend) beat cancer 3 years ago.
Aunt Kate died from Breast cancer in 1006.
Mr. Knarr is fighting Non-hodgkins lymphoma.
And there are dozens of kids that I remember their faces, their protocol, their room numbers, their successes and their struggles.
And dozens of adults that battled their cancers on the adult wards and BMT unit.
Great post Craig. It made me think of how many people that I know that have been affected and unfortunately the number is higher than I would like, but there are good stories along with the fighters that are with God now. A great client of mine is fighting to beat prostate cancer that they thought was gone with the removal of the prostate but now is in a few other parts of his body - but he is fighting and staying stong. He is doing both radiation and chemo treatments here in Louisville. Rich's mother had a brain tumor and he lost her when he was 4. A close friend at work has had a few scares with ceverical pre-cancerous cells. We've had three loses at work this year (all spouses of employees) - one with liver and stomach, and two others with pancereas. They were much older than you and decided not even to undergo treatment.
I know you are fighting as hard as anything and I pray that you know how much all of us are praying and hoping to help you fight in however you need it - we will fight for both you and Michelle and your girls!
My mother in law is a breast cancer survivor; Brent's uncle is a brain cancer survivor; My Grandmother was a colon cancer survivor. I see patients frequenly at work with cancer some beat it and others don't -- but those who have loving supportive families and friends seem to do better.
Thank you all for sharing on this site. We pray for coach Craig and his family every night.
God Bless - Meredith Deaves
My maternal grandfather lived with prostate cancer for many years - we lost him this past spring, but to other health conditions. My paternal grandfather, who I unfortunately never really got an opportunity to know, battled colon cancer for a couple of years before passing away in 1981 - it was almost 30 years ago and I have often wished that there were some of the advancements then that there are now (though we have so far to go!). Two previous secretaries of mine both battled breast cancer and are survivors! I also know a couple of special little people who are in remission from leukemia. :)
I'm so happy that you had such a GREAT DAY yesterday!
I will just repeat what you said about Pappaw having prostate cancer. Our cousin Elaine has been through so much too, will let our Aunt Janie say more on that also. Mammaw Lucas had leukemia as a young child and beat it. I believe she also had melanoma on her arm too, which was removed. I also had my own scare about a year before Tom and I got married. I had precancerous cells on my cervix that were removed with surgery. Craig, I appreciate everything you are sharing with us in this blog. You are surrounded by so many people cheering you on in your fight. I am so proud of my brother for being so courageous and fighting this with everything you've got. You are such an inspiration to me.
Kristen
Craig, I follow your post everyday and have you, Michelle and your girls in my thoughts daily!! Today, your post has really inspired me. You are a perfect example of LIVING with cancer. You are motivating others, enjoying your gifts and fighting! Thank you for you comments to Brent about Gary, it pushed him to get back to the doctor.
My family members LIVING with and BEATING cancer are:
Granddaughter, Leukemia
Husband - Prostate and Bladder Cancer
My grandmother died of complications from surgery for breast cancer, my uncle lost his battle with lung cancer; my aunt is LIVING with pancreatic cancer, as is the mother of one of our best friends (!!). I have one friend who has defeated melanoma, one who has defeated lymphoma, one who has defeated melanoma of the eye; I am now cheering you on, along with a best friend battling unknown primary. My friends seem to be on a roll, and I have no doubt that you and Robin will keep it going!
I myself am a breast cancer suvivor, almost 1 year now. My Dad has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer that has spread to his liver, I pray everyday for a cure, as well as ask for God to give you and my Dad the strenght to continue this fight. God Bless you and your family.
Beautiful post. I'm so glad to see your spirits are up. Cancer has marked my life with loss and survival.
My Mother-In-Law had uterine cancer in 2000. The surgeon at Baptist gave her 9 mo. to live after seeing what remained after the surgery. She went to MD Anderson for a second opinion, and they said "We see this all the time..." She is still with us and cancer free. As Jimmy V said, "Don't give up, don't ever give up." You have a lot of people pulling for you, Craig.
You know my girl is a fighter and a survivor! The list is long of survivors in my family from severe like Ovarian to early detected like Prostate. I've lost some too. Some went down with a fight and another went home to the Lord with no fight at all.
Praying for all of you daily. Thinking of you all daily. I believe that Prayers, Love and Laughter are all healing and play a Huge part in winning against this beast. Sounds like you all have all 3!
Our cousin Elaine has been a miraculous inspiration for our entire Merimee family.She is now a 16-year survivor of breast cancer. She has had many different struggles with other cancers throughout the years, but she has always persevered with great heart and great faith. Even though she is undergoing a gigantic struggle of her own right now, she never ceases to amaze me that during our conversations (before I can even get the chance to ask her about how she is feeling), she always asks first "How is Craig feeling? .... How is Craig doing?"
Also, my next-door neighbor here in Germantown is a 15-year survivor of throat cancer. She is considered by her doctors to be a walking miracle, too. She'll be turning 82 years old in January .... She shares the same birth date with you, Craig!
Breast cancer has affected my maternal grandmother and 2 aunts. They have all been fighters and survived. My grandmother passed away but due to other health issues. I am affected daily by cancer...being a nurse, I am constantly in contact with someone that is fighting. Craig, you are one of the strongest fighters I know and I continue to pray for you, Michelle and the girls daily. In your prayers, please remember my neighbor Fernando, he just learned he has Stage 4 colon cancer but they feel like they got it all with surgery...he will be doing chemo too though. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas celebrating Life!
I lost my paternal grandfather to colon cancer, my stepdad to bladder cancer and two aunts to breast cancer. However, I have a nephew that was diagnosed with Wilmes Tumor (attached to his kidney and surrounding organs) when he was 6 years old, went into remission and was rediagnosed two more times. After many surgeries and years of sickness and living in hospitals, at 10 years old, he underwent a bone marrow transplant and is now a happy, healthy 16 year old living a normal life. He has many scars and had to grow up faster than kids should have to because of his experience but he's here and he's happy. Only has one kidney so he has to restrict some sports (like football) because if he were to injure the remaining kidney then we'd have transplant issues. He gets rescanned every year to check for recurrences but nothing has been found. Thank you God! Miracles do happen and faith and God's strength do bring us through things that may seem insurmountable.
My maternal grandmother died from lung cancer. My paternal grandmother (who I unfortunately never had the opportunity to know) died of breast cancer at a young age, which inspired my Dad to become the dedicated pathologist that he is today. In recent years, I've had at least 3 other friends (my age) diagnosed with some type of cancer. It reminds me to enjoy each and every day, appreciate the small things, & live life to the fullest. Craig & Michelle, I'm always inspired by your posts. Continue to be strong and stay positive ;)
So many people close to me have been affected by cancer. friends' families (among them Janelle's dad, Christy's and Becca's moms) and a few friends themselves (Janelle's scare above), 5 coworkers in fact are currently battling breast cancer (all under age 50, all diagnosed in 12 months of eachother, that was a little unsettling) One former classmate of mine currently battling sarcoma inpatient at MD Anderson in her lung and brain and another basically cured of Hodgkin's lymphoma living a normal life as an accountant with her husband and planning kids. My grandfather died from advanced prostate cancer before I could really understand what was happening. And I was caretaker for my grandmother during her very brief battle with a cancerous brain tumor. But it was living with her right out of college, hearing her insights and seeing what she was going through that inspired me to go back to be a nurse. And as an oncology nurse I'm touched literally every day at work. Some cases you connect to more than others obviously but there have been some really amazing people who touch me for unexplained reasons more than others that I've kept in touch with. Anyway, unfortunately its a pervasive disease. But Craig your spirit and strength is so inspiring to me, I love your postings. And, Jimmy V was awesome (although that's nearly sacrilige down here in Houston, you know, with the whole NC state legendary 1983 championship, UH was on the wrong end of that deal!) To quote him, to you: Don't give up. Don't ever give up.
I lost my mom's dad, my papa, when I was in the 3rd grade from throat cancer that spread aggressively.
My dad's father, my zade, was told yesterday that he has a very high grade prostate cancer. Amazingly, his scans indicated that it is nowhere else in his body. He is the most energetic and active 80 year old I haveever seen. He and my grandmother are more important to me than my own parents....to me, he has always been invincible.
And apparently, God is showing us that he really is.
I think about you guys a lot.....Craig will show he is invincible too. He is too important!!!
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