Team Lymphoma Warriors 2013
So let us start with my health. Aside from putting all my weight back on from my days in treatment, I am now 2 1/2 years cancer free. It's been a good run that keeps on going. I'll take it, but I won't take it for granted.
That being said, I did get a bit of a shock in the mail last week. It was the cancer center notifying me that my oncologist was leaving the center and I was being transferred to a different oncologist for continued follow ups. Now I have met the new doctor before and have full confidence in her abilities and knowledge (She did her fellowship under a well-known doctor at Fox Chase who provided my second opinion), however we will have that awkward, 'getting-to-know you' stage. Both with my case specifics as well as personality. With Dr. Swaab, I had a rapport that must be rebuilt with a new doctor. Sure, I could see him at his private oncology office, but they are not in network from my insurance. You will be missed Dr. Swaab, best wishes. Thank you for always being straight with me, always offering all options, and allowing me to be my own, best advocate.
Last I wrote, Megan and I were coming off our first Lymphomathon as team captains where we raised nearly $4,800 for the Lymphoma Research Foundation. Since then I have been very active with LRF. June of 2013, I was asked to be co-president of the chapter here in Philadelphia. I excitedly said yes. I attended the LRF leadership conference in New York that fall, represented LRF at a celebration of survivors event at Fox Chase, and our Lymphomathon team knocked it out of the ballpark with a chapter record of over $16,300 raised. We had another six lymphoma survivors walk with our team, Angela Ross, Erica Ebner, Ellen Luchette, Jessica McCann, Mark Arbogast,and Arelene Meade. I also carried a life size head shot of Tina Jacques with me since she was unable to attend.
LRF came under new leadership last fall, and like any change, it was a bit turbulent at first. The new direction was a bit difficult to see at first, but is coming along nicely. This past spring, I went up to New England for the Massachusetts lymphoma where Erica and I walked with another survivor friend from our on-line group-Debbie Catalano. I also met their chapter president-Mark Watson (now with LRF in a full capacity), walk director Meghan McNamee, our national VP-Heather Patrick.
Fast forward and I will now be working with LRF as part of their regional council to help further our cause. We just had an excellent workshop in Philadelphia with over 150 lymphoma patients, caregivers and doctors. It was very rewarding to speak with people who are where I was just a short time ago. We have our Ed forum and leadership meeting coming up, I am very excited to help move LRF to the next level.
This next part is sure to stir things up, but it really sticks in my craw. Let me preface by saying that while I do not personally partake, I have no issue with someone wanting to smoke marijuana. That is their personal choice, it's just not one I choose to make.
With that out of the way, if you want it legalized, go ahead, state your case to your lawmakers and get it done, BUT please don't use the following reason as to why: Regardless of what you have heard or read in hightimes, cannabis does NOT cure cancer. Please stop saying that it does. There is not one legitimate study stating otherwise. Does it help pain relief? Sure. Does it make one want to eat? Yes. (Hence the two big benefits for cancer patients). If it cured cancer, then why do people who smoke it still get cancer? Don't believe me? Here is a link from the American Cancer Society on the subject.
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/herbsvitaminsandminerals/marijuana
You can have your cause, but don't misstate the facts. That's all I ask. Until later, best wishes to all!
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