#502 And the Question Is...

NBC

Anyone living with any metastatic cancer knows living a long life is in jeopardy so it seems ironic the latest big winner on the TV show, Jeopardy, had Stage IV colon cancer.  She was amazing as she answered question after question to win BIG on this show.  Certainly an admirable feat for anyone but even more remarkable when one has a terminal illness.

To view an enlightening interview with her go to Cindy Stowell--Jeopardy winner!  We can all learn from her and how to live your life fully and completely.

In memory of Cindy I'm sure she would love this...

A little Jeopardy fun:

For $500--The answer is: Deadly
DING! --What are metatastatic cancers?

For $1000--The answer is: Research
DING! --What will help the death rate go down for metastatic cancers?

For $50,000--Matched funding
DING!--What happens when I donate to the UW Carbone Cancer Center?

You have heard it and seen it-- now do it!  Go to UW Carbone Cancer Center and donate to the "More For Stage IV" fund.

Thanks for supporting us and reading #502 of 7777.

#501 Shazam! $50,000!

The Power of Shazam!

Mets Monday and time before the big holidays arrive to educate the masses on what's going on in the metastatic world.  We don't get holidays off so we might as well spread the word  (opposite of good cheer) to others and how research is so desperately needed.

My most recent pet scan revealed bone metastasis progression to the other hip, upper arms, shoulder blades and lower back area.  Never a dull moment!  The key is to keep it contained to the bones and  me comfortable while we wait for this next treatment to start rocking and rolling.

To enlighten yourself on exactly what are Bone Mets--click and become educated today.

Oh, did I mention how you can help? Our December 31st challenge ($50,000 by the end of the year) is still going strong and with your year end tax deduction we will make our goal.  Every dollar you donate doubles which may double our chances of finding a cure.  Go to UW Carbone Cancer Center and shazam!  we are all winners!

A quadruple thanks to you from me and from the hard working researchers at the UW Carbone Cancer Center.

Thanks for reading #501 of 7777.

#500 Every. Single. Day.

 Smiling. Every. Day

The 500th post!  What profound or heartfelt statement could I make on this golden entry?

Maybe a reflection on the past two and a half years living with metastatic breast cancer would be a beginning.  I have preached and hollered about the statistics of this disease and how funding needs to be increased and how we are dying every day--113 today, but I haven't written how it feels to live every single day not only knowing the facts but feeling the effects from the drugs and the cells mutating in my body at a faster rate than the drugs can stop it.

The good days do come and I embrace them with a vengeance.  Swimming, exercising with my buddies at the Zone or taking a walk with friends equal days that must be cherished and revered.  I have always been an active person and when I can get out and do something it is a treasured gift. When those wonderful days arrive I'm reminded that this is the best that it will get because around the corner could be one of the dreaded rotten days that pop up when least expected.

On those not so great days getting out of bed is an effort, talking to anyone is exhausting and the reminder that I have cancer raging through my body is debilitating.  This last one--the debilitating condition of the disease--is the one that wrecks havoc on my very being.  Mentally preparing myself for getting through another day--good or bad--is difficult because no matter what kind of day I am having the *&^%$ cancer is still there.  The best is today and tomorrow it will be the next best until...until the end, I suppose.

The pain, the fatigue, the unmentionables that go along with the side effects never truly go away.  I'll put on my smiling face and you may not know what kind of day it is and that's okay.

But what I'm really trying to say is:

Cancer wears you down.  That's it in a nutshell as I try to analyze and help others understand about my daily life.  I do live fully and completely as I can.  I do have a positive outlook but the word, reality, hits me in the face

   Every. Single. Day.  

And there is no getting around it.  Do I curl up in the fetal position and surrender?  Of course not--not today or any other day and that is why I keep advocating and encouraging others to advocate with me.  Hands clasped together and we are a force that will not be stopped.  Please, share and join me this holiday season by donating to the UW Carbone Cancer Center at my website www.onewomanmanylakes.org.  All donations made by December 31st--(End of the year tax write-off!) will be matched.  50,000 grand is the goal and we are getting there!

My daughter and my granddaughter should never have to think about "good days and bad days" of cancer.  Let's do it for them and the rest of us living it day by day.

Thanks for reading #500 of 7777. 

#499 Hanging on For You

Hanging on for these three plus three more!

I'm hurting. I'm angry. I'm fed up with this whole cancer "journey".  Who would decide to go on a trip like this for crying out loud?  It's the pits.

There--that rant is over and now it's time to focus on what to do about it. 

  If you have already taken out your wallets, thank you.  Now, don't go away yet.  Get ten (or more) people to donate by the end of the year.  Ask them to share their holiday gift giving with those of us who might not make it to the next one.  If your ten (plus) friends could donate ten dollars (or more) and then those ten (+) friends had ten (+) more friends...well, you get the picture.  This could be monumental!  And you would be part of it.  Helping the MBC community celebrate because research is working for us.

How can you do that?  The explanation below explains the new direction of our who, what and why  intentions.  Rewrite it in your own words and send it out in a mass email to your friends.  Tell them about your buddy Mary; or Megan or Kelli or Beth --someone you know living with this disease.  Tell them we are trying to save my daughter and grand daughter or theirs.  Tell them we need their help TODAY.  Tell them we can not wait for another holiday season to go by without a cure.  Tell them time is running out for many of us.  Please, just tell them...

To our Friends,

Our intent in raising funds has been to support the best research that can create drugs and treatments for the metastatic breast cancer patient. The goal has always been to increase the precious time we have with loved ones.

We are pleased to announce a collaboration of One Woman Many Lakes with the breast cancer research group at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. UW Carbone is nationally recognized as a leader in research that translates to specific drugs and treatments for those living with MBC.

A fund specifically for MBC research (called More for Stage IV) has been set up at the UW Foundation. Our goal is to raise at least $50,000 by the end of the year to award a fellowship in the breast cancer research field for a year. This is a highly tangible way to develop the next generation of metastatic breast cancer researchers.
All donations received by December 31 will be matched! Click the DONATE button on www.onewomanmanylakes.org and give those with MBC more time. 

It's in your ball park now.  We are tired, hurting and trying to hang on, so please, show us we are worth it.

Thanks for reading # 499 of 7777.