Dear Friends, We are fast approaching the big "Go Out and Make it a Great Day!" Race.
On Saturday June 4th, there will be a Half Marathon and Community Walk at Tamarac School to honor Ed and raise money for the NYOH Capital District Cancer Resource Foundation. Ed chose this organization because he witnessed a number of cancer patients who needed financial assistance when he was going through his treatment. The money stays in the Capital District area to help these patients cope with their many needs. (for example - co-pay assistance, money for transportation to get to chemotherapy, etc.)
Heidi Bentley Barcomb has worked feverishly to arrange and co-ordinate this race. The time and work setting up this event has been monumental! There are many community members, friends, and family who are assisting, and they will be mentioned and thanked in a future blog entry. The race information and application is located on Heidi's website "The Dragonfly Adventure" http://www.thedragonflyadventure.com/
The Half Marathon will start at 9:00 am and the entry fee is $40.00. This will include a short-sleeved tech running shirt.
The Community Walk will start at 10:00 am and walkers who raise over $50.00 will receive a short-sleeved cotton t-shirt.
As Heidi mentioned on her website and facebook page: The Dragonfly Adventure is an organization dedicated to raise $5,000 for Capital District Cancer Resource Foundation. Our honoree, Ed Peck, is battling multiple myeloma. Ed is a former social studies teacher at Tamarac School. He touched the lives of students, and always told students to “Make it a Great Day”.
We understand that the Freihoffers Race is the same day. However, our race will still continue. Saturday had to be our race day choice due to availability and other logistics. We are confident that we will have a strong participation in the Great Day Race due to Ed's many supporters, and this highly important fundraising choice. I am truly amazed at some of Ed's many followers and former students who are traveling great distances to participate in the race and walk! If you are not able to make the race, please consider making a donation to this worthy cause.
Thank you - and we hope to see you at the race on Saturday June 4th!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Friends!
The date of the "Make It A Great Day" Race and walk has been changed.
The new date is Saturday, June 4, 2011. It will start at the Tamarac campus on Rte 2 in Brunswick, NY.
Remember that we are running and walking for a highly worthy charity, the Capital District Cancer Resource Foundation. Contributions will help those in our region who need assistance in their battle against cancer.
Hope to see you there!
The date of the "Make It A Great Day" Race and walk has been changed.
The new date is Saturday, June 4, 2011. It will start at the Tamarac campus on Rte 2 in Brunswick, NY.
Remember that we are running and walking for a highly worthy charity, the Capital District Cancer Resource Foundation. Contributions will help those in our region who need assistance in their battle against cancer.
Hope to see you there!
Friday, March 25, 2011
The centenary of the famed Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in NYC.
Dear diary,
Confirmed!
At my Friday, March 11 appointment, my stem cell oncologist agreed with my chemo oncologist that my blood and bone marrow cancer is in REMISSION.
This is doubly reassuring, not only because a second doctor has pronounced that treasured diagnosis, but in light of the recent pains I have been experiencing in my torso that brought back reminders of those excruciating weeks last spring. It appears that there is no cause for alarm. Blood readings are near normal, and x-rays found no problems. I am relieved.
But not totally. A horrendous cold has plagued me for two weeks, sapping my energy and making each task a huge chore. Fortunately, the symptoms have been limited to congestion and headaches. No sore throats or high temperatures. I suppose that this can be interpreted as a good sign. My compromised immune system has at least been able to limit the effects of this latest affliction. No illness is so incapacitating that it can't be ameliorated at least in part by a good book!
Even with this cold, my life is now assuming a tempo close to normal. In recent weeks I have enjoyed breakfasts, lunches, and dinners with many different friends. I am now traveling with my bride frequently to run errands or shop or see children and grandchildren. My hair is almost back to normal, although it seems to be of a slightly different texture and style than before. I began to discard my baseball hats in early February. And I can begin now to look forward to a warm spring (whenever it chooses to get here), and to an enjoyable summer, complete with visits to the Adirondacks. We have a trip to California planned for the first two weeks of May, and relatives and friends are scheduled to visit in September. Meanwhile, I can putter around on my lawn or in my garage, although the days of toting patio block and splitting firewood are over for good. Light work only!
I am reminded of the capriciousness of life. All this progress and all these plans could easily be wisked away. I can't take them for granted. The squandering of time is as much a sin as the wasting of any natural resource. And time is what life is made of.
Dear diary,
Confirmed!
At my Friday, March 11 appointment, my stem cell oncologist agreed with my chemo oncologist that my blood and bone marrow cancer is in REMISSION.
This is doubly reassuring, not only because a second doctor has pronounced that treasured diagnosis, but in light of the recent pains I have been experiencing in my torso that brought back reminders of those excruciating weeks last spring. It appears that there is no cause for alarm. Blood readings are near normal, and x-rays found no problems. I am relieved.
But not totally. A horrendous cold has plagued me for two weeks, sapping my energy and making each task a huge chore. Fortunately, the symptoms have been limited to congestion and headaches. No sore throats or high temperatures. I suppose that this can be interpreted as a good sign. My compromised immune system has at least been able to limit the effects of this latest affliction. No illness is so incapacitating that it can't be ameliorated at least in part by a good book!
Even with this cold, my life is now assuming a tempo close to normal. In recent weeks I have enjoyed breakfasts, lunches, and dinners with many different friends. I am now traveling with my bride frequently to run errands or shop or see children and grandchildren. My hair is almost back to normal, although it seems to be of a slightly different texture and style than before. I began to discard my baseball hats in early February. And I can begin now to look forward to a warm spring (whenever it chooses to get here), and to an enjoyable summer, complete with visits to the Adirondacks. We have a trip to California planned for the first two weeks of May, and relatives and friends are scheduled to visit in September. Meanwhile, I can putter around on my lawn or in my garage, although the days of toting patio block and splitting firewood are over for good. Light work only!
I am reminded of the capriciousness of life. All this progress and all these plans could easily be wisked away. I can't take them for granted. The squandering of time is as much a sin as the wasting of any natural resource. And time is what life is made of.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Dear Diary,
Well, so much for a relapse. My incredible luck continues to hold out.
My Friday, March 4 appointment with my oncologist went very well. Once again, blood test readings were excellent. My physician seemed little concerned with the discomfort in my ribs that I've been experiencing over the past two weeks or so. Just to be sure, he sent me next door for a battery of x-rays. No report at all from there. I must conclude that no news is good news. I guess my pains are not cancer-related.
I can breathe a sigh of relief.
From where did the pains originate? It's anyone's guess. Perhaps it's "old age." Maybe I got a bit too frisky trying to scrape snow (I can't really shovel) from our walkways (the Albany area has measured 85 inches of the white stuff so far this season compared to the average 48 inches we normally "enjoy" by this time). It's possible I "slept" wrong somehow. There are a hundred different answers, and we will probably never know. But for now I can rest assured.
During this time, I experienced a series of amazing coincidences. Over two consecutive days, two separate people mentioned to me how they were impressed and inspired by Lance Armstrong's 2000 book "It's Not About the Bike" (thanks Sandy and Carolyn!). That alone is striking. On the third consecutive day I was, along with my bride, browsing the free-for-the-taking book shelves of a local coffee house. You guessed it. There was Armstrong's book. I realized that somebody upstairs was trying to tell me something. The tome now rests next to my easy chair, at the top of my "to-read" stack. What's more, ironically, my wife also purchased a new tea kettle the other day, only to learn when she read the label upon its arrival at home that the proceeds benefit Lance Armstrong's "Live Strong" organization. There must be something to these coincidences!
I continue to be impressed with the efforts of the the Dragonfly Adventure team to sponsor a half-marathon and walk for cancer, the "Make It A Great Day" Race, near Troy, NY on Sunday, June 5, 2011 (thanks for your words of encouragement Heidi!). Contributions continue to pour in for this extremely worthy charity event, including a promised one all the way from Texas! There is even buzz at my oncologist's office about it. I wish to thank the New York Mets for their contribution of four "raffle-able" tickets. Perhaps it's their way of celebrating my fiftieth anniversary of fandom. It has struck me that maybe other professional teams in New York and Massachusetts not scorched by the Madoff ripoff could also kick in. All of them have tons of fans in the Capital District, and, it seems, plenty of cash.
I am also impressed by the efforts of my cousin Susan Wyckoff Mehrwein and her husband James, who are working (and walking) in Oregon with the Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in the battle against cancer. The dramatic photo below of the two of them crossing the finish line is symbolic of my own feelings in this ongoing struggle. Check out their organization's website!
To all our relatives and friends who have expressed concern or experienced consternation over my latest mini-episode, I thank you. The heart is warmed even in this coldest of winters.
Well, so much for a relapse. My incredible luck continues to hold out.
My Friday, March 4 appointment with my oncologist went very well. Once again, blood test readings were excellent. My physician seemed little concerned with the discomfort in my ribs that I've been experiencing over the past two weeks or so. Just to be sure, he sent me next door for a battery of x-rays. No report at all from there. I must conclude that no news is good news. I guess my pains are not cancer-related.
I can breathe a sigh of relief.
From where did the pains originate? It's anyone's guess. Perhaps it's "old age." Maybe I got a bit too frisky trying to scrape snow (I can't really shovel) from our walkways (the Albany area has measured 85 inches of the white stuff so far this season compared to the average 48 inches we normally "enjoy" by this time). It's possible I "slept" wrong somehow. There are a hundred different answers, and we will probably never know. But for now I can rest assured.
During this time, I experienced a series of amazing coincidences. Over two consecutive days, two separate people mentioned to me how they were impressed and inspired by Lance Armstrong's 2000 book "It's Not About the Bike" (thanks Sandy and Carolyn!). That alone is striking. On the third consecutive day I was, along with my bride, browsing the free-for-the-taking book shelves of a local coffee house. You guessed it. There was Armstrong's book. I realized that somebody upstairs was trying to tell me something. The tome now rests next to my easy chair, at the top of my "to-read" stack. What's more, ironically, my wife also purchased a new tea kettle the other day, only to learn when she read the label upon its arrival at home that the proceeds benefit Lance Armstrong's "Live Strong" organization. There must be something to these coincidences!
I continue to be impressed with the efforts of the the Dragonfly Adventure team to sponsor a half-marathon and walk for cancer, the "Make It A Great Day" Race, near Troy, NY on Sunday, June 5, 2011 (thanks for your words of encouragement Heidi!). Contributions continue to pour in for this extremely worthy charity event, including a promised one all the way from Texas! There is even buzz at my oncologist's office about it. I wish to thank the New York Mets for their contribution of four "raffle-able" tickets. Perhaps it's their way of celebrating my fiftieth anniversary of fandom. It has struck me that maybe other professional teams in New York and Massachusetts not scorched by the Madoff ripoff could also kick in. All of them have tons of fans in the Capital District, and, it seems, plenty of cash.
I am also impressed by the efforts of my cousin Susan Wyckoff Mehrwein and her husband James, who are working (and walking) in Oregon with the Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in the battle against cancer. The dramatic photo below of the two of them crossing the finish line is symbolic of my own feelings in this ongoing struggle. Check out their organization's website!
To all our relatives and friends who have expressed concern or experienced consternation over my latest mini-episode, I thank you. The heart is warmed even in this coldest of winters.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Fundraising on both coasts!
West Coast Marathon Event for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
We are very appreciative that Ed's cousin Sue Wyckoff Mehrwein and her husband Jim have included Edward on their Team in Training homepage for an upcoming half marathon in Eugene, Oregon. Check out Ed's picture and story on the Team in Training website;
http://pages.teamintraining.org/oswim/eugene11/teammehrwein
A message from Jim and Sue;
"Walking to Save Lives - Welcome to Mehrwein's Team In Training home page.
We are training to walk the Eugene Half Marathon as members of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. We are completing this event in honor of all our personal friends and family members who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure! Please make a donation to support Team Mehrwein's participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. We hope you will visit our web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see our progress. Thanks for your support! Jim & Sue Mehrwein"
Ironically, we are making plans to visit Ed's beloved Uncle Don (Sue's father) in May near San Francisco, and we are meeting up with Jim and Sue at a family reunion. We are very honored that they have included Ed on their team, and commend them for their major fundraising campaign and amazing running feats!
Remember to check Ed's blog for upcoming information on the "Go Out and Make it a Great Day!" Race on June 5th on the East Coast!
We are very appreciative that Ed's cousin Sue Wyckoff Mehrwein and her husband Jim have included Edward on their Team in Training homepage for an upcoming half marathon in Eugene, Oregon. Check out Ed's picture and story on the Team in Training website;
http://pages.teamintraining.org/oswim/eugene11/teammehrwein
A message from Jim and Sue;
"Walking to Save Lives - Welcome to Mehrwein's Team In Training home page.
We are training to walk the Eugene Half Marathon as members of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. We are completing this event in honor of all our personal friends and family members who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure! Please make a donation to support Team Mehrwein's participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. We hope you will visit our web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see our progress. Thanks for your support! Jim & Sue Mehrwein"
Ironically, we are making plans to visit Ed's beloved Uncle Don (Sue's father) in May near San Francisco, and we are meeting up with Jim and Sue at a family reunion. We are very honored that they have included Ed on their team, and commend them for their major fundraising campaign and amazing running feats!
Remember to check Ed's blog for upcoming information on the "Go Out and Make it a Great Day!" Race on June 5th on the East Coast!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Dear diary:
A setback?
I have begun over the past week to experience some rib pain in my right side once again.
It's not excruciating, like it was last March, April, and May. It has not affected my activities, or my sleep. It's not even worth taking pain killers for it.
But inevitably, concerns begin to arise. Am I suffering a setback in my recovery from multiple myeloma? Are my bone lesions and blood and marrow cancer returning? Or have I just been too active, trying to get chores done? Have I unconsciously slept in an uncomfortable position, or simply moved wrong? One sometimes hears people with bad backs say this. Could it be true in my case as well?
All the emotions and worries of last spring and summer begin to come back to me. I toughed it out well then, at least I think I did. Will I have to do that a second time? How often can one be beaten down and still come back? Do I have enough fuel left in my gas tank to make this trip again, if needed?
The good news is that I should not have to wait long to find out. It so happens that I have an oncologist consultation already scheduled for this coming Friday, plus an IV infusion of meds that includes Aredia, the bone-building compound. I won't have to wait long to get answers to my questions and be treated for problems. What's more, I have a second appointment with my stem cell oncologist the following Wednesday, where I'll have the opportunity for the same.
Good timing.
And there's other favorable news. Today is the last day of February. With March always comes hope for better weather and a brighter day. Even if a bad storm happens to pass through, its effects are quickly dissipated.
With that realization, my spirits are already lifted.
A setback?
I have begun over the past week to experience some rib pain in my right side once again.
It's not excruciating, like it was last March, April, and May. It has not affected my activities, or my sleep. It's not even worth taking pain killers for it.
But inevitably, concerns begin to arise. Am I suffering a setback in my recovery from multiple myeloma? Are my bone lesions and blood and marrow cancer returning? Or have I just been too active, trying to get chores done? Have I unconsciously slept in an uncomfortable position, or simply moved wrong? One sometimes hears people with bad backs say this. Could it be true in my case as well?
All the emotions and worries of last spring and summer begin to come back to me. I toughed it out well then, at least I think I did. Will I have to do that a second time? How often can one be beaten down and still come back? Do I have enough fuel left in my gas tank to make this trip again, if needed?
The good news is that I should not have to wait long to find out. It so happens that I have an oncologist consultation already scheduled for this coming Friday, plus an IV infusion of meds that includes Aredia, the bone-building compound. I won't have to wait long to get answers to my questions and be treated for problems. What's more, I have a second appointment with my stem cell oncologist the following Wednesday, where I'll have the opportunity for the same.
Good timing.
And there's other favorable news. Today is the last day of February. With March always comes hope for better weather and a brighter day. Even if a bad storm happens to pass through, its effects are quickly dissipated.
With that realization, my spirits are already lifted.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Being Ed's caretaker is the easiest job in the world. Oddly enough my alter-ego "Nurse Cratchett" has been totally unnecessary. Ed consistently remains cheerful, upbeat, positive, and very thankful for everything he has. Hence the amazing recovery. I am totally convinced that Ed's recovery is due to his amazing spirit, and the good vibes from all his family and friends.
I also need to reiterate what Ed has expressed since the onset of his diagnosis. Thank you just doesn't seem to do it! There isn't a day that goes by that we don't think about and appreciate the many acts of kindness. Every call, card, gift, meal, Facebook message, and words of encouragement are appreciated. Not to mention holiday excursion gifts and a huge team of Tamarac rakers!
How can one repay such kindness? Simply by paying it forward. Our first way to accomplish this is by working hard to support Heidi Bentley Barcomb's Dragonfly Experience half-marathon and walk on June 5th, in honor of Ed for the benefit of NYOH Capital District Cancer Resource Foundation funds.
This was the charity that Ed choose because it helps strapped Capital District cancer patients with much needed funds for their treatment. We witnessed a lot of needy patients during Ed's treatment and stem cell transplant ordeal, and this organization is vital. A start to pay it forward.
We already know there is an army of supporters that will participate in this "Go Out and Make It a Great Day Race." Anyone who would like to help out can keep track of the developments on this blog, or on Heidi's websites at: heidibarcomb@thedragonflyadventure.com and the Facebook group "The Dragonfly Adventure."
NYOH Foundation http://www.newyorkoncology.com/
Capital District Cancer Resource Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation created in March 2000 to help provide funds for daily living and support services for Capital District Region residents undergoing cancer treatment.
Finally, I wanted to share the the lovely article that was published in the Frost Valley YMCA Camp Fall newsletter concerning our experience with the "Chillin In The Catskills" Cancer Retreat Conference held last October: (Click on page 4)
http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1pyld/FrostValleyLifeFall2/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F249278%2FFrost-Valley-Life--Fall-2010
"A man's growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends" - Ralph Waldo Emerson
We are truly blessed to have your friendship and support!
I also need to reiterate what Ed has expressed since the onset of his diagnosis. Thank you just doesn't seem to do it! There isn't a day that goes by that we don't think about and appreciate the many acts of kindness. Every call, card, gift, meal, Facebook message, and words of encouragement are appreciated. Not to mention holiday excursion gifts and a huge team of Tamarac rakers!
How can one repay such kindness? Simply by paying it forward. Our first way to accomplish this is by working hard to support Heidi Bentley Barcomb's Dragonfly Experience half-marathon and walk on June 5th, in honor of Ed for the benefit of NYOH Capital District Cancer Resource Foundation funds.
This was the charity that Ed choose because it helps strapped Capital District cancer patients with much needed funds for their treatment. We witnessed a lot of needy patients during Ed's treatment and stem cell transplant ordeal, and this organization is vital. A start to pay it forward.
We already know there is an army of supporters that will participate in this "Go Out and Make It a Great Day Race." Anyone who would like to help out can keep track of the developments on this blog, or on Heidi's websites at: heidibarcomb@thedragonflyadventure.com and the Facebook group "The Dragonfly Adventure."
NYOH Foundation http://www.newyorkoncology.com/
Capital District Cancer Resource Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation created in March 2000 to help provide funds for daily living and support services for Capital District Region residents undergoing cancer treatment.
Finally, I wanted to share the the lovely article that was published in the Frost Valley YMCA Camp Fall newsletter concerning our experience with the "Chillin In The Catskills" Cancer Retreat Conference held last October: (Click on page 4)
http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1pyld/FrostValleyLifeFall2/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F249278%2FFrost-Valley-Life--Fall-2010
"A man's growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends" - Ralph Waldo Emerson
We are truly blessed to have your friendship and support!
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