That Feeling

I had forgotten "that feeling" until I had it today and remembered I had the same feeling at the same instant last year. The first warm day of the year and it all comes flooding back: the smell, the stickiness, the energy in the air...all project me back to summer 2003 and being on treatment. I almost got sick when I walked outside today and it didn't occur to me why...until I remembered "that feeling." And then of course it made perfect sense.

Off to Washington

I am very excited to report that I have been invited to go to Washington D.C. as a cancer survivorship advocate in June on behalf of LAF to take part in LIVESTRONG Day. Woohoo.

Here is the information from LAF:

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) believes that in the battle with cancer, unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything.

Join us in Washington, D.C. June 6-8, 2005 to participate in LIVESTRONG™ Day and raise awareness on Capitol Hill about the challenges facing people living with cancer.

On LIVESTRONG Day, the LAF will lead a unified group of advocates to Washington, D.C to encourage lawmakers to address the health policy concerns of people battling with cancer and their family members.

I am also going to be travelling to Washington in May to get sworn in to the D.C. Bar (long story), and possibly for one other event in July. Looks like I'll be spending a lot of quality time on the Acela this summer.

Check Ups

Well, today was CT scan day. It really doesn't get that much easier. I think I need to go and re-read my Being Fearless post.

2005 LAF Fundraising goal: $30,000
Raised to date: $1,455

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE LANCE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION

Being Fearless

Part of this past weekend I spent at a conference with a spritual bent, the topic of which was how to live fearlessly. There were many well-known speakers of the "new age" persuasion there, such as Wayne Dyer, Caroline Myss, Julia Cameron, etc. A very interesting mix of people. It occurred to me though, and this is not the first time, though I forget sometimes, that I have already experienced the scariest thing that could happen to a person - being told that there was a good chance they were about to die, and fighting against that. So not that much scares me now. Well, a lot less than before, and it is very liberating when I keep this in mind.

I remember right before my resection surgery I had come to terms with the fact that I might die. And I was okay with that. Once you are not afraid to die, there are few obstacles in your path. During this week I went cross-country skiing and would spree down hills far above my skill level with little regard for the consequences (also because I figured if I died skiing into a tree I could forego having the major surgery I was scheduled for the following week.) There is definitely something to be said for living in this state.

"Life is a daring adventure or nothing."

2005 LAF Fundraising goal: $30,000
Raised to date: $1,435

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE LANCE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION