tjrasMOM Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 What an amazing weekend for my mom and I! Mom & I attended the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Walk in San Francisco this past weekend. We had had such a long & busy weekend (a birth in the family which we both witnessed, plus parties, plays, BBQs, etc.) We decided that if we didn't make the walk itself, we wanted to go to the festivities afterward in Golden Gate park. We wanted to meet others who are dealing with lung cancer, who are struggling through this disease and maybe find some support in new friendships, learn some new information about treatments, etc. Well, let me just say.....Mom and I were SO thankful we went. We met Bonnie herself, we met other lung cancer survivors, we learned about other treatments that Mom should ask her doctor about, we learned about how lung cancer is NOT recognized at the level it should be, and we learned that unfortunately, there isn't enough fund raising done for lung cancer. This is why lung cancer awareness needs help getting information out there. Plus, there is such a stigma attached to lung cancer that people have brought it on themselves IF they smoked. We need to break that stigma and help get the information out there. I have never felt surrounded by so many people who understand what Mom is going through than I did yesterday. We met guest SF Opera singer, Zheng Cao who was diagnosed 3 months ago with stage 4 lung cancer that had already spread to her bone, brain and lymph nodes when she was diagnosed. She spoke yesterday & was so emotional while she sang, "You'll Never Walk Alone" -- dedicating it to all the survivors who sat up on stage with her (including Mom). After her performance, Mom and I walked up with tear-soked faces and embraced her. We all hugged and told HER to fight & stay strong. We shared Mom's story, told her how Mom has never given up...and that she too can fight this! Whhhhewwww, I cry again just typing this out... I spoke with Bonnie's daughter Danielle for a long time. She was so informative. She lives locally and she gave me her card. We promised to get in touch and work together for next year's event. I promised that I would dedicate myself next year to working with them and doubling the amount of participants! I am on a mission now! Lastly, I have attached a news clip here that was airing on ABC leading up to the event. Mom and I met almost all of the people interviewed & featured in this story. Including the head of UCSF Cancer Research. All of these wonderful people walked or ran in this event! http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?sectio ... id=6924573 I have so much hope. =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fighting4mom Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Tova, What a wonderful chronicle ... thank you for sharing the moments of your (and Mom's) amazing weekend! I am so pleased to know that there are more and more advocates to reduce the stigma of this disease. Though new to the jouney, I think more and more it's all about passing it on, isn't it? Helping and supporting others when you can. Leaning on others when you need to. It all comes back around, doesn't it? I am thinking of you and your Mom as she does the WBR sessions. Blessings to you, Kimberly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Tova- What an amazing weekend that sounded like. I wish there were more of those events for lung cancer!!! Sounds like your mom is doing great with her WBR - shes a few days ahead of me - is she done yet??? I will be done with my 15 on Friday and I have to say - no side effects at all except for the dreaded hair loss. Hope she is doing just fine, too altho it sounds like she is. Please keep us posted - give mom a big hug from me!!! Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 What a great weekend! Thanks for sharing it with us. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjrasMOM Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 Hi Patti, I'm glad you're not having any side effects. Other than the dreaded hair loss, like you said. Mom was already bald from Taxol so she's just bummed that it won't be growing back any time soon. Mom is doing fine. Has made 2 great friends with the 2 young men whom she sees every morning, at 10:25am for radiation. She's on day ???? 12 or so. I think she has about 1.5 - 2 weeks left. She brings them treats every Friday. They LOVE her! She usually drives herself to radiation, which is about 20 minutes away....but 2-3 days someone goes with her. Either me or one of her sisters or a friend. She always says she feels silly when people go with her because she drives all the way out there and the radiation takes about 45 seconds to a minute. The only thing that has continued, is the headaches. They were bad before (which is why she had the MRI to begin with) and haven't really eased up. The doctor said that radiation MIGHT cause headaches because of the fluid from the tumors dying. I think I have that right? You sound like you're doing well Patti. Like I told my mom, you can look forward to a cute new hair-do by the holidays! Always look for the positive! Take care! Tova Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjrasMOM Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 P.S. Patti, If you're on day 15, then Mom must be on day 16 or 17. She started the same day she went in to meet the radiologist. The total plan is 22 days. Spreading it out in lower doses to lesson the long term side effects. =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaminkw Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Tova, sounds like an awesome weekend you had with your Mom. She sounds like a bundle of energy. So glad she's getting thru WBR with minimal side effects. Judy in Key West Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Tova- Well, I end this Friday and get to ring the bell - they have a big ships bell on the wall and when you graduate you get to clang it!!!!! My side effects have been virtually null - and I hope they don't start now!!!! I am like your mom - I hate to have anyone have to drive me - 30 minutes there, 40 seconds at radiation, then 30 minutes back home. My son wants to bring me Friday to take pics of me ringing the bell. I hope your mom continues to do well. I feel fortunate for both of us that we are coming away with this in pretty good shape!!! Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick C Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 What a great experience!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carleen Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Tova, So glad your mom is doing well with the radiation and with minimal side effects. Is your mom on decadron or other steriod for any of the fluid or swelling from the WBR. I know Keith really got a lot of relief from the headaches when he was doing radiation from taking decadron. Your weekend sounds amazing. And congratulations on joining the cause of advocacy. There is such a great need for more people to advocate and raise awareness, funding, and lessen the stigma. Good for you!!! I hope when you and your mom go next year it will be an even greater success and just as magical of an experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud Baker Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 It sounds like an awesome weekend, Tova. No one can appreciate more or be inspired more by this kind of event than someone who has been directly affected by lung cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristi Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 How fun! Thanks for sharing your weekend. My family and I will be walking in the Lungevity Walk in Dallas this November and I can't wait. I hope it's just as great as your experience in SF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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