Tommy D

Two Friday's ago, I had the honor of going to Dr. Tom's office to watch the filming of the video for the Tommy D foundation. The main filming was done in Dr. Andrew's (Jenn's grandpa) office which I honestly hadn't been in since um, I think I was 17. It was amazing. Nothing had changed. It felt safe(sounds strange even typing that a doc's private office was safe). Anyway, I sat and listened intently to the loving way that Dr. Tom explained Tommy's diagnosis and treatment from age six until last August. It was hard to listen to him talk and give the timeline of Tommy's treatment over the years. I felt badly that I forgot a surgery that he had back in 2002. It was hard to think of how I felt the first time I met Tommy when I was just moved here. I never knew anyone who actually had cancer and brain cancer was just so foriegn to me. I remember being worried about how to treat Tommy. Then after I got to know Jenn and family. I knew to treat Tommy as just one of the gang. He was always so pleasant. I really can't think of a time when he was 'in a bad mood' I have said it before but Tommy really taught me to live for the moment. Enjoy every breakfast, every lunch, a cup of coffee, a television show.



I sat in the chair in Dr. Andrew's office and saw Jennifer's dad as a father who had love in his eyes for his son. I saw a man who did everything possible to seek out 'the best' possible treatment for Tommy. When that treatment plan wasn't working as well, then he sought out another plan. There was never a 'this is the end' there was always another option on the horizon. I saw a man who loves his four children. I saw a man who loves Lucille (Jennifer's mom). Tommy relied on Lucille for strength. I saw a man who did everything he could to find a cure for Tommy and s now tryng to make the path easier for others who are diagnosed with this horrible disease. I was honored and proud to be there to witness this moment. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. The whole family teaches me about the person that I strive to be.

April is birthday month for Jennifer's family and I know that Tommy with his grandparents are rejoicing and celebrating each of the April birthday's from Heaven.

Submitted by Michelle

Stephanie

Not too long ago I had the pleasure of enjoying dinner at Greg and Stephanie Johnson's house to help plan out the 2nd Annual Stephanie Johnson Tri. I couldn't stop looking at Stephanie and their whole family thinking how healthy and normal she looked and how normal their household was. They don't really know how much more time she has, but if anyone were to see her, they would guess 30, 40, 50 years. I am in total awe of their ability to live life to the fullest, while still continuing to be a normal, every day family. I've said it before, but I do not think there is any way I would ever be strong enough to continue on the way that they have. It is just amazing and inspiring.

I pray for them each night, along with several others. I hate that it seems my list is getting longer and longer. I wish I could do more. I really do. I wish I could take just an ounce of hurt out of the hearts of people affected by cancer - both the cancer victims themselves and their families. I wish they could go at least one day with no fear, no pain, no heartache. I wish the people who have been left alone due to a loved one dying of cancer would never have to feel alone again. Uncle Boyd said the silence in his house was deafening after Aunt Linda died. My stomach still turns in knots every time I think of that. Caitlin said she doesn't think she can bring herself to sell her dad's car because it smells like him. Others can't really tell me how their loved one with cancer is doing because they can't bear to know the information themselves. Mom said the other night "I HATE cancer." I wanted to say "no sh**" but I didn't.

Here is "the list" as of today. It is ever-changing and always growing. It sucks.
1. Ellen
2. Stephanie Johnson and her family
3. Mrs. Chandler
4. Alaina's mom
5. Clayton (we met his mom at Tx. Children's)
6. Caitlin and Cary for the loss of their dad in December
7. Elizabeth's grandmother - recently diagnosed with breast cancer
8. Mike and his family, after the loss of his mom in 2003
9. Aunt Linda's family, after losing her in 2003
10. Mishele, after losing her mom in 2005
11. Ruthie's family, after losing her aunt in January

In 11 short days, I will be racing with each of these people in my heart. I will be racing for them and in memory of them. I will be wearing my special #99 proudly, as a sign that I'm part of the Janus Charity Challenge, and racing for "something bigger than myself" as Sissy said.

I'm still working on meeting my goal of raising $5000 for the American Cancer Society, so if you know anyone with some loose change, please point them in this direction.

Submitted by KCWoodhead

Her name is Hannah!

We met on a retreat in a remote area of Mexico. I knew she was special right away. She is beautiful and graceful, (I teased her and told her she looked like a model for Eileen Fisher!), as well as smart, and has spent her life dedicated to helping others as a Chiropractor, body worker and nutritionist. She is an athlete and a Yogini and meditates daily. She is committed to health and well being both personally and professionally, but in a quiet, unobtrusive manner. I’ve been in the business of natural wellness for many years myself, and I can say that Hannah is, bar none, one of the most knowledgeable practitioners I’ve met in many years. She was an inspiration to me, and very generous with her hands, her heart and her knowledge.

Two days in to the retreat, I sat next to Hannah and we began to share our stories. Hannah’s story, a long journey of 3 years that began when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, humbled me. She was at peak fitness, loving life and felt terrific when she got the sad news that she would need a mastectomy, chemo and radiation to battle her cancer. I listened to her detail the experience of surgery, harsh chemotherapy that wiped her out, then radiation that sapped her energy, of how the entire experience brought her to her mental, emotional, spiritual and physical edges. She shared her journey towards recovery, and of how her life and her body have forever changed. I was very moved by her courage and grace, of how she seemed able to communicate this difficult journey with a sense of levity.

The retreat continued to unfold, and as it did the women began to open their hearts and, as often is the case, the pain of recent losses and disappointments surfaced amongst us. Yoga has a way of softening the heart, especially when you have the time to really dive in. Other stories of cancer and loss surfaced. One of the women broke down and shared that she had recently lost a best friend to a short and intense battle with colon cancer. When she cried, it was Hannah who came over to hold her. Grace in action.

At the end of the retreat, we all traveled the 5 hour journey from the remote location of the retreat to the airport together. As it turned out, Hannah and I had later flights in the same terminal, so we hung out for 5 hours together and had a nice long lunch. I commented on how much she had inspired me with her vigor and grace. After sharing her story so intimately at the retreat, and holding such a comforting space for others, Hannah decided to share yet another aspect of her experience that really moved me. She talked about feeling like she had to hold back expressing her own fears of death and dying from her loved ones so as to ameliorate theirs, of having to be strong even when she felt defeated and exhausted, of never being able to speak of death or failed treatments or an uncertain future, of feeling daunted in a confusing medical arena, of having to weigh tons of complex information and make life altering decisions, of dealing with disfigurement, of changed relationships. The tears came. Hers and mine.

I have a bit of a different perspective than the other stories shared in this forum. I’ve been lucky. The only cancer in my family has been in very elderly distant relatives, and their treatments were not aggressive nor were their cancers, although I am not arrogant in thinking that cancer can’t happen to me...too many really vibrant, healthy people are surprisingly stricken in the circles I frequent, and I suspect in general. As a Yoga teacher and sitting at the helm of a Yoga community rooted in a studio I’ve run for 9 years, I have had the ‘difficult privilege’ of bearing witness to the ravages of cancer in many students’ lives. It is not uncommon for folks dealing with cancer to turn to Yoga for stress relief or as a way of regaining a sense of peace or physical strength. I say it is a difficult privilege because I am always humbled and impressed by the dignity with which people meet such daunting challenges. Because of these experiences over the years, I have been motivated to seek out supporting organizations and resources that I can pass on. I’ve volunteered as a support person myself in a hospice setting and on a hospital unit with stage 4 cancer patients. I know how important it is for cancer patients and survivors to be able to talk about their fears with others who are perhaps a bit removed, who can witness without letting their own fears get in the way. Often, these organizations are in need of funds, as well as volunteer support. Here’s a few favorites. Hope you’ll be moved to help.


www.gildasclub.org
http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org/
www.breakawayfromcancer.org


Submitted by Cyndi