Chalkbot!

This is lot of fun and inspiring! Add your message. http://www.livestrong.org/Chalkbot

Brains on Bikes:Cycling Across America

http://www.brainsonbikes.org/
Anne, a brain cancer survivor, and her friend Gundy are riding across America to raise awareness about Brain Cancer. They finish their ride on the National Mall in DC next Saturday, July 17th. The G-M family will be there to show our support. My bike is ready!
DC Finale details

Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da, Life goes on...!

M and I went to NIH last week for my quarterly MRI. No pressure walking in to that appointment, Ha! I always hope and pray for the best but prepare for bad news. This was a very good appointment. The MRI showed no growth of the tumor and possibly some shrinkage!!!!! (Insert Seinfeld shrinkage joke here). First doc said possibly a little shrinkage, second more senior doctor said definitely some shrinkage. They don't expect much shrinkage anyway as the mass is assumed to be scar tissue that will not fade away.

So that is that. Life goes on. Next MRI in September. Chemotherapy pills this week then three weeks off, as per normal chemo program.

Heading to visit dear friends this week in the IN/MI/OH. Very excited.

I'm Famous! (sort of...)

I won a drawing by the organization with the goal to bring the FIFA World Cup to the US in 2018 0r 2022. They sent me a beautiful, personalized US jersey and interviewed me for their blog. The interview is here: http://www.gousabid.com/blog/entry/usmnt-jersey-winner/

I actually am sharing the home page of the site with the US Mens Team, President Obama, President Clinton and VP Biden...sort of. www.gousabid.com

For the interview they found my blog and asked me about it. They asked why I decided to blog and what advice do I have for those starting their fight with cancer:

GoUSABid: You have a blog that chronicles your experience with brain cancer, how did you decide to blog about this experience? What advice do you have for those who might just be starting cancer treatment?
ME: The blog came out as way to communicate to friends and family around the country and world. I wanted to keep everyone updated on my brain surgery, recovery, radiation treatments and chemotherapy. I wanted information out there so people wouldn't be guessing or expecting the worst. I have always felt strong and positive through this situation and wanted my friends to support my fight in the same way. Right now, only the blog has been suffering as I am too busy living to update it regularly!

My advice is to stay positive. I have on my computer desktop a statement that I typed early on when I was pretty scared. I wanted to record my thoughts as I started my fight. I simply typed, "I choose to live." That became my mantra. I also would not be doing so well without my incredibly supportive wife and family and the best doctors, nurses and staff that I could find.

Side note: I spent several months at home after my brain surgery. Thank God for the daily afternoon soccer matches on ESPN and Fox Soccer!

Play Ball!

Cheverly Day East-West Softball Game. After months of bad weather, a gimpy leg, and many, many pills and needle sticks it felt great to just play a game. I should have gone to a batting cage months ago. Great therapy!

BTW: It is a chemo week. (But only 3 1/2 days of work! Long Memorial Day weekend.

I love this shirt

I am just too busy.

I have too many things I want to get done. Simple as that. Busiest part of the school year. Family coming in this weekend for eldest daughter's First Communion. Yardwork. Bike rides; long bike rides; really long bike rides. World Cup starts in 44 days. Then the Tour De France. Pool will open soon. I don't even have time to blog properly. Therefore, I have decided to put brain cancer on hiatus. Sorry cancer but you were taking up too much of my time. I'll send you a postcard.

BTW: It's chemo week! Ummm...Temodar. Is it me or do the pink ones taste better than the blue ones?