Two weeks passed already!?

Tomorrow is treatment #10 for 2011 so as usual I’m going to check in here before I start the week where I typically don’t want to spend any more time than absolutely necessary at a computer.

I’m doing well and continue to have people tell me that I look great. I guess that all things considered I do look OK but I sure wish that I felt a bit better (and eyebrows would be cool too). Toward the end of treatment cycles I feel “ok” but generally I’m feeling like I could take a nap at a moment’s notice. I’m trying hard to work through this though and have managed to keep a fairly steady routine of bike riding. I even managed to take a weeknight spin through my 27-mile loop last Wednesday. That was a thrill on a beautifully sunny day and I enjoyed it immensely.

My high school track reunion was, as it is every year, a lot of fun last weekend. We presented the scholarship we have in Coach O’Dell’s name to a very deserving graduate. Next year is our 10^th annual reunion so we hope to be able to kick things up a notch for that one by coercing alumni from around the country to visit us here in NJ.

Class of 1977 (l-r, Mark Cheben, me, Coach O'Dell, Buddy Schweikert, Mike Halloran)

Over the past few weeks I have been trying to support some friends that are in a variety of scenarios with cancer. One was just diagnosed, two have just had surgery, and another two have had the intensity level turned up on their cancer battles as their respective treatments have stopped working. Needless to say this has been a few week period where I have used the “F**k Cancer” phrase quite liberally. I feel good that I’m in a position to provide some firsthand support for these friends and they seem to appreciate my words as a cancer survivor. I can’t help but wish that I could do more. For now I have to focus on the collective efforts of our Mintz’s Mentschen team as we participate in LiveSTRONG events and also Cycle for Survival. Cancer is so ugly with the affect that it has on tens of millions of people. If you can support our fundraising efforts with even a small donation please accept my heartfelt thanks. Click here to access my fundraising website.

As a parting note check out this scan of a birthday card I received from the Quinn's. It's great.

Status quo.... and that's a good thing

Treatment #9 was yesterday and I'm happy to say that there's just not too much to say about that right now. My blood counts have remained stable and we're scheduled for treatments into early August. As I had mentioned, this will be on a 2-week treatment cycle so it doesn't leave too much time for recovery and real exercise but I'm holding my own just fine.

Our Mintz's Mentschen group is growing very slowly (we're up to 18 people) and our fundraising grand total is just shy of $8,000. Not too shabby but we're obviously hoping for more. My fundraising page can be accessed by clicking here. Thanks for your consideration. With all of the recent news about Lance Armstrong please know that his cycling is entirely separate from what he has done legitimately with his foundation in support of the 28 million people currently battling cancer. The Lance Armstrong Foundation is a worldwide advocate for cancer research and support services.

And for a bit more excitement on the Mintz's Mentschen topic is that we'll have new cycling jerseys for 2011. Check it out!

I'm constantly trying to recruit new team members. For those of you that may be intimidated for some reason please know that I'll probably be just coming off of treatment and riding the same short distance that I did last year. Last year was a 25-mile route and I believe the LiveSTRONG website shows this ride option as a 20-miler for this year. Please come join my riding posse!