Our CINJ visit

The ride to the Cancer Institute of New Jersey yesterday was quick. It is a ride I am familiar with since I went to college a few miles away at DeVry University and then worked in North Brunswick for a few months after. As we drove up Route 18 into East Brunswick I could not help but notice how many more malls and restaurants there were. Things have certainly changed.

The area surrounding the CINJ and RWJ was under a lot of construction and it was hard to find a spot. We have to park 4 blocks away. It was funny, when we came out of the parking garage and turned to walk up the street the wind was blowing 40 MPH and nearly pushed me and Kristy backwards and it was cold. It made for a good laugh as we could barely walk and we looked like Chevy Chase and Dan Aykroyd in Spies Like Us when they get out of the G-Force machine.

We made it there on time and had to wait a while before we could get to see the doctor. I was able to fill out a standard form based on pain and fatigue. I was glad I was not having issues in either area. I went in to got my vitals taken and came back out to wait some more. After waiting more than an hour we were brought back to the exam room.

Dr. Weiss was a nice guy. You can tell when you meet him that he knows what he is doing. He informed me of something my urologist, Dr. Schor, already told me which was I am part of a very small percentage of testicular cancer survivors who had two different tumors on the same testicle. Dr. Weiss and Dr. Schor both said it was rare. It is even more rare <3% chance a testicular cancer survivor will get it on his remaining testicle. It is good to know the statistics, but I already knew about them. I just wanted to know what I had.

Dr. Weiss gave me an exam and just like Dr. Schor he could not find a lump. I showed him but he could not feel it. I guess I know myself a little to good :-) He then walked out to review my ultrasound. When he returned 5 minutes later he sat down al gave it to me straight.

Dr. Weiss said there is definitely something there, but he cannot be certain if it is cancer or not. He told me that if I had two testicles that he would normally advise for me to have it removed, but given my current status (DOWN ONE) he does not want to do that. He stated that would screw with my hormones and it would be like being a woman going through menopause. I keep thinking about how I would need to change my LIVESTRONG Challenge team name :-)

It was clear by his facial reaction that he was not used to seeing a guy two times for TC. It is just not normal. He went on to say personally he believes it is so early that I should wait and monitoring the situation. He recommended that I come back in 6-8 weeks for a colored ultrasound which will accomplish a few things.

1. Get the colored ultrasound at RWJ which gives a radiologist second opinion
2. We will be able to see if it has grown
3. We should be able to see if it is taking on blood or not.

Though I wanted to know what I had I was in agreement with his recommendation.

How odd is this? I actually caught, whatever it is, too early. Now I have a lot of time between now and my next appointment on March 24th. Almost everyone I talk to is saying, “I guess No News is Good News.” Maybe they are right, but some how I just do not feel that way. I like to know what is going on and do not like to wait. Given my situation I do not have a choice and I know waiting and monitoring is the right decision.

LIVESTRONG!

~ Brian Dowd

Family Support

I got up early today to take Caroline to get a CT scan of her head. She has reoccurring issues with her sinuses and we need to make sure that there are no surprises. It has been over 13-14 months that she has issues with her sinuses so her doctor recommended the CT.

Caroline was a very good girl and I am extremely proud of her. No kid should have to go through the testing. I guess her past experience getting to X-rays of her chest prepared her. She was a little nervous to start, but after I took the trial run for her and the nurse told her I can stay in the room and hold her hand she was good to go.

It took all of 2 minutes and she was done. She do not move and started to laugh a little because I was making faces at her after it was over. She is one brave kid! I like to think she gets that from me and Kristy. We have faced a lot of adversity over the last 2 years and we made are way through it. We do not sit around feeling sorry for ourselves. We deal with it and get through it as a family.

Today is definitely one of those days. There is an unknown with Caroline and her situation which is our #1 priority. I believe it will end up being OK, but we will let the doctor tell us.

Then there is my situation. I go to the Cancer Institute of New Jersey today to see Dr. Weiss. I have everything ready and will make sure not to forget anything. It is unclear as to what is next. Will he be able to tell me what I have? Will I have to get more tests? We have to wait until the 2:30PM appointment to get us the answers we need, but like any other period of unknown we have faced in the past we will get through it.

After all, I have a great support system with Kristy, Caroline, Annabelle and my entire family & friends.

LIVESTRONG!

~ Brian Dowd

Time to get ready, just in case!

I wanted to put the words down for everyone and post it on my BLOG to help you keep up with what is going on. It is hard to reach out to every single family member and friend so I will keep the blog posted on what happens next.

For the past week I have been working with my doctors (waiting for my urologist to return from a month long vacation) to investigate a lump which I felt recently on my remaining testicle. I found it two weeks back while performing my Testicular Self-Exam (TSE.)

My urologist returned this week and I saw him yesterday. Looks like I have a problem which will need a cancer expert’s opinion. There is certainly something on the ultrasound scans which may or may not be cancer. Let me stress it might not be cancer. I was told either way it is not going to be good. I should not have anything on it at all. I have to go see a specialist at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey at RWJ in New Brunswick. The doctor, Robert Weiss, MD, worked at Sloan Kettering for 3-4 years and is tops in NJ in the testicle, prostate, etc. cancer field. I made my appointment for Wednesday this way my blood work comes back and I can go there loaded with CT scans, ultrasounds, blood work and my file history.

This is certainly a period of unknown and to tell you the truth it SUCKS. Though I do not want it to be cancer I would prefer to know that it is or is not - NOW. The waiting part is what causes people to go crazy….what if this or that? It just SUCKS! No matter what, those thoughts will happen to me, Kristy, family and friends.

If it is cancer, I am prepared. I have researched the “what if’s” to no end over the last two weeks. IF it is cancer, we will need to explore all options on how to treat it and not jump to conclusions. I want to dig into what my options are and how we can proceed. This time around I want to make an educated decision in agreement with my doctors. Last time we made the right decision, but given everything happened so fast (operation 2 days after second opinion) I did not have time to really think about it. I am luck it was the right decision.

I go into this weekend and next four days on self education mode. I will be reading a lot and speaking to some other 2x testicular cancer survivors for what they had to deal with. Again, just in case! This is not about me being a pessimist. I have to be ready for the best & worst case scenarios and right now becoming a eunuch is the worst thing. I am not concerned with the possibility of chemo, I can deal with it (though I know it is a BITCH.) The next few days will be filled with anticipation to get to doctor Weiss. If cancer comes knocking at my door I will be prepared.

Regardless of the outcome, this serves as a reminder to all of us on how cancer can eventual affect our lives. Even a 50-50 chance is not something to shrug off. It just makes me want to do more to help fight cancer. CANCER SUCKS!

It also shows the effectiveness of performing self-exams regularly. If I did not perform a TSE as often as I do there is no way I would have found this lump. It is so small Dr. Schor could not even feel it (he was squeezing hard and that hurt like hell – and yes I screamed like a woman giving birth) but the ultrasound shows it. It actually is very clear on the ultrasound. Thank God, I practice what I preach!

Now it’s time to get ready, just in case!

More news to come mid-week!

LIVESTRONG!

~ Brian Dowd

Buying a Cure - What business know-how can do for disease

I found this to be an interesting article. It reminded me of the LIVESTRONG Summit in 2006 when Mike Milken stated how we can remove the drug companies from the picture and start offering millions of dollars to the best medical personal in the world and create college like atmosphere for cancer "think tanks" to ensure we find a cure with the next 10-20 years. I remember an example he gave of finding the smartest people in the world and giving them $2 million to move to a specific location and work toward fining a cure without worrying about funding.

I am not sure if I agree with the idea of buying a cure or not, but it sure does get you thinking.

Join Team DOWN ONE for the 2008 LIVESTRONG Challenge Philadelphia

It’s time to get ready to challenge yourself. Do you have what it takes to participate in the 2008 LIVESTRONG Challenge Philadelphia? I think you do! Join Team DOWN ONE as we embark on another incredible year of fundraising for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. You can join by going to http://www.teamdownone.com/ and clicking the "Join The Team" button.

The LIVESTRONG Challenge is the LAF’s signature fundraising event. The walk/run event is 5K and then there are bike events for 10, 40, 70 or 100 miles. The LAF inspires and empowers people affected by cancer. They help people with cancer focus on living; they believe unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything. The LAF is leading a national movement to make cancer a national priority in the 2008 Presidential race.

Team DOWN ONE's mission is to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF), get people involved in the fight against cancer and provide hope to all cancer survivors.

Last years results were amazing! We had 27 team members. We raised $22,451. We placed 16th out of 292 teams in the Philadelphia Challenge and placed 39th out of 816 team’s nation wide (Philadelphia, Portland and Austin.)

This year we have set our team goals at recruiting 50 team members and raising $30,000. It is equally important to get more people involved in the fight against cancer as it is to raise the money. It is up to us to recruit people. Ask your family, friends and coworkers to join Team DOWN ONE. Think about it. If each person on the team last year rejoined this year and got one person to join we would be at 54. We can do this!

In the coming weeks we will outline our fundraising plans with some of the team members. This year we are certainly going to pursue business (local and national) sponsorships. In 2007, we did not pursue the team sponsorships very hard and we still got over $3,100 worth so this year starting NOW we are focused on getting the business sponsorships. If you have your own business look to sponsor us to take advantage of the write off. If you know someone (family, friend or coworker) who has their own business ask them to sponsor us. I will have the sponsorship forms ready within a week.

This year I will be looking for some team members to help out with gaining sponsorships and setting up a fundraising event - that's right just one event this year. If you are interested in helping please let me know and I will arrange a meeting to review our plans with the team.

Thank you and I look forward to you joining Team DOWN ONE and helping us make a difference in the fight against cancer.

Best Regards & LIVESTRONG,

~ Brian Dowd

LUMP - What is it?

Yesterday the doctor examed me a said the LUMP might just be a cyst. He seems very confident that is what it is, but you can never be 100% sure without getting it looked at so I go for my ultrasound, CT scans of my pelvic, abdomen and chest this Friday.

I will know for sure what it is early next week.

BENEFIT FOR THE PRINCIPATO FAMILY @ The Headliner February 17, 2008

The worst thing I can image is to see a child suffer. I read an article in today's Asbury Park Press and I read about a fundraiser for Nicholas Principato. This 4 year old needs our help! Please see if you can make it to the benefit and if you cannot please make a donation. I have all the information below. Please help make a difference by supporting Nicholas.

BENEFIT FOR THE PRINCIPATO FAMILY
February 17, 2008 from 3pm-7pm.
The Headliner 1401 Hwy 35 Neptune, NJ 07753

WHO IS THIS FOR:
Nicholas Principato, was diagnosed with leukemia. He is undergoing both chemo and radiation treatments at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As the result of his depleted immune system he developed a bacterial infection which was so severe, it resulted in the loss of his left eye. As you can well imagine, along with the tremendous toll on his family, they are also facing astronimcal medical bills as well as transportation costs.

Admission:
Advance Tickets are $20. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $25. 100% of the proceeds are going to help the Principato Family!

CONTACT INFROMATION & TICKET SALES:
Name: Heather Freeman Email: Embracebliss54@yahoo.com Phone: (848) 469-0437
Name: Deanna Akins Email: Deamariea@comcast.net Phone: (732) 996-7169
Name: Cheryl Ascroft Email: Cashcroft@meridianhealth.com Phone: (732) 776-4918

Live Bands Featuring:
DADDY POP, Mama Pajama & The Cry Babies, & The Pat Roddy Band

Gift giveaways:
Tickets for the Miss Belmar Princess fishing boat*, *Yankee Tickets* *Devil's Tickets,* Life Fitness Gym membership, Ladies Workout Express membership, Salon Serene, Bone Fish Grill, Stress Factory, Cheesecake Factory, Salad Works, Rambling Rose Florist, Gulf, Vic's, Salon Emporium, Quiznos, Delvetto's, Hand & Stone Massage Spa, Chili's, Friday's, Steve Akins Photography, Tropical Tan, Blockbuster, Elements, Connelly's Station, & more to come!

Sponsors:
Sand Bar, Red Lobster, Mom's Kitchen, Luigi's, Jersey Mike's on Rt.70, Bruno's, Olive Garden, Edible Arrangements, Outback Steakhouse, Pizza Etc.

For more information please visit this http://www.benefitfornicholas.com/.

LUMP

I know what you’re thinking….what a strange name for a post. Your right, it is strange, but it helps me get to the point.

On January 10th, while performing one of my self-exam (TSE), I found a LUMP. That’s right! It is very small, but I am certain there is something there. I check myself almost every day since June 2, 2006. I know when something has changed and I am very thorough when performing a self-exam. Once you have testicular cancer you know that you need to become familiar with how you perform your checkups.

Maybe it is nothing. Maybe it will go away. Maybe it was always there but I overlooked it. Maybe it is a benign tumor. Maybe it is cancer.

This is exactly what I thought about when I found my first LUMP back in May 2006 and as you know that turned out to be testicular cancer with two seminoma tumors on my right testicle – who is no longer with me. Finding a LUMP does not mean it is cancer. Finding a LUMP does not mean much of anything until I can get it checked out.

This morning I moved up my 6 month check up from Jan 25th to Tuesday the 15th. Now I have to wait until Tuesday to see what the lump is. Then I am sure the fun will begin with an ultrasound, CT scan of pelvic, abdomen and chest, and then blood work. Doesn’t it sound like fun? And to answer your question….NO, I am not testing the healthcare system.

Until I know what is going on I will just let humor guide the way. I still remember my last ultrasound when I asked the technician, “is it a boy or girl?” I thought it was funny but she did not laugh. Humor is exactly what I need right now.

Last time I made the mistake of not telling Kristy about my first LUMP the day I found it so I made sure to tell Kristy the same night and I know she is very concerned, but from experience we believe everything happens for a reason so we will wait to hear what the doctor finds. Though I will admit that just knowing something is there SUCKS.

I sure do wish I had a better reason for my 100th post on this blog.

~ Brian Dowd

HEALTHCARE & 2008 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

When I was diagnosed with testicular cancer my Urologist, Dr. Martin Schor, told me I should start researching cancer hospitals such as, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center or University of PENN. My doctor was getting me prepared just in case the cancer was late stage. At the time I was diagnosed it was with 99% confidence level based on an ultrasound, not a biopsy. The details were not yet known.

As I researched the hospitals and doctors by making calls I was shocked to learn my healthcare provider (CIGNA) was not accepted at Sloan-Kettering. Now, for those of you who do not know, Sloan-Kettering is recognized as the nations top cancer hospital. To hear my healthcare would not be accepted drove me crazy. I could not believe the nations top cancer hospital did not accept my provider. Logic tells me they should accept ALL providers to ensure everyone can get treated. As it turns out, that was wishful thinking.

I was suddenly affected by one of our countries biggest issues with is the lack of proper healthcare for everyone. Regardless of issue or disease! I was fortunate to have early stage cancer so I was able to get treated locally, but if I needed more advanced treatement I would not even have the option of going to Sloan-Kettering.

This is why the 2008 Presidential race is so important to me and the millions of other cancer survivors. What will our next President do to change our health care system? That is the burning question and one I cannot wait to have answered. Maybe it is “pie in the sky” to some because we all know healthcare is talked about every election year, but I think this time we really have a good shot at seeing some changes.

To get up to speed on the candidates stance on healthcare see the below – brought to you by American Academy of Family Physicians.

DEMOCRATS

Senator Hillary Clinton
Priorities: Clinton wants universal health-care coverage by the end of her second term. She realizes the importance of collaboration between employers, government and labor organizations in achieving success. Official Campaign Site

Senator John Edwards
Priorities: Edwards proposes a plan that would provide health care for all Americans while also making coverage more affordable for uninsured families and providing more options for families with insurance and and making it cheaper and easier for businesses and employers to insure their workers. Official Campaign Site

Congressman Dennis Kucinich
Priorities: Kucinich proposes to establish a single payer system, Medicare for All, to be phased in over ten years. It would be a publicly financed, privately delivered health care system and would provide a prescription drug benefit. The system would eliminate the role of private insurers and put doctors and patients in control of the system. Official Campaign Site

Senator Barack Obama
Priorities: Obama hopes to provide universal coverage by 2012. His plan includes providing affordable, comprehensive and portable health coverage for every American; modernizing the health care system to contain spiraling costs and improve the quality of care; and promoting prevention and strengthening public health. Official Campaign Site

Governor Bill Richardson
Priorities: Richardson sees affordable health care for all as the ultimate goal of the health care system. His plan is three-fold: improve access to already existing sources of affordable coverage; assist families who need help paying for coverage; and promote cost relief. Official Campaign Site

REPUBLICANS

Rudy Giuliani
Priorities: Giuliani has said that a single payer system is not an effective way to improve the nation’s health care system. He proposes to give Americans more control over and access to health care with affordable and portable free-market solutions. Official Campaign Site

Governor Mike Huckabee
Priorities: Huckabee proposes an emphasis on preventive care rather than universal coverage as a means of fixing the health care system. He also looks to policy solutions within the private sector to drive cost relief, as well as success or failure within the states to guide policymaking at the federal level. Official Campaign Site

Senator John McCain
Priorities: McCain has spoken of a focus on the importance of health care for veterans. McCain has worked to ensure that veterans receive the health coverage and care they need; he has sponsored legislation that would ensure that health care funding is distributed fairly and that eligible veterans in all regions of the country can equally access high quality health care. He has also supported efforts to give military retirees tax breaks to help pay health insurance premiums, and he has opposed placing user fees on military retirees for using military medical facilities. Official Campaign Site

Congressman Ron Paul
Priorities: Paul, who was a practicing physician specializing in obstetrics from 1968 -1996, has not proposed a specific health care plan. As a Libertarian, Paul does not support the government's involvement in health care. He is not against stem-cell research, but he is against federal funding for such research. Personally, he will not accept payment by Medicare or Medicaid. He favors relaxation of restrictions on illegal drugs, and he voted against the Medicare/prescription drug bill in 2003. Official Campaign Site

Governor Mitt Romney
Priorities: Romney would extend health care coverage to all Americans through the power of the market, not through taxes or government reforms. While he has been lauded for signing sweeping health care legislation during his tenure as governor of Massachusetts, he has not entirely relied on it as a model for his presidential plan. Official Campaign Site

Fred Thompson
Priorities: Thompson believes that every American should be able to get affordable health insurance. He would work toward a health care system that improves the individual health of all Americans by shifting to a system that promotes cost-effective prevention, chronic-care management, and personal responsibility He also advocates modernizing the delivery and administration of care by encouraging the widespread use of clinical best practices, medical information technology, and other innovations. Official Campaign Site

Cancer Fundraising 2008 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation

Please help me reach my 2008 goal of raising $20,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) by making a donation. Your donation will help the Lance Armstrong Foundation fund education, advocacy and research programs.

All donations submitted after November 1, 2007 will count toward my participation in the LIVESTRONG Challenge Philadelphia, PA area August 24, 2008. My 2008 link will be up in February!

The LIVESTRONG Challenge is the LAF’s signature fundraising event. The walk/run event is 5K and then there are bike events for 10, 40, 70 or 100 miles. The LAF inspires and empowers people affected by cancer, visit: http://www.livestrong.org/challenge

I encourage you to share this with your family and friends. We WILL one day BEAT cancer!

LIVESTRONG!

Please visit my website and blogs:

http://www.teamdownone.com/
http://blog.teamdownone.com/
http://canceradvocacy.blogspot.com/

WAR ON CANCER

In August, the Lance Armstrong Foundation held the LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum, a two-day event featuring 2008 presidential hopefuls from the Democratic and Republican parties in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The cancer forum was designed to find out what the candidates running for President were planning to do to help fight cancer.

The Democrats had a good turn out with Senator - Hillary Clinton, Senator - John Edwards, Governor - Bill Richardson and Congressman - Dennis Kucinich in attendance. However the Republicans had a poor turn out with only Senator - Sam Brownback and Governor - Mike Huckabee in attendance.

Being a cancer survivor I cannot believe that all candidates were not at the cancer forum. Cancer is the #1 killer of Americans under the age of 85. It should be a top priority. Though it is sad to not see them all there it was good to see those who showed up and know all of them pledged to renew the war on cancer. I am referring the war of cancer President Richard Nixon started in 1971.

Last nights Iowa caucuses Democrat winner Barack Obama was not in attendance at the forum do to scheduling issues, but the Republican winner Mike Huckabee was there. I do not know what Senator Obama’s stance is on cancer and how he will address the issue, but I did get a sense of Governor Huckabee’s stance.

• Supports a smoke free America
• Better health care
• Better nutrition
• Better screening for cancer

Governor Huckabee plans to make the fight on cancer a major issue. He is in favor of increasing the spending for cancer and other diseases because "…money spent on the front side doesn't cost dollars, it ultimately saves them."

It is clear from last nights news reports the people of Iowa wanted a change. They wanted individuals with a different view than what we currently see on the nation’s top issues. The change was Barack Obama (D) and Mike Huckabee (R). I am glad to see one of them has taken the stand to renew the war on cancer. I am sure over the next few months Senator Obama will make cancer a part of his campaign. One would think it would be an issue that is near to his heart since his mother passed away from ovairian cancer in 1995

This is not about being a Democrat or Republican. It is about beating cancer. There is a long road ahead (10 months) and many more caucuses. Hopefully all candidates will make cancer a priority to address.

LIVESTRONG!