A Voice

Hey, all. So, I did a little revising, updated the look of the blog. (Still trying to navigate the blog world with how to make it look exactly as I want).

Sorry I took such a long hiatus. I'm sure I've lost almost all of my readers. I think I went through a phase where "it was over." I felt like this blog had become not about my life travels, social events and turning points, but more about my journey with stupid cancer. After surgery, after my doctor said, "go home, see you in six months" I kind of took that for what it was. Forget about this journey and don't worry about a thing for another six months.

I was wrong.

While I couldn't forget what had happened to me, what I went through, it seemed to be talked about less and less. It isn't until now that I realize I wanted to talk about it MORE. Here I was, finally healthy, my mind clear and free from chemo and fatigue, and yet my voice seemed squelched. I'd jump at any moment to share my story and let someone know what I went through. It made for some unwise times of letting someone into that place in my heart that is so sacred to me who didn't respect it. I had to learn to safeguard the more intimate thoughts and events for those who mean most to me all the while relaying my story as often as I could.

I just went to an event in Las Vegas put on by Stupid Cancer Dot Org. The OMG! Summit for Young Adults. This summit was amazing. Not only did I get to enjoy a "real" Vegas experience (Clubbing, free drinks at the bar [diet coke for this lady], famous people, Chippendales, the night life), but I met 550 other young adult cancer survivors!! It was amazing to share 3 days with others who 'get it'. I heard so many stories, shared much laughter, anger, and tears with people who've been run through the mill. Yes, I had fun. But I also walked away from the classes, the forums, the mealtime mingling, with a new outlook, a drive. I came away feeling like I needed more.

Yes, I don't have cancer. Yes, MANY people have been through so much worse. (I realized how very 'lucky' I was during my treatment). But my journey isn't over. It's only been one year. There is still a high chance of recurrence. I have another kidney, after all. I still deal with late-affects from chemo, surgery and the cancer itself. I still have to muck through the mess that is health care, health insurance.

During the summit, Wendell Potter spoke to us. He was the keynote speaker. This was probably when I was my most angry. (Although, the 'macho' guys annoyed that us 'cancer patients' who were getting to cut in line for the club ahead of them made me upset too. Yeah, cause we chose to have cancer just to get into the club a few minutes earlier than you.) Wendell Potter used to work for the BIG health insurance companies. He had his hands in the politics and dirty work for a long time, until he came to realize how wrong it all was. He shared with us a story of a young girl who, because of her cancer diagnosis, needed a liver transplant. Her parents had insurance, they had the coverage for transplants, and the best news, they had a donor. Because of one person on an insurance committee, they denied her the liver. They deemed it not necessary. It was not profitable for the company. The parents fought. They got media involved, they wrote letters, they petitioned. Too late. Their daughter ended up dying because she didn't get the transplant.

Mr. Potter went on to talk about the corruption in the industry and immediate need for health care reform. I found myself wanting to stand up, put my hand in the air and shout "AMEN!" at the top of my lungs many times. I feel I was/am a victim to poor health care.

After the summit, I really felt like I need a plan. I needed to find out how I can do more for those young adults navigating the cancer world, for those friends and family of mine who need to know that they CAN get cancer and how they can look out for signs of it. So, I decided to revamp this blog. I also decided to start another blog. Click here. This is where I will post news articles, websites, information, data, and ways for others to know what cancer is all about and how you and I can take a stand up to it.

I'm back. I'm here to stay. I have a voice. Cancer may have taken a kidney, but it didn't take me. I am bringing awareness by bringing discussion.

Please, spread the word to your friends. Everyone needs to get informed.