Tag Archives: support

Walk This Way

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One step at a time…

Last week, over 700 brain tumor patients, survivors, caregivers, family, friends and doctors walked and ran in the Path of Hope, a 5K to benefit the CTBTA.  As with all events, there were obstacles to overcome but that did not stop us.  The new venue worked perfectly and I heard many great compliments.  Additionally, we were faced with another event taking place on the same day and at the same location, but this too did not make an iota of a difference to our dedicated group of volunteers who adjusted to each punch thrown.  I saw determination and a desire to make this event just as great, if not better, than the previous two years.   Proudly, we can say, that goal was accomplished.

We had an impassioned speech from our President Emeritus and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.  New this year was a true 5K timed run to give those who wanted that experience and it was a success.  The walkers were located within the confines of the village and as each team came around the turn, I saw nothing but smiles, belief and hope.

The most incredible part of the entire of the day was witnessing the brain tumor community come together, and it is truly awesome to witness.  Never could I have imagined that there would be this community, let alone people who wanted to come together and celebrate their journey in what they have overcome or are currently facing.  Whether it was meeting Elli Haskes, a fifteen year old student whose mother passed away from brain cancer when she was five and who set up a table to collect items to create care packages for children whose parents have been diagnosed with a brain tumor, or Steve, an inspirational survivor whom would never let on that anything was wrong, and his caregiver Wendy, who radiates with positivity.  And to greet all of the patients and survivors, there was Supercow, img_1223the very animal I named in the hospital when my parents asked me who my dog was.  The handshakes, hugs and tears we exchanged are moments I will not forget and are the reason that I do this.  Thank you all for being there.

When I think about all the time and work that went into the event by everyone involved, it was all worth it as  I saw the joy that it brought to everyone.  The day was about raising awareness of brain tumors and doing our part to help find the cure.  It sounds odd, but there is truly something special when you have the chance to actually celebrate brain tumors with an amazing community of people whose lives have been affected by this awful disease.

Whether your tumor is malignant or benign, it is still a brain tumor and the effects are equally as devastating.  The best advice that I was given, and which I now give to you is simple.

Take it “one step at a time.”  There is not a day that does not go by where I do not think about it, or reflect upon how grateful I am, but to Ashley, my family, friends and all supporters – thank you for all you have done, and continue to do for me.  You have allowed me to take this and turn it into something great, and I am grateful.img_1452

Oh What A Night

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The third Playing for the Cure: Brainstormin’ is in the books and has truly set the bar higher for the future of this event.  There is so much I want to talk about that it is difficult to determine where to begin.  I know the number one question everyone wants answered is “how much was raised?”  While I wish I could tell you, donations are still trickling in and the final accounting has not yet been completed; however, I am ecstatic to share that we have shattered the amounts donated the first two years!  Thank you to each and every person who attended, bought raffle tickets, participated in silent auction, partook in the live auction and my lucky cousin Xander, hope you enjoy that scooter!  A big thanks to you all!

The night would not have been possible without our annual sponsor ShelfSpace Marketing, LLC and our presenting sponsors Carla’s Pasta and Specialty Packaging.  I was, and still am, in shock by what I witnessed.  The lovely and wonderful Carla Squatrito, the Founder and President of Carla’s Pasta, surprised my family and I by chartering a bus of 40+ people to the event.  Words alone cannot express how grateful and surprised I was for this support, and I know that I speak for my family as well, how greatly appreciated and generous this gesture was.  Also joining us was Chris Orsini, the Managing Partner of Specialty Packaging, along with his wife, Linda. To both companies, I cannot express my sincere gratitude in helping to make this year the success that it was and for your show of support of this cause and dedication to helping find the cure.

Thank you Beirne Wealth Consulting, Edge Technology Services, Stop and Shop, Unitas Club, Sardilli Produce, iHeart Media, Henry, Raymond & Thompson, LLC, Liuzzi Gourmet Food Market, Guida’s Milk and Ice Cream, The Farmer’s Cow, Severance Foods, Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C.,  Blum Shapiro, Al Mac Motors II, Channel 3 and WTNH: you made this night possible and are giving hope to those battling a brain tumor diagnosis.  And to every single person and company who donated an item for the raffle or auction – THANK YOU!  Also, a huge thank you to Jillian Shugrue who reached out to me and donated her photography skills and time to photograph (and video) the evening – you did an amazing job!

But what would the night have been without the music from the talented duo Ja2M and the awesome Wise Old Moon?  Your time and skills were so greatly appreciated and I only hope that you enjoyed yourselves as much as everyone enjoyed your sounds.  I hope it was evident from looking out into the crowd how much the crowd enjoyed you guys – I received many great compliments on both bands, so hats off to you!  When I think of the future of this fundraiser, I have longed for a true “festival” with multiple bands and styles of music and you both got the ball rolling in that direction.

In addition, I’d like to thank and recognize Stony Creek Brewery, our host and tremendous partner in this fundraiser.  I am humbled by your support and willingness to partner and work with us throughout the planning stages to the day-of coordination.  Additionally, I would like to thank Ed and Ali for their extremely generous contribution during the month of September.  You took me by complete surprise when you informed me of Charity Wednesdays for the month of September and never could I have imagined such a generous contribution and act of kindness.  You were both so accommodating and great to work with –  I thank you again, and look forward to next year.

Last but not least, and most importantly, a BIG thanks to the Yale Brain Tumor Center and especially, Dr. Piepmeier.  As noted in his remarks, the morning of the concert, Yale went live with its new addition to the website intended to educate patients, survivors, caregivers and families.  The addition of Brain Tumor Patient Education consists of a wealth of links and information put together by doctors, nurses and myself to assist and guide anyone diagnosed with a brain tumor, or their family, through this long journey.  When I was released from the hospital in 2008, I had nowhere to turn nor anybody to talk to about what I was feeling.  As I told the staff at Yale, they needed to give patients and families a place to turn to for answers to questions such as “where do I go from here?” and to provide them with an assurance that they are not alone and provide resources, and “Life After a Brain Tumor” should give some insight.  Collectively, you all changed my life, as well as that of my family, and I could not be happier than to host this fundraiser for you.  I am excited to discuss with you how you plan to use the money donated this year and what breakthroughs you think may be on the horizon, while further enhancing the website.

However, for me, the best part of the night was seeing and meeting fellow brain tumor warriors and survivors and their families.  To be able to put a name to the face, or to meet someone for the very first time and hear their story and let them know that they too can get through these hard times is all that I strive for.

Fortunately for me, I am now cured of this tumor but that does not mean my battle against brain tumors is over.

It is just getting started…

See You In September

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FullSizeRender (3)Goodbye summer, hello fall.  And as much as I enjoy summer, September is my favorite month – our anniversary, the start of Fall and cooler temperatures, football season, autumn leaves, etc.  But fall also means that winter is just around the corner and that truly depresses me,   UGH!  So I look on the bright side – Brainstormin’ is just 15 days away!  I would be lying if I said that I was not excited about what lies ahead in the immediate horizon, and in the coming months.

Tomorrow night, the CTBTA is hosting its second annual Night of Hope, a farm dinner at the beautiful Rosedale Farms & Vineyards in Simsbury.  I have been to several farm-to-table dinners and by far, this was the best one I had ever been to, so the expectations for tomorrow are high!  Also coming soon is the new website for the Yale Brain Tumor Center, which was a collaborative effort with nurses, care coordinators and doctors at Yale.  Not long from now, this new website will be revealed and hopefully be a tool and be a resource for brain tumor patients, survivors and caregivers.  Next week, the CTBTA reconvenes its business and we’re hosting brain tumor patients, survivors and caregivers for Brain Tumors and Cupcakes at NoRA’s Cupcakes in West Hartford, CT.  We’ll also meet as a board to make our allocations to hospitals and brain tumor programs throughout the state.   Then, in October, we’ll be walking on the Path of Hope, in a new location this year (Olde Mistick Village).

And of course, Brainstormin’ on September 16th.  As some of you already know, we received another great surprise earlier this week when the owner of Stony Creek Brewery informed me of Charity Wednesdays at the brewery.  To put it simply, every Wednesday, the brewery donates $1 per every beer sold to a designated charity.  The idea proposed by Stony Creek was that, during the entire month of September, every Wednesday’s charity night would be designated to the Yale Brain Tumor Center to assist our fundraising efforts. Humbled and appreciative, I graciously accepted this idea, but more than anything, I am proud in knowing that the work I am doing is not going unnoticed.  To be able to help the doctors and staff who saved my life so they can continue to develop research and continue saving lives means more than anything, and to see the generosity of businesses and individuals wanting to contribute is awe-inspiring.  As I told Yale when I shared this news, never did I think that eight years ago, I would find anything positive in this whole experience, but everyday I continue to be amazed and inspired.  Thank you Stony Creek Brewery for joining us as a partner in this quest to find the cure!

Thanks to all of our corporate and individual sponsors for your support.  We are close to this year’s goal and remain hopeful to hit and surpass it, but we can still use your help.  It is a night that you will not want to miss, so contact me for your ticket before they’re gone.

I look forward to seeing all of you on the 16th and encourage you to help find the cure by visiting Stony Creek on Wednesdays during the month of September.  I also look forward to seeing you at some of our upcoming events as well!

Cheers!

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The Best Is Yet To Come

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Hope that everyone has been enjoying their summer, whatever you may be doing.  But with the end of summer getting closer and closer, that means September is nearing.   However, September brings Playing for the Cure: Brainstormin’ fifty days from today!2016 Poster

Thanks to all of our sponsors (special thanks to our annual sponsor ShelfSpace Marketing, LLC, as well as our presenting sponsors this year, Carla’s Pasta and Specialty Packaging), family, supporters and the committee assisting us this year, I am excited to announce that we have already surpassed the amount donated in each of the previous two years!  With an exciting new venue, two great new bands and a tremendous raffle, the excitement is hard to contain.  As you know, we are holding the concert in the celebration room of the Stony Creek Brewery.  Gone are the days of drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon and on to their craft brews.  And if beer is not your thing, they serve wine too.  If you think you might be hungry, worry not because this year, we are including a $10 food voucher!  Every weekend at the brewery, they have local food trucks come, so there will be something for everyone.  The brewery has been great to work with and I am excited to see our event come to life there!

As mentioned in a previous post, our bands this year are Ja2M and Wise Old Moon.  These bands are the perfect fit for this venue and are sure to please everyone in attendance.  In addition, we have a tremendous raffle and auction full of awesome items donated by sponsors, friends and colleagues.  Just to name some, we have two raffles: one for our grand prize, a 50cc gas street scooter, and the other raffle contains prizes such as a foursome of golf to play a round of 18 at one of two courses at Lyman Orchards, tickets to the Goodspeed Opera House, tickets to a UConn men’s basketball game, gift baskets, gift cards and many more.  Some of our auction items include an Eli Manning autographed jersey and a dinner for eight at the winner’s house prepared by the chefs at Carla’s Pasta.

But most importantly, by coming or making a donation, you will be helping doctors, surgeons and researchers find the cure for brain tumors.  To help a family and spare someone else having to go through what my family and I went through is what this is all about.

I’m not one to ask for much, but please, support this cause and come join us for a beer, some good tunes and some great food at the Stony Creek Brewery!  Hope to see you in 50 days!

For tickets, email me at chrisgreymatters@gmail.com

Can’t make it, but still want to contribute?  Visit http://www.cusanosagainstbraintumors.com

I Wish That I Knew What I Know Now, When I Was Younger

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Screen Shot 2016-06-29 at 9.37.10 PMHot dogs, burgers, beer, cookouts, fireworks and independence – all typical thoughts of the 4th of July (there is still no better memory than this photo from last year’s 4th of July getaway to Puerto Rico).  For me, my thoughts this holiday weekend will always be a reminder of my journey and battle.  In the blink of an eye, maybe not for all, my family included, this weekend will mark eight years since it all began.  I still remember it vividly, being wheeled into the OR on July 2, 2008.  Will I see my family again?  Will I remember everyone’s faces?  Will I be able to speak?  The list of questions goes on and on, but I knew it was my only chance of living, so this weekend, I will be rejoicing.  More importantly though, the past eight years have shown me how to live and what truly matters.  There have been many bumps in the road and unexpected twists that I did not foresee, all of which caused me to reexamine my life, my dreams and the ultimate pursuit of happiness, but I am still exploring and figuring it out.

At age 24, I was so focused on my life and pursuing my dreams, all to make as much money as possible.  Before starting law school, right through year one, I was, and still am to the extent I can be, overly ambitious.  Growing up, I saw my parents dedicate their lives to their children.  Whether it was Anheuser-Busch and driving back and forth to New York every day, Eagle Snacks, President of Cape Cod Potato Chips, followed by owning his own company, ShelfSpace Marketing, LLC, while simultaneously serving as the General Manager of Carla’s Pasta, my father was, and still very much is, a hard worker.  My mother is just as incredible, a true inspiration.  She not only raised my siblings and I, but she also taught us values and how to be a good person; she took care of the house and kept it spotless; always had breakfast, lunch and dinner ready – never failed; managed to drive all of us to lessons and appointments.  Remarkably, she did much of this while battling and beating breast cancer and never missing a beat, and is now a para-professional at an elementary school.  They always told my siblings and I: “hard work pays off.”

However, my life changed drastically between the ages of 24 and 32 and I am still waiting for my big break.  Life has been a struggle since my diagnosis – surgeries, extended hospital stays, cognitive rehabilitation, physical rehab, etc.  In addition, and as you know, I have struggled with passing the bar exam.  I still have sky-high medical and student loan bills that I have yet to make even the smallest dent in because I’m not using my JD as I envisioned.

Yet, I am still smiling because all is not lost, not even in the smallest sense.

If this ordeal has taught me anything, it is that life does not go according to plan.  Life throws you curveballs and you have to adjust accordingly.  Sure, I could have packed it in after that semester off and thrown in the towel, but I wanted to prove to myself, and any doubters, that I could excel and earn my degree.  However, what I did not know was that the initial three surgeries would not be the end, as seizures ensued, followed by a shunt revision, gamma knife surgery and one more craniotomy.  But I followed my heart and did what I wanted and have absolutely no regrets about how the past eight years have unfolded.

At 32 years old, I look at my life in quarters – the fourth quarter was pure hell.  It presented me with challenges and hardship, but now, with my renewed lease on life, I am restarting the clock and have an opportunity to explore new avenues and opportunities that perhaps would not have been possible had I gone down the path to being a lawyer.  I have been part of some great conversations of late, some of which are right under my feet.  I intend to continue exploring alternate opportunities with my firm; I just collaborated with the staff at the Yale Brain Tumor Center on content for its new website; I have been working with the Director of Special Events at Yale University on Brainstormin’ and am open to exploring opportunities there.  On the nonprofit side of things, I am the Vice President of the CTBTA and am intrigued by what the future there may hold.  I did not know how much I enjoyed fundraising and development, but it is an area that I truly enjoy, especially for a cause that I am so passionate about.

As I continue to reinvent myself, I get down on myself from time-to-time, due to what I perceive to be, “failures”.  Yet, at the end of the day, I am reminded that I still have all that is important.  As odd as it may sound, I feel blessed to have been dealt this diagnosis, as it made me a better, stronger person and has opened new doors and opportunities for me to pursue.  I am exploring life and doing things I never thought I would do.

On Tuesday, I was interviewed by iHeart Radio and was asked, “How has this experience changed your life?”

To try to answer that concisely was difficult, but as I told the interviewer, these past eight years have been eye-opening, causing me to reexamine how I live my life and taking nothing for granted and never losing hope.  We should all strive to live in the moment and not lose sight of what is important – family, health and friends.

“I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger.”

I’m Living My Life Like Its Golden

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Being a brain tumor survivor can be lonely and scary for many, but one of the great things that has come out of this ordeal is that it gave me the chance to meet patients and survivors like myself, and to talk with them about their stories.  As I mentioned a few posts back, I wanted to offer up the opportunity for guest posts from some of the people I’ve met along the way.  Amazingly, and as you’ll read, the lyrics from the song we all heard time and time again growing up “it’s  a small world after all” is true.  This entry below is from an incredible survivor and person, Aisha.  

“Letting the joy unfold…it comes naturally.”

When Chris asked that I title my post with the title of a song, naturally I thought of Jill Scott’s “Golden”. Along with “Happy” by Pharell, Golden was often heard from my room in rehab. If you happened to walk by, you’d find me jamming in my wheelchair, basking in the sunlight pouring into my room. The powerful words inspired me to keep hope and my resolve in face of a difficult situation in my life.

My story started off benign from the beginning. No symptoms, no emergency. My tumor, or lesion as it was defined at the time, was an incidental finding on a routine CT scan following a concussion I sustained from a slip on black ice, early one dark winter morning. Months later, after four consultations, surgery was advised and I agreed. I underwent an elective neurosurgical procedure in which my tumor was removed in its entirety; however, a few days later I woke up completely paralyzed on right side. In many ways, it is then that I truly feel my brain tumor journey began. I was admitted to a stroke unit in rehab and remained there for two months after which I was transferred home. I struggled to learn to walk again, write my name, and do simple grooming. There was a time when I was in rehab that I was discouraged from working or even applying, but it remained my goal to work again and by the grace of a higher being, I was able to do so. I am now employed as an assistant academic director/assistant professor of health science for a graduate program. This May, during brain tumor awareness month, I will celebrate my 2nd anniversary since surgery and it will have also been two years of therapy.IMG_6871

In addition to the personal connection I have with Golden, it also connects me with Chris. After my discharge I still had great difficulty with walking and unfortunately was unable to attend a concert featuring Broca’s Area, a CT band in which Chris’ brother is the drummer. They were fundraising for brain tumor awareness and the article was the first time I learned of Chris Cusano, a guy around my age, from my town, and amazingly with the same rare benign brain tumor as me, a central neurocytoma. I didn’t actually meet Chris until several months later at a CTBTA meeting. Shortly after our first meeting, I attended my first CTBTA event, Laughter on the Brain, in Hartford, CT. My attendance that day was truly a blessing as I could not drive yet and my father surprised me at work. He drove me from Bridgeport, CT all the way to Hartford, CT. After I arrived, I remember registering for the event and making my way downstairs where they were serving refreshments and a performance by Broca’s Area was going on. As I was making my way down, I heard a familiar beat playing in the background and found myself grinning ear to ear. It was my song, Golden. I heard a beautiful voice on the mic, a performance Jill Scott herself would approve of. It was Kismet: my unexpected arrival, my first CTBTA event with Chris, and my song was playing. Through Chris, I met his beautiful wife Ashley and the Cusano family. As we stood by the bar listening to the band, I felt gratitude to have recovered enough to be able to hear my song live and to have found a friend in a fellow survivor.

Although I have always considered myself fortunate for having the tremendous support of my family and friends, to have the support and validation of another survivor is priceless. They say “birds of a feather, flock together”, and I feel this is very appropriate for anyone who has suffered from a brain pathology such as a tumor. Through the CTBTA, I have met numerous other brain tumor survivors and recently and more specifically, “benign” brain tumor survivors. Hearing your struggles as they are experienced by another individual provides a sense of validation that is difficult to find with caregivers and clinicians. After all, even I get tired of telling my friends, family, and even coworkers how my shoulder is sore or my leg is angry. Often I’ll joke that my left leg has requested a trial separation as it feels that it picks up too much of the work for the right. With Chris and CTBTA survivors, I could joke and hear their experiences and feel that “aha” moment. I walked away thinking, “yes, they get it”.

So now, I feel honored to be a part of a unique group of individuals who have been impacted by a brain tumor. We may be weathered by the experience but we have not exhausted our resolve. In fact, each of us has in some way decided to share our experience in case our struggle may resonate with someone else. True, the path has at times been difficult, but the memorable associations I have made along the way give me reason to smile and the strength to continue “living my life like its Golden”.

Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now

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The Big ‘C’.

We hear about it all the time filling the airwaves, social media and conversation.  You’d be hard pressed to say that there’s anyone out there whose life hasn’t been touched by it.  My own family has been affected by cancer – as I mentioned before on this blog, my mother is a breast cancer survivor and the strongest woman who I have ever met – she even managed to raise me!

When I received my brain tumor diagnosis, the one blessing bestowed upon me was that the doctors thought it was likely benign.  A malignant tumor would have presented so many more challenges than I was already facing.

Just as with any type of cancer, brain cancer is awful.  There’s no denying that fact.  I thought maybe it was just me, but it seems to be a common thread among benign brain tumor patients to feel a sense of guilt in opening up about their struggles due to our benign status.  Trust me, we are grateful and while we do consider it a stroke of great luck to not have encountered the big ‘C’ in our journeys, our benign tumors have presented us with unique challenges which we will deal with for the rest of our lives.

This past Saturday, I met up with three truly remarkable, inspirational people from right here in Connecticut who have gone down the same path I have – Rob, Aisha and Julia.  All three were diagnosed with benign brain tumors.  As we sat around the table for coffee, sharing our stories, I felt the connection of togetherness and pride in that while we may each have undergone a traumatic experience, we are still here and able to share our stories.   The scars on our heads cannot take away our ability to live and sometimes even important, to laugh.

This meeting was something I had wanted to do for a while, to reach out and talk with others in the same situation like I am.  Now, I do not want to take anything away from anyone with brain cancer, or any other form of cancer – I hate the thought of it.  But hear me out.

Being diagnosed with a benign brain tumor and having it removed is not the end of the struggles, unfortunately.  If you been following my story, you know my continued struggles and the additional surgeries and procedures that were needed.  However, I am very fortunate in the grand scheme of things – something which I have known for quite some time, but which I sometimes forget to appreciate.  The four of us each had to fight to regain our livelihoods, which included intensive rehabilitation and requiring us to put our lives on hold.

Pre-brain tumor, Rob created a very successful life for himself.  He spent years in the music industry, working as the tour agent for musicians including Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige and most recently, the Jonas Brothers.  Unfortunately though, in November 2012, Rob’s life changed forever when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor on his brain stem and spent nearly 200 consecutive days in various hospitals.  During that time, he underwent 9 surgeries and countless hours of rehab.  He developed hydrocephalus and now lives with a shunt.  He still experiences double vision and is restricted to driving during the day.  However, Rob is full of hope and is an inspiration to me and everyone around him.  I have been in Rob’s company on several occasions now, and despite his challenges, not once have I heard him complain about his life or feel sorrow for himself.  His doctors will continue to monitor the remaining tumor that is left on his brain stem and his hydrocephalus is under control with the shunt.

Aisha, whom I’ve previously mentioned on this blog, was diagnosed with the same type of tumor as me – a central neurocytoma.  Ironically enough, she grew up and lives in North Haven, CT, the same town that I grew up in and come to find out, in very close proximity to where I used to live.  Like me, she was treated at Yale-New Haven Hospital and her prognosis is good.  Aisha is a spirited and hysterical individual with a tremendous outlook.  She shared a story with us of how she applied for a teaching job at the University of Bridgeport and was called for an interview while in the hospital.   Determined, she asked if she could interview via Skype.  While she did not Skype with them, she did end up going for an interview five months later when she was home and recovered, and was the successful candidate for the search.  Despite her fortunes, Aisha is left with paralysis on her right side, requiring a cane to enable her to walk.  There’s no stopping her though – she doesn’t let her challenges bring her down.  She truly lights up any room with her positivity.

Julia reached out to the CTBTA seeking to volunteer and help our organization – not to mention, she is full of wonderful ideas!  A phenomenal personality and pleasure to meet with, I knew she was committed to this cause from the moment we exchanged our hellos.   Before her diagnosis, Julia was experiencing headaches and loss of smell, which she believed to be a sinus issue.  Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with a meningioma and underwent a craniotomy and then again surgery for a CSF leak and infection she developed.  Julia has since lost her sense of smell and can only taste certain things, but certainly has not lost her sense of humor!  During our meeting, she asked the rest of the group about our screws.  Yes, screws.  Julia pointed to a spot at the top of her forehead and another one above her right eye where the doctors inserted screws to place her skull back in.  When I reached out for her consent to share her story with you, she referred to herself as “part bride of Frankenstein, nuts and bolts and all!”  Despite her sense of humor however, she expressed frustrations with her memory and fears of neuropsych testing, all while waiting for a decision on her disability.  Yet, in the eyes of a seven-year survivor, for someone who is only seven months out, I think she’s doing remarkably well!

I think the four of us would all agree that joining together and sharing our stories – the pain, the struggles, and believe it or not, the belly-hurting laughs, was a great experience.  There’s just something about the camaraderie felt between those sharing similar experiences that is therapeutic.

So yes, while a cancerous tumor certainly is not the same as a benign tumor, tumors are tumors and they each present their challenges and obstacles.  It is my hope, at least, that together we will bring all brain tumors to the forefront – both cancerous and benign.

Because after all, grey matters.

Auld Lang Syne

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2015 was a rollercoaster – full of ups and downs.  Off the bat, the year began down at Yale for surgery to remove a recurrence of the beast and ended with champagne and dinner with Ashley.  I was operated on a Thursday and released the following Saturday, a remarkably shorter stay than my first go-around.   photo 1My surgeon and medical staff did another amazing job in caring for me and I will be forever grateful for their support.

However, things greatly improved thereafter.  I returned to work just three weeks removed from my surgery and shocked everyone when I walked through those doors and made an immediate impact in my new role.  Furthermore, I attended my first meeting as a Director of the CT Brain Tumor Alliance and found myself amongst a terrific group of caring and compassionate survivors and caregivers who understood “me”.  As a board member, I had the opportunity to hear from various hospitals, doctors and oncologists about what they are doing in their quest to treat brain tumors and ultimately find the cure and it brought such hope to all of us in the room.  It’s not common that you will find a non-profit Board composed solely of survivors and caregivers, but that is what makes our organization so unique.  Together, with our Executive Director, we held numerous events in the state to raise funds and awareness, notably the Wines of March, Laughter on the Brain, Night of Hope and the Path of Hope.

Yet, with these “ups” came more downs.  As I’ve alluded to in previous posts, the Connecticut brain tumor community lost two wonderfully dedicated individuals who devoted themselves to brain tumor awareness and funding.  They will be forever missed, but our mission has been strengthened by their loss.  For me personally, last year’s Playing for the Cure: Brainstormin’ held so much more of an importance in the wake of those two losses.  And that is why I am so excited about the prospect of an even larger and grander scale event this year – to honor those we have lost, but to continue fighting for the cure to aid those who are still courageously fighting this disease.

My family, friends and I are already looking forward to September 16, 2016 for the third year of Playing for the Cure: Brainstormin’ at the Stony Creek Brewery in Branford, Connecticut.  I will be sure to provide updates as time moves on, so stay tuned!

But where else am I going to go with this blog from here, you ask?  Admittedly, I am at a crossroads.  On one hand, I have used this blog to tell you my story and unfold the past seven years into words.  Recently I received the news of a lifetime at my last MRI and I’ll return to Yale for another scan in May.  I thank you all for being there with me in spirit along the way.  But this is not the end.

I am going to put a new twist on things and offer up the opportunity for some guest bloggers to share their story, as each brain tumor diagnosis is not the same.  Before my diagnosis, I did not know anyone personally who was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Unfortunately, I now hear about it more frequently than I would hope.  I will start sharing with you the progress and happenings of my alliance with the team at the Yale Brain Tumor Center.  I have been told that their doctors and nurses are all eagerly working toward creating new and exciting web content with me as their liaison, so this is pretty exciting!  Yes, I said exciting – if you had asked me on June 30, 2008 if I thought I’d be excited about brain tumor work, the answer certainly would have been NO.  Ohh, how things can change and how life can throw you into a direction you never expected.  I also hope to take on a greater fundraising role on my own and in conjunction with the CT Brain Tumor Alliance.

I have found my passion and my calling.  My parents always told me that “everything happens for a reason” but I never quite understood why I was dealt this diagnosis.  However, I am certainly a better and stronger person today because of it and have found something that makes me truly happy – I have found my passion.

I look forward to talking with you all in 2016 and hopefully connecting with more people on an individual basis in a greater capacity.  This is a new year and a new opportunity to explore all of our potential.

Hallelujah

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With the Christmas season now upon us and in full swing, we’re all asking each other “what do you want for Christmas?”  Let’s see – clothes, some books, an iPad?  Maybe a watch or some jewelry?  However, for me, this Christmas and holiday season feels differently.   I feel blessed every day that I wake up and go to work – just grateful to be alive and knowing how fortunate I am compared to those who aren’t as lucky as myself.

It was this time last year that I learned of the regrowth of my tumor and I prepared for yet another surgery.  This year, I am in good health, happy and grateful to be here enjoying life.  Sure, I am in stores shopping and watching as the rest of society furiously runs into stores hunting for that one special gift or the best bargain they can find.  But shouldn’t we all take a minute and remember what the “true” meaning of the holiday is?  I think so.  As Linus said to Charlie Brown:CharlieBrownChristmas

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.  That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”  

I can relate to good ole’ Charlie Brown.  As I have gotten older and with all that I have gone through, I can appreciate the true meaning of the holiday.  Yesterday, Ashley and I went to see “A Wonderful Life” at the Goodspeed Opera House.  You know the story…a man down on his luck financially contemplates suicide until an angel shows him the value of his simple, yet fulfilling life.

It’s a relatable tale, as each of us I’m sure can remember a time when we felt a little desperate, like George Bailey.  While the beginning of this year was difficult with undergoing surgery, and then with the lives of two young fellow brain tumor patients taken too soon, I’ve been trying to take in every moment of this holiday season.  I live a quiet, fairly simple life…but walking around a beautiful quaint town with my wife on an unseasonably warm December day, going to see a show and enjoying a phenomenal dinner made me feel so grateful for this life.  The little things most certainly are the big things, and it almost feels doubly so at the holidays.

No matter how overwhelming and dark life can seem at times, there is good all around us.  Sometimes it takes an angel to drive that point home.  I have a couple new angels this year.  I hope that somewhere in the distance I will hear the faint ringing of a bell and that those angels are gaining their wings, because they’ve most certainly left their impact.  As Leonard Cohen sang: “Hallelujah, Hallelujah.”

So while I don’t expect anyone to stop running around the mall to find that perfect gift, not even myself, I ask that you just take a few moments during your holiday season to count all of your blessings, no matter how big or small.

Thank You, Friends

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Every cloud has a silver lining.

If you would have asked me in 2008 whether I would find any positives in my diagnosis, I more than likely would have said “no chance.”

Amazingly though, as I sit here seven years later, I can say with absolute certainty, the answer to that question is a profound “yes!” At the time I was diagnosed in 2008, I was 24 years old and left wondering whether I would even make it through the surgery, never mind what my future would have in store.  Through the multiple ups and downs that I have faced since that day, I am standing prouder and taller than ever.  I have found my calling.

What I failed to realize in 2008 is how my diagnosis would change my life, and the lives of those around me, namely my family.  Yesterday, along with my wife and family, we went to Yale-New Haven Hospital and presented a check in the amount of $13,500.00.

Dr. Joseph Piepmeier with my brother Stephen and I.
Dr. Joseph Piepmeier with my brother Stephen and I.

Without each and every person who supported this event, attended the concert, donated to the fund or donated merchandise for our raffle, yesterday’s presentation of the check would not have been possible.  Because of you, we are providing hope to patients and their families dealing with this diagnosis.  With these monies, Dr. Piepmeier and researchers at Yale spoke of hope and possibility to better treat brain tumors.  He discussed his hope to develop a virus to destroy the tumor cells that can be injected directly into the tumor but while not harming the brain.  To think that this money can deliver those results brings a smile to my face, and should certainly bring one to yours also.

First and foremost, I thank Ashley and my family for supporting me in this quest and continuing to be there by my side  every step of the way.  Without you, none of this would be possible.

Next, a giant thank you to our sponsors.  Without your support, this would have never been possible.  I am humbled by your generosity and compassion.  I want to make a special mention to the “Rock Stars”, our corporate sponsors Carla’s Pasta and ShelfSpace Marketing, LLC.  THANK YOU!

I would be remiss to not mention each company who donated a raffle item – J. Christian’s, Omar Coffee Co., Arnold’s Jewelers, Libero Jewelers, The Max Restaurant Group, The University of Connecticut, Ted’s Auto, Precision Concepts and The Walter Camp Football Foundation.  The raffle raised about $2,500 of the $13,500.  Thank you for your support, dedication to this event and desire to assist in this quest.  Your generosity alone merits the grandest of recognition and I hope that you can feel the pride of knowing that you contributed in such a great way.

To the bands, Broca’s Area and Goodnight Blue Moon – absolutely amazing.   You entertained the crowd all night long and gave all of us, brain tumor patients included, a reason to smile and forget about life for a while.  As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, you made the night the success that it was.

I am thrilled to tell you that next year, we’re taking the concert to the Stoney Creek Brewery in Branford.  We tested the waters and now know that this event could be the success that we originally envisioned.

So what more can I say, other than: “Thank you, friends.  Wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.”