February 16, 2007 - "If you just wanted us to raise more $, you should have said so!"

On February 16th, 19 days after we raised over $200,000 for cancer research, I found out my cancer had recurred. I had my routine quarterly CT scan and the results showed that two cancerous tumors have reappeared in the same general region as the first ones (the back of my stomach, near my pancreas).

To say we were shocked was an understatement. "What do you mean my cancer is back? I wrapped that up 13 months ago!" We all knew that 80% of sarcoma recurrences occur within the first 2-3 years, and that I wasn't out of the woods for at least 3 years. So, although stats might reveal that my recurrence was not surprising at all, I had moved on and was not ready for this! Cancer was a very big part of my life, and I knew it always would be, but cancer and I had finally made peace with each other. It no longer kept me up at night worrying. When I had a stomach ache, I no longer IMMEDIATELY thought my tumors were back. And my hair was FINALLY looking good. THIS ABSOLUTELY SUCKS!

I joked around with Dave that this was God's way of telling me I shouldn't have spent $50 on an expensive bottle of hair conditioner last week (I couldn't help it, I finally have hair again!)

I spent a week after I found out angry, pissed, sad etc. and then I got ready for yet another fight. The first time I had cancer, it felt a bit like a "novelty". Getting ready for another bout is a whole different story. It is hard to rise to the challenge yet again.

The good news is that the Dr's are not overly concerned just very frustrated. The tumors are in the same general area which is good news. They have not migrated to parts of my body that can not be operated on and in the 14 months since I finished chemotherapy, there are new drugs on the market that have proven to be very effective. Apparently they are fairly mild but just as effective and because they are not as toxic as the last ones I was given, they can keep me on them for a long time (not sure if that is good news or not!)

So, I began another chemo regimen on Friday March 2nd and surgery is expected sometime within the next 3-9 months. I will be an out-patient this time, spending 2 consecutive Fridays in the out-patient clinic at Memorial Sloan Kettering followed by 1 Friday off. This is so much better than having to "live" in the hospital 3 days every 3-4 weeks! I can sleep in my own bed and it no longer feels like cancer is consuming your life...it is just a part of your life that you have to live with.


The Dr's feel that because I am young, strong etc., I should be able to tolerate these drugs really well. I should be able to work and "live" a normal life. I have been feeling great since my first treatment last Friday. In fact, they gave me some "energy" drugs and I ran 9 miles this past weekend so I guess you could say I am feeling really good!

Although I am an extremely positive person, I still can not help but see the irony in this situation. I become a role model for cancer...mentoring people who are struggling with the disease, raising money to assist with cancer research and what happens...it strikes again! This demonstrates what Dave and I have always felt...that cancer does not discriminate! It is a horrible disease that can happen to anyone, regardless of your health, socio-economic status or outlook on life. If I can serve as a living reminder to others that cancer must be cured, then I will feel that at least some good has come of this unfortunate news.

We will continue to keep you posted.

January 28th - An Amazing Day!

I sincerely apologize for not having written earlier. Dave and I are still recovering from the amazing, unbelievable, 1st annual Spin4Survival! The event, held on January 28th, 2007, was a 5-hour indoor cycle-a-thon to raise money for Dr. Maki and the entire sarcoma team at MSKCC. My local gym, Equinox Columbus Circle, was kind enough to host the event and we had 5 of the most popular in-demand cycling instructors in NYC dedicating their instruction talents for the day. The event had over 300 participants and we raised over $200,000 for MSKCC!!! Unbelievable!

When this idea was "born" in September 2006, Dave and I wondered if we were setting our sights too high if we aimed to raise $50,000. And then, as teams joined, as friends fundraised and as the word spread about how important raising money for cancer research is...our $50,000 goal became a thing of the past. On January 28th, we were thrilled to present Dr. Maki and his entire research team with a check for $210,000 (with a promise of more to come!) According to MSKCC, Spin4Survival was the most successful fundraiser organized by an individual patient in the hospital's history!

Even better than the money raised...

• Than the product donated (by amazing sponsors like Balance Bar, Amino Vital, Glaceau Vitamin Water, Frito-Lay, Whole Foods and Domino's Pizza)
• Than the the hundreds of raffle prizes (by great stores like LuLuLemon, Jamba Juice, Nike, Cold Stone Creamery, EquinoxFitness)
• Than the people who donated their services (a set of professional DJ's, numerous massage therapists and personal trainers, a Videographer, a Photographer)

was the amazing, irreplaceable energy and love that was present at the gym that day. In my life, I have never participated in an event where every individual felt so personally responsible for the work that they had achieved and felt like they personally had made a REAL difference in the fight against cancer. In my thank you speech, I reminded everyone that within each of us we DO have the ability to make a difference and that every single participant and volunteer had proved that on January 28th.

Dave and I were most touched by the feedback that we received after the event. Here are some quotes that made our day:


"We should be the ones thanking you. Seriously, yesterday was a "magical" day for me and I genuinely appreciate you making it a reality"
- Vishal Bakshi & the entire Team Borakshi

"You should be incredibly proud of what you organized. Aside from the huge amount of money raised, you inspired everyone involved, got hundreds of people informed about sarcoma and MSK and hosted a REALLY fun event. Next year, the Flying Elvis Team is gunning for a bike in the "front row" (assuming our butts stop throbbing in the next 365 days)"
- Sharon and Todd Kristol

"We all loved every minute of it. THERE WAS NOTHING that you could have done better. Remember I produce commercials for a living. And you did a fabulous job of producing this event!
- Lana Penino and the Terrier Tri Team

"This was an amazing experience for me. My partner's dad passed away from colon cancer three years ago this coming Thursday. This was a huge loss for me. The event was very emotional and really allowed me to connect with the loss and his dad."
- John Malizkis

"It was my honor to participate. What you undertook and achieved is nothing short of amazing. I was beyond impressed, although expect nothing less from you, the most motivated go-getter I know! My favorite part of the day was knowing that it was all going on to help someone like you"
- Matt Spielman and the TRLinn Team

"You really made a difference. Is it too early to sign up for next year?!?"
- Jeff Glick of the Go Jo Team

We are in the process of getting a video made and posting all of the pictures somewhere on our web site. We will be sure to let you know.

Thank you again for making our dream a reality!