AliveAndKickN

I'm Alive

Got home late last night from my brother's fundraising Hoops for Hope basketball game for SIBS Place and Long Island Cares Food Bank.  Traffic to Long Island on a Friday night aside, pretty solid.  Good time, good causes, and the team won pretty easily.  I want to change my first name to Weldon.  It's so much better than Dave.  Woke this morning to a FB post from one of my fellow Colondar models from a few years ago.  She tells the story of how a 19-year old girl walked into her endoscopic clinic with symptoms and was diagnosed with colon cancer.  One of the new doctors in her clinic was surprised, and then even more surprised when she showed him the Colondar, and some of the stories that are unfortunately too common lately.  Out of curiosity, I looked her up further on FB and found that she is the head of her local chapter for Chron's and Colitis Foundation of America.  I also saw her favorite quote, which is from Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews' song, I'm Alive.   Had to share.

  "So damn easy to say that life’s so hard
Everybody’s got their share of battle scars
As for me I’d like to thank my lucky stars that
I’m alive, and well
It’d be easy to add up all the pain
And all the dreams you sat and watched go up in flames
Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain
But not me, I’m alive
And today you know that’s good enough for me
Breathin' in and out's a blessin' can’t you see
Today's the first day of the rest of my life
And I’m alive, and well
I’m alive, and well
Stars are dancin’ on the water here tonight
It’s good for the soul, when there’s not a soul in sight
But this boat has caught its wind and brought me back to life
Now I’m alive, and well
And today you know that’s good enough for me
Breathin' in and out's a blessing can’t you see
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
Now I’m alive, and well
Yeah I’m alive, and well" -K

Couldn't have said it better.

I know what I am, you know what I mean?

Kind of a redundant song, but they say philosophy is just talk on a cereal box.  I assume Cocoa Puffs.  Conversations continue with the foundation and a select group of partners.  Almost there.  I can almost feel it.  My interview with Kacey on WHUD aired this weekend, and although I'm waiting for the file for the web site, you can listen to it at www.whud.com.  The story still seems to resonate each time I tell it.  Maybe I am the voice of colorectal cancer.  Unfortunately, in the "real" voiceover world, I seem to come in 4th or 5th out of the top group and don't usually get the gig.  At least I still have my day job.  And my other day job.  But not that other day job.  Still don't regret the three years on Council, although the sting of losing re-election comes back every once in a while.  I've invited the Colon Club to join me for my March events - the runs (pun intended), the pro soccer game, the kick-off party, the challenge on March 32nd, and whatever media we can drum up.  Hoping some can come.  Hoping it's successful.

Another couple of "survivors" from the netherworld of the Internet passed a few days ago.  Like many out there, it always seems surreal.  One day here....you know the drill.  I see it every day.  On the Internet.  In my healthcare business.  Real life locally.  The prayers.  The well wishes.  The result.  Sorry for getting anybody down out there.  I was actually tired the other day, and got mad at my wife for looking at me like a "patient." 

My big brother turned 50.  To me, it's really cool.  Of course, as the little brother, I'm sure he thinks I'm still a pain in the ass, which I am.  His way of celebrating is having a fundraiser for SIBS Place and Long Island Food Bank.  Must be genetic.  This weekend, the Giants also played the Packers and won.  It was a great game, but that wasn't the point.  Me and the three boys put together a spread - wings, chicken parm, fruit salad (not kidding), brownies, chips, salsa, and piled on the couch together.  Youngest was so nervous he talked the entire game.  And although she didn't say it during the game as to ruin it, Robin looked at us and thought "that's the way it's supposed to be."  We yelled, we squirmed, and in the end, we celebrated...together. 

Oldest Dubin son is still enjoying his first season of high school wrestling.  The new coach brought in his father to talk to the kids about the importance of organ donation.  Apparently, he was having kidney failure years ago and got lucky.  Now, he's around to tell his story, and help raise money and awareness for organ donation.  Very proud, even if he is getting pinned by guys two years older and thirty pounds heavier. 

If my organs are worth anything when I'm done, you can have mine also.

 

 

 

 

I know what I am, you know what I mean?

Kind of a redundant song, but they say philosophy is just talk on a cereal box.  I assume Cocoa Puffs.  Conversations continue with the foundation and a select group of partners.  Almost there.  I can almost feel it.  My interview with Kacey on WHUD aired this weekend, and although I'm waiting for the file for the web site, you can listen to it at www.whud.com.  The story still seems to resonate each time I tell it.  Maybe I am the voice of colorectal cancer.  Unfortunately, in the "real" voiceover world, I seem to come in 4th or 5th out of the top group and don't usually get the gig.  At least I still have my day job.  And my other day job.  But not that other day job.  Still don't regret the three years on Council, although the sting of losing re-election comes back every once in a while.  I've invited the Colon Club to join me for my March events - the runs (pun intended), the pro soccer game, the kick-off party, the challenge on March 32nd, and whatever media we can drum up.  Hoping some can come.  Hoping it's successful.

Another couple of "survivors" from the netherworld of the Internet passed a few days ago.  Like many out there, it always seems surreal.  One day here....you know the drill.  I see it every day.  On the Internet.  In my healthcare business.  Real life locally.  The prayers.  The well wishes.  The result.  Sorry for getting anybody down out there.  I was actually tired the other day, and got mad at my wife for looking at me like a "patient." 

My big brother turned 50.  To me, it's really cool.  Of course, as the little brother, I'm sure he thinks I'm still a pain in the ass, which I am.  His way of celebrating is having a fundraiser for SIBS Place and Long Island Food Bank.  Must be genetic.  This weekend, the Giants also played the Packers and won.  It was a great game, but that wasn't the point.  Me and the three boys put together a spread - wings, chicken parm, fruit salad (not kidding), brownies, chips, salsa, and piled on the couch together.  Youngest was so nervous he talked the entire game.  And although she didn't say it during the game as to ruin it, Robin looked at us and thought "that's the way it's supposed to be."  We yelled, we squirmed, and in the end, we celebrated...together. 

Oldest Dubin son is still enjoying his first season of high school wrestling.  The new coach brought in his father to talk to the kids about the importance of organ donation.  Apparently, he was having kidney failure years ago and got lucky.  Now, he's around to tell his story, and help raise money and awareness for organ donation.  Very proud, even if he is getting pinned by guys two years older and thirty pounds heavier. 

If my organs are worth anything when I'm done, you can have mine also.

 

 

 

 

Pinterested?

Still looking for applicants for the 2013 Colondar. If you've had colorectal cancer before the stereotypical age 50, and you're willing to show your scars and tell your story, this is for you. We promise you will appear great. Just look at me, Mr. January. I'm actually only 5'2" and I appear much taller, thinner, and with a full head of hair. You'll be amongst others comfortable "tooting" their own horn for a change. The laughs and tears will flow for four days straight and will carry over for the rest of your life. As I've said before, it's like arriving for the last days of sleepaway camp, but the goody bags are so much better. People will start treating you differently however. Kids will do homework and chores without asking. Spouses will find you more attractive. And the paparazzi will follow you everywhere. With your new fame, you could enter into the Presidential debates. It takes some getting used to. Go to www.colonclub.com or my own site, www.aliveandkickn.org. I'm ok with it. My interviews on the radio should be on the web site if you want to listen.

2.7 Seconds on a Bull Named Fu Manchu

In the same week, we launched the web site, www.AliveAndKickn.org, enhanced it with the music download component, I finished the first leg of what I think will be a very cool screenplay, and we pitched co-branding business ideas to half a dozen organizations.  I gotta tell you, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.  People really are willing to open up their hearts and minds for others.  Is it me?  Is it Robin?  Is it the combination?  Is it the story?  Is it the proposal?  Is it the potential financial upside?  Let's face it, there's a certain amount of time in the day, and to spend it on me, or more importantly us, must be time well spent, or it's not worth it for them.  So, to those who have shown courtesy, or encouragement, or willingness to participate, or ability to support, I say a very big thanks.  If I'm the voice of colon cancer, I'll find out one way or another.  So far, the feedback is encouraging.

For the first time since before the holiday break, I actually got the kids at school pickup.  It was as if I hadn't been seen in months.  Felt good.  Robin says Gerard Butler should play me in the movie. I don't know if he can sing.  Of course I don't know how well I sing either.  I haven't decided on her role.  Maybe Jennifer Garner.  Kid from 2 1/2 Men should play our teenager.  Rob Reiner would be my oncologist.   First set of songs represented AliveAndKickn, including the one Robin always turns off or leaves the room, Live like you were Dying, by Tim McGraw. 

Usual New Year's resolution - start smoking and gain weight.

 

If I could walk on water, if I could tell you what's next...

Matt Nathanson's song Come on Get Higher has some of my favorite lyrics.  If I could make you believe...make you forget.  Check it out.  Happy holidays and New Year's to everyone.  Only a few days left until 2012.  Get Your Rear in Gear was kind enough to take my Colon Club profile and post it on their web site.  Still time to order your Colondars, and it goes to a great cause managed by great people.  Lucky to have participated.  I've been invited to the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation brunch.  Did I mention that I'm Mr. January for 2012?  Wife and I have been laying some groundwork on the future of aliveandkickn.  Everything you see currently will change.  We hope you will tolerate the shameless plugs and understand our goals, and of course, we hope you participate as there's a lot of work to do.  I'm gonna ask you for time, energy, press, and occasionally money.  Sorry in advance.  If you like us, "like" us. 

By the way, several days ago, I posted that the reports of my demise were unfounded.  The inside joke was that what I thought was a case of the roids, as someone in my condition tends to have, was actually a ruptured ulcer in my small intestine.  Blair, my GI doctor, says I was lucky that I have so little colon, as he was able to reach it with a scope.  Otherwise, it was off to the ER, then the OR.  In the end, I lost about 4 units of blood, which sounds so much better than 4 pints.  Apparently I was ok enough to make it it to dinner with special friends in from out of town, play indoor soccer with the 7 year old and make my usual batch of cajun brisket. 

If someone has everything, why do we try to get them a gift?  Just a thought.  Listen and watch for me in the not-to-distant future.  Julia, my oncologist, may just take me on the road with her. 

Better Days

As the Goo Goo Dolls so eloquently sang " You ask me what I want this year. I don't need boxes wrapped in string or designer love or empty things...just the chance that maybe we'll see better days.". And so continues the transition. I'm actually getting paid for VoiceOver work. Yay! I'm assembling the board for AliveAndKickn. I may even get on the air on a regular basis. Just imagine waking up to me every weekday. Bad enough my family has to. Last night, after my final Council holiday dinner, I had a horrible night's sleep. The food was very good, but I usually can't tolerate 2000 calories after 8:00. So at around 3:00, I awake for my usual middle of the night excursion. But this time, I remembered my dream so vividly. I was under water trying to reach the surface, but the water was viscos, black, almost like oil, and it was obviously arduous to reach the light well above me. I then realized that I was trying to swim up through a tangled sea of blue whales, with their eyes occasionally looking at me. They weren't malicious in their intent to keep me from the rising further. They were simply there. If I kept struggling and fighting, I made progress. Finally I reached th surface and I could hear the silent applause, almost as if a thousand "like" buttons were hit at the same time. And I knew I wasn't alone in my journey. As i Exited te water, I crossed the sand to an open room, and in that room was what appeared to be a giant train set, but the various train cars were all different in style, starting from older models to current ones to futuristic styles. The train and the tracks were endless, flawed, but magnificent in its simplistic continuum. The old man in the plain but well kept garb, apparently the keeper/manager, simply nodded his approval. Now maybe I shouldn't have had the Gorgonzola on the steak, or the Scotch, or watched the Daily Show skit with Ben Franklin and the time machine, but I interpreted it as if I needed to keep fighting to keep the thread going. The obstacles thrown at me are not evil. They're simply there and if you continue as hard for as long as you can, eventually with the help of others, you can achieve your place in the never ending train of time. They labeled me as "resilient" in the 2012 Colondar. Pieces are removed or the facade tarnishes. Chips and scratches. The rivet on the jeans that will outlive the fabric. Thanks for listening. Watch for better days.

You Can Call Me Al

Liked the Paul Simon song, but I never really understood the lyrics.  Yes, I was in the newspaper today, talking about my colon cancer, and my participation in the Colondar, the fundraising awareness effort of the Colon Club.  The feedback from friends, family and people across the spectrum, has been overwhelmingly positive.   Ironically, in the same paper was the obituary for Evelyn Lauder, family member and executive in the Estee Lauder company.  In 1992, she helped create the pink ribbon campaign, and obviously we see where it has gone over the last 30 years.  Will there ever be the Evelyn or Estee Lauder of colon cancer?  I guess we'll see, but in the meantime, the door's open, I'll take a meeting,  and I'll pick up the phone if you want to call. 

Hidden in the back of the paper is also an op-ed from the chair of the Republican party that defeated me in this year's election.  So not only did he write me a letter personally, but he posted something in the Bergen Record.  To paraphrase, he reminded me that almost 50% of the electorate voted for me, and that I am an active volunteer in many of our school and sports programs, and has not been "pushed" aside.  Obviously I'm too heavy to be pushed aside (I wrote that one).  Anyway, personally I like John Smart, and I will take him at his word that he appreciates what I've done in the community, and that he hopes I don't disappear.  Would I have won my re-election if it weren't for a pre-Halloween snow storm that took out power for a week?  Would I have won my re-election if my story hit the paper before the election.  Reporter Mike Kelly and I discussed it beforehand, and I'm glad we waited.  They say Al Gore's stock rose after losing an election he probably could and should have won.  We'll see.      

So What's Next?

It's like the Seinfeld episode once again.  You lose the election, and people want to know what you'll do next.  So here goes.  First, I have scripts to read and send back.  Then I have inventory to do, as one of my warehouse guys is busy with his mother whose cancer has returned.  Then I have to get the word out about the November 17th "shop for a cause" at the Haworth Apothecary, where I'm doing a Colondar signing, and we're using Daily Show tickets as a raffle.  Then I have to get the word out about the December 3 "Heart of Gold" gala fundraiser for the Volunteer Center, of which I'm a Board Member.  Then we have soccer, football, groceries, and French studying.  And in the middle of it all, I'm working on making March blue, maybe not as much as October is pink but...I'm pretty sure I'll have enough to do for a while. 

So many things bothered me about this election.  The divisiveness that can take place in a small community.  While the outcome was unfortunate, the tone was my issue.  The ability to say anything verbally or via email without repercussion together with a reporter willing to be manipulated is a bad combination.  I own a medical supply company that deals with insurance.  I am a non-profit board member.  I coach kids, and parents trust them with me.  My name is out there every day, and my reputation is everything.  There are a number of different pieces that I could have created to cast doubt, and the outcome might have been different.  I believe I chose the high road, and I am comfortable looking at my face in the mirror and my family who may actually see me more often.  In the end, I still feel that the title is bigger than the person, and I'm sure that my opponent will do his utmost to uphold that standard.

I explained to the boys that politics is as beautiful as it is ugly.  Whatever letter is next to your name means that you ultimately have a third of the population rooting for you, and a third of the population going out of their way to see you fail.  Today, many will remember what happened on election day.  Tomorrow, and the days thereafter, those memories will fade.  I'm proud of what I've accomplished in the three years on Council and the dozens of years before.  I'll miss the $3600/year salary, but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to put that extra time to good use.  Let's see what the future brings. 

As always, thanks for your support.  I'll ask for more support later. 

 

What if....I had a Colon Twin?

I got around to listening to the stupid cancer show on blogspot radio.  Upon finding the site, I chose the show with Marion Nestle talking about food politics, a book that I had read previously.  Unexpectedly, one of the guests on the show was Myles Beskind, a 45 year old, 2-time colon cancer survivor, who blogs at http://kickincancersbutt.blogspot.com/.  He has three kids, and his medical help finds him very funny.  He did a book signing at an actual book store.  I'm doing a Colondar signing at an actual gift store on November 17.  He's open about his cancer, as obviously so am I. 

Fundraising/Election/Fall sport season continues.  Each day is a blur - Get boys to school, get the business moving and all set, go to meetings, finish early to coach the kids, campaign and fundraise, record voiceovers, strategize the next day/week/month.  Do it again the next day.