Random thought… I seem to remember Delta (Δ) as a symbol for change in scientific terms. I want mAss Kickers Foundation to stimulate change in tumor/cancer advocacy. (Ironically, I was also a part of the Delta Class in the beginning of Lambda Phi Epsilon at the University of Michigan.) Some of the things mAss Kickers Foundation has planned in 2012 are very different from the typical tumor/cancer events. We stress UNITY in everything we plan. I believe a different approach on survivorship through research needs to be created to more effectively MANAGE these diseases. A “cure” for tumors/cancer is a great goal and should continued to be pursued. I think that to address the needs of those of us currently afflicted with these diseases, MANAGEMENT OF SYMPTOMS should be the primary goal of “tumor thrivership.” I think that only through a combination of scientific research and survivor advocacy will we be able to understand these diseases in order to effectively combat them. Somewhere the purpose/understanding of scientific research got lost. I think the common man has to understand these diseases before we can efficiently fight them!
I’ll get off my soap box now. I spent Christmas in Michigan for the first time in years. It was a little different… Lots of kids. My cousin from San Francisco brought the entire family. Her husband and two little ones! It is so strange seeing people I “grew up” with as parents. Even weirder seeing my physical therapy school classmates as parents. These were the same people I used to screw around with in the back of the classroom. It made me realize that change is inevitable, but you can be prepared for it! Most of my friends have moved on with their lives. My 20 year high school reunion and 10 year PT school reunion will be next year! It will be very interesting to see how lives have unfolded. I thought that by now I would have opened up my own PT clinic and started my family. Didn’t quite workout that way. Being back home in MI made me realize that things will never be the same and things don’t always work out how you plan. Change is the only constant in life, but it is up to the individual to control their reaction to that change. A long time ago, I decided that the brain tumor was not going to control my life. It hit me pretty hard and knocked me down, but it didn’t knock me out. I got up, and now it is my turn to fight back! My personal goals and objectives have changed in the past 6 years! I view change as an opportunity to evolve. Some people don’t like change, but it is something that we all have to deal with in order to evolve.
Such a busy weekend! I went to the 
