breastless in the city

Friend and author, Cathy Bueti, will have a book talk and signing for the newest edition of her book, Breastless in the City: A Young Woman's Story of Love, Loss, and Breast Cancer, at 7:30pm on May 28th at the Barnes & Nobles at 396 Avenue of the Americas (at 8th Street) in Manhattan.

Mark your calendars and come out to support this inspirational writer!

top 30 inspirational cancer survivor blogs

Many of my cancer comrades are listed as the most inspirational bloggers. Check it out.

brilliant!

in the news

Riding Japan's Bullet Train

Pioneering Historian John Hope Franklin Dies at 94

John Hope Franklin, Scholar and Witness

Tibet Atrocities Dot Official China History

The Heights Traveled to Subdue Tibet

As Chinese Investment in Africa Drops, Hope Shrinks

Lobster and Crabs Feel Pain, Study Shows

The Everywhere President

Speaking Freely, Biden Finds Influential Role

Albany Reaches Deal to Repeal '70s Drug Laws

To Fans, Queensboro Bridge Is a Steel Swan, Not an 'Ugly Duckling'

networking

I continue to be quite busy with matters related to my photography project. Last week, I attended the Third Annual BCEQ Water Conference at Manhattan College in the Bronx, where I met a good number of very interesting individuals who are working diligently to transform the Harlem River into an attractive and sustainable destination for New Yorkers and visitors alike.

And then on Wednesday evening, I attended another lecture by Dr. Horenstein on the history, culture, and recreational past of this marginalized but fascinating waterway. His talk was held at the Arsenal at 64th and Fifth Avenue. This impressive building, which is the headquarters for the NYC Parks Department, used to be a munitions depository during the mid-19th century. Hence, its name.

At both events, I was able to network and I'm beginning to see some of the same people again and again. This circle of political, non-governmental, recreational, and civilian interest in the future of NYC's waterfront appears to be small. Most people know each other. Like with anything, it's great when one can find others who are passionate about the same thing. Attending these events and talking to its participants, it's clear that the Harlem River Valley possesses great potential. Each of us - whether its through the arts, education, recreation, community activism, or politics - can all help in this common effort to restore this river's former greatness. Such discoveries give me continued hope that an audience for my work exists.

At the same time, I'm preparing the five photographs that will be displayed at Sloan's upcoming patient art show. As planned, all of the images are nocturnal.

This coming Monday begins my first day as an adult literacy tutor. Training was completed several weeks ago, but I was waiting to be placed. Now that's complete and I'm eager to start.

The job hunt continues. Many of the schools are still on break, but I hope to hear some word in the next few weeks.

more on jasmina

Today's NYT also had an article about the adorable, six-year old Jasmina's search for a suitable donor match: Girl's Future Depends On Strangers.

help find the one for jasmina

I just came across the heartbreaking story of six-year old Jasmina (click the image above), who is searching desperately for a suitable donor to cure her of a very aggressive form of leukemia. Learn how you can help her and so many others in need of a transplant here. Become a donor.

A recent story about Jasmina appeared in the NY Daily News.

lymphoma news

In CURE magazine's spring 2009 issue, Trying Something New examines the challenges and promises in the struggle against Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

day +578

I can't believe it, but today marks 19 months since my allo stem cell transplant. 19 months! Wow. It seems so long.

The weather is terrific today. I spent the early afternoon exploring the Bronx Museum of the Arts' new exhibition, Intersections: Grand Concourse at 100. Last weekend, I visited a friend upstate where we saw the traveling show, Thomas Chambers (1808-1869): American Marine and Landscape Painter. I knew nothing about the scope of this artist's work before this exhibition. There's a famous painting he did of the venerable Old Ironsides (U.S.S. Constitution), but I didn't even know that he had done this.

His work is captivating. They're energetic, turbulent, romantic, and colored in rich, warm tones. In addition, I love the way in which he depicts clouds and vegetation, especially trees. Nature on his canvases isn't static. It's engaged. It's alive. It becomes as much a part of the scene as the main subject itself.



His naive, folksy style of painting runs smack against the more polished, European-inspired academic traditions of the Hudson River School of which I'm a faithful admirer. So, for me, learning about his remarkable marine and landscape masterpieces was a real education. I left blown away and moreover, had become a fan.

I'm guilty like so many. I confess that I considered Chambers and others of the naive tradition to be second rate artists. Nothing like the immortal masters, such as Church, Cole, and Bierstadt. But after being exposed to Chambers' fantastic creations and reading a recent NYT article, The Unheralded Pieces of the American Puzzle, I feel so more open to this under appreciated but lovely part of early American art. I can't tell you of the number of times that I've passed by the works of Hicks and his brethren with disinterest. Next time, I will stop and give these talented masters the time that is so due.

Finally, I had wanted to post about this earlier, soon after it happened. But I didn't have the time. Remember when I was stopped and questioned by the police a few weeks ago early one morning, because I was photographing traffic below the Macombs Dam Bridge. Well, guess what? Last Tuesday afternoon, two detectives visited my apartment to ask me questions about the incident. Amazing, heh? I was out at the time, but my mom was home. At first, she thought that perhaps I had gotten sick in the subway until they revealed the nature of their visit. Yes, I photograph bridges, she told them. It's a hobby of mine that I've been doing ever since my second transplant. Letting the cops know that I wasn't some thug that they were looking at, she laid it on them: I am a three-time cancer survivor, who has degrees from Vassar and the University of Chicago, writes and volunteers, and is looking to become a teacher. She gave them a copy of Bridges, the newsletter that I work on, showing them the cover photo of the Brooklyn Bridge which I had taken as well as the credit for it on the back. They told her (a few times) that I had done nothing wrong and that the officers were wrong for stopping me that morning. The matter should have never gotten to their desk, the detectives said, but as it did, they were forced to follow up.

When I arrived home late that night, my mom told me the whole story. The lead detective wanted me to call him back. So I did. I told him everything that happened that morning. He said that what I told him corroborated with what the police officers had told him. They too had been questioned. Again, he stressed that I had done nothing wrong, but he had to follow up. Why did he have to follow up if nothing was wrong? He asked me several more questions about my photography project, cancer history, volunteer work at Sloan, and employment. And that was pretty much it.

I couldn't believe that the cops actually came to my apartment, but I took the incident in good humor. My mom seemed to as well after she realized what it was about.

Unfortunately, there's so much distrust and fear out there . . . about ourselves and each other. America is not a police state. I've lived in police states and seen what they're like. But I do worry about this heavy handedness against our civil liberties. There must be some semblance of equanimity.

But I continue to shoot. Shoot I must.

one mother with cancer

Fellow prizefighter and the author of One Mother with Cancer is undergoing an allogeneic stem cell transplant. Today is day 0, her transplant day. Please check out her fantastic blog and offer words of encouragement on this momentous day.

cancer news

Kelly passed along this informative article that touches very close to home: Issues Cancer Survivors Face Upon the Completion of Treatment.

upcoming chronic GVHD teleconference

The National Bone Marrow Transplant Link (nbmtLINK) will offer a free teleconference called Coping with Chronic Graft vs. Host Disease for the BMT Patient/Survivor taking place four consecutive Thursdays beginning April 16th from 7:00-8:15 PM EST.

The following topics will be discussed:

• Overview of chronic GVHD
• Understanding and Living with chronic GVHD
• Exploring Options for Improving Health and Well-Being
• Facing Forward: Developing Your Personal Plan for Managing chronic GVHD and Living Well
  

To learn more and/or register, call 800-546-5268 or email tiffanyrowe@nbmtlink.org.

spring issue of bridges

The latest issue of Bridges: Connecting Cancer Survivors is out. Check it out.

cultivating fearlessness

The essence of cowardice is to not acknowledge the reality of fear. Fear takes many forms. We are afraid of death, we are afraid that we can't handle the demands of our life, and there is abrupt fear, or panic, when new situations occur. Fear is expressed as restlessness: how we move, how we talk, how we chew our nails, how we sometimes put our hands in our pockets uselessly. We have to realize our fear and reconcile ourselves with fear. However, acknowledging fear is not a cause for depression. Because we possess such fear, we can potentially experience fearlessness.

-Chogyam Trungpa

first descents

First Descents is a very unique program that aims to empower young adult cancer survivors in a restorative environment full of fun outdoor activities, natural beauty, and community with fellow survivors. Its website states:

During the weeklong First Descents experience, young adults living with cancer will be empowered through kayaking, team building and other sports/activities to push their limits and face the challenges associated with living with cancer.

Check out its website to learn more and/or apply.

using humor to fight the tumor

A good friend of mine passed along the story of Dan Reynolds, a well-known cartoonist, who is also a testicular cancer survivor. He is using his art work to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. To learn more and/or donate, please check out his story above.

You can check out more of his work at Dan Reynolds . . . Unwrapped.

slap chop commerical

Have you seen this guy? Simply hilarious!

turning 29

Yesterday I turned 29. It was a stellar day.

I had planned to start the day off with an early morning shoot in the winter wonderland of Inwood Hill Park, but I chickened out when I learned the temperature was at about 7 degrees. Feeling a little tired made my decision a bit easier too. So, I stayed in, read the paper, meditated and finished up a couple of loose ends before it was time to head out.

Several weeks ago, I read a short, funny article in TimeOut New York which listed 10 fun activities for the unemployed in NYC. Somewhere at number 6 or 7 was listening to free Bach organ recitals at Grace Church at 10th and Broadway. For one reason or another I hadn't been able to attend the noon recitals, but this day I could. I love Bach. I love the organ. And it was my birthday. So, I went there to enjoy celestial music in what is an august setting. The funny thing is that I had walked by this impressive church countless times and never ventured to step inside. This day I did and I was so glad.

The organ might be my favorite instrument. For me, it has always sturred up intense emotions. Usually, they're of great sadness and humility, awe and inspiration. Yesterday was no different. My eyes closed, the tears flowed effortlessly as I listened to the graceful harmonies filling the halls of the lovely church. Thoughts of appreciation and thanksgiving followed the tears. Appreciation for living to see this beautiful winter day. Appreciation for the anonymous donor, who gave me another chance at living. Appreciation for my family and the many friends who have been by my side. Appreciation for being alive. There was sadness too. Sadness especially for the many who have left us.

I wondered what brought those in the pews to spend their noon hour listening to works of the great Baroque master. I'm sure the answers are varied, but I imagine that for some there was a common desire to feel the raw, liberating energy that his somber yet beautiful compositions engender.

From Grace Church, I grabbed a lite bite and then, went to a nearby library where I read for about two hours before meeting a good friend for a wonderful birthday lunch at a Thai restaurant. She treated me generously to lunch and coffee afterwards.

The early evening was spent doing yoga. My instructor is amazing and I always feel reinvigorated by her inspiring words of courage and openness.

A chocolate birthday cake was awaiting when I arrived home. My mom and I celebrated eating a slice. We talked and had a wonderful time together. My sister will come home tonight for spring break and we all plan to have some fun this weekend. I am really excited to see her.

I am thankful for having reached this day. I am grateful. And I am hopeful about the future.

2nd annual cancer summit for young adults

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and I'm Too Young For This are presenting the 2nd Annual OMG! Cancer Summit for Young Adults on May 4, 2009 in NYC. This special event offers survivors in their 20s and 30s with an incredible opportunity to organize, connect and unite as a global support community.

Kevin Hearn of the musical band, Barenaked Ladies, is a scheduled guest.

Topics discussed will range from the latest in young adult oncology research to fertility, intimacy, dating, insurance and employment as well as the use of the Internet as an advocacy resource.

This conference is free. Registration began March 2nd, but space is limited. Learn more and/or register here.

in the news

I don't know how I missed it, but thanks to Kelly I found: Cancer Survivors Struggle to Find Jobs, Study Finds. Just confirms what some of us knew already.

Even Worse for Young Workers is another interesting piece.