Wednesday, November 6th I participated in a event to raise Lung Cancer Awareness at Genentech. How it all came about? That fantastic Katie Brown at LUNGevity passed my name along to the Genentech Advocacy Coordinator.
The request was a new one for me. I was asked to speak to a large audience about My Story. Semi-foolishly I accepted the gig without any hesitation. I was reverting back to my silly little girl days and said I’d do something because of a boy. Yup! I was so thrilled to be reconnected with my former AMAZING oncologist Dr Alan Sandler who has been at Genentech for around 3-months.
I prepared the requested 20-minute speech. I had it down. However, when it came to deliver, being the last of the speakers, I only had about 14 minutes of airtime. I admit, I ended up adding content and deleting content on the fly. The right things to say just came out, unforced.
My goal was to make them laugh; then make them cry. The laughs were easy to detect. The tears not so much. I did get some glassy eyed looks when I ended a question directed to me with the statement: I know my 20-closest-friends are going to watch me die. And, I am okay with it.
Aquarius vs. Cancer 
You rock!
Somedays… I wish more of them!
That answer made me almost cry! Cancer of any kind just sux! You are an inspiration!
It totally sucks! Cancers act so different in our bodies based on primary tumor location but I think the emotions we all go through are very similar.
I agree!
I agree , you are an amazing lady. F cancer and the cell it rode in on , love ya!
You crack me up! PS- can I invite myself over to your new pad? I’d love to check it out!
Ack, I am not ready to accept your answer. I’m still holding out for a medical miracle, for all of us!
I just heard you on 94.7, and everything you said struck home. Yes, people are filled with advice, but it becomes more burdensome than helpful. Some days are good and some are horrid. And no, cancer whether you get it young or old makes no sense at all. And I’ll tell you what everyone tells me for speaking out about my cancer–good for you for being brave and making a difference and helping others! Sometimes hearing those words make me cringe, but there is truth in it.
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