Grey the Other Color

 

Grey is Important Too

According to the Central Brain Tumor Registry  of the United States.

An estimated 14,930 deaths will be attributed to primary malignant brain and central nervous system tumors in the United States in 2013.

Five–year relative survival rates following diagnosis of a primary malignant brain and CNS (including lymphoma, leukemia, tumors of the pituitary and pineal glands,  and olfactory tumors of the nasal cavity) by age of diagnosis (1995-2010 data):

Age 0-19 years: 73.0%	Age 55-64 years: 17.4%
Age 20-44 years: 58.1%	Age 65-74 years: 10.2%
Age 45-54 years: 31.8%	Age 75 or older: 5.8%

The following is the 5 year survival rates and expected mortality for breast cancer from the American Cancer Society

Total 40,000 deaths expected from breast cancer in 2014.

Stage	5-year Relative Survival Rate
0		100%
I		100%
II		93%
III		72%
IV		22%

 

National Cancer Institute reports a 5 year survival of 33.4% for brain cancer versus a 89.2% survival for breast cancer between the years 2004-2010. Brain cancer is responsible for 2.4%  while breast cancer is responsible for 6.8% of all cancer deaths.

 

From the American Brain Tumor Association website:

Brain tumors are the:
second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children (males and females) under age 20 (leukemia is the first).
second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in males ages 20-39 (leukemia is the first).
fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in females ages 20-39.

 

See the American Brain Tumor Association  website for more information on brain tumors and brain cancer.

Give the brain a thought.

Yes, pink is important too but without a brain, breasts are useless!

Most importantly!

Mission Finished

5 K Medal

 

2 Day Challenge Prize

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last year on Memorial Day Weekend I was in the Neuro-ICU recovering from brain cancer surgery. 1 year later, I finished the Med-City Half-Marathon  in 2:52 and the 5-K, the 2 Day Challenge, to celebrate 1 year as a cancer survivor. I like to thank all those people who made this finish possible.
In the past couple of months I have been busy, so busy that I have not made time for posts on this blog. My original plans were to finish the Med-City Marathon but in April I decided to switch to the half-marathon. This was a good decision, because I finished strong, enjoyed the perfect day, and was able to walk after the race.  I wore brain tumor awareness shirts for both events and dressed in gray for both events for brain tumor awareness. My training included weekly long “runs” with the longest duration of training 3 hours and the longest distance of straight run/walk a 15K.
Of course, the respiratory bug that I had in April did not help my run training or the Minnesota Masters Swimming Short Course State Meet. I went to this meet the day after I became sick and basically showed up to the meet. I tried to swam as fast as

13.1 Medal

I was able even with less than 5 minutes of rest between some events. The only reason I walked home with medals was I was either the only swimmer or there were only 1-2 other swimmers that were better than me.
Now with my first triathlon of 2014 less than 1 week away, I feel fitter, faster, stronger, and lighter than I have in recent years. In the race next weekend, I am going to leave nothing left at the finish.
There is another event less than 1 week away, my 1 year MRI. Yes, I am a little nervous, but who wouldn’t be. I am praying everything turns out fine. The truth is after a long year, I finally got my energy back, working longer shifts at work, and getting work done in my yard. Last weekend I went to my second annual Cancer Survivors Day event. I have been blessed, to meet all the cancer survivors I have met in this past year and by all that I have learned in the past year that has changed my views of cancer and life.
Citius, Altius, Fortius
~dmj

Happy Holidays!

Christmas in Rochester, MN

Happy Holidays,

I hope this post finds you well.  2013 was a tough year for me. The year brought both challenges and rewards. In March after having a CT for “spells” where I would not be able to use my legs and arms or blackout, I learned I had a brain tumor. After further imaging and surgery to remove the tumor on May 24, I learned that it was grade III anaplastic astrocytoma, a malignant brain tumor.  I spent much of my Summer at Mayo Clinic with 33 radiation treatments and adjunct oral chemo therapy.  That treatment is followed by oral chemotherapy 5 days each month x 6 months. I have completed 4 cycles so far and my MRI is stable.

I am still working at Golden Living Center-Rochester East skilled nursing facility in Rochester. During the beginning of the year I worked day shift but switched to nights in April because of a staffing shortage then stayed on nights after returning from surgery. Most of our residents are Mayo Clinic patients but we also care for several Olmsted Medical Center patients.  In addition to nursing, I am still an assistant coach for Med-City Aquatics. During the Fall, I coached mostly 10-13 year old swimmers and the adult masters group. I also earned extra cash as a soccer referee for youth, high school, and adult games. I also earned extra cash as a Mary Kay Skin Care Consultant and AdvoCare nutrition distributor. In addition to the above, I am still working on building my holistic wellness consulting business, Winning Wellness Solutions.

Even though my training was limited last year, I managed to participate in several events. Although about every event I participated in it rained. I finished in the lower middle third of the CrossFit Games Open. I raced a few 5K’s. My first triathlon saw cold 54 degree water temps and low 50’s air temps. I entered the water did about 50 yds and swam back to the shore. Half of my heat did not even start. The next day I participated in my first long-course meters swim meet which was held at the University of MN. During the summer, I walked a 5K as a relay in the RochesterFest Triathlon and walked a 1-mile race prior to the RochesterFest parade (and walked in the parade afterwards). The biggest highlight of my athletic pursuits in 2013 was competing in the USAT Sprint Distance National Championships in Milwaukee, WI. This was only 9 days after my last radiation treatment.  I managed to finish the triathlon. In September, I started tennis lessons.  I officially became a weightlifter in October after competing in my first sanctioned Olympic weightlifting meet.

I am in the process of applying to graduate school to earn a PhD in nursing.  Also, I just recently joined the St. Marys Hospital Auxiliary to volunteer in hospitality. My athletic goals for 2014 include Med-City Marathon, Minnesota Cup weightlifting, CrossFit Open, Ironman 70.3 Muncie, IN, USAT National Championship, and in my dreams an Ironman Inspired Kona spot.  My main goal for 2014 is to stay healthy. Thanks to all those who helped me achieve my goals in 2013.

Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year,

~dmj

Below are images from 2013

FINISHED

Luther College Alumni Meet

Keeping a slow but steady pace

Thanks Coach!

Up, down, and around

TRI-UMPH

Mom and I

My incision CDI.

MN Open snatch

The bell rung

The Bell

Radiation therapy

LC Alumni Soccer game

1 Step Closer to 26.2 and 1 Step Closer to a Cure

Amen

Luther College Alumni Meet

Women’s Session 2

MN Open snatch

MN Open Clean and Jerk

So October has had its ups and downs.  My athletic pursuits have included Luther College’s Alumni swim meet and The Minnesota Open Weightlifting Championships in which my performance was hampered by a bought of bronchitis and asthma exacerbation that need antibiotics. I also was on the last day of a 5 day oral chemotherapy course for the weightlifting meet and worked night shift the night before. I am happy,  I got a total on my lifts for my first weight lifting meet even though I missed 1 of my snatches and 1 clean & jerk.

I also went to the ER last week with a strange cluster of symptoms likely cause by a number of things working together. At the ER I learned my lymphocyte count was low which makes me a little worried especially when I work with sick people. My energy is low and I have been so busy that and little time I have I need to sleep or relax. My house chores are not getting done.

Today marks 5 months since my brain surgery. My incision has healed and my hair is starting to grow back. I just hope my tumor is not growing back. Although my last MRI showed a contrast enhanced area on the border of where my tumor was removed. My physicians are leaning towards scar tissue but are uncertain. Only time will tell if this is tumor growing back. If it is tumor, hopefully chemo will shrink it. I have my next MRI in about 1 month.

Today also marks the beginning of marathon training. The only way I can stay focused on exercising is if I have a goal.  My goal is to run the Med-City Marathon and 5K to mark the anniversary of my surgery and brain cancer diagnosis.  The Med-City Marathon weekend is Memorial Day Weekend the last weekend in May. May is also Brain Tumor Awareness Month. I am already planning to wear grey for the marathon and run the marathon to raise funds for brain tumor research.  Gotta  get my strength and endurance up to help find a treatment and a cure for this awful disease that is the leading cancer killer among youth under 20, the second leading cause of cancer deaths among males 20-39, and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths among  females  20-39. These statistics are unreal since only about 25,000 people are diagnosed in the US each year with a malignant brain tumor and the majority of the people diagnosed are 40 and over.  Although the term brain cancer also includes some non-malignant tumors.  1 step closer to 26.2 and 1 step closer to a cure.

The WOD 10/24/13: CrossFit then 30minutes of 200yd run, 200yd walk

~ dmj

Thanks Coach!

9/19/13 WOD, Whole Life Challenge, and Brain Tumor Walk

I  have not written an entry for a while. I have not had a significant workout since my last entry. That is if you do not count my four hour of referring soccer last Saturday or several games in the past two weeks, 10 minute rides to satisfy my Whole Life Challenge (WLC) requirement, tennis lessons, or running around at work . Yesterday September 19 was my first time at CrossFit in a few weeks. No I did not do the WOD, but went to weightlifting skills class to prepare for my weightlifting meet the Minnesota Open on October 12, 2013. The meet is being held at my home gym CrossFit Progression. Prior to lifting, I rowed for 15 minutes. In addition, I had a 30 minute tennis lesson at 1 PM where I did pretty poor, maybe OK for my 3rd day of tennis.
The WLC challenge has been difficult. I have little energy or motivation to prepare meals. So I have eaten little. Not to mention my craving for Dr. Pepper to settle my stomach. Last week’s chemo cycle was challenging. I went to work several days with nausea. Zofran only took the edge off. Since I work night shift as a nurse I would take my chemo in the morning. Fatigue was also present and I literally could not go for more than 10 minutes without yawning. Still cannot take my Spark energy drink, which is much needed due to little antioxidants on chemo. Unable to work out at the gym, I have been using my stationary bike at home to get a 10 minute workout in then followed by stretching and foam roller. The only thing I have had the energy to do is come home, sit in front of my computer and go on FB or check emails. I notice the effects from the Decadron steroid have worn off, in that I have less energy.

 I also wanted to include in this post that there is a very special event happening in Rochester on Saturday October 5, 2013 at RCTC. It is the Brains Together for a Cure walk to raise awareness and funds for brain tumor research at Mayo Clinic. If you would like to walk, donate money or goods for the silent auction please go to http://www.brainstogetherforacure.org. Also, if you own a business or know of a business who would like to donate goods for a silent auction let me know or go to the above website. I am hoping the coming week is better and my blood counts from today’s test remain normal.
~dmj

2 weeks til USAT National Sprint Triathlon Championship

Dawn in IM Wisconsin 2011

In nearly 2 weeks I will be swimming, biking, and running at the USAT National Sprint Triathlon Championship In Milwaukee, WI for the American Brain Tumor Association.  This will happen nearly 1 week after my last radiation treatment and about 10 weeks after my brain surgery and diagnosis of grade 3 anaplastic (malignant) astrocytoma. My goal is to finish the 750 meter (0.5 mile) swim, 20K (12.4 mile) bike, and 5K (3.1 mile) run even if I have to swim slow, take breaks on the bike, and walk most of the run.  I am doing because I am able and for those with a brain tumor diagnosis that cannot.  I need your support to reach my fundraising goals. My fundraising goal is $2,210. Why $2,210? I have chosen $2,210 because for every 100,000 people in the United States, 221 are living with a brain tumor diagnosis. Please support brain tumor research and patient support. Currently the average life expectancy after diagnosis and treatment for my type of brain cancer is 2-3 years. I expect to live longer. Every cent counts and with your help people with brain tumors can live longer with a better quality of life. To donate click the following link.

http://hope.abta.org/site/TR/TeamBreakthrough/TeamBreakCYO?px=2271412&pg=personal&fr_id=2580

 

“Even when our heart aches, we summon the strength that may be we didn’t know we had, and we carry on, we finish the race.” -President Barack Obama at the Boston Marathon memorial service April 2013