On December 29, 2012 I wrote a blog post trying to describe my belief that things happen for a reason. Now whether you believe in a higher power, or you consider yourself "spiritual but not religious," life brings us circumstances that leave us considering that there is more than coincidence working when an incredible series of events take place that lead to awesome outcomes. Here is one such story.
This was a summer to remember! It started with an emergency surgery with two days left in the school year. I woke up on Monday morning with a little bit of a stomach ache and a bloated feeling. Over the course of the day, the pain started to move down the abdomen and to the right. By the end of the day, the pain was located around my belt-line on the right-side, almost to my hip bone. It was the end of the school year and as Department Head I had to inventory all of our math books, so I associated the pain, that was much more intense now, with a pulled muscle from moving hundreds of books around the school.
That night our staff softball team was playing their third game of the season, and I am the manager and pitcher. While warming up, the pain was intense and a teammate asked me why I was grabbing my belly. I said I thought I maybe had a hernia, to which he asked if I should be playing softball with a hernia. I smirked and said, "We'll see." I played through the pain, and would have hit for the cycle, but I made the mistake of taking it easy on the other team by stopping at third when we were up 14-2. They later came back and we tied 17-17.
That night as I was getting ready for bed, I noticed the pain had not "worked itself out" as men sometimes claim muscle pulls will when playing a sport. I hoped that I would wake up in the morning and things would be better. Nope. That's not all what happened. Instead I woke up at 3:30am with increased pain that was more steadfast than most pains I have experienced. It was bad enough that I called the hotline at my Doctor's office, and asked for advice. Upon hearing my story of the day and current pain levels, the nurse urged me to go to the ER. Yay!
I had to research, or really my Mom did the research on what the appendix is used for in the body. Most of us have heard that they are not used for anything, so why do we have them? Turns out that there are some enzymes in the appendix during the gestational period that cannot be found anywhere else in the body. So it is useful during the time we go from a peanut, to a slimy-delivered baby. After that, no use what-so-ever. Oh, except to cause extreme pain and a surgery that makes me miss the last two days of school!
You might be wondering, "This does not seem like coincidence or like it happened for a reason. It just sucks." And you are right! But this did start a chain of events that led to awesomeness!
Come back for Part 3 soon....
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Friday, May 31, 2013
Relay, Relay, Relay For Life
I do not remember if I wrote about how I got involved in Relay For Life, so I will do it now because I do not feel like searching through all of my old posts.
It would be an easy answer to say that I got involved in Relay because my Mom is a cancer Survivor. She was diagnosed with skin cancer on her leg a long time ago. The doctors cut a chunk of flesh from her calf and she was cancer free. Mom does not like to call herself a Survivor because she did not have to go through chemo or radiation, but I remind her that people today do not get large chunks removed from their legs anymore. The surgeries are far less intensive and people with her type of skin cancer are happy to have simpler procedures, and it is because of the gains made from research funded by the American Cancer Society that have led to these breakthroughs. Mom, you were told, "You have cancer." And you are still here; you're a Survivor!
It would be an easy answer to say that I got involved in Relay because I have lost a few aunts and uncles to cancer, including my Aunt Grace. She is my Dad's sister, and my cousin Adam and I are the same age. I remember once growing up Adam and I were playing board games on the floor if his bedroom. Aunt Grace came in and asked us if we wanted something to eat, and I asked for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Aunt Graces took the plural, sandwiches, quite seriously. She came back with a platter of PB&Js all cut in half withe crust removed. So good! We lost Grace to cancer 7 years ago.
Although these are two reasons I remain involved in Relay, they are not the reason I got started. When I was 23 years old, in grad school and working three jobs, my best friend Brenda was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. At the time, her form of cancer had a 5% chance of living 5 years. As scary as that was to hear about my best friend, I can't imagine how she felt being told that by her doctor. I witnessed how hard chemo is on a person's body. I saw how much pain radiation could cause to a person's skin. I felt helpless watching Brenda not be able to keep food down. Helpless as she felt like getting out of bed was an overwhelming chore. Helpless that everything she ate tasted like metal.
I tried to make her days brighter. I brought her Coke Slurpees, her favorite. I would bring over the latest comedy albums to lay in bed with her, listen and hope to laugh. I would drive her to appointments, and read Motherhood magazines in the waiting room. Not a lot of choice at some of the doctor's offices she needed to visit. When she felt up to it, we went for walks. When she felt up to it, we went out to dinner. Through all of it, I still felt helpless. I could not take her cancer away.
Her battle lasted a few years, and I moved on from grad school and started working at Skyview Jr High, where Relay For Life of Northshore is held each year. I walked to the office to ask questions and was directed to Frank Dellino's office. He is a counselor there and was on the planning committee for Relay. He told me about the event and spoke passionately about the cause. I was sold. I asked Brenda if I could form a team in her honor. She replied, "Only if I can be your Co-Captain!"
9 years later, Brenda is cancer free. She works for the American Cancer Society, and I have been Event Chair for the Northshore event for three years. I believe the work that we do at Relay is making a difference. I truly believe that we will have a cure for cancer in my lifetime! Remember Brenda's odds? 5% chance at 5 years. That type of cancer now has a 60% chance. That is progress!
Relay For Life of Northshore is tomorrow! We have some new attractions and some ceremonies that are amazing. I would like to see all of you there if even for only a moment. As Event Chair, I am usually running around like a mad man, but I will give you a hug and say thanks! If you have kids, bring them to our Kid's Fair from 2-4:30pm.
In my last post, I suggested that of you felt inclined to, you could donate because I kept my weight off for a year. A few people have felt so inclined. Thank you!!
I am gonna be more direct now, I am asking you to donate. Our event has a Goal of $200,000, which would make us Mega-Event Status. Looking at our numbers compared to last year, we are projected to come in a little short...that is until you all come through with some more cancer fighting, life saving funds! Use the link below and help us save more lives!
http://main.acsevents.org/
It would be an easy answer to say that I got involved in Relay because my Mom is a cancer Survivor. She was diagnosed with skin cancer on her leg a long time ago. The doctors cut a chunk of flesh from her calf and she was cancer free. Mom does not like to call herself a Survivor because she did not have to go through chemo or radiation, but I remind her that people today do not get large chunks removed from their legs anymore. The surgeries are far less intensive and people with her type of skin cancer are happy to have simpler procedures, and it is because of the gains made from research funded by the American Cancer Society that have led to these breakthroughs. Mom, you were told, "You have cancer." And you are still here; you're a Survivor!
It would be an easy answer to say that I got involved in Relay because I have lost a few aunts and uncles to cancer, including my Aunt Grace. She is my Dad's sister, and my cousin Adam and I are the same age. I remember once growing up Adam and I were playing board games on the floor if his bedroom. Aunt Grace came in and asked us if we wanted something to eat, and I asked for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Aunt Graces took the plural, sandwiches, quite seriously. She came back with a platter of PB&Js all cut in half withe crust removed. So good! We lost Grace to cancer 7 years ago.
Although these are two reasons I remain involved in Relay, they are not the reason I got started. When I was 23 years old, in grad school and working three jobs, my best friend Brenda was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. At the time, her form of cancer had a 5% chance of living 5 years. As scary as that was to hear about my best friend, I can't imagine how she felt being told that by her doctor. I witnessed how hard chemo is on a person's body. I saw how much pain radiation could cause to a person's skin. I felt helpless watching Brenda not be able to keep food down. Helpless as she felt like getting out of bed was an overwhelming chore. Helpless that everything she ate tasted like metal.
I tried to make her days brighter. I brought her Coke Slurpees, her favorite. I would bring over the latest comedy albums to lay in bed with her, listen and hope to laugh. I would drive her to appointments, and read Motherhood magazines in the waiting room. Not a lot of choice at some of the doctor's offices she needed to visit. When she felt up to it, we went for walks. When she felt up to it, we went out to dinner. Through all of it, I still felt helpless. I could not take her cancer away.
Her battle lasted a few years, and I moved on from grad school and started working at Skyview Jr High, where Relay For Life of Northshore is held each year. I walked to the office to ask questions and was directed to Frank Dellino's office. He is a counselor there and was on the planning committee for Relay. He told me about the event and spoke passionately about the cause. I was sold. I asked Brenda if I could form a team in her honor. She replied, "Only if I can be your Co-Captain!"
9 years later, Brenda is cancer free. She works for the American Cancer Society, and I have been Event Chair for the Northshore event for three years. I believe the work that we do at Relay is making a difference. I truly believe that we will have a cure for cancer in my lifetime! Remember Brenda's odds? 5% chance at 5 years. That type of cancer now has a 60% chance. That is progress!
Relay For Life of Northshore is tomorrow! We have some new attractions and some ceremonies that are amazing. I would like to see all of you there if even for only a moment. As Event Chair, I am usually running around like a mad man, but I will give you a hug and say thanks! If you have kids, bring them to our Kid's Fair from 2-4:30pm.
In my last post, I suggested that of you felt inclined to, you could donate because I kept my weight off for a year. A few people have felt so inclined. Thank you!!
I am gonna be more direct now, I am asking you to donate. Our event has a Goal of $200,000, which would make us Mega-Event Status. Looking at our numbers compared to last year, we are projected to come in a little short...that is until you all come through with some more cancer fighting, life saving funds! Use the link below and help us save more lives!
http://main.acsevents.org/
Sunday, May 26, 2013
A Year Down, A Life Time To Go
May 25th 2013
One year ago I finished a six month challenge with myself and 127 friends and family to motivate myself to live a healthier life. I changed the ways I shopped for food, cooked food, ordered food, and the ways I thought about activities, participated in activities and engaged myself in an active lifestyle. In those six months, I lost 85 pounds and felt blessed to have the support of so many people. The 127 people that "sponsored" my weight-loss were not the only ones that made this possible.
Friends and family that were not in a position to give money offered emotional support, encouragement and offers of walks, hikes, recipes and the so appreciated compliments on how good I was looking. Then one of the most generous people I know stepped up and said, I think we need to make sure this lifestyle change sticks. Adam Eaton, a friend since we met when I was at Linfield and rooming with his cousin and his high school buddy, said this to me:
"What you are doing is great. The cause for cancer is great. The thing that is more important to me, is you. Your longevity is more important than the money you raise by losing weight. Being healthy, and living longer is worth more than anything I could donate to your weight loss."
"So I propose this, to make sure that this life-change is not done after the 6 months, after your final weigh-in, and all the money is raised, if you can keep the weight off, or lose more for a full year, I will match everything you raised next year."
Yesterday, I weighed in to see if I met his challenge. I was nervous, and here is why. This has been one of the most challenging years of my life. Teaching has been challenging with my group of kids this year. I was part of starting two new programs at school this year. I am again, the Event Chair for Relay For Life of Northshore. And for those of you that are not aware, I found love! I am absolutely head-over-heels in love with Kirsten Kenyon! We have been dating since December and I want to spend every minute of everyday with her...
Kirsten is noticing that most of my weekday time is at school. I have averaged 11.5 hours at school every work day this year. She is also notices that every weekend morning I have Relay meetings with people from my committee or in the community. Then week day evenings are often used for speaking engagements. I have been speaking at many Relay events across Western Washington this year, and also for schools. Last week I was the Keynote Speaker at the high school's Honors Society Induction. What little time we have together is cherished. But the stress and busyness has made living healthy even more challenging.
During football season, I tailgate at Husky Games. I watched my weight grow a couple pounds a month during the fall, and then a couple more in the winter holiday season. I asked Kirsten to help me stay focussed on being healthy through the Spring. I did not want to do anything drastic to make sure I was at the 85 pounds mark by May 25th. That's not fair to Adam and his generosity. So we started going for more walks, ordering more salads, and tracking my food more diligently. All of the small things that make a big difference.
I weighed in yesterday and was down 86 pounds since I started this journey. I feel like this was a lifestyle change and not a lose it quick scheme. I have good days and bad days. I have good weeks and bad weeks. But as long as I maintain an active lifestyle with healthy shopping and eating, I can maintain my weight-loss and hopefully start losing more at a healthy pace.
I know this challenge was set by Adam Eaton, but I wanted to offer it up to all of you. If you feel so inclined, Adam is matching the $15,000 that I raised last year, and if you want to match what you donated last year because I kept the weight off. Or if you want to donate half of, or a portion of what you donated last year. My fundraising goal is $25,000 and I am sitting at $5500. Use the link below and let's create a world with More Birthdays and Less Cancer!
Thank you all for all the love and support!
Click here to donate.
One year ago I finished a six month challenge with myself and 127 friends and family to motivate myself to live a healthier life. I changed the ways I shopped for food, cooked food, ordered food, and the ways I thought about activities, participated in activities and engaged myself in an active lifestyle. In those six months, I lost 85 pounds and felt blessed to have the support of so many people. The 127 people that "sponsored" my weight-loss were not the only ones that made this possible.
Friends and family that were not in a position to give money offered emotional support, encouragement and offers of walks, hikes, recipes and the so appreciated compliments on how good I was looking. Then one of the most generous people I know stepped up and said, I think we need to make sure this lifestyle change sticks. Adam Eaton, a friend since we met when I was at Linfield and rooming with his cousin and his high school buddy, said this to me:
"What you are doing is great. The cause for cancer is great. The thing that is more important to me, is you. Your longevity is more important than the money you raise by losing weight. Being healthy, and living longer is worth more than anything I could donate to your weight loss."
"So I propose this, to make sure that this life-change is not done after the 6 months, after your final weigh-in, and all the money is raised, if you can keep the weight off, or lose more for a full year, I will match everything you raised next year."
Yesterday, I weighed in to see if I met his challenge. I was nervous, and here is why. This has been one of the most challenging years of my life. Teaching has been challenging with my group of kids this year. I was part of starting two new programs at school this year. I am again, the Event Chair for Relay For Life of Northshore. And for those of you that are not aware, I found love! I am absolutely head-over-heels in love with Kirsten Kenyon! We have been dating since December and I want to spend every minute of everyday with her...
Kirsten is noticing that most of my weekday time is at school. I have averaged 11.5 hours at school every work day this year. She is also notices that every weekend morning I have Relay meetings with people from my committee or in the community. Then week day evenings are often used for speaking engagements. I have been speaking at many Relay events across Western Washington this year, and also for schools. Last week I was the Keynote Speaker at the high school's Honors Society Induction. What little time we have together is cherished. But the stress and busyness has made living healthy even more challenging.
During football season, I tailgate at Husky Games. I watched my weight grow a couple pounds a month during the fall, and then a couple more in the winter holiday season. I asked Kirsten to help me stay focussed on being healthy through the Spring. I did not want to do anything drastic to make sure I was at the 85 pounds mark by May 25th. That's not fair to Adam and his generosity. So we started going for more walks, ordering more salads, and tracking my food more diligently. All of the small things that make a big difference.
I weighed in yesterday and was down 86 pounds since I started this journey. I feel like this was a lifestyle change and not a lose it quick scheme. I have good days and bad days. I have good weeks and bad weeks. But as long as I maintain an active lifestyle with healthy shopping and eating, I can maintain my weight-loss and hopefully start losing more at a healthy pace.
I know this challenge was set by Adam Eaton, but I wanted to offer it up to all of you. If you feel so inclined, Adam is matching the $15,000 that I raised last year, and if you want to match what you donated last year because I kept the weight off. Or if you want to donate half of, or a portion of what you donated last year. My fundraising goal is $25,000 and I am sitting at $5500. Use the link below and let's create a world with More Birthdays and Less Cancer!
Thank you all for all the love and support!
Click here to donate.
Monday, April 8, 2013
I Am Afraid To Fail
This is my 3rd year as Relay For Life Event Chair and 4th year on the planning committee. Last summer, after Relay, I was contemplating stepping down from Relay all together. The organizing, recruiting and fundraising became too much time, effort and stress. I needed a year “off.”
Then two close friends of my age, mid-30’s, were diagnosed with breast cancer. Both required surgery for removal of one or both breasts. The time, effort and stress involved with Relay seemed less important to me.
This school year, I have two students that are cancer survivors. I have 6 students who have at least one parent fighting cancer right now! Each one has required surgery. And each student has been impacted by their parent’s fight with cancer. I continually wish I could do more to support my friends who are batting cancer. I continually wish I could do more to support my students who are watching their parent battle cancer.
Relay is my way to show them I care! Yet, this year, I feel like I am failing.
Did you know that the State of Washington uses 3rd grade reading scores to predict how many jail cells they will need 20 years down the road? We use similar data to predict how much our Relay will raise each year. We look at how many teams are signed up by, and how many people are near the $100 minimum by the T-Shirt deadline, which is this Friday April 12th.
Right now I am scared…I am scared to fail for my friends. I am scared to fail for my students. I am scared to fail for everyone in the Northshore community that has been touched by cancer. We are down 15 teams, and down nearly 100 people approaching the $100 minimum compared to last year.
This year, we set a Goal to become a Mega-Event. That’s fundraising $200,000. Less than 5% of Relays Nationwide reach this status, and we have an opportunity to be elite in the fight against cancer! Northshore Relay For Life has a reputation for finishing the Relay season strong! We are known for setting records and bringing the funds when it really counts! Well, it’s time!
Each person reading this post knows at least one person that has never signed up for Relay. Each person reading this post knows at least one person that has never done any fundraising for a cancer cure. I am asking for your help!
If you have not signed up yourself yet, please sign up!
If you have not started fundraising yet, please start with an email.
If you have not attended a Team Rally, come to Tuesday’s Rally. At Skyview JH, 7pm.
If you know someone who participated last year, and they have not signed up yet, talk to them. Don’t nag them. Speak passionately about why we Relay!
I Relay to Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back! I need your help. Our Survivors need your help. The people in our community battling cancer need your help.
Our front page has more info on upcoming Rally’s, Fundraisers and ways to get involved. Let’s make Hope Happen!
Thank you for reading!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Approaching 10,000 Views
I had a bad day yesterday. Not necessarily with my health and nutrition, but with my motivation and attitude. I have been working a lot of hours on both Relay For Life and teaching my students. I am spending 11-12 hour days at school pretty consistently, and sometimes I question whether it is all worth it. Does it matter if every student understands why you multiply the exponents when a power is raised to a power? Will all of this extra time on Relay get us to Mega-Event status?
My past history tells me to be careful when I have a bad day because I know this can spiral into a "funk", which can lead to another depression state. I need to isolate the reasons why I had a bad day, and justify my time, work and interactions. I need to keep a positive perspective on each experience and know that the outcomes from my time and work, even if they are minute, have benefits.
I was reminded today, that people are still checking my blog to see how I am doing. People want to know if I need help with my exercising, or accountability for my eating. People still care about my progress. Last month 189 people checked my blog, and I have not written a thing. I feel the warmth of their love and support. Those 189 views just made today a good day!
9,800 total views. That is a lot of love and caring!
My past history tells me to be careful when I have a bad day because I know this can spiral into a "funk", which can lead to another depression state. I need to isolate the reasons why I had a bad day, and justify my time, work and interactions. I need to keep a positive perspective on each experience and know that the outcomes from my time and work, even if they are minute, have benefits.
I was reminded today, that people are still checking my blog to see how I am doing. People want to know if I need help with my exercising, or accountability for my eating. People still care about my progress. Last month 189 people checked my blog, and I have not written a thing. I feel the warmth of their love and support. Those 189 views just made today a good day!
9,800 total views. That is a lot of love and caring!
Monday, February 18, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Thank you for the Thank you!
A long-time friend recently made a sizable donation to my Relay For Life efforts this year. I sent him a sincere thank you for his very generous donation, and his reply spoke me. We all do our part to better this world. My efforts are more in your face, but they would mean nothing if people like you did not follow-up with conversations, donations or actions. I raise money, volunteer as event chair and organize youth to take action. Others donate, tell stories about Relay and/or attend fundraisers. Together we make a difference!
"Ryan,
"Ryan,
The donation is the easy part. You set the tone and inspiration with your leadership towards finding a cure. I am happy to support this cause as Cancer has taken too many of our close family and friends. I hope that our generation can find that cure to provide a brighter future for our children's generation.
Motivating and Dominating as always my friend!"
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Storytelling, Speaking Or Inspiring?
Storytelling is a skill, an art form and revered in every culture since the beginning of time. To paint a picture with words, gestures, expressions and emphasis at just the right time. To captivate an audience, or least hold their attention for more than two minutes. People who possess these skills are known by their friends and family as the storytellers.
I have been told I have these skills, and I think it is one of the qualities that makes me a great teacher. I can make Algebra sound interesting and fun to group of students who do not want anything to do with it but are legally obligated to master it. It's part of the teaching art form.
Back to storytelling. A person that is a great storyteller is not always a great public speaker. One person may feel comfortable telling a story to friends and family, but may freeze up in front of a large crowd. This is another area that I learned to handle with little stress or fear. I started speaking in front of groups of people as ASB President of Finn Hill Jr High, and then continued as Youth of the Year for the Kirkland Boys and Girls Club. Since I was 15 years old, I have had no problem taking the microphone and being the MC, giving a toast or performing a ceremony.
A great public speaker does not always take their skills to the next level, inspiring those listening. When a great public speaker inspires the listeners, they leave thinking more deeply about a topic, or leave with a sense of action. They will want to make a positive change in their own lives, or the lives of others. They will want to do more, say more or create more. An inspiring speaker leaves an impression.
Recently I have been told that I am having this impact on others, but it is not because of me. It is because of you! My readers, supporters and cancer fighters.
I spoke at the Great West Relay Summit in October about the inspiration you all gave me to lead a healthier life, and change my life for the better. I spoke about the 127 people that sponsored my weight loss and then the encouragement along the way that you all gave me. I spoke of the donations you all made, and how many lives will be saved by your generosity. The response has been incredible!
I have been asked to tell your story at numerous Relay events. And every time, Relayers tell me that they are inspired to do more, to think outside the box and make a bigger difference in their own lives and the lives around them.
I am a storyteller that is not afraid to speak in front of large groups. I am telling your story of support, and it is inspiring others. Thank you for making a larger impact in this world than you thought you were with your donation!
I have been told I have these skills, and I think it is one of the qualities that makes me a great teacher. I can make Algebra sound interesting and fun to group of students who do not want anything to do with it but are legally obligated to master it. It's part of the teaching art form.
Back to storytelling. A person that is a great storyteller is not always a great public speaker. One person may feel comfortable telling a story to friends and family, but may freeze up in front of a large crowd. This is another area that I learned to handle with little stress or fear. I started speaking in front of groups of people as ASB President of Finn Hill Jr High, and then continued as Youth of the Year for the Kirkland Boys and Girls Club. Since I was 15 years old, I have had no problem taking the microphone and being the MC, giving a toast or performing a ceremony.
A great public speaker does not always take their skills to the next level, inspiring those listening. When a great public speaker inspires the listeners, they leave thinking more deeply about a topic, or leave with a sense of action. They will want to make a positive change in their own lives, or the lives of others. They will want to do more, say more or create more. An inspiring speaker leaves an impression.
Recently I have been told that I am having this impact on others, but it is not because of me. It is because of you! My readers, supporters and cancer fighters.
I spoke at the Great West Relay Summit in October about the inspiration you all gave me to lead a healthier life, and change my life for the better. I spoke about the 127 people that sponsored my weight loss and then the encouragement along the way that you all gave me. I spoke of the donations you all made, and how many lives will be saved by your generosity. The response has been incredible!
I have been asked to tell your story at numerous Relay events. And every time, Relayers tell me that they are inspired to do more, to think outside the box and make a bigger difference in their own lives and the lives around them.
I am a storyteller that is not afraid to speak in front of large groups. I am telling your story of support, and it is inspiring others. Thank you for making a larger impact in this world than you thought you were with your donation!
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