Peggy is not only a winner in sports, she’s a winner in breast cancer. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 and is a cancer survivor. She’s written a book about her life, including her fight with breast cancer, called The Long Program: Skating Toward Life’s Victories.

What made me think of her was an article I came across in USA Today, called Peggy Fleming: Happy at 60.

~~~~

Image: Amazon.com

Tags: cancer blog, breast cancer, peggy fleming, figure skater peggy flemming, peggy fleming breast cancer, Olympic champion peggy fleming

Post from: Blisstree

Former skater and US Olympic champion, Peggy Fleming years after breast cancer

He was writing right up to a couple of years ago, as his latest book, the Widows of Eastwick was just published in 2008.

You can read more about John Updike and his work over the past decades in these articles:

Award-winning author John Updike dies at 76

‘No writer was more important to the soul of The New Yorker’

John Updike celebrated the ordinary American

~~~~

Tags: cancer blog, john updike, author john updike, author john updike lung cancer, john updike dead

Post from: Blisstree

Lung cancer claims author John Updike

Here is the press release:

On February 14th, Swim Across America is hosting a national fundraising event to raise money for cancer research. This event is a tribute to the legendary Olympic coach, Richard Quick, who was recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Swimmers of all ages and ability will swim in Richard’s honor to join him in raising money for cancer research.

Richard Quick is renowned in the swimming world for his unparalleled coaching achievements. He has “done it all” – coached six US Olympic Swimming Teams, led his collegiate teams to 12 NCAA titles, inspired every swimmer he has coached, and led the swimming community with respect and integrity. His list of NCAA and Olympic champions make a strong argument that he is one of the nation’s greatest coaches of all time. He is currently the head coach of Auburn University.

Swim Across America asks all swimmers across the world to unite, swim and give on one day in Richard’s honor. Swim Across America has created the SAA Richard Quick Endowment to support cancer research initiatives. It is their hope that every participating swimmer will make a donation to the Endowment. There will be four main “hubs” hosting swimmers at the University of Texas, Auburn University, Southern Methodist University and Stanford University. Additionally, swimmers can jump into any pool throughout the world and dedicate their swim to honor Richard.

“God didn’t make me a competitor to sit on the sidelines”, Richard said with his shining, fighting spirit. “This is an ongoing and worthwhile project, and I am honored that for one day I am contributing to the efforts of many that are fighting cancer. I am blessed that the swimming community has been so supportive with all their unconditional love and prayers. ”

To participate and give, please go to www.swimacrossamerica.org and click on “Swim Quick”. For questions, please email Janel Jorgensen, Executive Director for Swim Across America at janel@swimacrossamerica.org or call (888) SWIM-USA.

Will you or someone you know swim?

~~~

Tags: cancer blog, cancer research, swim across america, richard quick, Richard Quick Endowment

Post from: Blisstree

Swim Across America to raise money for cancer research

It’s no surprise that this may have happened and it may not be entirely related to the brain cancer itself. The day is a long and grueling day, with a lot of hurry up and wait. Not to mention, all the stuff that leads up to a day like today.

The reports do say that tests didn’t show any worsening of the cancer and that Senator Kennedy will be discharged home in the morning.

I’ve written about the Senator’s battle in these posts:

• Can my headaches mean I have a brain tumor?
• Ted Kennedy works through his incurable brain cancer
• Glioblastoma treatment may need adjustment for over 65s

~~~~

Tags: cancer blog, senator kennedy, senator edward kennedy, ted kennedy, ted kennedy brain cancer, senator edward kennedy brain cancer

Post from: Blisstree

Ted Kennedy has seizure at inaugural luncheon

He had been complaining of hip pain, but the athletic Kemp hsa had aches and pains before, through his career as a Buffalo Bills quarterback and in his sports activities, like tennis.

We”ll try to keep up-to-date with the story. A friend of mine  had her cancer diagnosed when she went in with hip pain, so it’s not uncommon.

~~~~~

Post from: Blisstree

Former congressman Jack F. Kemp battling unspecified cancer

• Former Secretary of State Colin Powell
• Singer Harry Belafonte
• Golfer Arnold Palmer
• Former South African President Nelson Mandela
• Musician Frank Zappa

Answer…

They all had prostate cancer.

Breast cancer is talked about all the time among the rich and famous, so it seems, but prostate cancer – not so much. Luckily, there are famous men who are speaking out about their diagnosis and battles with the disease. The more who talk, hopefully the more men will get the message about prostate cancer screening.

Colin Powell had localized prostate cancer for which he had surgery in 2003. He was 66 at the time of diagnosis and all seems well up to now.

In 1997, Harry Belafonte was the subject of this very interesting article on his battle with prostate cancer and the subsequent incontinence and impotence. He said that these things needed to be discussed for men to realize that they’re not alone.

Arnold Palmer, a golfer that was popular wherever he went, is another man who was shocked by a diagnosis of prostate cancer. His story The Legend Continues…. is a good run down on how he coped.

Nelson Mandela is one man who has experienced more than his share of pain – both physical and emotional. In 2001 he, too, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He was 83 at the time and this miraculous and inspiring man underwent 7 weeks of radiotherapy and continues to live his life, a symbol of freedom that couldn’t be denied.

Frank Zappa was one of the unlucky ones. He was diagnosed with advanced, inoperable prostate cancer in 1990 – it had been present for 10 years, reports say. He died in 1993. Other famous men who died of prostate cancer include actors Telly Savalas (most known for his portrayal of detective Kojak), Bill Bixby (from The Courtship of Eddy’s Father and the Incredibly Hulk TV series, among others), and Linus Pauling, PhD, a 2-time Nobel Prize winner.

Get checked. Be screened. A little bit of discomfort with a digital rectal exam and a blood test can and does save lives.

~~~~

Tags: cancer blog, bill bixby, frank zappa, harry belafonte, nelson mandela, former secretary of state colin powell, digital rectal exam, died of prostate cancer, diagnosed with prostate cancer

Post from: Blisstree

What do these men have in common?

In 1996, Lance was diagnosed with an advanced stage of testicular cancer. It had spread throughout his body and was given a grim prognosis. However, the grim ending wasn’t meant to be and Lance lived to become a 7-time Tour de France cycling champion as well as head of his organization, Livestrong.org.

Lance was married when he was sick and after recovery. He and his then-wife Kristin Richards had three children using in vitro fertilization (IVF) because Lance had stored his sperm before undergoing chemotherapy. But – and here’s where this may give hope to many men who had testicular cancer – his girlfriend, Anna Hansen, is now pregnant and the couple didn’t use IVF or outside help.

The news doesn’t say when the baby is due, but hopefully all will go well for everyone.

~~~

Tags: cancer blog, lance armstrong, cyclist lance armstrong, testicular cancer survivor lance armstrong, kristin richards, anna hansen, testicular cancer, in vitro fertilization, IVF

Post from: Blisstree

Testicular cancer survivor Lance Armstrong to be a dad again

As if fighting a battle with cancer isn’t enough, Patrick Swayze, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, has to contend with what he calls shoddy and reckless reporting from certain tabloids.

The 56-year-old actor has provided inspiration to many who are fighting cancer and he is showing that some people can live with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, often considered to be one of the most fatal of cancers.

You can read more about Patrick’s battle with the tabloids in this People.com article: Patrick Swayze Responds to ‘Lies’ About His Condition.

~~~~

Tags: cancer blog, patrick swayze, patrick swayze pancreatic cancer, patrick swayze photo

Post from: Blisstree

Patrick Swayze denounces tabloids re his life with pancreatic cancer

Cancer isn’t supposed to happen. And it’s really not supposed to happen to young people. And even more, it’s not supposed to happen to athletic, fit young people. But it does. Cancer doesn’t discriminate and can happen to anyone at any me and 28-year-old Robert Muller, father of two and an elite hockey goaltender for Germany. Robert played in the world championship earlier this year.

His brain tumor was first found in 2006 and he underwent surgery and had both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. But, the type of cancer Robert has, glioblastoma multiforme – the same type that Senator Edward Kennedy was diagnosed with – is very aggressive and has no cure. And, sure enough, Robert’s brain cancer returned in early November.

He continues to play hockey, much to the amazement and admiration of his many fans. His story is much like the much-loved Finnish hockey player, Saku Koivu, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in September 2001. Saku is the captain of the storied Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League. After undergoing rigorous chemotherapy, Saku stunned the hockey world by playing April 8, 2002, just in time for the season’s play offs. Saku remains cancer-free at this point and is a major source of inspiration for many.

While Robert’s cancer is different and his prognosis is worse, these two men have done a lot to help raise awareness and hope among those who are living with cancer.

My hat off to both of them and all the wonderful medical and health professionals that helped and continue to help them.

~~~~

Tags: german hockey goalie robert muller, robert muller photo, Montreal canadiens captain saku koivu, photo saku koivu, senator edward kennedy, ted kennedy, glioblastoma multiforma, brain tumor, brain cancer, non-hodgkins lymphoma

Post from: Blisstree

German goalie keeps playing despite incurable brain tumor

Michael Crichton, orginally a medical doctor who used to write under pen names, like Jeffrey Hudson, he died yesterday, at the age of 66, of an undisclosed type of cancer.

His first novel and best seller, The Adromeda Strain, was published under his real name. He went on to write such Rising Sun, Jurassic Park, The Great Train Robbery, Twister, and Timeline. He also created the TV hit medical drama, ER.

~~~

Tags: michael crichton, jeffrey hudson, cancer blog, cancer, author michael crichton, adromeda strain, great train robbery, rising sun, jurassic park, tv show ER

Post from: Blisstree

Michael Crichton, creator of Jurassic Park and ER, dies of cancer