As a lot of you know, I attended and was a patient speaker at the Annual Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Conference in Salt Lake City. It was 3 days long but so much support, learning, and meeting fellow warriors. There were doctors, researchers, biologists, drug and medical research representatives from all over the world including Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Austria and Australia....and one man from Milan. There were many, many doctors from major cancer centers in the United States. OF COURSE MY DOCTOR WAS THERE WITH HIS NURSE RON! They actually came in to Salt Lake on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning so they could hear two of his patients speak and tell their story. Come to think of it, we were the two that received standing ovations. I wonder how much Dr. Javle had to pay for that to happen...HAH! I will post my speech on here in a couple weeks when it is on the Cholangiocarcinoma.org website.
Something very exciting for me was several doctors are talking about the FGFR2 mutation which I have. A lot of studies are being conducted in the lab for this mutation and it gives me so much hope and anticipation that a drug that works for this mutation is on the horizon!
Pat and I walked about 2 1/2 miles this morning. Super Bowl is later today and the traffic is nuts. It was nuts last night when we got off the plane at Hobby with lots of people going to the football game on Sunday. This is the only day Pat and I act like football fans just so he can eat his melted cheese/chorizo/ and some pico d'gallo served with nacho chips and I get cucumber sticks, carrots sticks, and green pepper strips. I might even splurge with a little blue cheese dressing for a dip. He'll probably have a beer and I will keep drinking water. We're really exciting people in the trailer park! ;-)
I want to mention a fundraiser that is going on the whole month of February. Charming Charlie is donating 10% of all sales all over the United States in the month of February to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. Just take a picture of the coupon at the end of the blog and they will make sure it is applied. How amazing is that! If you don't know what Charming Charlie is....it is a store with every accessory you could think of for women and older girls. It is very reasonable and even have some really cute purses...even some sweaters. If you have one in your area, please consider supporting this fundraiser where you end up with some really cute stuff!!
As I stood up at that podium and was telling my story with cancer, it made me realize how blessed I truly am. As I pray morning and night (and lots of times in between), I pray God keeps leading me on this cancer/life journey. I know I can't do it alone....and I am blessed with the CCF and my own family and friends. I am so grateful to have God right beside me every step of the way. I am not perfect and I ask for God to forgive me daily. I am at peace with my life and I know that no matter what or where life leads me, my amazing God is there to catch me if I would ever fall. I am not afraid of dying although I do tell God I still have a lot of life to live if it is his will. I am at peace because I know God truly is right beside me. I AM BLESSED!!
Until next time......God keep close to you!
Hugs,
Patty Corcoran
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| Dr. Javle's nurse and more importantly, our friend-Ron Harris. |
Thanks for the update Patty....you are amazing. I also love Charming Charlies. It's a neat store! I'll be anxious to hear your speech when you post it. Keep going Strong Patty! You are doing great!
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