Go Ms. ACS Spokeswoman!

I took yesterday off from the computer! It was the first day in a long time I didn’t feel like writing. I wanted to spend as much time as I could in the real world over cyber space.
Come to find out, the real world is all it’s cracked up to be.
The real world includes cleaning and cooking, where as in cyber space, I apparently have a following. Who knew?
I met up with Linda on Weds. prior to my scan. She published one of my posts in her Hufington Post spot, and we’ve become friends. I met her solely over the internet. She’s evidence that cyber space is good.
She also let me know that I’m popular with some very eligible
lesbians.
I’m completely flattered that I am attractive to both sexes. Actually, I may be more flattered that women like me, since I do hold their opinion of beauty in a little higher regard than men.
I was never a girl magnet. That role was held for Heather growing up, but once I dawned my short hair, it was over.
I remember the first time I went to a club with my short do. I was getting flirted with by some fine men, but then by their fine female friends too.
I went to the bathroom looking for some peace only to get hit on while washing my hands.
This was a completely new experience for me, and to be honest, I was psyched.
I now have extended my romantic options to include men and women should I ever need to date.
This is a huge boost to the ego. It came exactly at the right time too.
Linda and I also discovered we have a mutual online friend. HELLO VALERIE.
Apparently, maybe, we have a whole huge online posse.
What I’m wishing for exactly is an online army that is ready to speak up for health care reform and provide new innovative ideas regarding how to make fighting diseases easier.
Maybe, if we all just put our minds together, we could find a solution.
Or maybe, if we all put our voices together, we would be heard.
Speaking of being heard, I will be speaking at the State House in NH on Weds. at 5pm on behalf of the American Cancer Society.
Apparently, the senators have told the ACS’ representatives that my testimony was influential in their decision to save the catastrophic illness insurance and the cancer initiative.
This is also a huge compliment, so I’m going back to speak somemore.
This was always the goal of my writing and endeavors. I wanted to bring attention to my disease and the suffering that comes along with it. I also wanted to change perceptions and stereotypes that cancer is a disease that happens to someone else.
I want to use my experiences to prove that barriers to care within the health care system are not limited to patients with no prior knowledge of health care or affecting patients with a limited or low income.
Cancer happens to young, talented, funny people in their young twenties just when they are launching careers. Barriers within health care are also met by the most educated and experienced patients with reasonable financial means of payment.
Diseases also do not only hit bad people who “deserve it.” Illness attacks indiscriminately with disregard to race, socioeconomic status, and life roles.
I’ve writing to make people aware of all the aspects a person meets when facing a disease. I was writing to gain attention to a subject that can no longer be ignored.
However, I’ve been writing with the goal that one day I would no longer be under the strict restrictions of my transplant. I’d been hoping that eventually I would be able to be a spokeswoman for The American Cancer Society and use my speeches to incite social change.
I am so excited the opportunity has happened all ready. It conveniently timed itself with my PET scan showing I probably do still have Hodgkin’s, but it will not be treated at this point. I have a couple months to work towards change.
I invite all of you to join me. If you would like more information regarding advocating and speaking opportunities with The American Cancer society in NH contact peter.ames@cancer.org or Katherine.klem@cancer.org.
IF you would like to attend the meeting on Weds., email me hill.stpierre@gmail.com, we can set up a carpool to Concord. The more voices being heard the better. Go Baldies!