Cameron Seimers Life Hope Grant

"A good friend is a connection to life- a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world." -Lois Wyse

Isn't it ironic that the quotees last name is "Wyse." She must have been fated for knowledge beyond her years.

I borrowed this quote off of one of the previous winner's of the Cameron Seimer's Life Grants blogs.

This woman is AMAZING. She was glamours Woman of the Year in 2008. She has been published in multiple magazines while overcoming an askin's tumor of the spinal chord at 26 years old. You can read more about her at obsesedwithlife.com

I can now count myself among the ranks of these elite men and women who have won the Cameron Seimer's Life Hope Grant!

Cameron Seimers himself is a miracle. He contracted HIV at the age of 2 when he received a blood transfusion and was diagnosed five years later with the virus. He was told he wouldn't live past ten, and has been living with his disease ever since. HE is now 26 years old an runs the Cameron Seimers Foundation for Hope which allots grants to individuals living with life threatening illnesses who want to inspire hope and change within their community.

To read more about Cameron, and see if you're eligible for a life grant, check out www.cameronsiemers.org

I'm so honored, and have been living on cloud nine all week. It seems like things may finally be going our way.

The steroids have given me a new lease on life and the strength to again pursue all the things I love.

I am so blessed to have the love, support, and friends I do that have gotten me this far and

made me who I am. The quote above is for all of you.

I met with my heme team at DHMC on Monday. I look Cushingoid, which means my face is "moon-shaped" from the steroids."

I've been fending off the facial hair that comes alongside the prednisone with nair wax strips.

If my voice changes and I start to look like a lumberjack you know I officially need to taper more quickly.

I have been needing to take medications at night to keep me asleep, and I've been waking up early, but these complaints are nothing compared to the "I can't breath" or "I can't walk to the car without my lungs almost failing" problems I was having.

I'm keeping my days chalk full and have been working on my art as my personal therapy.

I'm also actively addressing some issues with Reliance Standard Co., My disability "insurance" company that hasn't paid me my income check since May and is now trying to purge me.

I'll give you more details on that as I am clear.

Finally, I'm loving the Cancervivor Art idea. I'm meeting with members of Sullivan County's American Cancer Society and Sharon's Hometown Fighter's Relay for Life Team tomorrow to see how we can make this a mutual endeavor, something that can continue should I become incapacitated.

Lots of good things in life. I'll keep you posted. Much love.