Brain Cancer Messages
1939 Total Messages

Ursula

Hi David,
One of the many things I admire about you is your discipline and intelligent planning. You mentioned in today's entry that you take time to do brain tumor research. What I have found helpful is to list the words "Brain cancer" and "Glioblastoma" as Google alerts, so I get at least 2 compilations a day. It's easy to glance over what is helpful and what is not, so then I send pertinent articles in email form to myself, which I then move into an electronic folder for future reference. In your case, you might add the names of your chemo or other areas of interest. But for now, expect to have an amazing weekend meeting old friends and making new ones. Happy 4th of July, dear friend. Sending you healing, energizing thoughts and prayers for a cure,
Ursula

Posted Date: 3 July 2008

Dave Shaw

David:

Your Cadets' Hal of Fame induction is something every Cadet is awaiting with great pride; but in point of fact it is you who have brought us honor, not the other way around. The way you have chosen to live your life, and play the cards dealt to you, has given our corps more reasons to reflect on our value as an organization and as individuals than all our championships over our 75 year history. Thank you for reminding us of what and who we are, and why it's important. For Holy Name shall always be...

Posted Date: 3 July 2008

Kristine Dudley

David, if you have time to answer, I was thinking that the MRI has
unique beats and that it would be interesting to create music that incorporated the beats. I asked the tech, and he said that he thought some "geeks at UCLA" had done that. I couldn't find it on the internet, but my powers on the computer are weak. Have you
heard anything about this? I know you get MRIs and have a music
interest, so I thought you might have some insights. Thanks for
your time, Kristy

Posted Date: 2 July 2008

Denise

Your most recent journal entry (30 June 2008) made me smile.
There are several women on this planet who are scholars, geeks (even band geeks at that) and gourmands who also possess an amazing knack for domestic engineering.
I have read about the research your mom does for you and how she is so supportive of you and your goals for treatment. She sounds like that woman I described; you are lucky to have her! But you already knew that an I am restating the obvious!
Enjoy your week my friend. My hope for you this week is plenty of rest and rejuvenation of your body so you will be able to thoroughly enjoy your "one of a kind weekend".

Peace, healing and strength!

Denise

Posted Date: 1 July 2008

Tom

David,

As a nine year GBM survivor I wish you comfort, healing and hope.

It can be done.

Tom

Posted Date: 1 July 2008

Shash

David,

I have been reading 38 Lemon for the last year or so. Continue to fight. You are truly a winner.

Having marched in drum corps in the late 70's (Royal Brigade & Meadowlarks, NJ competitors of Garfield), I will be attending the Cadets show this weekend (7/5/08). I want to be sure to see your entrance into the Hall of Fame. Will it be before, during (Intermission), or after the show? Please let me know, so that we can be sure to see the ceremony.

Thanks. Hope to see you there.

Patient Perspective from David Welch
There will actually be 2 ceremonies for the Hall of Fame induction. The first will be more formal, it seems. It starts at 2:30 PM at the Mountain Side Inn in Clifton, NJ at the Annual Cadets Alumni Gathering. That whole gathering lasts from 1-4 PM and features the 1983 Garfield Cadets, which will be so exciting to see.

The other ceremony will be at the Music in Motion Drum Corps Show which starts at 7:30 PM at Clifton Stadium in Clifton, New Jersey. All ticket information can be found at:

Youth Education in the Arts Special Events

Please come say hello. Would love to meet you at either location.

Posted Date: 1 July 2008

Cynthia

Hi David

We also explored Duke but since they are mavericks and would necessitate finding local oncologists to administer treatments, we felt far more comfortable with Dr. Howard A. Fine. As you know, he really knows what is going on anywhere and what results are producing in the interests of fighting brain cancer.

As I read your journals and you mention the many people on his team, I am reminded of the wonderful care Doug received. Duke had pursued us to come with them, but we felt NIH was the better option in conjunction with our local oncologist. And we still feel we pursued the correct route. As you are doing as well.

Patient Perspective from David Welch
I have never heard before that a place such as Duke requires a local oncologist. Are you sure? That sounds odd. What would a patient do if they lived in California? That would be hard to understand that sort of rationale.

Either way, I do believe that building the right team is critical. Given the grace of time to do so, I consider this to be the first critical step in dealing with brain cancer.

I'm still glad for the time I met your entire family, Cynthia, and we had dinner on 11/29/06 together. All in the name of brain cancer, too.