The Journal of a Prizefighter

day +1413

Published on 2011-07-04 06:54:00

I woke up early Sunday morning with the intention of going out for photo shoot, but my left shin was killing me. For several minutes, I was unable to bend the lower-half of my leg without great pain. After some persistence, I managed to stand up, m

in the news

Published on 2011-07-04 06:52:00

Fears of Decline at NASA after Shuttle ProgramHispanics Identifying Themselves as Indians is very interesting.

SAMfund application is available; deadline soon

Published on 2011-06-28 05:40:00

The SamFund, created by transplant survivor Samantha Einstein Watson, awards financial assistance annually to young adult survivors who are struggling to get on their feet after cancer treatment. Their grants and scholarships cover a wide range of n

voices of hope and healing

Published on 2011-06-28 05:30:00

The National Bone Marrow Transplant Link (nbmtLINK) released its latest booklet recently titled Voices of Hope & Healing. Voices is a collection of inspirational stories, poems, and practical advice from bone marrow/stem cell transplant survivor

day +1405

Published on 2011-06-26 16:47:00

The weather in New York City has been incredible the past couple of days, which has offered wonderful photographic opportunities. Most of this week is shaping up to be on the warm side but dry.Physically, my left knee has started to give me problems

helping and inspiring others at gilda's

Published on 2011-06-22 14:38:00

As some of you long-time readers might recall, I used to practice restorative yoga at Gilda's Club in the West Village for a few years after my original diagnosis. Gilda's Club is an organization founded in memory of comedian, Gilda Radner, with cl

medical addendum

Published on 2011-06-22 14:29:00

I forgot to mention in last night's post that the most recent manifestation of the GvHD has been in the persistent dryness of my palms (concentrated heavily at the folds), which I showed Dr. C-M at last week's appointment, and a change in the complex

day +1400

Published on 2011-06-21 18:19:00

I haven't yet posted about my follow-up with Dr. C-M last Thursday. Overall, it went very well. My blood counts continue to be very strong although my weight dipped a bit down to 126lbs. Yikes! I know I'm thinner than I've ever been but I was surp

the city concealed: high bridge

Published on 2011-06-21 18:15:00

This is a very interesting video that I found several weeks back about the history of the High Bridge, New York City's oldest bridge, and plans to begin renovating it this year for eventual reopening to the public.The City Concealed: High Bridge from

in the news

Published on 2011-06-21 18:14:00

Below are couple of very interesting Washington Post articles that I just read (the first one perhaps being the most revealing):With Executive Pay, Rich Pull Away from Rest of AmericaLondon's Poor Facing Squeeze Amid Housing-Benefit CostsAs the Sun A

day +1390

Published on 2011-06-11 13:38:00

Thursday morning I returned to Sloan for a blood draw and an appointment with my nurse practitioners. My blood counts were very good although the white cells were slightly elevated possibly due to a cold I've had for several days. My weight is basi

cookies for kids

Published on 2011-06-05 18:36:00

Several days ago, a close friend shared the heartbreaking story of Liam, who after almost four years of struggling against cancer died in January at the young age of 6. His parents founded an organization called Cookies for Kids where they raise

the unabridged gvhd story

Published on 2011-06-05 14:36:00

After suffering from what turned out to be a severe flare up of GvHD, I am being to feel increasingly better. I have some ways to go before I'll be feeling like I was before all this occurred describing it as the most difficult period since my trans

mskcc bridges: summer 2011

Published on 2011-06-05 14:30:00

MSKCC's summer issue of the Bridges: Connecting Cancer Survivors is available now.With summer travel plans being made, I especially recommend reading "Ask the Professional: Travel" by Dr. Shah on page 3. I consulted her about my itinerary before hea

a very rough patch

Published on 2011-05-22 18:09:00

The last five weeks have been a very rough patch for me. After suffering for about one month with intensive abdominal pains, tests recently revealed that the cause was GVHD in the small intestine and stomach. I lost almost 11 lbs and a great deal o

uptown pics

Published on 2011-03-31 21:41:00

A couple of recent photographs from my treks in the Bronx:Broadway Bridge from Marble Hill, Bronx, New York CityGould Memorial Library, Bronx Community College, New York CityGould Memorial Library, Bronx Community College, New York City

to my donor

Published on 2011-03-29 17:38:00

My nurse reached me this morning informing me that Dr. C-M said I no longer need to take Voriconazole anymore. Used as an antifungal medication, I've been taking this ever since the end of my allo in 2007. Voriconazole, however, interferes with the

a few more harlem river artists

Published on 2011-03-27 19:09:00

Since my last post, I've found other notable early 20th century artists who captured life in the Harlem River Valley. Henry Ward RangerHigh Bridge, 1905Preston DickinsonHarlem River Bridge, 1922George LuksKnitting for the Soldiers: High Bridge Park,

bridging rivers and time

Published on 2011-03-27 10:14:00

I've been taking advantage of this break to work on my photography. I was out last night photographing the High, Washington, and Alexander Hamilton Bridges from the pedestrian walkway in Manhattan which runs parallel to the the Harlem River Drive.

medical update

Published on 2011-03-27 09:22:00

Last week was the first of two weeks in which I'm off for spring break. Consequently, all of my medical appointments were scheduled during this first week so that I can focus on lesson planning and other activities afterwards.I saw one of Sloan-Kett

watson reunion

Published on 2011-03-20 12:10:00

On the Ides of March - March 15th - every year, the Thomas J. Watson Foundation reveals its new list of fellowship recipients for the year. During this same week, Watson alumni all over the world gather to celebrate and connect at soirees called "Id

in the news

Published on 2011-03-20 12:04:00

U.S. Urged to Raise Teachers' StatusMessenger Arrives: Humanity Returns to Mercury

of gods and men

Published on 2011-03-19 21:56:00

This evening I and a friend watched Of Gods and Men, the deeply moving and thought provoking French film about a group of French Cistercian monks who when faced with the opportunity to leave their small Algerian community suffering from Islamic terro

lymphoma news

Published on 2011-03-13 10:55:00

Lymphoma Expert Calls for More Focus in Clinical Trials

spring issue of bridges newsletter

Published on 2011-03-12 21:58:00

The spring issue of the MSKCC newsletter Bridges is available.

we are all a part of this motion

Published on 2011-03-06 11:24:00

In Loving-Kindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness, Sharon Salzberg quotes a lovely passage by Susan Griffin in Woman and Nature:We say that you cannot divert the river from the riverbed. We say that everything is moving, and we are part of this

karaoking it up

Published on 2011-03-05 22:56:00

Yesterday evening I celebrated my 31st birthday with my sister and close friends. We karaoked it up in Times Square before enjoying fun, lively conversation and food in nearby Bryant Park. It was a really wonderful birthday.I'm a relative newcomer

voices of hope and healing

Published on 2011-03-05 22:41:00

nbmtLINK has a collection of inspirational stories, poems, and advice from bone marrow/stem cell transplant survivors and their family members. This mosaic is called Voices of Hope and Healing.

new willis ave bridge video

Published on 2011-02-13 19:40:00

A fellow photographer passed along this sweet video of the journey and installation of the new Willis Avenue Bridge:

kimmel the weatherman

Published on 2011-02-09 19:05:00

This is so funny and cute! With all the snow we've been receiving, I think mystudents would get a kick out of this.

no crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis

Published on 2011-02-05 14:20:00

After telling people of my recent diagnosis of colitis, a few assumed it was Crohn's Disease, a chronic form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or ulcerative colitis. Just to set the record straight: my diagnosis of colitis is believed to be due to

colitis

Published on 2011-01-31 18:15:00

I was back on familiar ground - the hospital - this morning, thus, missing work begrudgingly today. This morning began the sixth day in which I was trying to tolerate intermittent abdominal pains hoping that they would soon disappear. I wasn't sure

research study for bmt survivors

Published on 2011-01-30 17:06:00

Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have received a grant from the National Cancer Institute to conduct a study to see whether a website is a useful way to get current, helpful information to bone marrow and stem cell transplant

the bridge as muse

Published on 2011-01-27 14:17:00

With over 15 inches of snow throughout the five boroughs, today's students (and teachers) received a snow day. I've been inside so far today, but plan to go out soon to take some photographs of the wintry mix.Related to my photography project, yeste

friedman at the asia society

Published on 2011-01-17 15:33:00

In addition to presenting insightful exhibitions on art and culture, the Asia Society also hosts engaging panel discussions between noted scholars and journalists on US-Asia relations.Yesterday I just watched this discussion between Thomas Friedman o

viva tunisia!

Published on 2011-01-15 19:28:00

When it comes to the news, during the past couple of days I've been gripped by the Tunisian overthrow of its president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, whose image is plastered everywhere in the country.Tunisia: President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali Forced OutTu

bronx economic guide

Published on 2011-01-15 18:59:00

About two days ago, I received five copies of The Bronx New York: An Economic Guide, which aims to encourage businesses to invest in the borough with attractive images and information about its history, people, and neighborhoods.Almost two years ago,

cancercare workshop

Published on 2011-01-15 18:52:00

On Friday, January 21st from 1:30-2:30 PM EST, CancerCare will host a free live streaming workshop titled Understanding and Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects.

after the blizzard

Published on 2010-12-31 21:14:00

These were taken in Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan's northernmost tip after this week's monster blizzard. It was a beautiful morning the day after the storm. There were very few people in the park that morning. It was so peaceful. Magical really.

my year at sea

Published on 2010-12-31 18:52:00

In December's The Atlantic, Christopher Buckley wrote a beautiful essay titled My Year at Sea, which explores the lure of travel by freighter. In addition, he speaks to the heart of why this mode of transportation is so special in our time and in pa

monitoring late effects of treatment

Published on 2010-12-31 17:42:00

Create Standards to Monitor Late Effects is another good article in CURE about the importance of follow-up care after cancer treatment.