A day I had anticipated...

Rest in peace, Edward Kennedy.

Senator Kennedy was always a benchmark for me in my Dad's battle.  He was diagnosed about a month before my Dad, and he lasted about 5 months longer.  Sadly, Senator Kennedy made it to the average survival time frame of this horrible disease...About 15 months.

It goes to show you how deadly and aggressive and unrelenting this disease is.  It goes unnoticed by so many until it is usually too late.  Often, headaches that most people ignore and treat with Tylenol or Advil (which Dad never had), and most of the time, seizures caused because the brain has swollen or been damaged by the tumor.  Dad had a few "focal" seizures which appear that to be someone staring off.  Senator Kennedy was alerted by a seizure to his tumor.

Senator Kennedy received basically the same treatment as my Father...Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy in the form of Temodar.  There is some indication that he also may have been prescribed Avastin, which in clinical trials has been shown to slightly extend the survival range.

I guess it also shows that little is still known about this disease.  They do not know what causes it, they do not know how to prevent it, they do not know how to slow it very much, let alone beat it.  It is an equal opportunity offender, it knows no race, creed, or age...Even Senator Kennedy, who spent his career looking out for the "little guy," and most recently, the health care bill, who had access to the best doctors, treatments, hospitals, etc...Could not beat this monster.

The only answer from here on out is research.  I have resurrected Team Scotch On The Rocks for the San Diego Brain Tumor Walk on Saturday, September 26, in Mission Bay Park.  It is a 5K fun walk that was very inspirational and fun last year.  I would love to have as many of you as possible join me on Team Scotch On The Rocks for the walk next month.  It is a very easy walk, and there is something so special about so many people coming together for a common cause that has touched them all.  If you would like to join the team, or would like to support us by donating, you can get to the Team Scotch On The Rocks donation page by clicking on the following link:  http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/site/TR/Events/BTW-SD?team_id=29340&pg=team&fr_id=1420

My thoughts go out to the Kennedy family, for like us all, they lost a friend, father, uncle, brother, husband, warrior...

Much love.