*Chris is out of the rehabilitation center and doing well! He is staying with Steve, going to physical therapy 3 times a week and getting stronger everyday. He's more stable on his cane and was even able to go to the Cubs game with me last week.

*Scans in May were stable again! My doctor called me his 'miracle patient'. As much as I loved hearing that, the flip side is, the other people in the trial aren't doing as well. I was #6 in the trial and #7 did the trial after discovering my web site. Unfortunately, her last scans showed a spot in her liver. The good news is that the chemo has shrunk her tumor. Now lets pray that it gets rid of it all together. Keep all the other people in the trial in your prayers and let's hope I get good results again when I go back in August.

*Celebrated my best friend Ker's 40th birthday a few weeks ago in Minnesota. During her party, a sweet girl came up and introduced herself. She asked how Chris was doing and told me how sad she was when Sammy died. She said that she checks my blog every Monday morning and had been worried since I hadn't posted anything in so long. I was completely overwhelmed after meeting this girl, for so many reasons. First, that this stranger reads my blog. To be honest, I don't post much because I feel vain doing so. But I know how I feel when I'm following someone and I'm anxious to hear their progress, any progress. It's hard for me to realize that I'm the one being checked on. Mostly though, the fact that she asked about Chris and expressed her sadness over Sammy was so touching. People really are so kind.

*Had lunch with Sammy's family last week. It was so nice to spend time with them and hear, once again, about her incredible spirit. I can't even begin to express my gratitude to them for sharing her life with me. She has taught me so many valuable lessons, as have they.

*Please keep Mary Firth in your prayers. Mary is fighting metastatic melanoma and starting yet another trial. You may remember me mentioning her before when I wrote of her sister, who I went to college with, died a of a brain tumor and then again when her brother died last year of a brain tumor as well.

*Megan and I moved into a house eight years ago and four months later I was diagnosed. We moved out of that house two weeks ago and I'm hoping to leave the cancer behind! Now that Megan is engaged and getting married in October, our landlords decided to sell the house. I am now living alone in a new apartment a few blocks away and looking forward to many healthy years here.

*Next week my cousin Tom will start his bicycle ride across the state of Iowa with the Livestrong Foundation in my honor. There are no words to justly express my feelings about this amazing journey for which Tom has volunteered. For months he has tirelessly trained and for an entire week he will ride his bike all day, every day to raise money for those of us who have cancer, in hope of a cure. Not many would do such an act, but knowing Tom, his big heart and his desire to help those in need, I'm not surprised that he has chosen to give not only his time, but his entire self to this cause. If you have not already donated, PLEASE visit his site and support him in this selfless act. DONATE HERE   Thank you!

Please keep our dear friend Chris Coulon in your prayers. He is currently intubated in the ICU due to pneumonia, breathing difficulty and low blood pressure.

I have written about Chris in the past and shared with you what a wonderful guy he is. Most people would find one of the following situations stressful. Chris has been dealing with ALL of these over the past year or so:

*Cancer
*Stem Cell Transplant
*Graft vs. Host
*Chronic pain, fevers & vomiting
*Medication side effects
*Inability to work
*Loss of income
*Wife leaving
*Daughter moved out of state
*Sale of house
*Moving
*Staying with family & friends
*Divorce
*Custody battles
*Audited
*Insurance issues

Let's send Chris our love, support and prayers. He needs them and certainly deserves them.

We love you Chris!


Thank you,

Jen

Hi All,

Even though my cousin Tom has already done so much to help me and many others, I still get amazed when he offers his time and efforts to benefit others. He has done this so often, you'd think I would just be used to it by now. But I'm not. I am awed by his generosity, his commitment and his caring. I am overwhelmed by his tenacity. I am proud of his strength. I am lucky to be his cousin and blessed to be his friend. And every cancer survivor will benefit from his selflessness in doing this ride for Livestrong.

As hard as it is to ask for donations in these times and feeling that you have all been so generous already; I must go ahead and do it anyway. The reason being that EVERY SINGLE DAY Tom is quietly doing for others and asking nothing in return. He diligently works with many different charity organizations and truly wants to make a difference. Please help Tom's tireless fight against cancer, which in turn, will help millions of people like me who are tirelessly fighting to have a future.

If only it was as simple as having as big of a heart as Tom's. Unfortunately, it takes more than that. It takes research, time and mostly, it takes money. But thankfully there are people like Tom out there willing to raise the funds needed by giving their time, their effort, their endurance, their sweat. I'm not asking for you to do that. I'm just asking you to give a small donation, no matter how small, so that those special people like Tom can keep actively fighting for those of us who have cancer.

And more importantly, in memory of those who lost their battle. Their fight may be over, but ours has just begun!

Please follow the link below. Thank you.

LIVESTRONG LINK JENNINGS

Love,

Jen


Tom racing for Team Livestrong this Spring.

Hi,

Although I have received more from all of you than I could ever give back, I must ask one more favor. Our good friend Chris Coulon has a birthday this Friday, the 19th, and I am encouraging people to reach out and let him know that he is loved.

Chris has been such a great friend to me and so many others. His boisterous laugh has filled our hearts many times. His warm smile has made us smile and his spirit and zest for life has created fun all around him. Although he endures more physical, emotional, and financial  pain daily than most people see in a lifetime, he does it with that incredible smile. And though it doesn't shine as bright these days, he makes a conscience effort to be sure it's there. So let's put that sparkle back in his eye, if only for a day, for I know it would mean the world to him. Let's brighten his day, since he has had so many dark ones recently.

This past Saturday, Chris moved out of the house he built with his own hands. It was more than just a house for him. It was his job, his career, his dream. Of course, Mae is what is most important to him, his beloved, but since she has been living out of town with her mother since last year, he doesn't get to see her, hold her, and watch her grow every day like he wishes he could. Her sporadic visits make him glow and keep him fighting.

He would be updating all of you himself, but his chronic Graft vs. Host that has invaded his lungs has left him tired and on oxygen. He experiences frequent tremors, fevers, and problems with his blood pressure. When he is able to sleep, he needs plenty of it, for there are times, due to his medication, when he is unable to sleep at all.

On top of the physical trials, going through a divorce he doesn't want, fighting custody issues, and currently being homeless, he is now being audited as well. So.............let's show him how much we care, how much we are behind him and support him, how much he means to all of us, by sending him a text, a facebook message, an email or write on his caringbridge page. Feel free to send a card in c/o of me which I will be sure to deliver. I know these are hard times for all of us, but if you have the means to include a check of any amount, I know it is needed and would be extremely appreciated. As will any and all birthday wishes.

Chris is such a special person. I don't know why, but he has been through hell and for far too long. As his friends, we often wonder what, if anything, we can do to help. One way is to acknowledge his birthday, tell him we care, and hopefully ease his suffering, if only for a day.

With sincere thanks,

Jen

Cards can be sent to:
Jen Mosher
1926 N. Bissell
Chicago, IL 60614

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Send the Tobacco Treaty to the Senate for Ratification

Over the past few years, lung cancer has become one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the world. This increase is overwhelmingly due to the aggressive proliferation of tobacco products across the globe.

Today, one in three people in the world will get cancer in their lifetime. By the year 2030, that number will grow to one in two. A tidal wave of diagnoses, both at home and in developing countries is about to crash and we are not doing everything we can to stop it.

On February 27, 2005, the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (the Tobacco Treaty) went into force. This treaty requires countries that have ratified it to implement scientifically proven measures to reduce tobacco use and the terrible toll it takes on a country’s lives, health and economy.

168 countries have signed and ratified the Tobacco Treaty. The United States is one of 15 who have signed, but not ratified it.  By voting for this idea, you will be joining LIVESTRONG Action in calling on the current administration to send the Tobacco Treaty to the Senate for ratification.

Countries who ratify the Convention commit to:

•    Ban or restrict tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship
•    Place large, graphic health warnings on cigarette packs and prohibit   the use of false and misleading terms such as "light" and "low tar"
•    Implement measures to protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke
•    Increase the price of tobacco products, particularly through taxation, to discourage tobacco use
•    Eliminate the illicit trade of tobacco products
•    Regulate the content of tobacco products and require public disclosure of ingredients
•    Provide cessation assistance and treatment for tobacco dependence
•    Prevent sales of tobacco products to minors

The ratification of the Tobacco Treaty will mark a vital step in building a world without cancer.  Will you help us?

VOTE NOW CLICK HERE

Seven years ago today I was told I had cancer when I answered my phone while in a 7-11 convenience store. I am so lucky to still be here. I am also grateful that my scans, done earlier this week, showed no progression!

I am still awed by the kindness and generosity of people. After chatting with a couple at the next table in a restaurant and exchanging info, I came home a few days later to a package at my door. Along with a sweet note from them was a gorgeous necklace that had 'expect miracles' inscribed on it. People are amazing. I have been so fortunate to meet and hear from the most thoughtful people. No matter how many times these things happen, I still tear up, get the goosebumps and am overwhelmed. Thank you Jenni and all of you that have been so very kind to me. It truly is what keeps me going.

I have four friends walking in the Avon 2 Day Walk for breast cancer this year. My sister Colleen and her friend Sharon walked on my behalf a few years ago. I was so touched and proud. For someone to raise money and give their time shows just how much people care about one another. Please visit avonwalk.org if you would like to support any of these special people:

Alison Stein, Texas
Audrey Stein, Texas
Jennifer Lala Muvilla, Chicago (sadly, her mom lost her battle a few years ago)
Karen Gariti Koslowski, Chicago (a survivor!)


These past 7 years have been extremely hard, but all the pain is over shadowed by the abundant support and love I have received from all of you. I am truly grateful, from the bottom of my heart.

Love,

Jennifer

World Cancer Day 2010, led by UICC, its members and with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO), will raise awareness of cancer prevention. 

Each year, over 12 million people receive a cancer diagnosis and 7.6 million die of the disease.

The good news is that approximately 40% of cancers are potentially preventable. We invite you to join us in marking World Cancer Day on 4 February by promoting our exciting new campaign and spreading the message that cancer can be prevented too.

This coming February, UICC will launch the campaign “Cancer can be prevented too”, focusing on how the risk of developing cancer can significantly be reduced through simple measures:

• Stop tobacco use and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Avoid excessive sun exposure
• Maintain a healthy weight, through eating healthily and exercising regularly
• Protect against cancer-causing infections

http://www.worldcancercampaign.org/

Hi,

Last Saturday I celebrated another birthday. How lucky I am. Not only for another year, but for all the kindness bestowed upon me. My family and friends are extraordinary, especially those of you who sent me '1 year old birthday cards' on the anniversary of my stem cell transplant on November 21. Aunt Colleen and Uncle Steve marked the occasion by sending  beautiful flowers, which started the day perfectly. Two birthdays in two months--I like this!

I owe a long over due thank you to Mindy and the kind people at I've Been To A Marvelous Party who generously donated my beautiful thank you cards. She was so helpful and caring and I was overwhelmed when she informed me that I would not have to pay, especially since I needed 500 of them! Which brings me to another huge thank you--again to all of the 500 people who donated to my fund. The words 'thank you' just don't seem to do justice to the feeling of gratitude that overflows in my heart, so I will simply keep saying it over and over so you know that not a minute goes by that I don't think about the generosity of each and every one of you.

Another heartfelt thank you goes out to my local dry cleaner, De Paul Cleaners, for refusing my check and treating me to free dry cleaning from now on. When I returned after a long time away due to the transplant, I was greeted by hugs, tears and sincere joy. I know that when they said they were praying for me, they truly meant it. How refreshing it is to know that even in a big city, people care about one another.

Now that my body is a year old, I have started receiving my immunizations all over again. I am supposed to get five at a time, but seeing as I am only able to get shots in my left arm (due to the risk of lymphedema from lymph node removal on my right side) and that is too many for one arm, I only got three this time. But now I know why all the babies are crying so hard in the doctor's office. Not from the needle, but from the immunization itself. It burns!

I'm off to MD Anderson again in February, so I'll be back here asking for prayers once again. Until then..............

Love and hugs,

Jen

Please take a moment to look at the stories of these two amazing young men and their battles with cancer.

Jake Olson

http://espn.go.com/blog/sportscenter/post/_/id/6341/one-last-look-usc-draws-inspiration-from-fan

Jimmy Fowkes

http://livestrongblog.org/

Important Clinical Trials Amendment Filed in the US Senate