When cancer strikes, life changes. You have to learn to live with a “new normal”… cancer’s new normal.
I get asked pretty regularly, "Do you ever feel like all of this is just not fair?". Mostly... no. I feel "changed", but not necessarily for the worse. I appreciate more of the little things that I used overlook in my busy day to day life. More importantly, I feel that I've been dealt an opportunity to better understand research and the complexities of cancers that go "unseen" by most. I'd like to help people understand how important science and research are, how "cancer" is NOT one disease, but how we can have similarities in our journeys, and how sometimes... good can arise from the bad.
As cancer patients and caregivers, you'll hear and read plenty of negative things. Sometimes the negativity is in the form of forced positivity! You don't have to be toxically positive. Cancer sucks. But it does help to see, hear, and understand, that people do make it through the rollercoaster ride. Some days you'll have to work harder than others to see the sunshine through the clouds, or find the good intent in a seemingly gruff well wish... but it's there. When life is upended, looking at it through new lenses... through cancer's new normal... you just might find, that you've got a lot more great little moments of joy than you used to see.
5.6 miles… because 56 is a smidge beyond my range at this age. 🤣 Perfect weather. Lovely start to the day.
2 weeks ago
The final mission countdown and the goal is sooo close!
Statistically speaking, I am a VERY lucky person. Eleven years beyond a stage IV “death sentence” I’m still here. Unfortunately, too many patients still do not have a favorable outcome with cancer. Lung cancers, breast cancers, melanoma, and several other cancers will do their best to work into the brain.
Brain metastases are still an overwhelming obstacle in patient cancer battles. Brain metastases are the most common type of intercranial tumor. In the United States, an estimated 98,000 to 170,000 cases occur each year. That’s too many people with tragic odds.
Niki’s “Team Brain Fried Betty” is proud to be participating in the BT5K, benefiting the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA). The ABTA is a strong advocate for the brain tumor community nationwide and we are committed to supporting them in their mission!
Please support my efforts by making a donation to my team or sharing the team page: give.abta.org/brainfriedbetty
3 months ago
VSFB 10k... Chilly and foggy as hell, but that's exactly what is to be expected on base! This was a fun run with a lot of "youngsters" (aka: grown a** adult kids) 😂👏🙌👍 The base folks made this really enjoyable for all involved! Fourth overall for women, but first in the "I'm outlasting other old ladies" category. 🤣😎 Keep running into old age... eventually you start to podium these smaller races. 😜😂 Kudos to the organizers, and props go out to those bold enough to run the Half and Full marathons today! #vsfb #runfun #middleagedandcrazy
3 months ago
He’s back at it again. This one is a definite over achiever. 👏🏻🙌🏻😆😎 Quail always have a male “sentry” watching over the rest of the covy as they feed. Typically, that means the “watchtower guard” is at the top of a nearby shrub, or perhaps standing on the edge of the birdbath. But not this gent. This guy takes his job to the next level. 😂 #californiaquail https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/california-quail
3 months ago
Huge hugs and thanks to Bob and Linda, Patricia, Jessica, Jennifer, Natasha, Heidi, and Kim! 🥰🐻 It’s not too late to get in on the huuuugs! give.abta.org/brainfriedbetty #braintumor #brainradiation #brainsurgery #cancersucks
3 months ago
In 2013, I quite unexpectedly had a grand mal seizure while live on air at work. The brain imaging done in the ER was our introduction to learning that melanoma can find its way to, and set up shop, in the brain. Treatments involved brain surgeries and a loooot of trips through brain radiation. We were in the gamma unit at USC so often, our warped humor became a saving grace. Somewhere in the middle of the mess, Frank called me a “Brain Fried Betty”. I laughed myself to ab cramps, and the nickname stuck.
Statistically speaking, we were very lucky. Eleven years later... I’m still here. Unfortunately, too many patients still do not have such a favorable outcome. Lung cancers, breast cancers, melanoma, and several other cancers will do their best to work into the brain. Researchers and doctors are now researching the brain microenvironment, trial testing new meds, and creating new ways to radiate brain lesions in a way that best preserves the surrounding healthy tissue.
Brain metastases are still an overwhelming obstacle in patient cancer battles. Brain metastases are the most common type of intracranial tumor. In the United States, an estimated 98,000 to 170,000 cases occur each year. That’s too many people with tragic odds.
Team Brain Fried Betty is proud to be participating in the BT5K, benefiting the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA). The ABTA is a strong advocate for the brain tumor community and we are committed to supporting them in their mission!
Together, we can make a difference and concentrate more funding than we ever could alone. That’s why we are inviting everyone to join team “Betty” in support of patients currently living with brain tumors... and for those whom will be getting that devastating diagnosis this year.
If you can’t make it to the event, you can still support our efforts by making a donation to our team. The process is fast, easy, and secure, and you can be sure that your donation will benefit a cause we trust.
Join us by joining our team or making a donation today! give.abta.org/brainfriedbetty #braintumors #brainmets #cancersucks #gammaknife #brainradiation #fighton #bt5kla #americanbraintumorassociation
4 months ago
Santa Barbara County Farm Day! #science and food… yaaaaas please! 😜🧐🤓 @the.charcuteriecartel servin’ up a kiiiillllller tasty nosh plate! **burp** 🤭 What is not pictured, is the plate of #susieQ seasoned grilled veggies and chunk of beef we polished off first! Oooh… also not pictured are the many berries we snacked, the @sanluissalsa sampled, and the “hits like a food coma bomb” strawberry cheesecake cup from @fresasbydrea 🍓
4 months ago
