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Kitchen Floor Cancer

I had another seizure. 

I was home, eating at the table, and I felt it coming. With my drugs right now, I can sense a partial seizure (meaning I can feel it coming on but it doesn't progress) simmering which happens about 1-3 times a day, but randomly this seizure just merrily skipped past my pills and dropped me to the floor of my kitchen. Lori came running in and before I knew it my sister Heather and Lori's brother Todd rushed through the front door. Todd was watching the kids and Heather immediately went to get me some coconut water. (I'm sure I've explained this is the past, but drinking coconut water helps keep these seizures away.) And now, with every single movement, I can feel the pain across my body reminding me that cancer won this last battle.

Twenty days after being back on the road from my September seizure, I can't drive for another 6 months. I'm actually thinking about giving up my car. If any of you are interested in buying it, let me know. If not, I'll probably donate it to Goodwill or something.

This sucks. In fact, it really makes me struggle with God when I have chosen to dedicate myself to step away from my business, RobinHood Ink., and stand up for other cancer survivors. And when I make that massive move I'm hit with two seizures, taking me off the road when I NEED to be on the road the most. So now, I'm relying on family to drive me around and I hate taking them away from what they need to be doing.

I've thought about it, and while my wife, Heather, and Todd are PLEASED to help me, I hate to inconvenience them. Which then makes me think that maybe the cancer survivors we are serving through Bent Not Broken are thinking the same thing. They would hate to "inconvenience" someone else from going. But screw that... This gathering is for YOU! And if you think some other survivor should attend more than you, you're wrong.

I'm starting to add up the total costs of all of the services we will be providing and with only half of the services responding, we're already over $20,000. Do you hear that? If that continue, we are going to offer over $40,000 dollars of purpose, meaning, and hope in 2 days! We're not selling anything, we're not affiliated with any products, it's just love! All we want to do is love you in the best way possible, from facials, massages, amazing survivor stories, therapeutic yoga, lessons in de-stressing, creating healing artwork, learning about anti-cancer food (then eating anti-cancer food), and healthy cheap alternative treatments that have been scientifically proven to destroy cancer.

ALL OF THIS is offered for absolutely no cost. Maybe if I put on a doctor's white coat people will start believing me. 

I'm struggling with my cancer right now, and whether I'm running the show or not I can't wait to go and hear from those in our community who are desperate to help me and help you overcome it. I would say "join us," but after being punched in the face again, I'll say join ME in learning how to straight up krav maga our cancers.

Com' on. What do you have to lose? Then consider, what do you have to gain? Join up with Bent Not Broken, get $40,000 worth of information/strength/comfort/motivation/love, and let's throw our cancers on the kitchen floor. Until then, let's press on and remember this quote I recently put on my tumblr page...

Updates on Bent Not Broken!

I don't know if you guys are seeing this, but it seems Facebook has changed who and what we see on our timelines. And as frustrating as it is, I wanted to post this awesome information here so we can all celebrate together!

First off, we just got a donation from Meijer! It's so great to see our local companies supporting those who are dealing with cancer. They are the first "major" corporate donation we've seen, so step up Grand Rapids! Who's going to be next corporation and donate to this needed movement!?

Secondly, I wanted to let you know about progress on our next event at the Franciscan Life Process Center. It is lining up incredibly well! All we need now are sponsorship dollars and cancer survivors! Please contact me if you know those who are struggling with cancer. We would LOVE to give them support and hope at NO COST.

So far our gathering will include cancer survivor stories from Sarah Thebarge, Lisa Thompson, and myself. We will have professional speakers like Elle Ingalls on stress relief methods, Kristin Swann from Grand Rapids Wellness speaking on Chinese Medicines, Michael Walker on Naturopathic Oncology, Cynthia Hagedorn on Healing Arts from Square Peg Events, partners from Grand Rapids Natural Health in a panel discussion, and David Allen speaking on his moving stories he hears while tattooing breasts after mastectomy surgeries.

We will also have a counselor speaking to the partners of these cancer survivors, amazing music from Ralston Bowles, and two comedians, Joey Guila and Dana Eagle, who each have had cancer and will help us unwind with some great (cancer) jokes. After all laughter is the best medicine! We are STILL looking for a yoga instructor who has been through cancer, so if you know one, pass them along!

Visit us at bentnotbroken.org and read more about the event. Stay tuned and consider donating to Bent Not Broken Gathering! Much love!