Napkin Note

Napkin Note: 
Dear Emma, 
When you were born, I saw that you were perfect and I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect, like me, and I loved you even more. 
Love, Dad 

Pack. Write. Connect. 

Success

I look around at this group and I see a lot of different success stories this morning and you should congratulate yourselves. 

My name is Garth Callaghan. I have been diagnosed with cancer four times in the last three years. I've had two wins, a tie, and a stalemate. My doctors have looked me in the eye and told me that I am going to die from this. So far, I have beaten the odds. 

There are some people that will tell you that success is a goal, that it's a destination, that success means avoiding failure.  

I am here to tell you:

THEY 
ARE
WRONG

Success is a choice. 

Success means choosing to get your tired butt up out of bed, getting dressed, and joining your fellow runners and walkers when it's 19 degrees outside. Success is choosing to train instead of staying inside with your pajamas on. Success is choosing to train instead of sipping that warm coffee at your kitchen table. 

I have here a Napkin Note that I've put together for my daughter, Emma. I am saving it for a time when she really needs to read this.

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. 

I've lost almost 300 games. 

26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed.

I've failed over and over again in my life. 

And that is why I succeed."    - Michael Jordan 

Have a fantastic run!! 

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10k Training This Morning

The beginning of the YMCA 10k training at Shady Grove this morning: 

"I look around this group and see a lot of different types of success. My name is Garth Callaghan and I am sometimes called 'The Napkin Notes Dad'. I have been diagnosed with cancer 4 times in the last 3 years. I have had two wins, a tie, and a stalemate. I am still battling cancer. My doctors have looked me in the eye and said to me, 'Mr. Callaghan, you are going to die from this.' 

Each and every single morning, I get up and I get to do three things. I thank God for another day, another day to be able to set goals and be successful. And then in order to reach those goals, I punch Fear in the face (thank you Jon Acuff !) and then knee Death in the groin! As I look around this group of 10k runners, I see you have done the same thing. It's 37 degrees, damp, rainy, and you have punched Fear in the face and chosen to be successful. You're more successful than 99% of the folks in Glen Allen this morning! 

Look around to you fellow runners. Look to them for inspiration and to motivate them. Help your coaches help you. Today you define your own success! Have a fantastic run! Can I get a 'HOORAH'!?!" 

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This is why I want I want my data to be leaked!

Let's file this under, "Well, isn't that special?!?" 

One of my oncologists has left his practice. He will no longer be affiliated with Bon Secours. I was aware of this but received a confirmation letter from Bon Secours today. 

Finding a new oncologist is like dating someone new, except without any of the fun. There's a lot of get-togethers, questions, tears, testing the waters, and deliberation. It will take a tremendous amount of my energy to accomplish this highly necessary task. 

Bon Secours was also gracious enough to inform me of the following: 

Under Virginia law, your medical records are the property of Bon Secours Cancer Institute Surgical Oncology where they will be securely maintained. You may obtain a copy of your medical record by completing the attached medical record authorization form and returning it to Bon Secours Cancer Institute Surgical Oncology. Please note that there is a ten dollar ($10) processing fee in addition to copy costs of no more than fifty cents/page. A request for copies of medical records must be made in writing, dated and signed by you or your legal guardian or representative. Bon Secours will accept a facsimile or other copy of the original authorization signed by you or the responsible legal guardian or representative. 

Let me get this straight! Under VA law, my medical records are the property of the hospital. Not only do I have to go through the pain of finding a new oncologist, but I'd have to pay a sizable fee to get a copy of my records. 

For the record, I don't have a large file there. However, all of my oncology records total 183 pages, so far. If they were housed at Bon Secours, I'd pay a whopping $101.50 to get a copy so that I could have the pleasure of schlepping it around from doctor to doctor as I search out a new team. 

When I spoke at the Forbes Medical Conference last month, I made a statement that rocked the audience, at least based on the number of tweets that followed. 

"I want my #data to be leaked. I want to share it & have it be everywhere." 

Thank you, Thomas H. Auer, for your kindness and consideration. Fighting cancer is really an easy job, and dealing with more crap like this is just wonderful. 

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Running Revisited

I had the honor of speaking to the Richmond 10k Coaches Team last weekend. I shared my hate/hate relationship with running. As I looked around the room, I couldn't help but admire them. Their job is to motivate and inspire their running groups to develop the discipline to practice well enough to finish the 10k. 

I haven't run in quite some time, and I'm not sure if I have it in me to do it under my current circumstances. Heck, there are times I have to rest while walking up a single flight of stairs.  

I was completely surprised when they gave me a coach's jacket and made me an honorary coach!  

Tomorrow morning, I'm going to put on my running shoes and head to Shady Grove YMCA for the 9 o'clock training session. It's the "Walkers" training group.  

You've got to start somewhere.

The most important thing is to actually start.  

Anyone want to join me?  

Garth runs the 10k in 2004

Napkin Notes Cookies

Guess what I received today? Napkin Notes cookies! A special thanks to Joel Weinberg for this incredibly thoughtful and tasty gift!