Scott S. Craun Foundation: It's been a few weeks since the 2nd dose of my 3rd Chemo and no major side effects

Our Mission:

The Scott S. Craun Foundation is a non-profit charity created by Scott Craun (1975-2011), a registered nurse in Honolulu, Hawaii. Before Scott passed away from Multiple Myeloma, he took the initial steps to establish a fund that could perpetually aid island-bound cancer patients. Multiple Myeloma is a rare blood cell cancer. Scott's know-how as a health care provider AND a cancer patient lent his mission a laser focus on a specific population. Relatively, there are not many myeloma patients in Hawaii (less than 400). The nearest support groups are in California. This charity will make an important difference in the quality of some of these lives. Like Scott, these patients were told, "You have an 'incurable cancer.' Eventually, you will have to take a break from your work. And the most specialized treatment centers are 2500 miles away."

Scott's wish is to provide Hawaii's myeloma patients (or one family member/care-giver) with round-trip airfare to the Continental US for any oncologist-recommended treatment not available in Hawaii. Stem cell transplant, for example, can be a key to prolonging life--sometimes by years--as it was for Scott. Twice Scott experienced the hardships of this relocation for transplant. Scott had many of us to help him through this burden and he was eternally grateful; many other patients are not nearly as networked. Scott became acutely aware of their immediate need. He left behind documents outlining a non-profit based on incremental goals and longevity as priorities over huge sums of money. Ultimate success means for us to be still providing at least one annual flight on the day Hawaii is capable of all specialized myeloma patient technology. Or, even better: on the day MM is no longer deemed "incurable."

To turn Scott's efforts into reality, we will need your help. One annual donation per person--of any amount--is welcomed, along with your suggestions, fundraising ideas, and maybe a few volunteer hours at our events. All who donate will receive a personal message from our foundation updating you on our balance, expenses, number of donors, upcoming fundraisers, and goals. The specific language in our tax exempt 501(c)3 will be transparent to all. We report to every single donor as if they were an investor, beacause they are. The way we give to patients will be on a very personal basis, and we'll share those stories here. Thank you, stay tuned, and thanks to Scott for pointing us in the right direction! We're going to take what he started . . . and keep it going for as long as there is a demand.

Scott S. Craun Foundation. Domestic Nonprofit Corporation, State of Hawaii File No. 235294 D2.

Make out checks to: / send mail to:
Scott S. Craun Foundation
2700 S. King Street
Unit 11564
Honolulu, HI 96828
ph. (808) 772-0408

CraunFoundation@gmail.com

Friday, April 10, 2009

It's been a few weeks since the 2nd dose of my 3rd Chemo and no major side effects

This is a quick update to let everyone know that I have been doing well since my last round of Chemo. I did not have a re-occurrence or flare up of the Shingles. Nor did I get any of the painful blisters with this round of treatment. The ones I did get almost 2 months ago have not healed yet. The only problem has been the increased intensity of the pain I have been dealing with in my feet and legs. The pain is different at times but feels like I have been standing on marbles for a long time or that my entire feet are bruised and every time I step it is like someone pressing on a deep bruise you have on an arm or leg, and lastly my favorite is when it feels like the bones in my feet are going to shatter from the inside out. The pain is from my neuropathy, and my current chemo treatments has kicked it up a notch. However a little over a week ago I saw a pain specialist who increased the medication I have been taking for neuopathy. He also put me on new green pill and a pink one 2. The pink one is twice a day, however it replaced this little white one I was taking for pain and I was taking that one up to 12 times a day. I am now only taking 1 or 2 of those little white Oxycontin daily.... I also got's me a Vit. D supplement to help with bone pain, even though the neuropathy is bad enough that it blocks out the pain in my sternum, ribs and joints.

So with the new colored pills and extra orange ones I am now taking my pain has greatly improved. I have been able to walk (twice) for exercise, and have finally been able to workout at the gym. Light lifting and hitting the bike. I have ballooned back up to 195lbs..... Impressive I know, just more of me, much more of me to love. I will have new blood work done toward the end of the month. I will keep everyone posted on how much my levels have goon down. Until then.

Aloha

Recent Visitors to Hawaii

Ryan "Nesspa" a good friend of my from York and his dad (not pictured), were the first to hit the Islands on vacation, and help ruin my diet. He B.S.'d his way into a free trip via work. Definitely a benefit of having a large brain. Not long after his visit Eloy and Michael friends of my living in DC, landed in Kauai (picture right), and then Oahu. They were no more help to my diet then Ryan, however both treated me to a few nice meals. Thanks again fella's.

Eloy, Michael & myself at Queens beach for sunset on there last day in Hawaii.

Another close friend of mine from York PA (Whitney aka The Siberian Snow Leopard), and her good friend Rebecca visited Hawaii in March. Below are a few pic's from there visit.

Jon, Whit & I @ Murphy's Irish Pub........Cheers from "The Shack"

The Snow Leopard & her Apprentice..........Dinner with Rebecca & Adam

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: great pictures on the blog, thanks for the turtle video, U. Wayne and family; April 17, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey Everybody,
An update from Kaimuki, Oahu where Scott and I have shared a neighborhood for 10 years as of 2009. Coincidentally, we're both from York and met out here in the islands. Frickin West Yorkers . . . .
Our pal is in good spirits as usual, but particularly within the past 2 months. He hangs out almost daily with me or our buddy Kevin F. His moods sometimes shift with his drugs, but really the only surface side effect is hyper-talkativity. Those of you who know the kid well, will surely find it hard to believe that this could increase.
Anyone who ever feels a need to get a candid update on our man, but is for some (understandable) reason reluctant to call him directly, contact me. I won't beat around the bush.

jonwilson@rocketmail.com
808-561-2558 cell

Overall, if there is anyone to handle a diagnosis like MM with grace, it is Scott. It is a remarkable thing to witness. He's got the combination of cutting edge medical know-how, bottom line business sense, and good humor that borders on lunacy. When we lived together, he once burst into my room at 7am, wearing nothing but briefs, having just shaved his entire chest except for a remaining "hair bra." I got over this, but the girlfriend sleeping with me that morning has never been the same. We parted shortly thereafter.
Jon Wilson; April 27, 2009 at 8:44 PM