'Why I cut off all my hair'
Everyone is affected by cancer in some way or another. Throughout my life, I’ve known of people fighting the great battle but never someone close to me. In the small town that I lived in, if someone was diagnosed, everyone would know. The fight was never personal to me. I had compassion for the people fighting and their families, but I didn’t really know what it was like until the summer of 2010.
My grandmother’s health was beginning to fail in May with no explanation. It wasn’t until August that the doctors figured out through several tests that she had lung cancer. After her diagnosis, the cancer continued to spread and in only three months, she had passed away.
For a long time, my family was in shock. It hit us all so fast that we didn’t know what to do. It was almost as if we were numb. I had finally understood what people were going through. The disease had taken my grandmother away from me, and there was nothing I could do about it. I felt a sense of helplessness. So when my Aunt Joyce was diagnosed with endometriosis on June 13, I knew I had to do everything in my power that I could for her.
Local lowdown: Robert Doble
Buy a pair of boxers or a T-shirt? Without wanting to sound pretentious, I stock up when I travel. I also have a ‘‘uniform’’ that I have worn for years – a black or white T-shirt from Armani (armani.com). They wash up fantastic. If I run out, I buy basic Levi’s from Dakota 501 (261 Chapel Street, call 9826 9596). And there is Afends (201 Greville Street, Prahran, call 9826 9596) for good printed T-shirts.Buy a bunch of flowers? The Flower Man (375 Malvern Road, South Yarra, call 9827 0255) which is just up the road. I have known Ian, the owner, for years and love that I get to go and choose from the fridges at the back. His team are all really helpful.
Go for a cheap brunch? I am spoilt for choice living in this area but love pho from Chu The (264 Victoria Street, Richmond, call 9427 7749). It’s the best Vietnamese rice noodle soup in Melbourne and I go about three times a week. Plus I order the great lunch box from Egg Unlimited (19-21 St Edmonds Road, Prahran, call 9510 6805). The minimum order is eight but Julie, the fabulous owner, lets me have just one. That’s what happens when you have cute dogs!
30, so my roommates Kelsey Johnson, Maddie Alcon, Paige Johnson and I decided to take the five-hour drive to South Dakota to support my family. At the last minute, Jerrice had to reschedule the event to this Saturday.
2) In the April CicLAvia, there were new t-shirts available that celebrated a future CicLAvia South LA While a completely new route for South LA didn't happen in 2011, there was some real movement towards that goal with regular meetings and rides
