My First Blind Date
Malcolm Gladwell writes in The Tipping Point about individuals known as Connectors who know lots of people and enjoy introducing them. Connectors are unique in that they have both a rare social talent and the energy to use it. My Connector-friend is Uhhcya, and he connected me months ago with Cuz1. Uhhcya clarified the connection: “No one is getting ‘set up.’ That happens on its own.”I initiated conversation with Cuz1 through text messaging. I wrote that Uhhcya meets lots of interesting people. She wrote that he collects people. I asked if she has any hobbies as unique as collecting people. 110 text exchanges later...
Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog - July 25, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: girls Source Type: blogs
Recovering from my superman complex
As published on reimagineYou have a tumor,” my mother told me. I was 16 years old. I didn’t cry that day, but I did force tears the day after. I was alone in a small basement room, yet the sobbing humiliated me. I vowed to never cry again. I decided I would become superhuman.I received treatment at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, for Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. I would often compare myself to other patients on the pediatric floor. Besides our identical hairless appearance and disease, we had nothing in common. Some of them would call the poison “cheemy...
Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog - July 7, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: life lessons Source Type: blogs
A Gala, a Trophy, and $50,000 for Cancer Research
Read this first: I Hope My Friends Forgive Me: What It’s Like to FundraiseIn less than 20 minutes at the rehearsal for candidates before the Man & Woman of the Year Grand Finale Gala, I broke protocol and walked onstage to meet myself.Candidates were instructed to arrive to rehearsal fully dressed. My custom-tailored super fly tuxedo direct from Vietnam was delayed in production for three weeks, forcing me to rent a slim-fit tux from Men’s Wearhouse. Two lessons for you aspiring economists: being slim costs extra (my tux rental cost $180 versus a much cheaper standard fit), and that $180 is called a sunk cost. Temp...
Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog - June 24, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: a day in my life man of the year Source Type: blogs
I Hope My Friends Forgive Me: What It’s Like to Fundraise
"I'm determined to get $50,000." (my email to JD, June 12, 3:55 p.m.)"What are you at now? $50k seems VERY improbable by Saturday. Believe me I'm rooting for it, but seems like a long shot." (JD email to me, June 12, 3:58 p.m.)"We are at $41,000." (my email to JD, June 12, 4:01 p.m.)"We are up to $43,600. We are going to get $50k. I am going to tell LLS that I promise to pay the remainder if we don't get there at the Grand Finale Gala. No f.ing way am I going to get that close and not close it out." (my email to JD, June 13, 10:12 p.m.)This is the story of how my fundraising team raised $50,000 including $8,000 in less tha...
Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog - June 18, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: fear and rage man of the year Source Type: blogs
My Favorite Neighbor I’ve Never Met
My spine shivered when I heard Drew puking. Unlike my once-a-day vomits that mimicked the Tambora volcanic eruption of 1815, Drew’s were fast, graceful and plentiful. I tracked my “Puke Count” on a whiteboard with tallies. Drew’s Puke Count would require an entire wall.Drew and I shared a wall because he was my next-door neighbor at the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Center at the University of Minnesota. That is where I received my umbilical cord stem cell transplant to treat myelodysplasia when I was 19 years old. I never formally met Drew, though I knew much about him by prying my nurses, instructing my d...
Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog - June 8, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: cancer treatment man of the year Source Type: blogs
After Cancer, Giving Back
As published on The Huffington PostResting anxiously on a retractable bed and about to begin the chemotherapy drug Cytoxan, I sent my mom for a chocolate iced glazed Krispy Kreme donut from the hospital cafeteria. During treatment there were just three times each day when I could eat: immediately upon waking, and before and after the infusion.Mom returned with an original glazed. I yelled at her: "The chocolate would drown the nickel taste of the infusion, but I don't want this!" "I'm sorry. That is all they had," she said with her usual patience. Two hours later with the infusion complete, I asked for small cereal boxes f...
Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog - June 4, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: family man of the year Source Type: blogs
Trucking for Charity
Davey felt compelled to support my fundraiser. Davey and my brother, JD, have been friends for 15 years. He has seen what I have overcome and believes in me and my story. Few things would make him more proud than seeing me named The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Man of the Year. But, Davey was not able to donate much—he has poured his life into his company, Pinchlist, which he is building from the ground up. "No amount is too small," we told him honestly, though when he shared his idea, we told him it was too much and pleaded with him to reconsider because we felt his financial security was more important.In 2011...
Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog - May 29, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: man of the year Source Type: blogs
CancerSlayer Happy Hour & Book Launch for "Secrets"
My CancerSlayer fundraising team and the UVA Club of Washington Book Club are co-sponsoring Cancer-Slayer Happy Hour to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and to officially launch my new book, Secrets of the Cancer-Slaying Superman!WHEN: Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 5-8 p.m. WHERE: Guarapo Lounge2039 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201 (closest Metro station is Court House on the orange line) We have the upstairs reserved, free appetizers, and drink specials including Blood Orange Margaritas and Super Sugar-Slaying Peach (sugarfree Red Bull and Absolut Peach). I will read from the book and be available to autogr...
Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog - May 6, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: man of the year Source Type: blogs
My Feature Interview with mAssKickers
A poor attempt at mimicking the cover of my book“Laugh as much as you can, especially at the absurd things you must go through; and bring baby wipes everywhere."I met Eric Galvez, the founder of the nonprofit organization mAssKickers, when I spoke at the Critical Mass conference over a year ago. His site has been featuring interviews with survivors who have unique stories and perspectives. So I had to throw my A-game at Eric and fabricate facts if necessary. Read about how I decided to write my book, my boyhood heroes, and why baby wipes are the 21st century's greatest invention. (Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog)
Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog - April 30, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: media Source Type: blogs
BREAKING NEWS: I Wrote a Second Book. Pre-Publication Copies Available Now.
The secret is out: I wrote a second book titled Secrets of the Cancer-Slaying Super Man, an illustrated book for young readers and teens, or adults who want a quick read, about my cancer experiences. You can get a special pre-publication autographed copy at a discount price of $15. In support of my Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) “Man of the Year” campaign, my publisher, Woodley Books, and I are also donating twenty percent of all income from the sale of the book throughout my campaign, to LLS. Buy a special autographed not-even-released-yet book between now and June 14 for 20% off. We donate $3 to charity. Email...
Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog - April 23, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: man of the year writing/speaking Source Type: blogs
Man of the Year Interview, Part III
In this final part of my interview recorded at the First Descents headquarters in Denver, Colorado, I discuss playing the cancer card and I offer a parting life lesson. You can also see parts I and II of this interview, which I share as I campaign to raise money to fight blood cancers. (Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog)
Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog - April 18, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: man of the year media Source Type: blogs
Man of the Year Interview, Part II
I created a symbol for my nickname, like Prince. I miss aspects of cancer. Am I superhuman?I answer and reveal all of that, and hint at why I am campaigning for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man of the Year, in part II of my three-part interview (first watch part I, and then part III): (Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog)
Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog - April 14, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: man of the year media Source Type: blogs
Man of the Year Interview, Part I
My name is Ben Rubenstein, I am addicted to coffee and gummy worms, and now that I am running for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man of the Year, you can meet me unadulterated. An intimate conversation with me, part I (and then watch part II): (Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog)
Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog - April 10, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: man of the year media Source Type: blogs
Help Me Change the World Today
I am honored that The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has nominated me as one of its 2014 “Man & Woman of the Year” candidates!Eleven years ago, I lay on a hospital bed with an obliterated immune system, as stem cells from an anonymous baby girl sped through my veins. I closed my eyes and envisioned them sticking inside my hollow bones and repopulating my marrow with clean, cancer-free cells. I was 19 years old and battling my second cancer, this one affecting my blood. My fantasy became reality, and I survived myelodysplasia through a combination of hope, attitude, support and modern medicine.I am not alone....
Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog - April 3, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: man of the year Source Type: blogs
Lifting Young Adult Cancer Survivor Baggage
As published on The Huffington PostPress play on "workout" playlist: energetic pop hits, hard rock and rap, songs from cancer treatment that trigger flashbulb memories. Grab handles on this plate-loaded incline press machine. Take a deep, slow breath. Now, explode.You're too short for her. No amount of ambition, personality or strength will change her mind. One repetition down.She thinks you're weak and sick because of your limp. She needs a guy who will beat her in a 5k and you can't run ever again. You even use crutches to walk a few blocks. Two repetitions down.She thinks you're too open and narcissistic -- writing book...
Source: I've Still Got Both My Nuts: A True Cancer Blog - March 31, 2014 Category: Cancer Tags: a day in my life fear and rage living habits Source Type: blogs
