Continuing the Work

The company I work for had a lay-off earlier this week.  Fortunately, I wasn't directly affected and I still get a paycheck.  However, one of my colleagues was let go, so now our under-staffed engineering group is even more overloaded.  His presence will be missed, not only professionally, but personally as well.  It's always a "hit" when someone has to leave.  You lose another opportunity to share a joke, chat about the weather, or just have someone else present during your work day.  But despite the lay-off, the real fact is that we have to keep working that much harder to ensure the success of our company's mission.  It's a cruel bump in the road, but ultimately, we have to move on and continue the work.

Also earlier this week, one of the more inspiring and sharing melanoma warriors passed away.  Eric and Jill Sizemore shared Eric's struggles in his last months, documenting the aweful affects of full-scale Stage IV melanoma.  Their videos were informative, heart-felt, and sometimes horrific to watch.  Their message was a must-see, must-read for anyone that just doesn't have a clue about the seriousness of melanoma.

Of course, Eric will be truly missed...more so by those that actually knew Eric...and especially Jill.  He was an advocate against tanning beds and for melanoma awareness, but he also seemed to be someone with whom almost anyone could get along.  I could tell he had a good sense of humor as well as a good sense of faith.  His fight to the end was as inspiring as anything I've witnessed.  He will be missed.  And Jill and family could use your prayers.

But like my work place, Eric's work needs to continue.  We need to continue spreading the word about sun safety and tanning dangers.  We need to document our own struggles...either in blogs, videos, or just sharing our stories with friends and strangers.  Those of us who have simply accepted the fight on behalf of a loved one, or those of you who fight a similar struggle as Eric's need to not give up.  Great advances have been made in treatments in the last few months.  But the best treatment is prevention...and that's what Eric's message has been.  That's what ours needs to be.

Eric's passing was a cruel bump in the road, but his work...and our work will continue.



Eric Sizemore



Eric's Story

I want to share the story of Eric Sizemore.  No, I'm not going to write it, I'm merely sharing it.  He and his wife will actually tell it to you.

While I don’t know Eric or his wife Jill, they seem like pretty ordinary people.  There seems to be nothing truly spectacular about them…nice people that you’d like to have for a neighbor and perhaps call friends.  Unfortunately, Eric has advanced melanoma that has spread throughout his body.  Sadly, too many people have experienced the same battle as Eric, whether through one’s personal fight, or through witnessing a family member or friend.  Eric’s experience reminds me so much of my brother’s, it’s sometimes gives me the willies.

What makes Eric’s story special is that he is sharing it.  I know…many others have written blogs about their melanoma battle, but he’s sharing even more.  He and his wife, Jill started a blog at http://www.melanomasucks.blogspot.com/ in January, 2010.  The postings were sporadic, but very effective as they showed the progression of disease on Eric’s leg.  The postings stopped around April, 2011, but they started to post videos updates in March as his melanoma overtook his body…from the small pencil eraser-sized mole on his leg to the “too numerous” tumors in his legs, spine and throughout his body.  This is what makes Eric stand-out.  His videos are real, raw, tender and sometimes very difficult to watch.  But his story needs to be seen and shared.  I guarantee that anyone that watches the full series of his videos (13 in all thus far…I think) won’t go away feeling the same about melanoma.  Please watch Eric’s video series.  And send a prayer his way for a miraculous recovery.