Like many young men, my testicular cancer diagnosis came out of thin air. I had no symptoms and thought I was a healthy, twenty-six-year old, juggling a job and working on my MBA when I suddenly had a pain in my left testicle that made me drop to my knees. It felt as if someone taken a dagger and shish kebabed me.

At first, my doctor misdiagnosed it as an infection. But after a couple weeks of minimal improvement I sought a second opinion. Following a physical exam, blood tests and an ultrasound, my new doctor confirmed that I had testicular cancer. Surgery—just two days later—revealed that the cancer had spread outside the testicle. Testicular cancer has a fairly predictable path of travel when it metastasizes: lymph nodes, then the pelvis, then the abdomen, next behind the kidneys, then the lungs and finally the brain. Mine had already spread to my lymph nodes, pelvis and lower abdomen.

Five months of intense chemotherapy followed. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of my journey.

One year after chemotherapy a routine CT scan revealed four tumors along my spine. A four hour surgery was required, during which my internal organs were literally pulled out of my abdomen—leaving me temporarily like a turkey carcass—in order for the surgeon to remove the four tumors.

It was a long couple of years. And I’m grateful to have survived.

Testicular cancer is the number one cancer in guys ages 15 – 35 in our country—impacting about 8,500 young men every year. It’s nearly 100% curable if you detect it early.

Here are two things every guy should do:

1. Have a physical regularly. That means every one or two years. Talking about doing it doesn’t count. Schedule an appointment.

2. Know your “boys.” Testicular cancer usually doesn’t cause a noticeable pain. However, it often is initially detected by a change in your testicle. So, every month, in the shower, check yourself. Put one ball in the palm of each hand. Is one bigger? Do you feel a lump? Hardness? Heaviness? If you notice anything, go to a doc. And, by the way, Lance Armstrong waited until his testicle was the size of an orange before he saw a doctor. By that point, his cancer had spread to his lungs and brain. Waiting has a price.

Share this information with every guy in your life, won’t you? You never know whose life you might be saving.

For more information on testicular cancer, visit the Prevent Cancer Foundation,  Testicular Cancer Resource Center or Single Jingles.

Editor’s Note: Guest blogger Jonny Imerman is founder of Imerman Angels 1-on-1 Cancer Support which provides free, individual support to anyone touched by cancer (both cancer fighters and caregivers). www.imermanangels.org

“Well, it’s the size of a small orange,” my dad said as he pointed at the images taken of a tumor during his colonoscopy. It was a Tuesday night, and I felt a sense of relief that we had finally found the source of stomach pain and unexplained weight loss that he suffered from for the past two months. I was also shocked. As a thin, healthy, active thirty-eight year old, he wasn’t even a candidate for a colonoscopy, much less colon cancer. One week after the tumor was discovered he had a routine full body scan to ensure that the cancer was contained to his colon. My family assumed they wouldn’t find any additional cancer and he would have a basic surgery to remove the portion of his colon inflicted with the tumor, then he would be back to normal before we knew it. No big deal.

My parents walked in the house after the full body scan. It was a frigid February evening and my 12 year old sister and I could see from the looks on their faces they had not been given the news we expected. The cancer was going to be a very big deal.

My father was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. His liver was completely engulfed in tumors and several of his lymph nodes were infected. He was told only 10% of people survive with a diagnosis like this. Being an incredibly optimistic person, there was not a doubt in his mind that he would beat it. After all, he had always considered himself to be in the top 10%.

Catherine’s father Luke Osterhaus

Although he had a strong faith and a great attitude, the cancer could not be stopped. My father took an indefinite leave from his job and my mother became a full-time caregiver. In March, they removed a tumor the size of a grapefruit from his colon, and in April he started weekly rounds of chemotherapy. But after just three rounds it became clear that the chemo was doing more harm than good. My parents decided to end the chemotherapy and focus on using alternative therapies, including essential oils, acupuncture, prayer, healing touch, massage, music therapy, nutrition therapy, and regular walks to help my dad remain comfortable. He seemed to gain strength during the first few weeks of May, but by the end of May the cancer was taking control over his body and my parents were told if they wanted to do any last memorable things as a family, we should. We began hospice care, attended one last Twins game, made a trip to his hometown in Iowa, and he even got to take his girls to Wrigley Field for a Cubs game.

His battle with cancer lasted four months. He died on June 13, 2002 at age 39.

Unfortunately, my father had no reason to be screened for colon cancer, but now at age 23, I will have regular colonoscopies for the rest of my life. Yes, the “clear liquid diet,” as we call it in my house, isn’t my favorite way to spend twelve hours, but it is far better than the alternative.

My family’s experience with colon cancer does not have to be yours. If you are over age 50 or have a family history of colorectal cancer, talk with your doctor about scheduling a colonoscopy today. Colon cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when caught in the early stages.

Posted by Catherine Osterhaus on March 17th, 2011

Editor’s Note: Guest Blogger Catherine Osterhaus is passionate exerciser, health nut, and community health educator. She spends her working days encouraging others to eat healthy and be physically active to promote health and prevent chronic disease. To learn more about how to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer or to detect it early, visit the Prevent Cancer Foundation‘s new site, Colorectal Screening Saves Lives.

This Friday, the Prevent Cancer Foundation is hosting its 17th Annual Spring Gala: The Enchanting Principality of Monaco and I am honored to be involved in its planning. For me, this Gala is not just another social event; it is an important celebration for a cause that is especially close to my heart. In the past fifteen years, I have had three separate cancer diagnoses – two occurrences of melanoma and one occurrence of breast cancer. In each case, early detection was the gift of life.

My husband and I have spent the past 17 years in diplomatic postings and enjoyed traveling to all seven continents. Without a doubt, the most foreign and absolutely alien ground we have stood on is where we were each time I was told I had cancer. No matter where you live, a cancer diagnosis thrusts you into another world where suddenly nothing is familiar and the way ahead, unknown.  No matter what language you speak, a diagnosis of cancer leaves you speechless.

In 2004, when our husbands were serving as Ambassadors to the U.N., a close friend and I discovered that, three years earlier, we had both been undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer in Paris at the same time. Although we would see each other at diplomatic functions, we never spoke of what we were going through and totally missed the opportunity to find strength and comfort in a shared experience. Realizing the important moral to our story, we co-hosted a “Pink Party” in New York for the wives of 75 ambassadors to share our message:  talk more, open up, reach out and, in doing so, make a diagnosis of cancer a little easier to hear in any language or in every language. We were greatly honored that Prince Albert II of Monaco (who happened to be in town) graced our event, and the cause, with his presence. He even sported a pink tie to underscore his support.

Since then, I continue to advocate for more openness, discussion and sharing. Within the diplomatic community, I recognize a special need. In the past year, no less than three other wives of ambassadors have dealt with breast cancer, far from their home countries, and more importantly, far from their network of family and friends. We have formed our own small and intimate support group where fears and concerns can be expressed, great strength is found in friendship, and life is celebrated.

I congratulate the Prevent Cancer Foundation on the occasion of their Silver Jubilee and offer my heartfelt gratitude for all they have done throughout the past 25 years to promote cancer prevention and early detection.

Editor’s Note: Ellen Noghès is the wife of H.E. Gilles Noghès, Ambassador of Monaco. She is a philanthropist, cancer survivor and prevention advocate.

Read all about breast cancer survivor Kim Read’s dream wedding, battle against cancer and excitement about attending our Spring Gala. Kim was lucky enough to have her special day designed by wedding guru and board member David Tutera—all featured on this Sunday’s episode of “My Fair Wedding” on WEtv.

http://blog.preventcancer.org/regular-screening/my-fair-wedding-host-david-tutera-makes-breast-cancer-survivor%E2%80%99s-dream-come-true/

Liona Chan
Communications Associate
Prevent Cancer Foundation
1600 Duke Street, Suite 500
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.836.4412
703.519.2107– direct
703.836.4413– fax

www.preventcancer.org

National Cervical Health Awareness Month guest blogger Christine Baze, a musician, cervical cancer survivor and prevention advocate, shares how her battle with cervical cancer led her to tell everyone she meets that no woman has to die from this very preventable disease.
http://blog.preventcancer.org/regular-screening/cervical-cancer-survivor-message-to-women-do-something/

This Thursday marks week number 3 for the Twitter Poker Tour, and the month is already shaping up to give us quite the battle on the leaderboard.  Bob “myttazz” Buttrey (@myttazz on twitter) came away with the victory in week 1 defeating “GregAndAimee” heads up, and then finished in 7th place in week 2 and remains the player to catch at the top of the leaderboard.  In second place is “PokerVixen73″ (@pokervixen on twitter) who emerged victorious in week 2 with a heads up victory over “4get 2 4bet me” (@4get24betme on twitter).

On the TPT Live Show, we rang in the new year with Scott “chiwawa” Diamond (@deputySD on twitter) and Matt “runtcake” Waldron (@mattcwaldron on twitter) co-hosting along with Paul “fleapid” Ellis (@coolwhipflea on twitter) as DeepStacks Live Instructor Alex Outhred (@alexouthred on twitter) joined in as a special guest to chat about Phil Hellmuth and Annie Duke’s departure from UB.com, and the Prahlad Friedman signing.

This week on the TPT Live Show, we will be joined by the latest Full Tilt Poker Red Pro, Peter Jetten (@PeterJetten on twitter) as we discuss his 2010 Main Event, the PokerStars.net Caribbean Adventure at the Atlantis, and some prop betting that really put Peter on the map.  Make sure to join us on Thursday Nights at 9pm EST for the Tournament, and at 9:30pm EST for the TPT Live Show.

Here’s a look at the top 10 in the January 2011 leaderboard standings:

With just 2 weeks remaining in 2010, there are still two opportunities to win your share of thousands in prizes with the Twitter Poker Tour.  The TPT is a poker league open to everyone that hosts its games on Full Tilt Poker.  With the 3 events for the month in December already in the bag, the top 13 spots are separated by just 70 leaderboard points.  Here’s a look at the top 10:

The TPT Live show will be dark for the last two weeks of the year, but resume in January with a brand new format, all new guests, and some incredible surprises for everyone.  Recent guests have included November Niners Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi, John Dolan, and Matt Jarvis, as well as two time WPT Champion Randall Flowers, Deepstacks Pro’s like Tristan Wade and Adam “Roothlus” Levy, and UB.com pro’s Joe Sebok and Bryan Devonshire.  Check out the schedule of events on the TPT website here.

Make sure to get in on the last couple of events to win things like training from DeepStacks Live, DeucesCracked, and GrinderSchool, Poker Items from Cardzshoppe.com, and Magazine Subscriptions from Bluff Magazine, and Poker Pro Magazine.  All you need to do to enter is follow the Twitter Poker Tour on Twitter (@tptpoker) and on Facebook, as well as join us on Thursday Nights for a $5 buy in online poker tournament on Full Tilt Poker.

Best of luck at the tables, and Happy Holidays from the TPT.

April 25, 2009,

I’ve watched many female poker players over the past few years and I keep coming back to the same thought: If you knew what I knew about some of today’s rising Florida female poker stars, you might be interested to find out how they maneuver through the poker world every day. You just might be surprised how their daily lives are sometimes similar or such a contrast from their personas at the poker table. Here are some of the ladies from Florida who have had much success in the poker world and are quickly becoming ladies to watch in the future.

Name: Jena Delk of Merritt Island
Cashes: nine ($68,021)
Hobbies: Hmm, poker, reading about poker, dreaming about poker, thinking about poker — did I mention, poker?
The Skinny: Jena’s most successful tournament cash came recently at the Southern Poker Championship at Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Miss. in January, grabbing 11th place and $26K. The mother of four also won the World Series of Poker circuit event’s ladies title at Harrah’s in New Orleans in May 2008.

Name: Lisa Adams of Boca Raton
Cashes: five ($153,149)
In her own words: I am the CEO and co-founder of very successful businesses; I am a mom and had a 20-year career in sales that has prepared me for life on the felt. I frequent the Palm Beach Kennel Club, the Isle of Capri Casino and Seminole casinos. I am always looking to sharpen my skills in both mixed and ladies-only events.
The Skinny: Lisa’s biggest score came when she took down the Wynn Classic in 2007, which was good for $110K. She also won a WSOP circuit event’s ladies title at the Grand Casino in Tunica, Miss. back in January 2006. The win was worth $27K.

Name: Marla Crumpler of Ft. Lauderdale
Cashes: one ($60,101)
The Skinny: Marla is a mother of twin boys, a corporate businesswomen and plays at Seminole casinos. She ranks 78th on the top 100 female money earners in the country. Her cash came in the 2008 WSOP ladies event, finishing fifth.

Name: Randi Calabro of Harmony
Cashes: six ($123,762)
The Skinny: Randi, who started playing just two years ago, ranks 46th on the list of top 100 female money earners. Her biggest cash was a third-place finish in the WSOP ladies event in June 2007, good for $106K, though she has placed first twice in other smaller events.

Name: Debbie Mitchell of Miramar
Cashes: 2 ($47,883)
The Skinny: Deb has a fantastic career playing online with more than $250,000 in winnings. She credits her playing abilities to studying the game, watching training videos, reading articles, discussing poker with friends and other great poker minds and being dedicated to succeed. She is a business owner and avid softball player. Her online ranking is 1,155 out of about 746,000 players. On the top 100 female live money earners in the country she ranks No. 91.

As these women have proved, poker comes in all shapes and sizes, professions and lifestyles. We’re very proud of our hometown “women of poker” and want to see more Floridian women achieve this level of competition and achievement.

— Lauren Failla writes a monthly column for Ante Up, tracking the progress of women in poker. Email her at lauren@highheelspokertour.com.

Posted by Eric Siegel, Marketing and Player Development Leader for PPI
Let me start by saying that I am not a professional poker player. However, I do feel qualified through my vast experience as both a player and an industry leader to engage in a conversation or debate if you will, as to what makes someone a poker pro.

Before we get deep into this often puzzling area of what is considered a professional poker player, let me tell you a little about myself and my poker background. I have been playing poker for over 25 years. I have evolved with the game from the backroom clubs in NYC and Long Island, to poker’s highest level of competition as a profitable player on the tournament circuit throughout the country. I am also the owner of a successful pool and spa retail and custom design company in New York.

My experiences in the poker world have led me in the direction to do more than “just play.” Over the past seven years since poker has become a cultural phenomenon, I have often been considered to be a representative for the poker community on many levels. I have concentrated my efforts on the betterment of the sport, while garnering the respect of players, tournament directors and poker industry leaders in an effort to improve poker player’s lifestyle and experiences both on and off the felt. As founder of Tri-State Poker News, I came to realize there was much more to my interest in poker than being a player. This upstart company led me to meet my partners at Poker Players International (PPI), where I currently serve as Director of Marketing and Player Development Leader.

By definition, a professional is someone who engages in an activity as a source of livelihood or as a career. Of course anyone reading this article knows that when it comes to poker this often self-appointed title of poker pro, takes on a whole other meaning than any standard definition. Too often poker players are either labeled or label themselves as “professionals”. This moniker in most fields suggests advanced ability and a skill set to succeed. The truth is the title of “pro” is nothing more than a description, one which no one should make an assumption as to the players playing ability.

To many poker players and fans of the sport, the term “pro” simply means top player in the field. Depending on the level of competition in any event I am playing at, I have experienced both sides of this example of the definition: where I am looked upon as the pro at the table and where I am sitting amongst pros. I recall watching the broadcast of the 2009 WSOP when Norman Chad referred to someone that I know personally as a young poker pro. This person definitely does not consider himself a professional poker player, it was his first ever main event, and he has a 9 to 5 job in Manhattan. Does his appearance at a TV featured table with a logo on his shirt make him a pro? He might be considered a pro for that moment because he is making money playing poker for that moment, but surely playing poker is not his career choice simply by the title he was given on TV.

A poker player on the tournament circuit is always under constant scrutiny from other players, family or the media. Our results are made public record on thousands of websites literally before we collect our winnings. If someone claims to be a professional poker player, anyone can simply go to a poker site and look up that person’s entire poker stats and earnings. There aren’t many other professions with those characteristics. Therefore anyone claiming or considered to be a professional better have the goods to back up the title or they are failing at their career if we look back at the true definition of a professional. I know many stock brokers, lawyers, and business owners who struggle to make money year after year, but who are still looked upon as professionals in their field of work. Their status is never in question nor is their expertise in their chosen profession. It may be said that they are “going through a tough time” or “it’s the economy” if anything may happen, but a professional poker player going through a similar downward spiral has to question his choice of livelihood and is often judged by others.

I have heard many people say that players who are able to make income outside of just their play, whether it is through sponsorship or endorsement opportunities are also considered professional players. Although these are alternative revenue streams from actually playing the game of poker, there is a direct correlation between players corporate and media income and their success at the table. These opportunities are few and far between the small percentage of players capitalizing on such deals and the millions of people participating in the sport.

So what is my definition of a professional poker player? It’s simple, but it must be broken down into two different groups of pros. The first group contains someone who leaves their current career in pursuit of a career in poker. This group of pros by my standards would be someone that can sustain the same or better financial and social lifestyle as they did prior to being a pro. The second group pertains to those who choose a career as a pro player as their first job with no prior income source. For these generally young pros, the ability to sustain a viable income while establishing a lifestyle that gives them the opportunity to evolve into a successful career as a poker player. Another component to being a professional that is often over looked and taken for granted: how one conducts themselves within their chosen career. Achieving the respect of others in your line of work is just as important as your financial success and often leads to reaching ones goals. You don’t have to be a professional poker player to garner this respect, but it is an important element if you choose poker as a career.

I am off to the Borgata Winter Open, where the fields are huge and filled with pros, semi- pros, amateurs and people just looking for a few hours of recreation. At the end of the two week series, there will be pros re-evaluating their career choice and amateurs handing in their resignation papers to their current employers.

PPI PICKS … Poker Charity Pledge Programs are an important part of the way players give back to those in need. PPI supports the following organizations and their efforts.

The Nephcure Foundation – PPI has initiated the “All In For a Cure” poker pledge program. Nephcure is the only organization solely committed to finding a cause and a cure for two kidney diseases FSGS and Nephrotic Syndrome. The pledge program was set up to give poker players from around the world, the opportunity to pledge a percentage of their tournament winnings to help raise awareness and funds for these devastating diseases. Jennifer Harman has recently joined the cause in an effort to bring more attention to the program and the Nephcure foundation.

The Bad Beat On Cancer Initiative — Both Founders of PPI are on the advisory council of this organization and since its inception over six years ago the BBoC has raised over $2 million for cancer prevention research. The initiative has inspired amateurs and pros alike to donate one percent of their winnings for life to the organization.

Poker Players International (PPI) is the world’s largest poker agency, with scores of clients ranging from Hall of Famers to tomorrow’s up-and-coming stars. For more information about PPI or to suggest topics for this blog, please contact Randy Kasper at randy@pokerplayersinternational.com

My first official night at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Ms is over at nearly 2 AM in the morning.  I came up to Mississippi to assist my professional poker mother, Jena Delk (Google her!) and was lucky enough to play in my first live Sit N Go ever.  The field for my very first Sit N Go covered every spectrum of poker players from an extremely boisterous LAG to a few TAG’s and even had one calling station.  I must also commend our dealer as he handled several situations smoothly and allowed our game to continue as quickly as possible.

The one hand I remember I was lucky enough to have rockets in BB.  The button (the boisterous LAG) raises with 6 7 s and short-stacked SB pushes all-in.  I smooth call as does our friend the button.  Flop comes out 10, x, x.  I throw out a pot sized bet and my friend the button, after trying to goad me for information, raises me trying to get me off my hand.  I re-raise all-in and he calls.  Our SB friend has A 10 off and ends up winning main pot when another 10 hits the river.  I however took out the button and giving me big stack.  I came in second in my first live Sit N Go!

After this, I played in the 7pm 200 dollar multi-table tournament, another first.  I made it to 20^th out of the 90 players.  I was lucky enough to survive two all-ins where I was the underdog but felt forced into the hand due to my short stack of right around 10 BB’s.  I was eventually taken out by a pro after an extremely loose and drunk player yet again raised an outrageous amount forcing me in with AQs against his 10 7d, and the quiet Pro’s rockets!  This made it just after 12:30 AM.

Running up to the room and after eating the delicious turkey BLT, left-over’s from lunch at the Terrace Café in the lobby of Beau Rivage; I found myself in my second live Sit N Go tourney.  This one however, I was not able to place in the money.  Big stack called my all-in.  There were only 6 players left and with his initial raise, then my push all-in we found ourselves heads up.  My pocket Queens to his A9 off.  Flop comes up Ace (groan!) with two clubs.  I improved on the turn with another club giving me a flush draw along with still needing a Q.  Unfortunately I did not hit either my queen or my flush and I found myself sitting on the side line.

Over all it was a great experience for me.  I have not had the chance to play live in any casino but the SunCruz casino and I must say that the experience at a larger casino was well worth the 12 hour drive that should have only taken 8 on account of extremely heavy rains.  I look forward to tonight where I may yet get a chance to play in either another multi-table tourney or another live Sit N Go.  As any lover of the game of poker knows having a chance to get some new experience playing new players allows one to develop their game.

Though I did not play in any cash games, as I have been trying to keep my mental mindset on tourney style play, I was given the opportunity to watch a cash table.  It was a $1-2 with a min buy-in of $100.  After an hour Jena had made enough to cover her losses at the Sit N Go’s she had played earlier that night.  In one particular hand I was able to read her play, and though the guy she was heads up against didn’t, she was able to take down a decent sized bet with a set.

The Beau Rivage Resort and Casino is a beautiful building with a beautiful view of Biloxi (at least from the 24^th floor.)  Also, almost directly across the street, if you find yourself poker’d out and hungry late at night, there is a waffle house to satiate your hunger.  Then again, I must restate that the Terrace Café has some wonderful food and I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to try out the restaurant that can be found in right beside the main lobby.

I am hoping that if I get the chance tonight I can make enough to play in one of the Mega-satellites for a chance to win a seat into the main event.  This may be a bit of a stretch in my dreams for a chance to play for a seat at the main event, but as all poker players know, if you get the chance to play in that event then you must go for it.  Hopefully tonight will see me on the road to Vegas, and if I can get some good cards, a good table image, and some luck I may be thanking this casino for more than the experience to play my first live Sit N Go and Multi-table tournament.  Maybe next time I will see you here in southern Mississippi.

Adam Marx

twitter/Xyphon01