GROINSTRONG

Hello! Thank you for visiting GROINSTRONG! Let me tell you a story.

In April 2008, at age 28, I was diagnosed with melanoma, the most deadly of skin cancers. Doctors at New York University’s Cancer Center moved quickly to remove the cancerous lymph nodes in my left groin and the area around a previously excised mole above my knee. Since the initial diagnosis, the cancer has elevated to stage IV as I have endured three surgeries affecting eight different locations, along with radiation and a six month regimen of oral chemotherapy (Temodar) starting in December 2008. The Temodar managed to stave off the growth of the subcutaneous nodular tumors at the skin level but in March 2009, endoscopies showed tumors in my stomach and upper intestine and I began an intravenous regimen of Carboplatin. The Carboplatin seemed to be working until October, when another subcutaneous tumor appeared below my right clavicle. Another round of Temodar slowed the tumor’s growth and condensed it, lifting it out of my pectoral muscle and allowing for its resection with only minimal muscle and nerve damage. It was removed, along with the lymph nodes in my right armpit, during two surgeries in January 2010. As of March 2010, I finished a month-long radiation treatment to the area just to make sure there are no lingering melanoma cells. If the cancer should return, there are at present a number of trials studying a genetic treatment known as a BRAF Blocker, a promising drug that blocks activity of the proteins that drive melanoma cell growth. I was rejected upon my first attempt to join one of these trials, but the treatment is currently in simultaneous Phase II and III trials, so I should be included if necessary.

Initially, I kept people updated at adventuresinbrooklyn – if you’d like to see the story from its inception, you can explore the archives there, starting with the first biopsy in late April. Since May 2008, GROINSTRONG has been my journal and my way of keeping all of my friends and family up to date on my progress. It is a place for people to leave messages of support, to get bracelets and stickers, to see pictures of people wearing their GROINSTRONG bracelets all over the world and to make donations to help me cover the medical costs of this tiresome battle.

GROINSTRONG is a derivative of Lance Armstrong’s LIVESTRONG campaign, but it is much more than just a hot pink bracelet. GROINSTRONG is a frame of mind. Through the support of an incredible community here in Brooklyn and across the country, I have been able to eat healthy, stay positive and, most importantly, keep a smile on my face. GROINSTRONG is our slogan not only because of the matching scars across both my inner thighs – GROINSTRONG is our rallying cry because it is (if you ask me) damn funny. And laughter truly is the best medicine.

You can support our cause by making a donation or checking out our slowly expanding line of entirely hot pink GROINSTRONG merchandise – bracelets and stickers so far, but hopefully someday including t-shirts, lapel pins and, of course, GROINSTRONG intimates. Special thanks to Lynne Rosenberg for creating the original design for the hot pink GROINSTRONG bracelets!

Thanks to everyone who has supported GROINSTRONG along the way through merchandise production, web hosting, telling me when I’ve overshared, etc. And of course thanks to everyone who has supported me with meals, care packages, movies and all the friendly emails, text messages and calls. I also want to acknowledge and thank the people caring for me – not only the surgical and medical oncologists, radiologists, dietitians and nurses at NYU Cancer Center, but also the yoga teachers, reiki healers, massage therapists, conditioning coaches, and medical advisors who are playing such a huge part in keeping me happy, healthy and positive.

To contact me, please email me at jonah (dot) ei (at) gmail (dot) com or AIM jonahellerisaacs.