"Georgia"
(by Ray Charles)
Christopher and I flew to Georgia for another CURE OM Symposium a couple of weeks ago!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C-1K6-76nSWXEszRv9Q2LqHgZbEHsNh0BuGsVeNWG2mQaOWWk2TnpChUuysb-15hvTqX5LRrutZA1-EHp3x0RqSQqDZ5BjNQ9rC8SkkFt01JvFpn-Ez4oOTwmzQTsWS5ZxlcSVScaUw/s640-Ic42/IMG_8583.jpg)
It was like the one we attended in Houston three years ago and LA two years ago {& failed to ever post about} where ocular melanoma patients, loved ones, doctors, and researchers gather to connect, discuss, and learn. It began with a Meet & Greet on Friday night, where we were able to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALePpYMCVN9W3lpUqmwZ4p5LJ2qrDUfTxWaXvkoGt4fpJDDgXgfjjGKaphnBaUUfBc6zR9LBUmI12_4ZllfUCs4cEMcJ4T2oYvQnwOr9m_Z2LVKWdTt4H_cTApaIlPmAh-8j-Sy9BE_8/s640-Ic42/IMG_8615.jpg)
Saturday and Sunday were filled with large group sessions...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuK_tg_cSAA-dkNY-XEoUoR3KJUkxLp3tt46h0n1tEvvHlTrV5MXCDfNrrhs_L-W3cqzTWjY4xWJ1lM2v28QrKh1PxmZjBmpMB4JgnixGCr93T_tnDf3J4cK8z76c9v54hjv76PFKegew/s640-Ic42/1273798_952182931544963_2464126912436855278_o.jpg)
...where we learned about primary disease, different therapies and treatments that are being used in metastatic disease, followup, and research. We also heard from a patient and caregiver panel as well as the latest developments in a cluster that has been discovered in North Carolina.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19Hm9lsrrlEGuHL6nkCgu4Ncx9u5ykTk2baOlgG5G8ASeehFQnJsL8tk2nl1wmp5PTp2IrY7BpR-qhFRj-AfO2G9i9CuSVi2xO0BbUqQ4Ab5y5kNYPh-1jWcn0QXyzQ_2J3OgsnnqhJg/s640-Ic42/IMG_8611.jpg)
We also broke out into smaller sessions, like Resiliency and OM, led by our friend Anne Marie, pictured below...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdIsWn6KWWX-ntUcwkFSMoRW_HwWrkVXVNwLq4frZI4JI-L2qB-s_vrC5IIoAwfwSfC7lrUVtmvlgMuq3rB9oujWfotF9r5fjjVL-VQ-wD296bsE_CbdhhNs6_8L0MrrtAeYKvhrN1-A/s640-Ic42/10626214_952182681544988_4865396412195633779_o.jpg)
...and even smaller peer-to-peer discussion groups. I led one on parenting, though I think people were a bit confused and seemed to think they were coming to my group for advice on how to deal with teenagers, when I was actually just leading a discussion/support group!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qFzAM9DEpah39VZ-h7MTwMRLv7akaqaaxqNQBF1_uoGTlj9KAPFhCZG8ui6DtTsCZqIHwKZlOttdRj6-P5_r39ixfRsgp1ciWtPPrzOH6snzfWotg-MqI1WzIZmLcRgi-2bfYTqKAv4/s640-Ic42/IMG_8653.jpg)
We stayed in the hotel where the conference was held. It was in Decatur, just a block away from the square. When the conference wasn't going on, Christopher and I explored a little!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnrO1jSnBvrkbH38CRZPc7VbYkV50SwrX6tF8hf136VrVXZMeESGjcv95uBx16hKBpGnYBzUeMPt_8QQS7kg5H3Z9Xv8-4875CTBt8OAkiOlxOc2sf2c0G7ZpP6_KIRZt024PXm_hCb0/s640-Ic42/IMG_8604.jpg)
My friend Laura had told me about the Brick Store Pub, where we ate delicious fish and chips shortly after settling in to the hotel.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5jkTh1NbVGlcy4Sk-EtMm0rxnoXd4SRRbcEp4SvFXxHvBz5ye4uz_V6uumFZRt3pEbgfLsBxLgVoNjlv0bjbVXmswfZ4mr8-rfp57U5Duzi6_26zfQByHnX3gn9r55zuvUAynzfZmd8/s640-Ic42/IMG_8592.jpg)
We discovered a little coffee shop nearby...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIeZCUSSnWxiy4lmRmVy4VKsisJlktRUMyXC7bY0hXI0ujhlqT4NhofTyKIRZj_ZbqO9112ng9pc2cBCBXQ0E9bezA9_iTbV_Vk5Q5wF4ZfungUo5Yv2X4RsLnYgZN2LMjdD1XU3SehQ/s640-Ic42/IMG_8601.jpg)
And Jeni's ice cream was just on the other side of the courthouse!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFyDW0z0K5e7Yra_wC7uGqDG-bcJntVuYEa5-FXDuM1ywqXJogmwYLJI9SyqSTzW7ozMJTt9mobYaKiwuXsFoYwfj0YrsO-EQaG8JFeXlobP5Q6eSpd3sRuRQ7ZuIM_3KNFVctd_zMtA/s640-Ic42/IMG_8645.jpg)
When we were at the airport for our flight home, we discovered that there was a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in the next terminal over from us. I have no shame in saying that I walked 30 minutes round-trip for an ice blended! There are six CBTL's in Austin but not a single one in Houston, so it isn't something I can run out and get any time I want one. This girl was excited!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXx8IF3HwNbQVIcZAujp-GUHdp0waZ2B0tnR5I11CEoLezUyzoRqjBeQ-ZKthX8zX0U7-Xk7DR8BxSgo165z6ReNNEGovGAng440VHatZSoi1sYjBTt8TdRDicv27yHiYHwuloVgfboo/s640-Ic42/IMG_8655.jpg)
We flew over the rodeo as we were landing in Houston, and I managed to capture what I thought turned out to be a pretty neat shot!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLTmxSf29sLfMwZsQ2ThdX1Fn9lgu_gPd_qJHb_h7R2vehU1vqSwM6FBUFLcB1iYsoF9h0xaNBo7SJf98mpvhlcc9QLG6my8uFOr71vXscmdVEy-3E-XCP0j2jHtinn3NZ3FtqazmanM/s640-Ic42/IMG_8664.jpg)
That about sums up our little trip! I enjoyed Georgia, though I was disappointed that it wasn't peach season. I think I'll have to go back! ;) I'll close with words from my British friend, Rob, when he shared about CURE OM's vision for our community.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65ARSNpKwWXxrILCnWr6l4RCdZ60FqAmT0m9n-LaiwTKnM69VjmdtULnFXotSAKmNed5IKzUbz3dgLmxHnt0qHgBWR1QFGQSW7jkdalfhmL_-LVEzJfQDaxxPjqYuTgPzksH2Y0PcSno/s640-Ic42/IMG_8624.jpg)
Christopher and I flew to Georgia for another CURE OM Symposium a couple of weeks ago!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C-1K6-76nSWXEszRv9Q2LqHgZbEHsNh0BuGsVeNWG2mQaOWWk2TnpChUuysb-15hvTqX5LRrutZA1-EHp3x0RqSQqDZ5BjNQ9rC8SkkFt01JvFpn-Ez4oOTwmzQTsWS5ZxlcSVScaUw/s640-Ic42/IMG_8583.jpg)
It was like the one we attended in Houston three years ago and LA two years ago {& failed to ever post about} where ocular melanoma patients, loved ones, doctors, and researchers gather to connect, discuss, and learn. It began with a Meet & Greet on Friday night, where we were able to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALePpYMCVN9W3lpUqmwZ4p5LJ2qrDUfTxWaXvkoGt4fpJDDgXgfjjGKaphnBaUUfBc6zR9LBUmI12_4ZllfUCs4cEMcJ4T2oYvQnwOr9m_Z2LVKWdTt4H_cTApaIlPmAh-8j-Sy9BE_8/s640-Ic42/IMG_8615.jpg)
Saturday and Sunday were filled with large group sessions...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuK_tg_cSAA-dkNY-XEoUoR3KJUkxLp3tt46h0n1tEvvHlTrV5MXCDfNrrhs_L-W3cqzTWjY4xWJ1lM2v28QrKh1PxmZjBmpMB4JgnixGCr93T_tnDf3J4cK8z76c9v54hjv76PFKegew/s640-Ic42/1273798_952182931544963_2464126912436855278_o.jpg)
...where we learned about primary disease, different therapies and treatments that are being used in metastatic disease, followup, and research. We also heard from a patient and caregiver panel as well as the latest developments in a cluster that has been discovered in North Carolina.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19Hm9lsrrlEGuHL6nkCgu4Ncx9u5ykTk2baOlgG5G8ASeehFQnJsL8tk2nl1wmp5PTp2IrY7BpR-qhFRj-AfO2G9i9CuSVi2xO0BbUqQ4Ab5y5kNYPh-1jWcn0QXyzQ_2J3OgsnnqhJg/s640-Ic42/IMG_8611.jpg)
We also broke out into smaller sessions, like Resiliency and OM, led by our friend Anne Marie, pictured below...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdIsWn6KWWX-ntUcwkFSMoRW_HwWrkVXVNwLq4frZI4JI-L2qB-s_vrC5IIoAwfwSfC7lrUVtmvlgMuq3rB9oujWfotF9r5fjjVL-VQ-wD296bsE_CbdhhNs6_8L0MrrtAeYKvhrN1-A/s640-Ic42/10626214_952182681544988_4865396412195633779_o.jpg)
...and even smaller peer-to-peer discussion groups. I led one on parenting, though I think people were a bit confused and seemed to think they were coming to my group for advice on how to deal with teenagers, when I was actually just leading a discussion/support group!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qFzAM9DEpah39VZ-h7MTwMRLv7akaqaaxqNQBF1_uoGTlj9KAPFhCZG8ui6DtTsCZqIHwKZlOttdRj6-P5_r39ixfRsgp1ciWtPPrzOH6snzfWotg-MqI1WzIZmLcRgi-2bfYTqKAv4/s640-Ic42/IMG_8653.jpg)
We stayed in the hotel where the conference was held. It was in Decatur, just a block away from the square. When the conference wasn't going on, Christopher and I explored a little!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnrO1jSnBvrkbH38CRZPc7VbYkV50SwrX6tF8hf136VrVXZMeESGjcv95uBx16hKBpGnYBzUeMPt_8QQS7kg5H3Z9Xv8-4875CTBt8OAkiOlxOc2sf2c0G7ZpP6_KIRZt024PXm_hCb0/s640-Ic42/IMG_8604.jpg)
My friend Laura had told me about the Brick Store Pub, where we ate delicious fish and chips shortly after settling in to the hotel.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5jkTh1NbVGlcy4Sk-EtMm0rxnoXd4SRRbcEp4SvFXxHvBz5ye4uz_V6uumFZRt3pEbgfLsBxLgVoNjlv0bjbVXmswfZ4mr8-rfp57U5Duzi6_26zfQByHnX3gn9r55zuvUAynzfZmd8/s640-Ic42/IMG_8592.jpg)
We discovered a little coffee shop nearby...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIeZCUSSnWxiy4lmRmVy4VKsisJlktRUMyXC7bY0hXI0ujhlqT4NhofTyKIRZj_ZbqO9112ng9pc2cBCBXQ0E9bezA9_iTbV_Vk5Q5wF4ZfungUo5Yv2X4RsLnYgZN2LMjdD1XU3SehQ/s640-Ic42/IMG_8601.jpg)
And Jeni's ice cream was just on the other side of the courthouse!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFyDW0z0K5e7Yra_wC7uGqDG-bcJntVuYEa5-FXDuM1ywqXJogmwYLJI9SyqSTzW7ozMJTt9mobYaKiwuXsFoYwfj0YrsO-EQaG8JFeXlobP5Q6eSpd3sRuRQ7ZuIM_3KNFVctd_zMtA/s640-Ic42/IMG_8645.jpg)
When we were at the airport for our flight home, we discovered that there was a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in the next terminal over from us. I have no shame in saying that I walked 30 minutes round-trip for an ice blended! There are six CBTL's in Austin but not a single one in Houston, so it isn't something I can run out and get any time I want one. This girl was excited!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXx8IF3HwNbQVIcZAujp-GUHdp0waZ2B0tnR5I11CEoLezUyzoRqjBeQ-ZKthX8zX0U7-Xk7DR8BxSgo165z6ReNNEGovGAng440VHatZSoi1sYjBTt8TdRDicv27yHiYHwuloVgfboo/s640-Ic42/IMG_8655.jpg)
We flew over the rodeo as we were landing in Houston, and I managed to capture what I thought turned out to be a pretty neat shot!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLTmxSf29sLfMwZsQ2ThdX1Fn9lgu_gPd_qJHb_h7R2vehU1vqSwM6FBUFLcB1iYsoF9h0xaNBo7SJf98mpvhlcc9QLG6my8uFOr71vXscmdVEy-3E-XCP0j2jHtinn3NZ3FtqazmanM/s640-Ic42/IMG_8664.jpg)
That about sums up our little trip! I enjoyed Georgia, though I was disappointed that it wasn't peach season. I think I'll have to go back! ;) I'll close with words from my British friend, Rob, when he shared about CURE OM's vision for our community.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65ARSNpKwWXxrILCnWr6l4RCdZ60FqAmT0m9n-LaiwTKnM69VjmdtULnFXotSAKmNed5IKzUbz3dgLmxHnt0qHgBWR1QFGQSW7jkdalfhmL_-LVEzJfQDaxxPjqYuTgPzksH2Y0PcSno/s640-Ic42/IMG_8624.jpg)
![Amy](http://butchewing.com/amuslovesbutch/signature.png)
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