September 28, 2019

It’s been awhile since my last update. I just didn’t have much to report until now… and that’s usually a good thing. No news is good news? Today, “news” is “good news”, I’m warning you:

I just had scans mid September, we had been waiting on some additional information. They had been watching a spot on my bile duct since last year, still there in June 2019 scans and this past scan in Sept. We had been pondering surgery recently, if it was “something” of concern. This week I had a PET scan to see if surgery was an option, as it would be an EXTREMELY risky surgery. I don’t think anyone has had their bile duct reconstructed a third time. Once, twice, three times a dead lady…

Anyway, the PET scan results came back and the meeting of “The Minds” (tumor board) occurred Thursday. It has been reported that my PET scan came back completely negative. THE GOOD NEGATIVE silly!! Nothing lit up. This is really good. This indicates that currently there is no “active disease”. Am I cured? No. Is there cancer anywhere? Who knows? This does not technically make me NED (no evidence of disease), but I’ll take it. Currently, whatever is on that duct is not active disease (could be scar tissue or something else) and liver lesions from last summer have shrunk and are also not lighting up. If this is confusing to you, I’m sorry, please reach out and I can explain better. Or, go directly to your fridge and get a drink of any kind and celebrate… ha.

In short, I’m doing great!! I’m beyond ecstatic to report this. I had (what we think was) reoccurrence last summer. I started chemo last July (2018) and have been sticking to that since. I think I reported last time that one drug was dropped in June for “good behavior”. With that one drug dropped (Vectibix or VectiBITCH, as I call it), I was able to enjoy my summer. It causes a bunch of skin issues, etc. You have to avoid heat (air and water: showers, hot tub, etc.) and sun, it’s just a real bitch sometimes for people. I didn’t have to deal with that this summer though, so it was nice… especially since we spent two weeks in Terrible Tahiti. JK. What an amazing experience that was. My favorite place we’ve visited to date. I was able to be outside, in the sun and swim in the ocean (the one drug break couldn’t have come at a better time). Here’s a few pics of the resort where we stayed and a little fish we caught and our tattoos we got in Mo’orea (my first-done traditionally: with a stick and a boars tusk). My tattoo is designed specifically for me (one of a kind). Part of the image is supposed to be me and it’s supposed to put all of the earth’s elements into harmony in order to generate healing and strength.

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I’ve picked up some new hobbies over the last year or so: leather working, some wood working, fly fishing, beekeeping, traveling, and there’s that old truck…

Beekeeping has kept me on my toes (literally). I guess you could say I got a little reckless or complacent (aka cocky). I was stung four times in less than a two week period, mainly out of stupidity and bad luck. Stepped on one bee-otch, no where near my hive. I was too lazy to put jeans on another day and the last time I was just “curious”, had to peak in before I went to the gym, but then second guessed myself and crushed a few bees lifting the lid. Needless to say, when you injure or kill them they release pheromones for their friends to attack, lol. That day I took a sting on the neck/jaw and finger wiping it away. Laziness and cockiness didn’t mix there. Ha. Otherwise, the experience was quite amazing and educational. My bees were actually quite docile. It was me, not them, if you know what I mean.

I was able to get Kimballs out to fly fish too, she actually did way better than I did and it was her first time. A natural… like Brat Pitt…

We also added this guy to our brood in May; he’s been a joy and a pain in the ass all the same. Recently, he tested his strength also. He suffered a pretty major complication after a surgery, but with 50/50 odds… I mean, we knew he’d be okay. Especially if I have lived THIS long with far worse statistics. Cute little guy pulled through, thank God.

I also got to spend some quality time with family over the summer, never enough of that. We had peeps from Florida and Canada and celebrated an early 70th with the Salls/Steevens out in Steamboat Springs. It’s been a fun summer.

On the flipside, this year has also been a very challenging one: losing friends I’ve met and made along the way, worrying about and ruling out “fake” spine mets, our beloved dogs having surgeries. We are reminded daily of how precious life is and to enjoy it. It’s unfortunate it sometimes takes an illness to open your eyes and allow you to embrace life. I am thankful for friends and family every day. Mostly, I’m thankful for Kim; she experiences the good and the bad, the highs and the lows. She spoils me with these amazing trips and splits her time with work and attending my treatments with no complaints, she’s just the best!!

I have been very lucky through all of this. I have watched others, who have not been so fortunate. I’m very grateful for where I am right now. I’m always so happy for others, when I hear they have been responding to treatments or they are doing well after surgery or just in general. On the flip side, for those who have passed, I think of them often and of their loved ones. It just makes me thankful for where I am and I am always happy to share my experiences or help others in any way that I can.

Tomorrow, I’ll be riding in Pedal the Cause for the third time (it was a last minute decision this week, as plans changed). I would have never thought I would be here again, four years later.

Cheers folks and I can’t thank you enough for all of your thoughts and prayers, clearly they are working!!!

ILM LR