tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12570101901202214532024-02-19T02:38:42.850-08:00the dude is the dad.....big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-49702347034107792622019-04-12T11:51:00.001-07:002019-04-12T12:05:56.085-07:00we don't talk about that.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
We don’t talk about Retirement.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
We don’t talk about Grandkids.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
We sometimes talk about weddings as a life goal, but not much.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
We don’t talk about beating cancer, because in my case that is not a thing.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
We try to live each day to the fullest extent in our power.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
We try to lean into treatment success.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
We try not to let other's stories dictate the narrative in ours.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
This is our story and it is still being written.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
I take pride in the way I have approached my disease.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
I take pride in the way that I defy my disease.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
I am proud of the fact that I inspire others.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
I am proud of my family and the manner that they have processed and managed this adversity.<br />
<br />
We live in the moment.<br />
We seize every opportunity.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
I think about what I want my legacy to be.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
What do I want to make sure my kids retain.</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Perseverance</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Fortitude</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Resilience</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Courage</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Grit<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2i721YmN1U0B57i5fFeoLLnNeqxpW4n5FhODxM9Bx_PPx_sGIoxCRSEaqdq4twTzF47Se3eRkuoVrEqGJ1IYcWd5iINWIogXBYqTlk9zoWZa_VTxMi3h-BRJ5ZfYMo_C-C5cdxcR-0mRx/s1600/fullsizeoutput_108.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="1600" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2i721YmN1U0B57i5fFeoLLnNeqxpW4n5FhODxM9Bx_PPx_sGIoxCRSEaqdq4twTzF47Se3eRkuoVrEqGJ1IYcWd5iINWIogXBYqTlk9zoWZa_VTxMi3h-BRJ5ZfYMo_C-C5cdxcR-0mRx/s640/fullsizeoutput_108.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com646tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-92179815760802463772019-02-24T12:40:00.000-08:002019-02-24T13:40:51.687-08:00Carry On Warrior<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3DNRsFkx6LlAX7TnWzVKv6wTJRl3fHhU5k6f0B5-5ju7sA8q-Sr0lGB9nbKXdJMfFKXj0Afm1rdvYXWVBGsHK7_jQU2xJGYWTDUhfXNLDOU_I-2PjqPVn9SrZuzuO6Ta7RuzC2I15RBl/s1600/52950168_10155854271060303_885977471705415680_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB3DNRsFkx6LlAX7TnWzVKv6wTJRl3fHhU5k6f0B5-5ju7sA8q-Sr0lGB9nbKXdJMfFKXj0Afm1rdvYXWVBGsHK7_jQU2xJGYWTDUhfXNLDOU_I-2PjqPVn9SrZuzuO6Ta7RuzC2I15RBl/s640/52950168_10155854271060303_885977471705415680_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The definition of fortitude is persevering into the face of adversity with courage.</b></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-f876ca3c-7fff-652e-d889-af0a7d251719" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My friend, brother, and fellow warrior Jason Baker passed away this past Wednesday.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was, by no means unexpected. He had been battling Metastatic Lung Cancer for several years and he went into hospice last week.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason and I were introduced to each other in October of 2016 by Kelly Fox.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He was freshly diagnosed with the exact same disease as I had been in May 2015. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kelly asked me if I could give him a call and perhaps provide some encouragement and possibly some direction in navigating his new landscape.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was 1.5 years into my cancer journey and at this point I had sorted out several key things.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I called Jason the same day. Not sure if we connected right away but I know we spoke to each other pretty soon after. I wasn’t totally sure what I was going to say to him but I figured I would follow my heart; maybe just tell him all the things I wished somebody had told me in the beginning of my journey.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We talked for about 40 minutes. He was still stunned. I’m sure some of the things I said blew right past him. I know personally my whole first month of diagnosis is a blur and I remember very little.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Something happened that day for me though.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was the first time I had personally spoken to another man going through exactly what I was going through, there was a comfort in that.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the first time since I was diagnosed I was talking to somebody who could truly understand how fucked this situation was. He had the ability to empathize more than any other person walking on this planet, and now we were “cancer buddies”.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I hung up the phone I felt like my conversation with Jason had been as beneficial to me as it may have been to him.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...And so began our friendship.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over the next couple of years there were lots of text messages and phone calls.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason always had a good attitude and despite many setbacks he never complained.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason was always “sicker” than I. He had a lot of problems with fluid build up on his lungs. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He had to use oxygen most of the time. Additionally, his treatment tore him up with side effects. But he didn’t complain. He just told me about them matter of factly, then we discussed ways to possibly mitigate them or to make things just a little better. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I prayed for things to take a turn for Jason. That significant turn never came.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had the honor of flying over to Great Falls a couple of years ago with brother Fox, specifically to pay Jason a visit. There he was in the flesh: Metallica T-shirt, scally cap, O2 tank. We had a great visit with Jason and we were both inspired and encouraged. There was comfort in hugging him and telling him that I loved him like the brother that he had become to me.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That visit was in the Winter of 2017 and it coincided with Senate Bill 72 being shot down by the Montana Legislature. I was eating breakfast with Jason when we got the news.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The disappointment at the table was palpable.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The fight for presumptive legislation was nothing new to Jason. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He had been fighting for the rights of firefighters for many years before his own cancer diagnosis.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It just hurt that much more with the current circumstances.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason had become a bit of a celebrity in the Great Falls area. He was known for his cancer diagnosis and for his efforts to help move presumptive legislation forward in Montana. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason was not able to be the beneficiary of that type of law like I was in Washington State. It is ironic that at the same time we lose Jason it looks very good for Senate Bill 160 to be passed into law. Almost exactly 2 years after that 2017 visit. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I really wish Jason would have lived long enough to see that.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 weeks ago I was invited to Helena to speak to Montana Firefighters about my story and to additionally meet lawmakers who would soon be voting on SB 160. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason was originally scheduled to present with me, but he was unable to because he wasn’t feeling well, in fact he was unable to attend at all. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here is the regretful part... </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I flew in and out to do the presentation; I was in</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Montana only 22 hours.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I should have driven to Great Falls and seen him. For fucks sakes I was right there.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But none of us knew how sick Jason was. It was only days later that he was admitted to the hospital and an MRI showed the cancer had spread to the fluid surrounding his brain, and into his cervical vertebrae. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There were no good treatment options except managing his pain and keeping him comfortable.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will have to live with that one.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I got the news about Jason last Wednesday morning.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was on a snowboarding trip in the Canadian Rockies. We were just starting our day at Revelstoke. In the first hour of our day I got several text messages from brothers and sisters inquiring about “how I was doing?” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Pretty fucking great!” was one response with a photo from inside the gondola. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eventually I got a text from Kelly Fox, the person who had introduced Jason and I. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Not sure if you heard yet, but Jason Baker passed away this am.” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I took the news in, and initially processed what I had just read.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now the text messages made sense. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They were probing, checking to see if I had heard. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m sure on the other end of things there was a bit of a scramble. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t think anybody wanted to be the person to tell me. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kelly was the right person.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I communicated the news to my ski partners.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I then stepped off of the Gondola to an amazing view of the Canadian Rockies.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I breathed in the cold, lung burning air and thanked God for such a glorious moment.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I 100% believe I was in the right spot to get the news: in the mountains under a glorious rocky mountain sky, with friends, finding my freedom and living life as hard as I possibly can.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The last time I spoke with Jason he seemed to be at peace. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In that moment on the mountain I was at peace as well. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I did not cry (although I am on the verge of tears right now). </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I did my heavy crying when Jason went into the hospital, when he went into hospice and when we spoke on the phone.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every phone conversation that Jason and I had ever had always was filled with “Warrior Talk”. Keep fighting, throat punches, fuck cancer, etc... until February 10th.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That night I spoke with a man who was no longer fighting, he had accepted that there were no other good treatment options. He had 100% confidence in his care team, and his new goal was to get well enough to be able to return to home hospice to live out his days.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That goal did not come to fruition. Jason’s condition required a higher level of care than was able to be delivered at home. His family didn’t need to be running around being caregivers. They needed to focus on being with Jason, saying the things that needed to be said and “just being”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This was hands down one of the hardest conversations I have ever had.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We both cried, we told each other that we loved each other.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason had dignity above all else. He was showing me how its done.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eventually it will be my time, I want to be as settled as Jason when I arrive there.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Life circumstances kept me from immediately traveling to Montana when Jason went into the hospital but my initial emotional response was to go right away.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There were work responsibilities, as well as a snowstorm that paralyzed the area.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then there was a family ski trip on the books and also my Canadian Rockies Odyssey.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I knew Jason would have been pissed if I had cancelled either ski trip to come to Montana.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My plan was to return to Seattle from Canada on Friday the 22nd and I would be on a plane the next morning to Great Falls to see him on the 23rd.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason succumbed before that plan could be executed.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have to believe that It worked out the way it was supposed to.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason wouldn’t want me second guessing myself.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason’s memorial service is next Tuesday.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will not be attending. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I need to guard my own heart, it’s just too close.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Too many parallels.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No disrespect, just can’t do it. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would be reeling for weeks.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason would understand, in fact he would probably tell me to go do something that feeds my soul and touches my version of freedom instead.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I communicated with Jill about this and she, Peyton and Porter completely understand. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m sure all of Jason’s brothers and sisters understand as well</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In closing I want to be clear.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason did not lose the fight.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cancer doesn’t give a fuck how hard you fight.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is an indiscriminate bastard who eventually takes what he wants.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People like Jason and I, and the 250,000 newly diagnosied with lung cancer every year, </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">need to place hope that funding and research will continue to chip away at the power of lung cancer and eventually crush it.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason was a warrior. He wore it proudly with the tattoo that Peyton designed.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He approached this with courage, class, and dignity.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason Baker leaves behind a legacy.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His legacy is in every person that he touched.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am a better man having known him.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Jason didn’t die with regrets because he said what needed to be said and lived honestly. He didn’t have unfinished business and told a nurse who asked him what he wanted to have done, “I’ve done it.” He only held on as long as he did to be with his loved ones. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During his last two years, Jason said that as a firefighter one of the strengths he developed is being able to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. He knew courage can look like running into a burning building, but it also can look like getting up every day and fighting cancer. Courage can be continuing treatments that are painful and sickening. Courage can be taking another ride on the motorcycle or grilling dinner for your kids when all you want to do is collapse.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11.5pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Jason Robert Baker Obituary</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SB 160 should be renamed “The Baker Bill”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am a Warrior</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am a Thrivor</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am the Exception</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I Choose the Miracle</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prayer requests are for Jason's friends and family.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdQjU3O8XRoJIAqRyt_rn3D5tLiLNhxQHU4BI8F8_PJPf3ORsd94tAkhdcsj8oxUi5lsLqOAebMUVpCl8tf4_zsPPx5uB29z8Rb7gd4mHI4nAodWKuHtOlacs5JEEUo7W2hfdi8AWECxg/s1600/51716698_10155669460962581_7383658306402779136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdQjU3O8XRoJIAqRyt_rn3D5tLiLNhxQHU4BI8F8_PJPf3ORsd94tAkhdcsj8oxUi5lsLqOAebMUVpCl8tf4_zsPPx5uB29z8Rb7gd4mHI4nAodWKuHtOlacs5JEEUo7W2hfdi8AWECxg/s640/51716698_10155669460962581_7383658306402779136_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0oxWVqsPCSEusB0vlOuzNnHIzMyKRKo2q91wnyeyfmG5bqe27-Q4rhGJkBlAG5J_yq-DJfwBNpzTyo2N3gvvfDWL98hjBNco9RUc5t8f6oJ4R2mKrfDlWG0KRerKK9C7PvwlLjj0vUzf/s1600/IMG_8171.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="740" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0oxWVqsPCSEusB0vlOuzNnHIzMyKRKo2q91wnyeyfmG5bqe27-Q4rhGJkBlAG5J_yq-DJfwBNpzTyo2N3gvvfDWL98hjBNco9RUc5t8f6oJ4R2mKrfDlWG0KRerKK9C7PvwlLjj0vUzf/s640/IMG_8171.PNG" width="294" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.399999618530273px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="font-family: -webkit-standard;" /></div>
</div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-13954130406125285782019-02-02T22:18:00.000-08:002019-02-04T17:57:41.209-08:00Freedom.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Freedom is located somewhere outside the box.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> -Warren Miller</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Freedom means many different things to people.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To me it used to be associated with pushing my body to its limits.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was always trying to find a new challenge or a new way to push myself.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was alway inventing some ridiculous shit to do, just for the sake of doing it.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">n February 2019 it means something completely different. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">3.5 years into my battle with metastatic lung cancer freedom is ONE THING: </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Anytime that I am physically or mentally free of the oppression of cancer.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Physically, The absolute '</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>most free</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">' I ever feel is in the water. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since my diagnosis I have had the good fortune to travel to both Mexico and Hawaii.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In both cases my primary activity was snorkeling. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is no weight of cancer in the water, I am free to float with the current.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If I am lucky I am swimming with a turtle or 2.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I literally could stay in the water all day.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On land, In the summer, it’s on a mountain bike. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is a NEW mountain bike as my old bikes are not accessible anymore. I can’t push my body like I used to do. Now I get a little help from an Ebike, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My new ride is a badass <a href="http://www.konaworld.com/remote_ctrl.cfm">Kona Remote Control</a><span id="goog_1375005194"></span><span id="goog_1375005195"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But....when we get to the top and the trail points downhill, I am back in the game.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am rolling the trail with my buddies not missing a beat.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Almost like I don’t have cancer, and it feeds me, it drives me.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winter time brings my favorite activity of all, snowboarding.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This too, has changed for me. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prior to my diagnosis, backcountry snowboarding was my real passion. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Going where others are not willing to put in the effort, getting those fresh track, the deep powder. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I no longer have the physical capacity to do those epics. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Typically a chairlift or a snowcat will get me where I need to go. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I still push, I still strive for the powder, and sometimes that takes a little work. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every once in awhile I step outside the ropes and push that edge a little. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It feels good to work for it. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you haven’t done it that way, it may be hard to understand</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know that everybody loves a powder day, but for me it is so much more special. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The feeling of floating down a bowl or a really good tree glade with a fresh dump of powder is such a thrill and and a rush, I soak up every second of it, I live that moment as hard as I can.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I truly and fully forget that I have cancer during those moments.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Occupying my mind when I am not in the outdoors is a different story.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being a cancer patient is a full time job. I always have to be on top of my game: Monitoring my bodies’ response to treatment, researching next steps, always trying to be one step ahead of the insidious beast inside.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Music, that is an escape for me.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It has always been a part of my life.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I was young, an older cousin lived with our family for awhile.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This exposed me to music that no ordinary 8 year old would normally hear.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, KISS, The Eagles, Thin Lizzy, etc.....</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know right? WTF!!??</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But music became a part of me, and that continued through my whole life.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Significant moments in time are marked by songs and artists.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes when I hear a certain song I am instantly taken back to a moment in time.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have used music to help me to escape the oppression of cancer.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A summer evening on the hammock listening to some of my favorite music is pure heaven, and doesn’t happen near enough. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love to hear live music and I have been fortunate enough since my diagnosis to see many of my favorite bands.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One moment that stands out was last summer when I was seeing the Foo Fighters in Fenway. Midway though the set, a summer thunderstorm rolled through and dumped rain almost as hard as it could possibly rain, puddles formed, people looked for cover. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But not me…..</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was like heaven, and that memory is etched in my mind forever.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That was a freedom moment.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The purpose of this essay is to encourage my brothers and sisters in the fight to find their freedom. Return to those things that you loved before cancer, modify if you have to, but find your freedom moments. Live the moment.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s out there, maybe just a little outside the box.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-rjpDBOSosgIt0kfeK9UGPfm-QvkEtDI5Rl-l1h_h2LX67sI7BBSb_26ovo9zAgmC0cVWNVxhZvs7uAymw4nFvadwVd0hlAvjcqCpqgh1-tUX2_YcSS0y5H4DiE59yjsX77XvjZ3VKTy/s1600/IMG_1563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-rjpDBOSosgIt0kfeK9UGPfm-QvkEtDI5Rl-l1h_h2LX67sI7BBSb_26ovo9zAgmC0cVWNVxhZvs7uAymw4nFvadwVd0hlAvjcqCpqgh1-tUX2_YcSS0y5H4DiE59yjsX77XvjZ3VKTy/s640/IMG_1563.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking outside the box, like Warren would have liked.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NBKHVAc_bNsBVc5Y8-b4J7CtdLELJloQ3q5OIRDb4xkmNQ_WlkC9X5UhTdDBtV5iAHpFKkO01_dPxSmKgNo8oyn5LG6htYC-jOopJqBwsm_9eYmPSNanlkKBUQMk32DeBCLsRGcnwuYz/s1600/IMG_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NBKHVAc_bNsBVc5Y8-b4J7CtdLELJloQ3q5OIRDb4xkmNQ_WlkC9X5UhTdDBtV5iAHpFKkO01_dPxSmKgNo8oyn5LG6htYC-jOopJqBwsm_9eYmPSNanlkKBUQMk32DeBCLsRGcnwuYz/s640/IMG_0168.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSzDvhKGfvH3hyphenhyphenKMn84bWLTVh6Y1JbhRPas0vdYSRlZQEIdLlBQgNRlZGlCJvnJ0qM8fgpT3j77S4OUTweAfSEKpoUwY-ZSaIMuV1D8FxyTGxohc-3JNGlVGiObvetLEF5qLIajIjN1Kz/s1600/dsc06928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSzDvhKGfvH3hyphenhyphenKMn84bWLTVh6Y1JbhRPas0vdYSRlZQEIdLlBQgNRlZGlCJvnJ0qM8fgpT3j77S4OUTweAfSEKpoUwY-ZSaIMuV1D8FxyTGxohc-3JNGlVGiObvetLEF5qLIajIjN1Kz/s640/dsc06928.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was almost born on two wheels.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSU8ylbvwFZ2lKSNN65TXNkXyypuz51JaFVQ78_fgr-cuV8GqNjDw3RbMxXwwpr0QdAHUlQLR0eAA0q5fkzLPogPILgaiGxw4aEV8kITU4SSjkRmdIic-gcTKZ33DkiLK7RFdiGBQ9RGj_/s1600/01_05_2019_cat_1_baldface_loadge_jessika_hunter_photo-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSU8ylbvwFZ2lKSNN65TXNkXyypuz51JaFVQ78_fgr-cuV8GqNjDw3RbMxXwwpr0QdAHUlQLR0eAA0q5fkzLPogPILgaiGxw4aEV8kITU4SSjkRmdIic-gcTKZ33DkiLK7RFdiGBQ9RGj_/s640/01_05_2019_cat_1_baldface_loadge_jessika_hunter_photo-22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahhh powder, sending it!!!<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQq81oF4akMXFt2iVAsnArq6a0andsBsjRQujloLwtsUUuBrQZ8MYtWkcaKLKEpr7RFh-L1SO_Ycbc4J_cm44MZlXCaiw292ZqxWBBIuaTHxgfkatudVO5KG500mowY498JkzmJVG0_ezs/s1600/IMG_6010.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQq81oF4akMXFt2iVAsnArq6a0andsBsjRQujloLwtsUUuBrQZ8MYtWkcaKLKEpr7RFh-L1SO_Ycbc4J_cm44MZlXCaiw292ZqxWBBIuaTHxgfkatudVO5KG500mowY498JkzmJVG0_ezs/s640/IMG_6010.HEIC" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of that musical freedom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfwbHemAPBVjoXZvcIxJReljTmiO_pRUdb5ngCNPa96uyNPkuYKMXtR8zIKWAWP4PiFRs_fBNuXGNe0HRGR7-kSQMWAw6Ije_bPymYBgyr7HQiHo3eTPyuNGfyQGn8Ix0MQJeH027zsEN/s1600/IMG_1178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="960" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfwbHemAPBVjoXZvcIxJReljTmiO_pRUdb5ngCNPa96uyNPkuYKMXtR8zIKWAWP4PiFRs_fBNuXGNe0HRGR7-kSQMWAw6Ije_bPymYBgyr7HQiHo3eTPyuNGfyQGn8Ix0MQJeH027zsEN/s640/IMG_1178.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had the good fortune of having a friendship with Warren. I spent many mornings over breakfast at Rose's Cafe listening to stories, and having wisdom and inspiration imparted on me. Those conversations helped me develop my own sense of freedom and were the seeds for the freedom expressed in this essay.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-bc5e0f40-7fff-4ff0-1bbb-1088e25ecc94"><br /></span></div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-7012064733461248922018-12-26T22:45:00.002-08:002018-12-26T22:53:29.727-08:00Breathing Room....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-4059c36d-7fff-67dd-dd9a-65fc12a37047" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.284; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The much anticipated December 17th scan has come and gone</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The results were good and a great sense of relief has fallen upon
my family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Our lives since October 10<sup>th</sup> have been a roller
coaster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">To my family it felt like initial diagnosis <i>all over again</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It felt like that to me as well, but at this point in the game, I
have built up a robust cancer support network that I didn’t have in May of
2015.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">After the initial shock of progression and brain METS I was able
to access my network for guidance and support in the next steps. We had a
game plan in place but I was also able to talk to people who have actually had
to implement that same game plan. They were able to give me a heads up on what
was coming my way next and it was priceless. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br />
This network included experts in my specific type of cancer that I have seen
for second opinions in the last 3 years; this included Dr.<a href="http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/departments/medicine/MedicalOncology/faculty/Pages/DRossCamidge,MD.aspx" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span><span style="color: #1155cc;">Ross
Camidge</span></a> in Denver and Dr.<a href="https://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/doctor.aspx?id=17279" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span><span style="color: #1155cc;">Alice
Shaw</span></a> in Boston. I emailed both of them about the progression
and some difficulties I was having with the new medication (Loralatinib); these
2 Dr’s have more experience with this drug than all others IN THE WORLD,
combined. Alice replied to my email within an hour and Ross wasn’t too far
behind. They gave me incredible feedbackthat I was able to pass on to my care
team at SCCA (there are only 13 ROS1 patients at SCCA in the clinical trial). <br />
<br />
I was able to talk to my friend<a href="https://outlivinglungcancer.com/2018/12/18/threading-the-needle/?fbclid=IwAR0xUTJUJaVz7r2ZkPOY6l6vj9l-966EI6Rm8a8eZi90unirZtHyUXV13Pk" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span><span style="color: #1155cc;">Linnea</span></a>
who was patient #6 in the initial clinical trial for Loralatinib. She was able
to talk me through side effects first person; giving me guidance with management
and set my mind at ease. My friend Kirk Smith reached out and set my mind at
ease about the prospect of radiation to my brain and the difficulties with
targeted therapies: been there done that, got a whole bunch of t-shirts.
Aimee Parker took my call and gave me her firsthand experience with <a href="https://www.firstdaytoncyberknife.com/dr_hughes_blog/cyber-knife-really-is-better-for-brain-metastasis/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc;">cyber-knife
brain radiation</span></a>, which is a big deal but not THAT big of a deal, she
reassured me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The other part of this cancer network is my tribe from<a href="http://thedudeisthedad.blogspot.com/2018/11/i-went-to-peru-emotionally-tortured.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span><span style="color: #1155cc;">Peru</span></a>.
Brothers and sisters that I spent 2 weeks with in November as I worked on
reshaping my life after a cancer diagnosis.There is a whole lotta goodness in
my tribe, many of them have been to hell and back and some are still
occasionally visiting it and in the battle still. Phone calls, face
times, text messages, encouragement from every type of media and communication
delivery. Last Monday when I went in for my scans I was accompanied by Regina
and my soul sister from Peru Cheryl Weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She is family and she belonged there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">So what do I do moving forward?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I have taken a pretty large chunk of time off from work while we
have been dealing with all of this. I never really took any extended time off
upon initial diagnosis. I was too busy trying to keep everything “<i>normal</i>”
for my family. I only took the time off I needed for diagnostic tests and
treatment. This time around, I tried to come back- but the emotional impact of
the situation, and a battle with side effects from the new medication -
indicated some time for emotional healing, self care, and sorting out life in
general was in order. I will return to work sometime around January 9th,
recharged and ready to go.My brothers and sisters at OFD have been kind and
generous in allowing me to do this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">There is still the powerful side effects from Loralatinib to deal
with. My first bout was with psychoactive effects and adverse drug
interactions. We had to do a brief hold on the drug for 4 days to wash out and
restart. We sorted that out and I thought I was home free and back on 100mg. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Then the nighttime neuropathy set in sometime around November
14th. My hands go numb at night and they throb and burn. We tried
pharmaceutical intervention, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, etc. In the
end after 3 weeks of only sleeping on 2-3 hours at a time we stopped the
medication for a week. I was getting so run down from lack of sleep that I was
becoming susceptible getting sick otherwise, and I don’t need that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br />
My body was at war with the agent that it needed, to kill the cancer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Anytime I am not actively doing something to kill cancer, I am
stressed out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">After a few days I made peace with it and relaxed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">After a week the symptoms lessened to the point that I could
sleep. We restarted at 50mg. <br />
The symptoms have returned but not as severe. I am able to get pretty
reasonable sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br />
But here is the thing.... the scan shows that Loralatinib is working. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It is NOT at war with my body. <br />
We are indeed working TOGETHER to kill the cancer. <br />
My lens is a little different after the scan results.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I have to find a way to work with the drug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">There is a give and take, we are partners, and as in any
relationship it takes time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">So we will continue to work together, we will sort it out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Perhaps I will be a little more tolerant of shorter nights because
of neuropathy, and maybe eventually as my body adjusts, things will settle
down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Anyways...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br />
The Browns are set to have a happy and joyous holiday season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Lots of time in the mountains and with family and friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">We are going to live the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Can’t change the past, no reason to stress about the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Get busy livin' or get busy dyin'...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">3 months till the next scan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Breathing room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br />
I am a Warrior.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I am a Thrivor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I am the Exception.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I choose the Miracle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br />
<b><i>Prayer requests:</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Loralatinib continues to be effective against the cancer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Neuropathy goes away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Restful sleep and peace for my whole family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br />
Jim<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">#holdfast<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="375">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:.5in .5in .5in .5in;
mso-header-margin:0in;
mso-footer-margin:0in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><img height="478" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/DAlrbljcVfxozAioRhzkna0RxtAuaD5m5nhdwHpvva0pxd4E4RKVb7LN1CXVIyBwtamfz4gyMqre3n9YkRLXPmSdC98o-AbY4TbaO53YjeOqYU9zO6jKHDTLxaxU_tjGj-D9qHIp" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="640" /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-63541685431615525472018-11-21T20:17:00.000-08:002018-11-21T20:22:30.291-08:00Peru changed my life....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_soHBDzMe5ey9JrR8OG3lBc5vvr9llr8Wbe3vowa8a1hB50-1WWBDwrhhunPEsAFwJJYvrr4rk5bjxGgCwCAcSFFlj31lcXLdKsj7htmQdjzew_iHF23SRLQw3eaur5VblC5ZSvCzn6j/s1600/IMG_5271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_soHBDzMe5ey9JrR8OG3lBc5vvr9llr8Wbe3vowa8a1hB50-1WWBDwrhhunPEsAFwJJYvrr4rk5bjxGgCwCAcSFFlj31lcXLdKsj7htmQdjzew_iHF23SRLQw3eaur5VblC5ZSvCzn6j/s640/IMG_5271.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went to Peru emotionally tortured, this guy came back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10pt;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10pt;"><b>My trip to Peru changed my life.</b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10.0pt;">
<span style="background: white;">If you run into me in person upon my return, I
think you will see a difference in me, some have said it is in my eyes, some
will say its in my energy.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">For a guy who has METS to his brain recently,
I’m pretty dammed upbeat.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">There is a reason for that.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">After a messy 2 weeks on the trial drug, the
final decision by my medical team was made on Friday Nov 2 at noon. I STARTED packing at 4pm.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I got on the plane that night, loaded up with
enough anti-anxiety medications to chill out a horse. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">Whatever it was gonna
take to get on that plane.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Regina had loaded a movie onto my IPad called
“<a href="https://youtu.be/hc45-ptHMxo"><b>The Mask You Live In</b></a>”she asked me to watch it. <br />I did, and I was sucked in hard, I
took notes on my phone feverishly. <br />Essentially it goes after the whole notion
of <b><i>toxic masculinity</i></b> and the mask that we wear as a result of it.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">One of the key points that I walked away with
was that it was <b>ok to be vulnerable</b>.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">3.5 years ago when I was diagnosed with cancer I
drove with Isabella down to Salem Oregon. We went to hear <a href="https://marcusluttrell.com/"><b>Marcus Luttrell</b> </a>(Lone Survivor) speak. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="background: white;"><b>He said </b>“<i>Being scared Paralyzes you, fear makes
you sharp</i>.”</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I bought that that shit hook line and sinker.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;"><br />Guess what!!!! Having cancer in your body and
your brain is FUCKING Scary.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Really fucking scary.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Badass Mother Fuckers don’t get scared.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">That is what I have been telling myself....</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">And this whole time I haven’t allowed myself to
be scared.</span><br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue";"><span style="background: white;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Watch the movie</span><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13.3333px;">“</span><a href="https://youtu.be/hc45-ptHMxo" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>The Mask You Live In</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13.3333px;">”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">It moved me.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">It will move you.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">If you want some of what I have got going these
days, I strongly suggest that you check it out.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">So I landed in Lima and I took off the Bad Ass
Mother Fucker Mask.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I didn’t lead with the normal things that I lead
with.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">No hard edge, although the tattoos on my hands
arrived first, I set people at ease.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Yup the tattoos were part of my mask, and they
are permanent, but as I learned from some of my new friends, people can look
past those things and see me.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">So I led with Kindness.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I led with Openness.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I led with Vulnerability.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I led with Humor.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I led with Humility.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Guess what? People liked that guy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Terri Wingham and the staff of<b> <a href="https://afreshchapter.com/">A Fresh Chapter</a></b> have put together a brilliant program for cancer survivors and patients to help
emotionally rebuild themselves. </span><span style="background: white;">Doses of humility are strong and frequent
between our volunteer assignments and the life experiences of our fellow tribe
members. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">During the first week we went to our volunteer
assignments in the morning.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">My assignment at a preschool in a barrio blew me
away and I was humbled.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">In the afternoons and evenings the facilitators
led us on exercises that were designed to help us unpack the emotional baggage
that we carried. Some predating our cancer experiences. Every single
one of us has demons lurking in the closest that we were to face head on.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">It was emotional.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">It was rough.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">We called it “<i>The Crying Game.</i>”</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">One of these exercises involved us collecting
some of the baggage that we carried that either no longer served us or was
actually harmful.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Those pieces of baggage were written down on a
piece of paper and one by one we each walked to the fire and threw that baggage
into the fire.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="background: white;"><b>Here is what Jim Brown burned</b>.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Guilt</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Resistance to Spirituality</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Numbing with substance abuse.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Shutting down emotionally.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The idea that I am a Fraud.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Damn, dat shit felt good.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Over the first weekend we went on an amazing
trip into the Andes mountains.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Friendships that had been developing over the
week deepened with flights, bus rides, meals together, quiet talks in the
courtyard, and shared amazing experiences.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">We saw big mountains, green valleys, and we met
amazing people living a humble life. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="background: white;">And then we went to Machu Picchu and once
again I was humbled.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I stood in awe, I couldn’t believe I was there,
the dream had been realized.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The air was sweet and I sucked in as much as I
possibly could.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I wanted that pure sweet air to reach every cell
in my body, I wanted it to heal me.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I believe in my heart that it was healing me.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I believe God was healing me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">After a really great weekend in the mountains we
returned to Lima.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">One of the activities that we did was visit the
<a href="https://www.rmhc.org/"><b>Ronald McDonald House</b></a>.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Once again brilliant planning and programming by
Terri and her staff.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">If you want to seek out and possibly volunteer
somewhere in your community, take a look and see if an opportunity exists to to
volunteer at a local RMD House.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Programming for the week focused on helping us
shape what the future looks like and how we can build it and perhaps have an
impact with our story.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;"><b>Our Hero’s Journey</b>.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I started writing a piece called: “<b><i>The things I
fell in love with last weekend</i></b>”.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The idea is <a href="https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/10/i-have-fallen-in-love-623-times-this-year/"><b>based on a piece of writing</b></a> that Regina had sent
with me about falling in love with people, places, and experiences.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Over the weekend I had very purposefully tried
to live in the moment.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">To soak it up and breath it in.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">And I fell in love with some stuff and some
people.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">In a stream of consciousness I started listing out things to write about.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">My pen was just doing its thing.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I had made a list and it included specific
people and places.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I looked at the list and I was stunned at what I
had written as the last item.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Myself.....I had fallen in love with myself.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">What? I know it’s kinda weird and it sounds
egotistical.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">But it’s not, its the opposite of egotistical.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">You see I have a saying.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">“<i>Jim Brown, no grey area, you either love him or
you hate him</i>.”</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Well I have spent the large majority of my life
hating him.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">This probably might not make sense to a lot of
you because from the outside I think it probably looks like I have my shit
together.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Well....It actually is pretty together but not
in my own eyes.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">And that is why I have worn the mask for so many
years.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The thing that really destroyed me the morning
that I wrote those words in that journal is that it took the adversity of
cancer for me to come to that realization.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Not just a cancer diagnosis 3.5 years ago, no
that wasn’t enough.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">It took cancer spreading to my brain for my
world to be rocked hard enough to put me in this place. That was a hard truth
to face.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">But I threw guilt into that fire, so I m gonna
embrace this.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">I am changed.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10pt;">now feel like a wall has been knocked down
and that I can love those the closest to me in the way that they need and
deserve, the way it should have always been.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10.0pt;">
<span style="background: white;">I shared the piece of writing that I did with
Bella.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I see me in her, I see how hard she is on
herself.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I want to stop the cycle.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Watch the movie, it is what kicked off my
journey of discovery.</span><br />
</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 13.3333px;">“</span><a href="https://youtu.be/hc45-ptHMxo" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13.3333px;"><b>The Mask You Live In</b></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue";"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.3333px;">"</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">You don’t need to get cancer and go to Peru to
find the truth about yourself.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">So that might have not been what you thought you
were coming here to read.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">I am good.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I am really good.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I hope we run into each other so you can see it
in my eyes and I can tell you about it in person.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Next scan is in a month.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Brain MRI</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Chest, Abdomen, Pelvis CT Scan</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">It’s gonna be ok.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">I am a Warrior.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I am a Thrivor.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I am the Exception.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">I choose the Miracle.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">Prayer requests:</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Loralatinib reverses the progression of disease
in my brain and bones.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Peace for my family.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Grace from God.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;"><a href="https://www.theholdfastproject.org/"><b>Hold Fast</b></a></span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Jim</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jgmyBKHxy9_gF7u4LGS-mCIXxoSwig0bYK4Dkm4dlkP-1MS1L1JQJAYCuq3Rid0ehX-_oXjcYLL6-BfOv-KcjJytDDHn80XtKfvFwxgmWin43zgJ-uljbYwz1CPVp0Ce1xJdsMm4-y_y/s1600/IMG_5093.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jgmyBKHxy9_gF7u4LGS-mCIXxoSwig0bYK4Dkm4dlkP-1MS1L1JQJAYCuq3Rid0ehX-_oXjcYLL6-BfOv-KcjJytDDHn80XtKfvFwxgmWin43zgJ-uljbYwz1CPVp0Ce1xJdsMm4-y_y/s640/IMG_5093.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Machu Picchu Pano game was on point with a costume change</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfeLSZdfUq84cmXvJWfiJGrIO0HYTcMpuGuMhrW6ES1o3WPudkQZxJDI-BMMUjoUMApo1pjXLlMKrsSnuwptRB44F8UO0CD2hI3cLMeNlTqKwAzBz8h8ljUuKll2RSVySbCc3hHm1XX2x/s1600/IMG_4564.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1497" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfeLSZdfUq84cmXvJWfiJGrIO0HYTcMpuGuMhrW6ES1o3WPudkQZxJDI-BMMUjoUMApo1pjXLlMKrsSnuwptRB44F8UO0CD2hI3cLMeNlTqKwAzBz8h8ljUuKll2RSVySbCc3hHm1XX2x/s640/IMG_4564.jpeg" width="598" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud of myself for getting it together and making it there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Gi6o75l4_ydyWbqSPef71n-uvyOi21mF6bBiFRuYFhm3mcDAJDlWQKSTvzWudNP5UIYKonsf0eh3CvmOORH_C36CyXd1da439KD0AShG89HhHWPVtRfIwIKx7XgtkVAW1C_YiA3twgON/s1600/IMG_5378.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Gi6o75l4_ydyWbqSPef71n-uvyOi21mF6bBiFRuYFhm3mcDAJDlWQKSTvzWudNP5UIYKonsf0eh3CvmOORH_C36CyXd1da439KD0AShG89HhHWPVtRfIwIKx7XgtkVAW1C_YiA3twgON/s640/IMG_5378.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Legal "Tag" in Lima </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90XbZm7UIqb4oHfzUQrxQOzZnyvN2fLRpwlXXKa617DglrkjJ-46PIzCMiJbFYHgd3S68l5oIXRxbpK423v2UScPoz3qOWqW5R1Dj04nrE1kT-qw6we02BgbSWKbK8jV082GijDn2ndum/s1600/IMG_5272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90XbZm7UIqb4oHfzUQrxQOzZnyvN2fLRpwlXXKa617DglrkjJ-46PIzCMiJbFYHgd3S68l5oIXRxbpK423v2UScPoz3qOWqW5R1Dj04nrE1kT-qw6we02BgbSWKbK8jV082GijDn2ndum/s640/IMG_5272.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dat shit I threw into the fire.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpArasPrg5R4aS2s-va0GuIelQvG9bif5Vucgf3nqceb9VPQ-L52m2vEslnHPTpn2o1_F84EOjPeQr7A3o0c0s77nz1Zpdch4pdWspJOyQbfhFmDzsv1rl6173C9t2GueJJOqgCryQW9Ei/s1600/IMG_4798.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1509" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpArasPrg5R4aS2s-va0GuIelQvG9bif5Vucgf3nqceb9VPQ-L52m2vEslnHPTpn2o1_F84EOjPeQr7A3o0c0s77nz1Zpdch4pdWspJOyQbfhFmDzsv1rl6173C9t2GueJJOqgCryQW9Ei/s640/IMG_4798.jpeg" width="602" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bringing the "Bro" to the people<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkZ5d_gXcuQSlo6C2KorctBcG1jQ1LJQ_x2uFLUypTTGqymSC_5_deoJxorxPBv5IPpld06dIUn98EHMxdRidzfwrPTA8WdCMttF5Weeg_AoPP_iC2sgBnh1050PpanvUvzPgiYKmYLBC/s1600/IMG_4625.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="1600" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkZ5d_gXcuQSlo6C2KorctBcG1jQ1LJQ_x2uFLUypTTGqymSC_5_deoJxorxPBv5IPpld06dIUn98EHMxdRidzfwrPTA8WdCMttF5Weeg_AoPP_iC2sgBnh1050PpanvUvzPgiYKmYLBC/s640/IMG_4625.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunsets on my 51st birthday November 7 in Lima</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Helvetica Neue";
panose-1:2 0 5 3 0 0 0 2 0 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-452984065 1342208475 16 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:.5in .5in .5in .5in;
mso-header-margin:0in;
mso-footer-margin:0in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-45775479198249761432018-10-31T23:09:00.000-07:002018-11-01T07:47:52.190-07:00Shit got real again...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">“There is a fine line between confidence and cockiness.”</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>-Some Asshole 2004</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">I may have been that asshole.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">The point of the quote, is that sometimes in some situations you have to exude and possess so much confidence to complete the task, that you rub up against that NOT “super clear” line.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">It served me well in the Coast Guard, the fire service, and in my athletic career.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Well... I applied a similar approach to my battle to be a Lung Cancer Survivor. </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Thus far it has served me well.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">When I coached cycling, I taught the kids to master the things that they have control over, then when something comes along out of their control, they will have the skill, confidence, and a plan to deal with the situation with a cool level head.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Engage your own advice Jim Brown.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Because its time to get back in the race and focus just like you have done so many times in your life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkeqkPhTSiTIYw2F1QWMBZZDEuT7pDr-pBD5xNPFNzuZQh9QFfv2ZdwO7-mXPu9S3J0iCvmHM13KH-KaLk4amLL7wiBfnHXWm3emgyts4BmwcsuB6rkAYpNQ2a6TaXVwXtVMPl4Kdqjqh/s1600/fullsizeoutput_5cfb.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1518" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkeqkPhTSiTIYw2F1QWMBZZDEuT7pDr-pBD5xNPFNzuZQh9QFfv2ZdwO7-mXPu9S3J0iCvmHM13KH-KaLk4amLL7wiBfnHXWm3emgyts4BmwcsuB6rkAYpNQ2a6TaXVwXtVMPl4Kdqjqh/s640/fullsizeoutput_5cfb.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><b>This is how it went down:</b></span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">On October 10th I had routine scans done for cancer surveillance:</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"> Brain MRI (9 month cycle) | Chest CT Scan (every 3 months)</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Here comes the cocky part.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">10 days before the scan I told Regina that she didn’t need to come with me. <br />She had somewhat of a conflict and I assured her that “everything is gonna be fine". </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">But that cockiness faded as the scan grew closer and that familiar foe “<i>scanxeity</i>” creeped in and ebbed away at the confidence.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">I became pretty unsettled in the 48 hours preceding the scan, people around me sensed it. Regina threw down the gauntlet and said there was no way she was missing the scan and its results. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Dat shit didn't go so good.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HVjW8yS4cgEEqcKX3Yh1skaHzD8aeePfw2YZ3aC0p1liSE8d42Vhmpvb3OE3d7D76209bGMOlisxAyTwMBacztF-ryjO2g6OI_3Soc7bu0hMq_m6GSvrURAcRyabkREt_iYpfcjb4iha/s1600/results.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HVjW8yS4cgEEqcKX3Yh1skaHzD8aeePfw2YZ3aC0p1liSE8d42Vhmpvb3OE3d7D76209bGMOlisxAyTwMBacztF-ryjO2g6OI_3Soc7bu0hMq_m6GSvrURAcRyabkREt_iYpfcjb4iha/s640/results.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Medical Mumbo Jumbo is above.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">The more lay-term friendly explanation is:</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">There is evidence of cancer in my brain (2 confirmed spots).</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">There is cancer in my right 6th rib and it has eaten a 2-3 cm hole in the bone.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Fucking game changer.</span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">There is just something about that evidence of <i>'cancer in the brain</i>' part that changes things so much for those who have heard those words.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">It doesn't matter how <b>MUCH</b> Cancer there is, just that there <b>IS </b>Cancer there.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">I have had clean scans since April 2017. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">That progression was limited to 1 Lymph node in my chest and it was pretty minimal. </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">This is when I started Xalkori (2nd line of treatment).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKskNFIhLvFmxdFFnRH2TMR83dlWgoWmqx8Mh1x6lkhzUHOnxrU2kf2tXsNsI1uiUsfaC24Ky66I0ySlsMVdo3NYWyxHg8ujnAPqMs3aivtgVrlw8mu7zbrBhkIsmIWbcv5zHIuwP6AhPf/s1600/im-pretty-fucking-far-from-ok.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="822" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKskNFIhLvFmxdFFnRH2TMR83dlWgoWmqx8Mh1x6lkhzUHOnxrU2kf2tXsNsI1uiUsfaC24Ky66I0ySlsMVdo3NYWyxHg8ujnAPqMs3aivtgVrlw8mu7zbrBhkIsmIWbcv5zHIuwP6AhPf/s320/im-pretty-fucking-far-from-ok.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Devastated</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Deep Breath!!</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Be stunned for a couple days.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Consult with your team.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Make a Plan.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Execute Plan.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<b><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><b>Stunned:</b></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">We cried a lot.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">When we talked to the girls about the new development, it was very hard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Obviously we have had this type conversation in this very room before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Bella is away at school so I called her after we had made sure she had support.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">I went mountain biking for some fresh air.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">I went on a short road trip with a couple of my best friends and got to see Bella play soccer over at CWU.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><b>Consult:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">There was a general plan in place for disease progression.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><i>“Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.” </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"> -Mike Tyson</span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">This was the 2nd time I have been punched in the face with disease progression, this time it hurt much worse that the first, because of the location and nature of the changes. My team was on it right away and the clinical trial coordinator was in the exam room within minutes of the news. The preliminary EKG and screening was done before I had even left SCCA for the day.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Dr. Keith Eaton is my team leader and he is my guy. <br /><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Jennifer Jacky-ARNP is his partner. <br />Together they bookend my care like no other team could.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">I reached out to Dr Ross Camidge in Denver & Dr Alice Shaw in Boston.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">I had traveled to see both for second opinions and they each told me that they were on my team from then until I didn’t need their help anymore.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Both contributed some great information and input to to the evolving management plan. Dr Jing Zeng from the University of Washington department of Radiation Oncology was added to the team.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><b>Make a Plan:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Scan the rest of torso and pelvis for metastatic surveillance.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Radiate the rib to try to alleviate the discomfort of the rib.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Start the clinical trial for Loralatinib.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Rescan Brain and Chest in 6-8 weeks.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><b>Execution:(In progress)</b></span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><b>October 10th:</b> Begin washout of Xalkori (previous medication), Prescreening for Trial. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><b>October 16th: </b>The rest of my torso and pelvis was scanned (scan was clean of further metastasis).</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><b>October 17th:</b> My rib was radiated at UW to faster stop the lesion and relieve me of discomfort.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><b>October 19th: </b>Start Phase 2 Clinical Trial for the drug Loralatinib.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><b>November 2: </b><i>9:15 am: </i>2 week Trial Labs and EKG (*required for trial).</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><i>11:40pm: </i>Get on a plane to Peru (assuming blood work and EKG clean).</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><b>November 7: </b>Celebrate 51st birthday in PERU.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><b>November 17th:</b> Return from Peru.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">Yes I am still gonna go to Peru. Is that Cocky? Sorry....</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">The execution of the plan reads pretty smoothly and appears almost simple.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">I can assure you that formulating and executing this plan in a timeframe that allows me to still go to South America on November 2 is an astounding feat.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">My people GET SHIT DONE.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">So, it is a set back, we can deal with it but we are not without our battle wounds. </span><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">My entire family is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><i>“Mom, this feels just like when daddy was first diagnosed”</i></span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>-Lilly Brown Oct 12, 2018</span><br />
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">We will be accessing some resources to help everybody deal with the emotional scars that this cancer journey has brought every member of this family.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">The Brown machine rolls on, the kids grind away at school.<br />Bella just wrapped up her Freshman season at <a href="https://wildcatsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4774">CWU Soccer</a>.<br />Regina continues to touch others around her both professionally and personally.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 17.9px;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">I am going to be me.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">I am gonna do it my way.</span></div>
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;">And I shall continue to rub up against that line.</span><br />
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: ".sfuitext"; font-size: 15pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "sfuitext";"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b>In other news.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "sfuitext";"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">The Hold Fast Project Website Launched!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">You can check it out here!! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><a href="http://theholdfastproject.org/">The Hold Fast Project</a> Thanks to a good friend for making that happen.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">And yes I said I'm going to <b>Peru!</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">I am going on an amazing adventure on Friday.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><a href="https://afreshchapter.com/explore/peru/">A Fresh Chapter</a> There will be some great stuff coming out of this!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Follow me here on the Instagrams:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Jump on there and give me the follows.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/therealjimbrown/?hl=en">therealjimbrown</a> This one is still a baby, had to start over.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/theholdfastproject/?hl=en">theholdfastproject</a> She's a good one too eh?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Facebook Machines:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=651227580">Big Daddy's Facebook</a>!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/holdfastforjimbrown/">The Hold Fast Project</a>!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">I am a Warrior.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">I am a Thrivor.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">I am the Exception.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">I choose the Miracle.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Prayer Request:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Peace and levity for my girls.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Go out and Kick Ass at something today.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Oh and by the way blogspot and its ease of use sucks balls.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545; font-size: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #454545; font-size: 20px;">#holdfast</span><br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Jim</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxZA2M6_an7_jlVAHd77U4caAP2xVLvnUK3BlhWmveXmZhHuW6hCCX264OYK5GF34Qgm9vpmuzVANfNW69YWhhd3-hNxE0Gg4QUjIt6NWWtUl_cm-htSC266dcGdarKzyO1bjWjkzxurz/s1600/fullsizeoutput_5cf4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="1176" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxZA2M6_an7_jlVAHd77U4caAP2xVLvnUK3BlhWmveXmZhHuW6hCCX264OYK5GF34Qgm9vpmuzVANfNW69YWhhd3-hNxE0Gg4QUjIt6NWWtUl_cm-htSC266dcGdarKzyO1bjWjkzxurz/s640/fullsizeoutput_5cf4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCAxEPrwsCQXNCtJJDCs6t18u5zyw8nXx5kKYNFZcMZU5Y70mYcNPKNTvWK5KKQsKbr4cDofMrmqhHgGoXNQH7NY5qkZNCMcgQvX6ckR7vFYU1AYTr-BOWQ45indi4EnH77zTe7GqcHVt/s1600/45081584_10155481296727581_5098954447615164416_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="960" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCAxEPrwsCQXNCtJJDCs6t18u5zyw8nXx5kKYNFZcMZU5Y70mYcNPKNTvWK5KKQsKbr4cDofMrmqhHgGoXNQH7NY5qkZNCMcgQvX6ckR7vFYU1AYTr-BOWQ45indi4EnH77zTe7GqcHVt/s640/45081584_10155481296727581_5098954447615164416_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjE32bxZ3aK4B0FbRNqYAKuvLguq1pM1NR6QYb2FK3JPRqkJWUcggi0926qMYnetNgKALmMNn5khqcyo7dXUQWrft18-MIUvNlnawjwFqQeeVGCCMRXkfv481pA0w9-biilJ8Gvwp_a28/s1600/clinicaltrial.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="1341" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjE32bxZ3aK4B0FbRNqYAKuvLguq1pM1NR6QYb2FK3JPRqkJWUcggi0926qMYnetNgKALmMNn5khqcyo7dXUQWrft18-MIUvNlnawjwFqQeeVGCCMRXkfv481pA0w9-biilJ8Gvwp_a28/s640/clinicaltrial.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivn6u1rgEGOWkkVnHgzLGzfAVDq5mhb1-w6hHLHw8S7S2n3dgNV4QzqrWjHy6Ji4rT3E4E3riTnSMWw5NsFyx6pdpfONDW5eEUwmAr6FVFFRp2lLoFoPcCRAOGvJPVXWTM1hIfSi3I0tYV/s1600/40332194_1151274691712122_7803514286122205184_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="1362" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivn6u1rgEGOWkkVnHgzLGzfAVDq5mhb1-w6hHLHw8S7S2n3dgNV4QzqrWjHy6Ji4rT3E4E3riTnSMWw5NsFyx6pdpfONDW5eEUwmAr6FVFFRp2lLoFoPcCRAOGvJPVXWTM1hIfSi3I0tYV/s640/40332194_1151274691712122_7803514286122205184_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-5206715797012042222018-09-24T12:56:00.000-07:002018-09-24T12:56:09.456-07:00Just what the hell is going on!!!?????<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Man....lots.<br />
<br />
<b>Clinical:</b><br />
<br />
Starting out with clinical information.<br />
I continue to be "minimized and stable".<br />
I take Xalkori 2 times a day and it continues to do the job.<br />
This will continue to be the course of things until there is a change.<br />
All of my treatment will continue to be at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.<br />
Blood work every six weeks.<br />
CT Scans every 3 months.<br />
Brain MRI every 9 months.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>What Else?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Had a great holiday season with the family.<br />
Shredded on my snowboard ALOT.<br />
Went to Supercross in San Diego.<br />
Went to <a href="https://www.harmonyhill.org/">Harmony Hill Cancer Retreat Center</a><br />
Stopped drinking Alcohol Feb 20th<br />
Went to Jackson Hole. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2--zqB2e9M">Click Here for Video Edit</a><br />
Raced my Ebike at Sea Otter.<br />
Celebrated 3 years of Survivorship May 7.<br />
Regina became the Elementary Vice President of the Washington School Counselors Association<br />
Isabella graduated.<br />
I started The Hold Fast Project.<br />
Went to Boston to see my brother take over as Base Commander.<br />
Saw Foo Fighters at Fenway.<br />
<br />
I seemed to have turned a corner in the last 7-8 months.<br />
I have found a way to effectively manage my side effects so I feel better physically.<br />
Bouts of depression have been minimal.<br />
<br />
I am sure that eliminating alcohol has had an effect on how I feel.<br />
<br />
The dismal 5 year survival statistic of 3% hangs over my head, but I am really starting to lean into the fact that I might be around for awhile.<br />
I know I have said this from the beginning but now I am really starting to believe it.<br />
<br />
<b>In the interest of moving forward.....</b><br />
<br />
I have been accepted into a program known as <a href="https://afreshchapter.com/">A Fresh Chapter</a><br />
This organization organizes trips for Cancer survivors and patients to do international volunteerism.<br />
In November I will be traveling to Lima, Peru to volunteer at a school with my group.<br />
Additionally we will have the chance to visit Macchu Picchu.<br />
There are several things that intimidate me about this trip:<br />
<i>Application:</i> The process started last February, this was way outside of my planning comfort zone.<br />
<i>Cost:</i> The program is expensive but I was able to raise all of the funds through my amazing network.<br />
<i>Travel:</i> I don't travel well anymore, 12 hours on a plane is a lot for anybody, but this is gonna be hard.<br />
<i>Family:</i> I know how hard it is for Regina and the kids when I am away.<br />
<i>Anxiety:</i> Sometimes I am overcome with anxiety, one trigger is being away from my family.<br />
<br />
These are all things that I either can, or have overcome.<br />
I can do this.<br />
It pencils out in my Time, Energy, Resource model.<br />
It will be hard in some cases and it will stretch me, but the cost/benefit will work out in my favor.<br />
<br />
<b>The Hold Fast Project:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
"The Hold Fast Project's mission is to turn my cancer experience into something positive while providing a service to others through inspiration, education, and advocacy."<br />
<br />
We are looking at the prospect of launching a non-profit to help fulfill those goals.<br />
<br />
Keep your eye on the social medias:<br />
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/theholdfastproject/?hl=en">The Hold Fast Project Intagram</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/holdfastforjimbrown/">The Hold Fast Project Facebook Page</a><br />
Website launching soon thanks to help from <a href="https://www.redcloudconsulting.com/">Redcloud Consulting</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9KdSmZFeILny148jxOfWAEISDxftyA0P-i-QZaGnXy3WgQ9oYC6ohh9WWjAVRCS8xl1T8pPqKgCov-ZZ5Dqthu-zCLJ5TCIbp38Z6Z3Dq_VCaHMG2sizCFp4rADKm5ga7E0eIoSpDawp/s1600/holdfastproject-description.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9KdSmZFeILny148jxOfWAEISDxftyA0P-i-QZaGnXy3WgQ9oYC6ohh9WWjAVRCS8xl1T8pPqKgCov-ZZ5Dqthu-zCLJ5TCIbp38Z6Z3Dq_VCaHMG2sizCFp4rADKm5ga7E0eIoSpDawp/s1600/holdfastproject-description.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Well that is a fair amount of catching up.<br />
<br />
I am a Warrior.<br />
I am a Thrivor.<br />
I am the Exception.<br />
I choose the Miracle.<br />
<br />
Thanks for catching up with me.<br />
<br />
Warm Regards,<br />
Jim<br />
<br />
Here are some fun photos:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGC2yxdZZnbQN1cCiOEggKlwllUm_mQf1GzdTRik_meixxq-JNevIEgv5w9i3oKOQQ4MrUyvlNv-6-d3zT3XB3uYyXhDwW_d-Sj258y0EN1lesd9dcFw2OZakDDh5yYfwsm3TayB-1cEu/s1600/IMG_0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="1080" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisGC2yxdZZnbQN1cCiOEggKlwllUm_mQf1GzdTRik_meixxq-JNevIEgv5w9i3oKOQQ4MrUyvlNv-6-d3zT3XB3uYyXhDwW_d-Sj258y0EN1lesd9dcFw2OZakDDh5yYfwsm3TayB-1cEu/s640/IMG_0470.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good Times in the Mpountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYkwFiejkbLNz0chm7sfWe6PvORsf4dykmklAXNz5xVuYg_35kpe2ycn0nWeC6YpYhavJGv1rRQUL-Q6bDSEc9w0kFDZzXfgS0IxS1HMsOEM767J-8FsKRUu36Xc9Tox2qe623SuB9kWK/s1600/IMG_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYkwFiejkbLNz0chm7sfWe6PvORsf4dykmklAXNz5xVuYg_35kpe2ycn0nWeC6YpYhavJGv1rRQUL-Q6bDSEc9w0kFDZzXfgS0IxS1HMsOEM767J-8FsKRUu36Xc9Tox2qe623SuB9kWK/s640/IMG_0474.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackson Hole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyQyVCORqLlGrJnPAWEb3L8v3N5omqUatiNROfAqVGMrlG1yMapGCy7PLneBZlfvqOvRZKSbFOSlQApn6_6Qy-aEgx_GNZBVbDNCHWwqwTbbCWYsw79qzySnYvhXbXqrgW7TTBe1QC0tn/s1600/IMG_0476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyQyVCORqLlGrJnPAWEb3L8v3N5omqUatiNROfAqVGMrlG1yMapGCy7PLneBZlfvqOvRZKSbFOSlQApn6_6Qy-aEgx_GNZBVbDNCHWwqwTbbCWYsw79qzySnYvhXbXqrgW7TTBe1QC0tn/s640/IMG_0476.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike Racin' at Sea Otter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoc2LWORapRVIrp4jdl54a_am4ExK5Up54LVSl7ImI3IFsbwAy6O_5oIoHDJW3yF7qmdQuqK7dSB0D3XOpZyK5_6hiZG_TzWYgZcyzF23olu4wdyHt6BW-XY9l539ktByu43wDzdWFLJs/s1600/IMG_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1080" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoc2LWORapRVIrp4jdl54a_am4ExK5Up54LVSl7ImI3IFsbwAy6O_5oIoHDJW3yF7qmdQuqK7dSB0D3XOpZyK5_6hiZG_TzWYgZcyzF23olu4wdyHt6BW-XY9l539ktByu43wDzdWFLJs/s640/IMG_0324.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving cancer the finger on my 3 year survivorship anniversary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7Vx3HQVKDHqsHS7mfR-SjVI8sHYiJTAC8T3Tr7zKOxjro1RXzVTL8u_HN6pik2fVl1AcYPuNthXv6hm9LhRtWWhrGMrkYtcRCP1G9zI1BMjcuf084YCPV3w52nsvTX84ErAd-Zen7aIj/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7Vx3HQVKDHqsHS7mfR-SjVI8sHYiJTAC8T3Tr7zKOxjro1RXzVTL8u_HN6pik2fVl1AcYPuNthXv6hm9LhRtWWhrGMrkYtcRCP1G9zI1BMjcuf084YCPV3w52nsvTX84ErAd-Zen7aIj/s640/IMG_0479.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isabella's graduation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPM7syxMq2Cpo6_85TBCM-5Jv0Ot947iT56qWzmhKQ6PWMS16uHYnag0S1VOc5r-NnVX2DUCpzPxUtdMPVEM4ZJs5DFQEKZ-N1-wGjd3pcaFs0_9d02iu5MpFIQ6QygW9D6IAqu-q_PdNK/s1600/IMG_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPM7syxMq2Cpo6_85TBCM-5Jv0Ot947iT56qWzmhKQ6PWMS16uHYnag0S1VOc5r-NnVX2DUCpzPxUtdMPVEM4ZJs5DFQEKZ-N1-wGjd3pcaFs0_9d02iu5MpFIQ6QygW9D6IAqu-q_PdNK/s640/IMG_0480.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother the "Skipper"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpcKVN71IgGDL4SUkq7YjlxLTnZbw-YpJbUkdKISz3IGXifS6PQBYnkajcYKlMNFLI9T2s12H3S-63MCxM3JwK3l4jGi7vgTkDGvjoIOSthKN4INVc9_4P9ISJt1Vqtvc9OTwkl58YmxQ/s1600/IMG_0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpcKVN71IgGDL4SUkq7YjlxLTnZbw-YpJbUkdKISz3IGXifS6PQBYnkajcYKlMNFLI9T2s12H3S-63MCxM3JwK3l4jGi7vgTkDGvjoIOSthKN4INVc9_4P9ISJt1Vqtvc9OTwkl58YmxQ/s640/IMG_0481.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foo Fighters at Fenway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-62077507002474307962017-12-19T10:48:00.000-08:002017-12-19T11:17:09.986-08:00Intimidation, among other things....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<b>Clinically Speaking</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
For starters, if you haven’t blogged in 6 months, then you
are a pretty shitty blogger.<br />
Sorry.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
In my last entry in May I had just started a new
course of treatment after some disease progression on first line chemotherapy,
so after 30 rounds I switched to targeted therapy which is basically 2 chemo
pills a day. These pills come at a tune of 15K per month.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
The great news is that all identified disease progression
has been reversed and after 6 months and 2 CT scans everything is back to
“minimized and stable.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
We are continuing to wrap our heads around chronic
disease management, and I have grown accustomed to the new drugs and their side
effects.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I can tell you that it is much better than the roller
coaster of Chemotherapy infusions every 21 days, and the recovery from each
infusion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
CT scans every 3 months, with blood monitoring every 6
weeks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
My care team and support network continues to be amazing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_02tatfcNY7Z10D9GlJ00h6GrO1sae9yPakR295KoummTgfIuZ52Kr21WIlziWQkHIhyphenhyphenYAr-KAHJHP4xxyP2xpzGFb73R9DCcXv__iQbdi-oSaWE7CSPxpcgZD6Fd51z5zGFukvR6OkmG/s1600/jim-reg-maui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_02tatfcNY7Z10D9GlJ00h6GrO1sae9yPakR295KoummTgfIuZ52Kr21WIlziWQkHIhyphenhyphenYAr-KAHJHP4xxyP2xpzGFb73R9DCcXv__iQbdi-oSaWE7CSPxpcgZD6Fd51z5zGFukvR6OkmG/s640/jim-reg-maui.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maui Fun Times</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p><br /> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<b>Life Stuff</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
The Browns had a pretty great summer, lots of soccer,
swimming, dirt biking, and time outdoors. The summer was capped off by an
amazing trip to Maui for just Regina and I. We swam and relaxed, and for a week
I was just another guy, not the guy with cancer, this was very liberating and
we came back rested and refreshed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Also in August, Bella committed to Central Washington
University on a soccer scholarship, we are very proud of her and are happy to
see all of her hard work pay off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Click on this link to see Bella drop one of the most beautiful goals: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZyRKxPqpbU">Bella Banger</a></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
November 7th I turned 50 years old.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
This is not a milestone that I take for granted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I did it up relatively big over the course of a couple
weeks:</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
-Trip to Nashville with some of my best friends. </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
-Birthday party at Top Rung Brewing with an amazing group of friends.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
-Mountain Bike
ride on the actual day of my birthday with some hard core dudes in the snow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I think we got after it pretty good, and I felt so much love.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<b>Intimidation</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
In my pre-cancer life, Intimidation was not a feeling or
an emotion that touched me much or had any impact on me. It was a rare occasion that Jim Brown was intimidated by anything.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I have always been strong and confident in myself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Recently I was having lunch with a good friend and we
were talking about life in general. I
found myself speaking several times about being “Intimidated” by things in
life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
These things don't seem like a big deal but for some reason they weigh on me, concerts, trips, work stuff, it's all very foreign for me to feel this way.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
The mental and physical effects of my disease and it’s
treatment leave me feeling fatigued often.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
It seems that everything comes with a a much larger price
tag, and that price tag wears me down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I have been humbled by this experience beyond what I ever
would have imagined, and things will never be the same.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I still apply my: Time... Energy... Resources.... model,
to decision making and I weigh things out carefully to evaluate the impact
they will have on me and the benefit that I gain from those actions.<o:p></o:p><br />
I have found myself saying no, or backing out of commitments more often.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
The highlight reel looks good, but there are still some
rough days.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I am trying to regain some confidence in myself and “lean
in” to my treatment success.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Daily Choice </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Daily Victories</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<b>“Don’t let cancer define you.”</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
What the fuck does that even mean??!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I have had several people say that to me, thinking that
they are giving me good life advice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I came out of the gate punching hard with cancer, and I
feel 100% that my attitude has contributed to my success with treatment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
But.....I have been <b>redefined</b> by having cancer, there is
no avoiding that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
It is metastatic, it is incurable, and it is considered
“terminal”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I will be receiving some sort of cancer treatment for the
rest of my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Simmer on that for a minute......<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I feel like I have approached this as a fighter and I
have defied the disease.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I still Work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I Snowboard.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I Mountain Bike.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I Dirt Bike.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I LIVE....<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
In fact.. many people tell me I live harder than most
“healthy” people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Yes I am a cancer advocate for lung cancer patients and an educator with regards
to cancer awareness and prevention for firefighters. Sometimes I'm "That Guy".<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I am not defined by that, but It is a part of who I am
now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
If I didn’t advocate and educate I would be <u>negligent.</u><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
So I guess after a lot of thought, I kinda take offense
that somebody would say that to me, especially this far into the game. </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
DEFINED by Cancer is NOT me... never has been and never will be.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Take home message is: </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Think very hard before you say this
to somebody battling cancer or a chronic disease.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
All that said.....remember this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I am blessed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I am fortunate.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I never forget that, or take it for granted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
The Browns a gearing up for a great winter up in the
mountains and we are gonna LIVE!!!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I am a Warrior<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I am a Thrivor<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I am the Exception<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I choose the Miracle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Life is good.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20_u2y81eXLI96mDh_jO5cEkmVAwIYbhnXKqiWqaL3bu1YDVWm2Is-3I0J3vZ6JH4N0IE5fuZCmnVnjjsOHfeTpkm5vHxoADWlfahKq9SDQvwawOjztvkQwAA6w5VDBik5T7AkTltHrDk/s1600/rad-crew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1600" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20_u2y81eXLI96mDh_jO5cEkmVAwIYbhnXKqiWqaL3bu1YDVWm2Is-3I0J3vZ6JH4N0IE5fuZCmnVnjjsOHfeTpkm5vHxoADWlfahKq9SDQvwawOjztvkQwAA6w5VDBik5T7AkTltHrDk/s640/rad-crew.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rad Racing Reunion at my 50th</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Kf22piVfsKaGXGsx4ADzBa29mo0nWU0P4PAAys8t1A8d4hcLhdbMpkgpVzWTgZaknRyjzPN_L8I8mmfK8JlT3pETUHGEAa8L4htzR3-4DKKk_tyAj65DSSxUyUtxKJKA_YGarcOL9_6a/s1600/jager.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Kf22piVfsKaGXGsx4ADzBa29mo0nWU0P4PAAys8t1A8d4hcLhdbMpkgpVzWTgZaknRyjzPN_L8I8mmfK8JlT3pETUHGEAa8L4htzR3-4DKKk_tyAj65DSSxUyUtxKJKA_YGarcOL9_6a/s640/jager.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaeger Shots on Capital Peak Birthday Ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIG3UdC7TS2vz2amf8keLYVS4ILiH-xe8rkadeMZtWOGp6mgeVCNqreKkcUbEVNbVJrODeSKT5m-CHRlLei9ZmTFHv-pZVx-KjsXoQCKONAHfaKkFYHFNI4kvyjVqnKWnhbvj5Y-ip3kpx/s1600/new-tat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIG3UdC7TS2vz2amf8keLYVS4ILiH-xe8rkadeMZtWOGp6mgeVCNqreKkcUbEVNbVJrODeSKT5m-CHRlLei9ZmTFHv-pZVx-KjsXoQCKONAHfaKkFYHFNI4kvyjVqnKWnhbvj5Y-ip3kpx/s640/new-tat.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday Tattoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
</div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-17612150065188376352017-05-15T13:42:00.001-07:002017-05-15T13:42:54.613-07:00Maui, 2 Years, Disease Progression, Generosity...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
So I will start with some awesome news here....</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I am writing this blog post whilst on a flight to Maui. An opportunity presented itself for me to get out of town and soak in some sunshine, I am going to embrace it and go live some life. The amazing generosity of our community has provided some great opportunities for myself and my family as we work our way through the cancer journey. This trip is just the newest addition to this generosity, I am humbled and at the same time overwhelmed. I will be meeting and making some new friends on this trip, and I feel like my life is going to be tremendously enriched by the people and the experience. For the next few days I will be riding bikes, swimming, snorkeling, and laying on the beach, I'll take it.......</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_a8JNtf8it8XrU9ZiO1LBxMwCxjiJga90mun0GHftSa-cjIGT6MeEQWVpHrf9HefsoDnB_4PF2-W5Gc_KdW_ZqD9879jKSCTi9GNsfo1pF_0_aYfKQtq6URwaCnoLB99B1M0rBVMbCsCg/s1600/IMAG8224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_a8JNtf8it8XrU9ZiO1LBxMwCxjiJga90mun0GHftSa-cjIGT6MeEQWVpHrf9HefsoDnB_4PF2-W5Gc_KdW_ZqD9879jKSCTi9GNsfo1pF_0_aYfKQtq6URwaCnoLB99B1M0rBVMbCsCg/s640/IMAG8224.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning coffee in Paradise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<b>2 years:</b><br />
As of May 6th, 2017 I am officially a 2 year cancer survivor.<br />
The road has been challenging thus far but my team has made it happen.<br />
Continue to believe that I choose the miracle, and the miracle continues to choose me.<br />
I am a fortunate and blessed man.<br />
New tattoo to commemorate my 2nd anniversary is in development and will happen soon.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<b>Shit just got real, again....</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
On April 26th I had a CT scan to monitor my treatment.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
For the first time since I started treatment the news was not awesome.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Up to this point everything thing has shown reduction and stabilization in disease.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
This time was different.......</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
The CT scan showed what appears to be disease progression in 1 lymphnode.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Remember that my Lung Cancer had metatisised to my lymph nodes and bones.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
This pesky Lymphnode went from .5 X .6cm to 1 X 1.1cm over the last 4 months.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I'm no rocket-surgeon, but that is double the size.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
This is the ONLY place that showed any progression but it was enough to cause concern for Dr. Eaton. I am NOT symptomatic from this development in fact I have been feeling really well and have been exercising more recently, since before I was diagnosed.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Dr. Eaton felt like my first line treatment of chemo infusions had run its course and that my cancer had adapted to the treatment.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Out comes my silver bullet......</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Early in my diagnosis, I had my tumors genetically tested and as it turns out I have a mutation called ROS1, which has a targeted therapy that has proven to be very effective and durable in clinical trials.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Let me highlight the fact that only 1% of Lung Cancer patients have this genetic mutation, that in itself is amazing.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
So why didn't you start this treatment earlier in the game Jim?</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Because I was responding to first line standard chemotherapy so well, all of the specialists said to ride that train for as long as you could.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I sought out opinions from specialists in Denver and Boston on this subject.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
So I rode that train for 22 months, and 30 rounds of infusions, and then the train ran out of steam.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
So here I am starting 2nd line treatment, it is basically chemo in a pill form and I take it twice a day. The side effects are expected to be less severe than chemo infusions and I will not be riding the roller coaster that infusions brought me.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I have several friends on this therapy and the reports are all pretty glowing.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
This magical silver bullet of a pill (Xalkori) costs $15,000 per month.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Because my cancer was ruled to be service connected to my job these costs are covered. I want to thank WSCFF, IAFF 468, D7VP Kelly Fox, Chief Larry Dibble, and City Manger Steve Hall for supporting my claim and helping this rightful determination be made.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
The disease progression is something that we knew was eventually going to come, and I had big talk about how I was prepared for it, we had a plan, and it wasn't going to be a crisis, but when the Dr punches you in the face with the news of disease progression there is no easy way to receive that news.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
The first few days were rough, but my treatment team was right on it and I had my new line of treatment in my hands only 5 days after the CT scan.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Our support network swept in and took care of us on the emotional and nuts and bolts side of things, I still am amazed at how much love has been extended to my family in this journey.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
So our journey has a new pathway and a new rhythm to it, I am adjusting to the side effects and relishing the fact that I don't have to schedule my life around infusions, or miss almost a week of work once a month.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
We will prevail.....many people have had it a lot worse than I have and I never lose sight of that....</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<b>Awesomer things.....</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
My work at the Olympia fire Department continues to be rewarding and impactful, I am proud to have a part of bringing EMS to the forefront of our priorities at OFD and love the people that I get to work with.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I have been doing some work on the advocacy side of things:</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
1. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Helping to reduce the stigma associated with Lung Cancer and raising awareness.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
2. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Educating fellow firefighters on the risks associated with our in regards to cancer <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>incidence and helping teach practice that can help reduce our exposure to carcinogens that cause cancer.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I've been riding my bike 3-4 times a week for the last month and have incorporated some strength training into my routine, including deadlifts, power cleans, bench press, and squats. Bam!!!!!</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
The girls are doing well and thriving.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Lilly just turned 11 today, and is fresh into a new season with Black Hills Football Club.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Phoebe is loving middle school and just finished up Volleyball.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Bella just received her first offer for college soccer at Whitworth University.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
She has a boyfriend who is a really great guy.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Regina and I are doing the dance that so many parents do, trying to create opportunity for our kids that we may not have had access to.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
We really hope to try to get away sometime soon for just the 2 of us, but scheduling that is a challenge. We are doing our best to live life to the fullest extent possible.<br />
<br />
Despite recent developments, I have been able to manage the depression that stalked me all winter long. Feed the good dog....<br />
<br />
<b>Maui Postscript:</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I got back late last night from Hawaii.<br />
As I expected it was an amazing trip that was highlighted by the people I got to meet and spend time with. I saw some amazing things, I drove my bike around Maui with the highlight being ripping some awesome descents. I built on current friendships and established new ones.<br />
Here are a couple of quotes from my friend <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theronanddonshow?fref=nf&pnref=story">Don O'Neill</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Have you ever seen a guy in a red jersey, with stage four lung cancer climb a hill all day in 85 degree heat, and then go flying down the other side at 40 miles an hour for close to 40 miles in Maui, Hawaii, all while inspiring the riders that came to inspire him???? ........................</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I have. I saw it today."</span><br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;">"As I say Aloha to Hawaii tonight I will be thinking of this man, Jim Brown, a firefighter, a husband, a son , a friend and a daddy from Olympia WA. The doctor says he has stage 4 lung cancer that can't be cured. You wouldn't know that from being around him. This week he taught me that cancer can beat up your body, but it can't contain the human spirit, it can't tame the human heart, and it can't define the human soul . As we snorkeled in the ocean together he told us that i</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-size: 14px;">s when he feels free. The water and the waves make him feel free from cancer and the physical and emotional trauma it can bring. I am leaving Jim here for a few more days in the capable hands of my friend's Carter and Joe. He wanted to do some more snorkeling. Who could argue with that? We could all use some more snorkeling. GForce, Mr. Ron and I will see you all tomorrow at Safeco Field for Dan Wilson's Celebrity Softball tournament. We are gonna raise a million dollars together for area kids.! Until then, Mahalo<span class="_5mfr _47e3" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" aria-hidden="1" class="img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v8/ff7/1/16/1f919_1f3fe.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">🤙🏾</span></span><span class="_5mfr _47e3" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" aria-hidden="1" class="img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v8/f38/1/16/1f918.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">🤘</span></span><span class="_5mfr _47e3" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" aria-hidden="1" class="img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v8/fbd/1/16/261d_1f3fd.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">☝🏽</span></span> And Mahalo to you Jim Brown. Holdfast brother! Don"</span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPFZ8wL_a3E3FD-ZUBIiJg_AH8WIquruuRRYeQjdh1KTaLuHU-wRZHQ-Vh3031c2UlL9jK0MSnY2yo7y4SXGOrt4d_3-hvn5QxSFSgc7fggDJBlw1lm7UkmZwUkbL9O7RsqMf1M3yo-mI/s1600/Maui-Crew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPFZ8wL_a3E3FD-ZUBIiJg_AH8WIquruuRRYeQjdh1KTaLuHU-wRZHQ-Vh3031c2UlL9jK0MSnY2yo7y4SXGOrt4d_3-hvn5QxSFSgc7fggDJBlw1lm7UkmZwUkbL9O7RsqMf1M3yo-mI/s640/Maui-Crew.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maui Crew<br /> Carter, Myself, Don, Joe, Eric, Anna</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgxlbfkO6DScTqZi9TOAAz9rvwjzlJ1uzQANRE8qvrEqQBQQDboIyqU3Cjw3eX2VpRa8p6HZcWvAd49HiRl6eOhQY4KI1bf-BvDX6JazhLoNg8US-pabAhD-tcSHqoMOUNFd9YZRyx2V_/s1600/Maui-Selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgxlbfkO6DScTqZi9TOAAz9rvwjzlJ1uzQANRE8qvrEqQBQQDboIyqU3Cjw3eX2VpRa8p6HZcWvAd49HiRl6eOhQY4KI1bf-BvDX6JazhLoNg8US-pabAhD-tcSHqoMOUNFd9YZRyx2V_/s640/Maui-Selfie.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Maui Loop Selfie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjERHLVzJdQbYfTdu_miDHWDd0hvB2OHYO9awdYRJAsC7Qzbg2fuElc536SNo2lZkL0SRaSoEuEYj9Jbic1sjuNkR8JAGdJ0Ld3M0nkOBVXSKCkup7OnK0eRt490SjbJ4XH9OMpokUqWW/s1600/Maui-Jim-Carter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjERHLVzJdQbYfTdu_miDHWDd0hvB2OHYO9awdYRJAsC7Qzbg2fuElc536SNo2lZkL0SRaSoEuEYj9Jbic1sjuNkR8JAGdJ0Ld3M0nkOBVXSKCkup7OnK0eRt490SjbJ4XH9OMpokUqWW/s640/Maui-Jim-Carter.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new best buddy Carter Harrington Lt Commander USN</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
That seems like a pretty great way to come to a close here today.<br />
<br />
<b>Prayer Requests:</b><br />
That Xalkori is effective in not only stabilizing my cancer but shrinking it back down again.<br />
Stabilization of the side effects from my new medication.<br />
Increased ability to exercise and do physical activity.<br />
Restful sleep.<br />
Peace for my family.<br />
<br />
I am a Warrior.<br />
I am a Thrivor.<br />
I am the Exception.<br />
I choose the Miracle.<br />
<br />
#holdfast<br />
<br />
JB<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-68080033044236610352017-03-16T13:43:00.000-07:002017-03-17T13:11:05.416-07:00Stability, Depression, Great Things..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">Wow, it has been a long time since I updated my blog.</span><br />
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I would say the good thing is that I have been living life so hard, that I havent had time to stop and write about it.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<b>Clinical Picture:</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
My status remains the same..... last CT scan was in January and my cancer remains minimized and stable. After the first of the year we switched to a 28 day cycle instead of 21 days, the fact that my Dr was open to this is evidence in his confidence with regards to my stability. This change will give me an extra 7 days in between treatments to recover and try to regain some "normalization" to my day to day life.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
We are also extending the time between CT scans to 4 months, I guess the less frequent I have to have that radiation exposure the better in the long run.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I continue to be a living miracle and I am literally still on first line chemo, 29 rounds by the way.....that is how many I have had at this point. Big #30 goes down on March 29th. I have come to detest getting chemo, I love the people at SCCA and I love the fact that I am beating the cancer down, but the weeklong after effects really suck ass.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I continue to be able to function at a pretty high level with regards to quality of life, I do find that my general endurance is lower and it seems to take more energy to do many things than it should. This causes me to run many things through my "Time, Energy, Resources" model when I choose to take something on. In the end I still choose to do some things that can be quite taxing but I always try to consider the cost/benefit of the action and shoot for the beneficial things.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<b>The Dark Passenger:</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
You may, or may not, know that I have struggled with depression along the way in my life, this predates my cancer diagnosis. In the past I sought out counseling and took medication to help keep things in check, this is a personal thing that I never really shared much about, but I am coming clean with you here. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I suffer from depression.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Guess what happens when you already suffer from depression and you are diagnosed with a "terminal" illness......engage tailspin. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Some of the struggles and the crisis early in my diagnosis was connected to my battle with the dark passenger, some of my daily struggles right now with regards to my disease management include fending off the depression. Most days I can keep my chin up and keep throat punching, but sometimes the "Bad Dog" creeps in and makes things difficult. Several weeks ago I woke up in the am to go to work, family was already off to school and work, I lay in bed paralyzed with anxiety, the "Bad Dog" wanted me to stay in bed and feel sorry for myself, it took everything in me to get out of bed and move on with my day. On my way to work I called my therapist, by chance... and divine intervention he told me if I drove straight to his office he could see me. What ensued was a tearful hour of unloading and in some cases unintelligible blathering. But.....I unloaded and was able to regain some perspective and hit the reset button.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I am not ashamed to admit that I suffer from depression, I see a therapist and I take medication to help mitigate it, that is who I am, take it or leave it.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Feed the "good dog" in your head, let the "bad dog" starve.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
On to better things....</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<b>Living life hard!!!</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
With regards to living life as hard and full as I can, the 2 biggest highlights over the last few months have been a family trip to Mexico and a Backcountry Snowboard trip for myself in British Columbia. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
In late November Regina and I loaded up the brood and headed off to Cozumel, Mexico. It was a big deal for us to pack up and take this on but I have been feeling pretty well and it seemed like the right thing to do. We had to pull the kids out of school for a week to pull it off but it was well worth the sacrifice.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Our days were filled with relaxing, sleeping in, lots of snorkeling and swimming, great food, and amazing family time. I came home from Mexico feeling the best that I have felt since before my diagnosis in May 2015.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4Et7UhyWYxCRGY7-5HGchyBWJYbQkWq2sLmFstOrAXPSsYlef8MtD03XisYf2bMHE2YEcjW6AwmT9AiqRGYYtLLbijl7FfryGIMDRgTPVwEpQaKlr1KzPKc44762I1D0BvegpTFglJst/s1600/15253571_10153865764622581_3761553130443561048_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4Et7UhyWYxCRGY7-5HGchyBWJYbQkWq2sLmFstOrAXPSsYlef8MtD03XisYf2bMHE2YEcjW6AwmT9AiqRGYYtLLbijl7FfryGIMDRgTPVwEpQaKlr1KzPKc44762I1D0BvegpTFglJst/s640/15253571_10153865764622581_3761553130443561048_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming with the dolphins in Mexico</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
The holidays were pretty mellow but included a family ski trip up to White Pass, once again great family time and activity.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADKtdLj6izkNX8vxmmnS1ltN_GZ0TcRpP3Y0McIYD593vTC7bIIbQyGA1lO6LAh3ZCa5rKrrIP3b0kGBTYxOKTMIuYkbmPSbQkrgsxZpl5OYFanmhgYDAGX5AJheYmFJsTXpg67EmYL0u/s1600/IMAG7912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADKtdLj6izkNX8vxmmnS1ltN_GZ0TcRpP3Y0McIYD593vTC7bIIbQyGA1lO6LAh3ZCa5rKrrIP3b0kGBTYxOKTMIuYkbmPSbQkrgsxZpl5OYFanmhgYDAGX5AJheYmFJsTXpg67EmYL0u/s640/IMAG7912.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stellar days at White Pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br />
Right after the new year I had the really fortunate opportunity to go on a back country snowboarding trip out of Nelson BC at <a href="http://www.baldface.net/">Baldface</a> Lodge.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
This is big, serious backcountry riding that is accessed by flying into the lodge on a helicopter and then all of the days are done out of a snowcat.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
This trip really fed my soul and recharged me, it was taxing out of the mountain, but in that really satisfying way. Great evenings were spent in the lodge visiting with friends old and new. There is never a lack of very high quality people at Baldface and I always walk away enriched by the experience and the people. A big shout out to my friends Jeff Pensiero and Nate Mendel for bringing this together for me. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cxZxgTT-zA">Baldface Footage</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zz_OxC1LT9taAxlNXx95Q5Xo0NfIrt48verh4hE01869S4a-HNfmpVl0efaw9v4aJvj_FlEODl_xhyOGp0mdZsIxy58y2HcNV_13jWXjRzgYQsXjkwhf6QOrwk7u-z67GP2HRFi7TR4V/s1600/IMAG7941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zz_OxC1LT9taAxlNXx95Q5Xo0NfIrt48verh4hE01869S4a-HNfmpVl0efaw9v4aJvj_FlEODl_xhyOGp0mdZsIxy58y2HcNV_13jWXjRzgYQsXjkwhf6QOrwk7u-z67GP2HRFi7TR4V/s640/IMAG7941.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Mountains feeding my soul....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Mid January brought a trip down to LA and a gathering of some of my best friends in the world to attend Anaheim Supercross. My buddy Gus got us connected with Team Honda and we got to do the races in a very VIP type of manner. The trip also included a visit to the recording studio to see my buddies in the Foo Fighters which is always fun. I am so fortunate to have such high quality friends and supporters in my life.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhr9ZD29-Y4l0OdwHYg4hmXtkdjwSaQgS8Iz2wMl4EO28pi35ogeOxeDayl11d0iwPf4dA9USx73whURSuaM4fpNIPIedfj_BXAb85MtARw1xoiIyaporJY7UNh2KAuzvzS80804-lgJh/s1600/IMAG8013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhr9ZD29-Y4l0OdwHYg4hmXtkdjwSaQgS8Iz2wMl4EO28pi35ogeOxeDayl11d0iwPf4dA9USx73whURSuaM4fpNIPIedfj_BXAb85MtARw1xoiIyaporJY7UNh2KAuzvzS80804-lgJh/s640/IMAG8013.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VIP with Team Honda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xlRT6PNqNAMSHtvafY7ZeKDo-o6hYN68Kc7SboiwdxVK7y4Zz4j_YnQqF99Q_OzjSys63ZAeDqhf0vWOSHhsmwIOPxusj8zuwZGeIHE-NQXJGofo-eeq-kAg2ZYtkYq_W7e_5fAuJXBg/s1600/IMAG7997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xlRT6PNqNAMSHtvafY7ZeKDo-o6hYN68Kc7SboiwdxVK7y4Zz4j_YnQqF99Q_OzjSys63ZAeDqhf0vWOSHhsmwIOPxusj8zuwZGeIHE-NQXJGofo-eeq-kAg2ZYtkYq_W7e_5fAuJXBg/s640/IMAG7997.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some random dude holding fast...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our family is settled into the hum of life that is living with cancer.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
We look at it as chronic disease management, and we shape ways to live around it and try to maintain a good quality of life. Weeks are filled with soccer practices and matches, Gymnastics, Dance Team, Volleyball, occasional ski trips, and oh yeah...Regina and I are both working full time. It is a full and rich life and we try to squeeze and cherish each moment. We intend to be in this for the long haul, I have friends with my same disease that are 10+ years past diagnosis.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I have graduations to attend, weddings to preside over, and grand babies that are gonna need to be taught how to ski, I have a lot left to do in this life.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<b>In the "In over my Head" department:</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to sign up for the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb. This is an event that I had done many times over the years.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
It seemed like a good fit, raise some money for LLS, challenge myself, inspire other cancer patients, these all are great ideas and reasons to do the climb.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
The problem is that in my head I am still the same old guy, but the fact of the matter is that I have toxic chemicals coursing through my body to keep a killer at bay, the side effects of these toxins are profound and I have no control over them. As I mentioned before my endurance is low and getting any type of consistent exercise is difficult.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
By the time we got within 8 weeks of the event I knew that I had written a check that my body was gonna have a hard time covering, but I felt as though I couldn't back out.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
5 guys from the department made the commitment to climb with me on the day of the event and make sure I got to the top, additionally I was able to climb with a special battalion of cancer survivors. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I can do this, how bad can it be?</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Umm....pretty bad.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
In the end we got there but was not pretty.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Actually......to be honest it was beautiful in a twisted suffering kind of way.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Rather than rewrite it all I invite you to take 10 minutes and listen to my description of the climb during my visit to "The Ron and Don" show.<br />
<a href="http://kiroradio.com/listen/10016516/">The Stairclimb Story</a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I think it does the most justice for the experience.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWcFHwjYk-LM2XD98U72sBqYlluqZXrx8WvxdMRq0Wl6A5f12XxM2fnfqHrD40-srdb5XtOeNePtDbxkmjM76kjNYG8os7YkQGHzGoR8cPMQgMsIsYk0Vxnn1AVn7L19ZK2CRUjZmRhpE/s1600/IMAG8112_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWcFHwjYk-LM2XD98U72sBqYlluqZXrx8WvxdMRq0Wl6A5f12XxM2fnfqHrD40-srdb5XtOeNePtDbxkmjM76kjNYG8os7YkQGHzGoR8cPMQgMsIsYk0Vxnn1AVn7L19ZK2CRUjZmRhpE/s640/IMAG8112_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew that got me to the top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here is one other project we have been working on.<br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/206493588">Isabella's College Recruitment Video</a><br />
<br />
Thanks for taking the time to check in.<br />
I am a Warrior.<br />
I am a Thrivor.<br />
I am the Exception.<br />
I choose the miracle.<br />
<br />
Prayer requests:<br />
Continued disease stability.<br />
Increased endurance and stamina.<br />
Total healing from Metastatic Adenocarcinoma.<br />
Restful sleep.<br />
Peace for my family.<br />
<br />
Warm Regards,<br />
Jim<br />
#holdfast<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-44956901074432530032016-11-06T18:09:00.000-08:002016-11-06T18:09:16.117-08:00A fortunate man, milestones, mentorship.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #222222; font-family: Roboto-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif;">
<div class="lr_dct_ent_ph">
<span class="lr_dct_ph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody";"><b>Fortunate</b></span></span><br />
<span class="lr_dct_ph" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody";">ˈfôrCH(ə)nət/</span></span></div>
<div>
<div class="lr_dct_sf_h" style="padding-top: 10px;">
<i style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody";">adjective</span></i></div>
<ol class="lr_dct_sf_sens" style="padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="lr_dct_sf_sen vk_txt" style="font-family: Roboto-Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, HelveticaNeue, sans-serif-light, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px !important; line-height: 16px; padding-top: 10px;">
<div style="margin-left: 20px;">
<div class="_Jig" style="margin-left: -20px;">
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); display: inline; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody";">favored by or involving good luck or fortune; lucky.</span></div>
<div class="vk_gy">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;">"she'd been fortunate to escape more serious injury"</span></span></div>
<div>
<table class="vk_tbl vk_gy" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="lr_dct_nyms_ttl" style="font-style: italic; padding: 0px 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;">synonyms:</span></span></td><td style="padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><a data-ved="0ahUKEwiGy-WDl4jQAhUJ6WMKHcNLDR4Q_SoIDDAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=mobilesearchapp&rlz=1MDAPLB_enUS640US640&source=mobilesearchapp&biw=1024&hl=en&channel=iss&v=20.3.136880903&noj=1&bih=748&q=define+lucky&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiGy-WDl4jQAhUJ6WMKHcNLDR4Q_SoIDDAA" style="text-decoration: none;">lucky</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwiGy-WDl4jQAhUJ6WMKHcNLDR4Q_SoIDTAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=mobilesearchapp&rlz=1MDAPLB_enUS640US640&source=mobilesearchapp&biw=1024&hl=en&channel=iss&v=20.3.136880903&noj=1&bih=748&q=define+favored&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiGy-WDl4jQAhUJ6WMKHcNLDR4Q_SoIDTAA" style="text-decoration: none;">favored</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwiGy-WDl4jQAhUJ6WMKHcNLDR4Q_SoIDjAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=mobilesearchapp&rlz=1MDAPLB_enUS640US640&source=mobilesearchapp&biw=1024&hl=en&channel=iss&v=20.3.136880903&noj=1&bih=748&q=define+blessed&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiGy-WDl4jQAhUJ6WMKHcNLDR4Q_SoIDjAA" style="text-decoration: none;">blessed</a></span>, blessed with good luck, in luck, having a charmed life, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwiGy-WDl4jQAhUJ6WMKHcNLDR4Q_SoIDzAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=mobilesearchapp&rlz=1MDAPLB_enUS640US640&source=mobilesearchapp&biw=1024&hl=en&channel=iss&v=20.3.136880903&noj=1&bih=748&q=define+charmed&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiGy-WDl4jQAhUJ6WMKHcNLDR4Q_SoIDzAA" style="text-decoration: none;">charmed</a>; </span></span><br />
<div style="display: inline;">
<div style="display: inline;">
<div style="display: inline;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;">sitting pretty</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am a <b>fortunate man</b>, <i>by definition.</i></span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody";"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.301961); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;">
</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I have lived a prosperous life with regards to life experience, family, financial means, work, community, and all of the things that have come my way in 49 years.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Then there is cancer, of course this is not a metaphor like the cancer our election has become...</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
We are talking about Stage 4 Lung Cancer, the real deal.......</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
We are talking about a 5 year survival rate of 3%. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
We are talking about a cancer that kills more Americans per year than Breast, Colon, and Prostate cancers combined. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
This is serious shit.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Yet...I am still a fortunate man. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Things could always be worse and I never lose sight of that.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I'm upright, I'm working, I'm going to soccer matches, I'm active, I'm Climbing Mountains, I'm Dirt Biking, I'm living life with Stage 4 Lung Cancer, and that is how it is....</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Despite the best of dreams that I have at night, I still wake up to that reality every day.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Cancer is NOT/NEVER a gift, but the fortune that has come my way after being diagnosed is immeasurable in its volume and depth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS1hZQxOgPRvgpnsUfzhS8tB_FpppmKTKLfmaw-rM0ksaytyX-ypS3udUgrinhdNlx0VdIGNB-iAivXzrLQh6SADDmFwS_mX-hWtpLde49uA_tSQJSE9ivs89TFpqaGj6wEcokSjItXgF/s1600/football-game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS1hZQxOgPRvgpnsUfzhS8tB_FpppmKTKLfmaw-rM0ksaytyX-ypS3udUgrinhdNlx0VdIGNB-iAivXzrLQh6SADDmFwS_mX-hWtpLde49uA_tSQJSE9ivs89TFpqaGj6wEcokSjItXgF/s640/football-game.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<b>Milestones:</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
My 49th birthday this year(Nov 7th) falls on another milestone.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Exactly 18 months ago to the day I was told of my cancer by Dr Redman.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
We all know what followed... but in short I am equally happy about both milestones.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I also got to see Isabella's junior homecoming last week. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<b>So what is going on Clinically?</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Over the past month I have had several key diagnostic tests done.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I had my first brain MRI since diagnosis and it was clean.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
This was a big relief because Lung Cancer FREQUENTLY metastasizes to the brain.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
My current treatment seems to be staving this off.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Every 9 weeks I have a neck/chest-and/pelvic CT scan to closely monitor what the status of my disease is. Although the trend has been positive on these scans I always suffer from some level of <a href="http://www.definition-of.com/scanxiety">Scanxiety</a>.... this time around I had been feeling more tired and run down, so my confidence was a little bit on the low side.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Well......I continue to be the EXCEPTION, the cancer is minimized and stabilized, in fact there continues to be even the slightest disease REGRESSION.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Days like these are joyful but there is also a shit-sandwich to the deal....</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Because right after I get good news like this, I march upstairs to the infusion bay to have the life giving poison of chemotherapy pumped into my veins, knowing very well it is keeping me alive, but at the same time is gonna kick my ass for the next 5-6 days.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I have really come to dread these treatments. I have had 25 rounds of chemotherapy, that seems crazy to me, and the nature of my disease dictates that there is no end in sight, I will just continue to do the chemotherapy.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I am talking to my Dr about switching to a 28 day cycle instead of 21 days after the first of the year. The prospect of 7 more days between chemo sessions is very appealing and I feel like I have arrived at a point of change in order to sustain durability and quality of life.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<b>Mentorship = Post Traumatic Growth</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Recently I was having a pretty rough day, I was generally feeling overwhelmed and emotional. I was on the verge of tears for no apparent reason, all while trying to put in a day at the office. My friend Kelly Fox(IAFF-D7VP) came by the office for a visit and told me about a brother firefighter from Great Falls, Montana named Jason Baker, whom had a new diagnosis of lung cancer. Kelly said he would give my contact info to him so that Jason could contact me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I thought back to my first week of diagnosis and I realized <i>I wouldn't have had the humility and the self awareness to reach out.</i> After putting more thought into it I called Kelly and said I wanted Jason's number because I WAS going to reach to him. <br />
So I called Jason...as we spoke I was taken back to the same place that he was in.<br />
I tried to tell him all of the things that I wish I had known in the early days of diagnosis.<br />
One of the biggest things I wanted him to hear is that WAS NOT a death sentence, I was given the same news 18 months ago S4 Lung Cancer, but here I am today, not just surviving but Thriving!!!! Over the past couple of weeks Jason and I have been in touch pretty frequently, he is learning the lay of the land with the specifics of his diagnosis and laying out a game plan.<br />
Jason told me that our conversations and reading my blog helped him to awaken the Warrior inside that he needed to fight this battle, that made me feel really good.<br />
We all hear about <i>Post Traumatic Stress</i> and <i>PTSD</i>, but there is a thing called <i>Post Traumatic Growth</i> and that is what I have achieved in my journey with cancer and by doing things like by reaching out to Jason. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vanessa-van-edwards/post-traumatic-growth_b_8650000.html">Post Traumatic Growth</a><br />
Thank you Jason, lets do this together.<br />
<br />
<b>Other Cool Stuff:</b><br />
<br />
At the end of September I took RRNW riders Scott Funston and Calder Wood to Connecticut to race in couple high profile Junior UCI CX races. It felt really good to being doing something that has been such a large part of my life over the past 16 years.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg067XkeZomU4aGtpdpVzDlAwKO6y3FLTNq_JetLrS3ZIgnCophyphenhyphenEx_5ekul9gYJxedn1bCT-JKVA9LK9zWaaCRMCNYbXVbWZtG1q2x42H1YKuZiuvwfKHAYC92ztEfS_TpgRgHNh3ERSJP/s1600/IMAG0236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg067XkeZomU4aGtpdpVzDlAwKO6y3FLTNq_JetLrS3ZIgnCophyphenhyphenEx_5ekul9gYJxedn1bCT-JKVA9LK9zWaaCRMCNYbXVbWZtG1q2x42H1YKuZiuvwfKHAYC92ztEfS_TpgRgHNh3ERSJP/s640/IMAG0236.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East Coast 2am Nutrition Program</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bella continues to amaze me with her skills on the soccer pitch.<br />
Her team posted a pretty great season for a "rebuilding" year.<br />
Bella was the "heartbeat" of the the team according to her coach.<br />
She closed out the year by being awarded First Team All League Evergreen Conference for the 3rd year in a row. Additionally she earned All Academic Honors.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNgDB77x2O9XLlFA08PgXCsaE9okiKXx9VvTlC_428LMFpJZVIy6F4XeYhoR59EAk9BWFRDdmiPl6JtTamepFIbLclzPtEcr8I_7ZFTkKLVgmKaQ5Cr2NLiu7kPOeBFYc3ZmhQGgas78H/s1600/FB_IMG_1477461866703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNgDB77x2O9XLlFA08PgXCsaE9okiKXx9VvTlC_428LMFpJZVIy6F4XeYhoR59EAk9BWFRDdmiPl6JtTamepFIbLclzPtEcr8I_7ZFTkKLVgmKaQ5Cr2NLiu7kPOeBFYc3ZmhQGgas78H/s640/FB_IMG_1477461866703.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asskickers Inc.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last Friday I hatched a plan to go climb Mt Ellinor so I reached out to a couple of buddies in an incredibly last minute nature and got them to give up a day of their lives to chase my passion.<br />
Ellinor is NO JOKE, It is a pretty serious climb and I take pride in the fact that I continue to challenge myself with adventures like this that many "healthy" won't even do.<br />
That said.....It really challenges me. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bybo-ZTVSik">Sumiting Ellinor</a> video.<br />
And then when I got there, an amazing surprise awaited me.<br />
There was 1 other person on the summit when we were there....<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/heather.johns.5458?fref=ts">Heather Johns</a> who is currently fighting Stage 4 Breast Cancer, was there.<br />
Holy Shit!!!! What an amazing and inspiring experience.<br />
So awesome to run into to others who refuse to lay down.<br />
She is training to climb Mt Rainier, so amazing.....<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ8jGAX1DdYzqT7nIRh5CWZIBr03J39CZqhUP0mhiaqLhisiMnGOteULAuAJtg4Jj1aFsNQ6OCNqtp_2VF3D2WXIf8ElAQ5CaCTeIdcD2qjDaVnf6b7uq47fCXXSF_jBZpqhU6j2BUWg2/s1600/FB_IMG_1478481682412_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ8jGAX1DdYzqT7nIRh5CWZIBr03J39CZqhUP0mhiaqLhisiMnGOteULAuAJtg4Jj1aFsNQ6OCNqtp_2VF3D2WXIf8ElAQ5CaCTeIdcD2qjDaVnf6b7uq47fCXXSF_jBZpqhU6j2BUWg2/s640/FB_IMG_1478481682412_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asskicking Cancer Patients on top of a Mountain<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweJbaLLEmFZElVURiDmQCZGMs75gHFk165JuNYjrC9Abf1-uXML7pAcN1OPHxKkgCT9Vp7IWkuGz7TYY8zqrH5hfACVOaQVeNfqyVucGh0Xf-yBz6F3Bth4OcGgHrIyAjDXp7EB1WovDk/s1600/ellinor+crew2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweJbaLLEmFZElVURiDmQCZGMs75gHFk165JuNYjrC9Abf1-uXML7pAcN1OPHxKkgCT9Vp7IWkuGz7TYY8zqrH5hfACVOaQVeNfqyVucGh0Xf-yBz6F3Bth4OcGgHrIyAjDXp7EB1WovDk/s640/ellinor+crew2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royce Smith and Kevin Bossard escorted me to the top.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well tomorrow when I wake up I will be 49 years old.<br />
I am celebrating the day by going dirt biking, having dinner with my family, and getting a new Tattoo....because that's how I do shit....there may be some Jagermeister consumed along the way as well.<br />
<br />
My continued prayers requests:<br />
Restful sleep.<br />
Continued disease mangament.<br />
Complete healing from Metastatic Adenocarcinoma<br />
Peace for for me and my family.<br />
<br />
Lots of cool stuff coming up for the Brown brood, stay tuned.<br />
<br />
Thanks for checking in.<br />
Hold Fast.<br />
Jim<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIuURMjIHzNVgOC_K_sBIlSp3fOJwmRCdGXPvC7wBKFQa53mDzqmSI6CNCjaq1deo_RA_Ip2IqxYCAq-cIIA5FP7S6qwmt3BdoYKxykyxkExYu7HTLfgwX5ourfsxh6a2mW76JxvrCXnS/s1600/note-regina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIuURMjIHzNVgOC_K_sBIlSp3fOJwmRCdGXPvC7wBKFQa53mDzqmSI6CNCjaq1deo_RA_Ip2IqxYCAq-cIIA5FP7S6qwmt3BdoYKxykyxkExYu7HTLfgwX5ourfsxh6a2mW76JxvrCXnS/s640/note-regina.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-69044500377737756702016-09-01T15:17:00.000-07:002016-09-01T15:17:05.398-07:00I choose not to settle....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>Clinical Information:</b><br />
On my last blog post dated July 1st I had just received "stable" results on my most current CT Scan.<br />
I resolved to take a deep breath and live life carefree for the rest of the summer, as I didn't have another Scan till late August, well...that is what I did, but more on the summer later.<br />
I recently traveled to New England for a vacation with my family, while I was there I sought out the consultation of Dr Alice Shaw who is know to be one of the worlds foremost experts on ROS1 cancer drivers. Dr Shaw and Dr. Campo carefully reviewed my chart and were quite impressed with my progress against the disease. I couple of suggestions were made to consider for my current line of treatment and some really hopeful things discussed about my next line of treatment.<br />
Its always reassuring to have somebody take an objective look at your case and back up what you are doing. At this point some really big brains have reviewed my case and here is what they have said.<br />
<br />
"Your response can be categorized as miraculous"-<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BspekUOS300">Dr.Keith Eaton</a>, SCCA University of Washington<br />
<br />
"Your response has been amazing"-<a href="http://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/doctor.aspx?id=17279">Dr. Alice Shaw</a>, Massachusetts, General.<br />
<br />
"You have responded to your treatment exquisitely"-<a href="http://health.usnews.com/doctors/meghan-campo-731967">Dr. Meghan Campo</a>, Massachusetts General.<br />
<br />
"We had to look pretty hard to find active disease on your scans" <a href="http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/departments/medicine/MedicalOncology/faculty/Pages/DRossCamidge,MD.aspx">Dr. Ross Camidge</a>, U of Colorado.<br />
<br />
On the heals of all of that I had my most recent CT scan on August 24th.<br />
Results showed continued stability, and even 1mm more of reduction.<br />
My disease resistance number is now 13.8mm compared to 70mm when I started treatment.<br />
So I continue the current pathway, chemotherapy every 21 days and the hopes are that everything remains stable and this part of my disease management has lots of duration.<br />
We wanna give those big brains that I visited time to find new and innovative ways to stay in front of this stuff.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZrL7W8X3nsvpRWilT5eSUbOsB66s1bNBRr2MnIH_pL4xpqmXsg9Ry98ZmuKpI_O_PFUe7GoXq-65YLvguwEVK5kK5i68H_RFG-TQ4OOaQBh8Jlp-Do_3UhyphenhyphenFhKJuJHrQfmZdwnXmXczI/s1600/IMG_20160815_130226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZrL7W8X3nsvpRWilT5eSUbOsB66s1bNBRr2MnIH_pL4xpqmXsg9Ry98ZmuKpI_O_PFUe7GoXq-65YLvguwEVK5kK5i68H_RFG-TQ4OOaQBh8Jlp-Do_3UhyphenhyphenFhKJuJHrQfmZdwnXmXczI/s640/IMG_20160815_130226.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Shaw and Dr. Campo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Choosing not to settle, living life.....</b><br />
My friend and fellow cancer fighter <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kirk.smith.54584?fref=ts">Kirk Smith</a> used that phrase recently and I really like it.<br />
So after Junes CT scan I decided to have some fun this summer.<br />
<br />
<b>Whats this Dirt Biking shit?</b><br />
Does it make sense or does, it seem reasonable that a Stage 4 Lung Cancer PT on blood thinners decides that Dirt Biking is his new form of primary summer recreation?<br />
Hell No!!!!!<br />
But to many people it doesn't make sense that I am still alive!!!!!!<br />
In the winter I re-found <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uymzZWdSyAQ">freedom on my snowboard</a>, if you tried to follow me on the mountain you would never know I was sick, I just let gravity and my skills do the work.<br />
A few weeks ago I dusted off my dirt bike and found a similar freedom out on the trails.<br />
It gives me the trill of the speed and the trail without the cardiovascular load that riding mountain bikes or running does.<br />
So there it was.....for the time being I'm gonna ride my Dirt Bike.<br />
I just gotta try to remember Dr. Eaton's words, "try not to bleed"....<br />
Gotta be Jim Brown...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeStZwyHAi6jYaa33A5gMfv3eAI2pmj2QQyhrr50fMmpMur3tm-0yVZcUmpQxNCsnehKEMigg1KicyJ5wsJj5U2uDpHnkHe3uadJo8CnWLeR9Qwf0pTzFEHheniDmrPzmzE-tFqdiig357/s1600/husky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeStZwyHAi6jYaa33A5gMfv3eAI2pmj2QQyhrr50fMmpMur3tm-0yVZcUmpQxNCsnehKEMigg1KicyJ5wsJj5U2uDpHnkHe3uadJo8CnWLeR9Qwf0pTzFEHheniDmrPzmzE-tFqdiig357/s640/husky.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I celebrated World Lung Cancer Awareness day on my scooter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Rad Racing Stuff.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The end of July brought the Rapha NW Classic JR Stage race.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is a race that I co-founded 5 years ago to give junior riders the spotlight at a road stage race.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The event has grown to be the largest "Junior Only" stage race in the country and that is a fact that I am very proud of. I was able to spend time with lots of my cycling family and had a couple of great treats. For the first time since the inaugeral year RRNW took a Overall GC title, in fact...we took 2.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jack Spanger and Callah Robinson respectively won the boys and girls Junior D(11/12) titles.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Top put icing on the cake my man Lewis Whiley won the 17/18's in the Kona Jim Brown SR Memorial Road Race, it's always awesome when one of my riders wins my dad's namesake race.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MKEx9Stsc3qu6HEZDBEFvFOMSi7azOdj4m8hZeYeip3PlaYz93s0Ig9neWVf3kpjlYBg61Uoad4v41cge4XlqlgZS3VDtrju-N3I3cdH90DWaPYrf5qWyrPrWMLozTf3HZVOSu1p7aAT/s1600/IMAG7556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MKEx9Stsc3qu6HEZDBEFvFOMSi7azOdj4m8hZeYeip3PlaYz93s0Ig9neWVf3kpjlYBg61Uoad4v41cge4XlqlgZS3VDtrju-N3I3cdH90DWaPYrf5qWyrPrWMLozTf3HZVOSu1p7aAT/s640/IMAG7556.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Callah and Jack take the overall titles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FzbWRiMA9QqQ9_7V6t2VqI95ucuYIfwoN4gmZjVv_ACUVPvTYxmfHEvA2Q7nWvhZ3HM_UA5y0L_lpA_WtraF7_vhMQN_gf1UJdQTq1-O-RX_FdHdE2-BcrxFP0VFbON_ydws19wsL_bA/s1600/IMAG7558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FzbWRiMA9QqQ9_7V6t2VqI95ucuYIfwoN4gmZjVv_ACUVPvTYxmfHEvA2Q7nWvhZ3HM_UA5y0L_lpA_WtraF7_vhMQN_gf1UJdQTq1-O-RX_FdHdE2-BcrxFP0VFbON_ydws19wsL_bA/s640/IMAG7558.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lewis Whiley delivers the big win</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>New England/East Coast Whirlwind</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The "Brown Brood" including my mom loaded up on a plane and flew out to visit my brother Andy and his family at their home in New Hampshire, this gave us great access to Boston and NYC.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The trip started out with fulfilling a childhood dream by attending a Red Sox game at Fenway Park. It is a little know Jim Brown fact that when I was a kid I was a HUGE fan of stick and ball sports, I lived and died by the Red Sox and the Seahawks as a grade school and middle schooler....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another highlight of the opening weekend was a lobster feed that left me having to lay down on the ground to recover from eating some much of that red gold.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We scooped up our portion of the brood and did a little NYC time, my girls were beside themselves about the opportunity. The first stop on the tour was visiting our friends Billy and Lianna Durney and their restaurant in Brooklyn <a href="http://hometownbarbque.com/#modern-organic-thai">Hometown Barbque</a>. It was so good to catch up with them and we were treated to a meal fit for royalty, never had some much good barbque cooking in my life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next morning brought a water taxi to Manhattan.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
First stop on the island was the 9/11 memorial, there are really no words to describe the gamit of emotions that being there brought forward. Bella was only 3 years old when 9/11 happened and the other girls not even born, the memorial helped Regina and I explain the mystery of 9/11 and the impact and ramifications of it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Probably the most crushing thing for me was seeing the fire apparatus that was destroyed when the buildings came down, knowing that in most cases none of the men assigned to any of those rigs came out alive. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I very much endorse a visit to the memorial.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The afternoon brought our trek "uptown" and Times Square, my girls went Bananas over it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The lights, the energy, the people, it is all so much to take in, its like another planet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My girls can now check off "Broadway Show" on their list, we went to the "Lion King" and it was awesome. The next morning brought more time at Times Square, and a visit to 30 Rockefeller Plaza and the home of NBC Studios.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The closing portion of our NYC leg brought a trip to the American Museum of Natural History and a horse carriage ride in Central Park. Finally water taxi back over to Brooklyn and come classic pizza and we were back on the road to New Hampshire.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Back at my brothers house for the last couple of days, mountain resort, beach time, and some soccer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a whirlwind 10 days and when we got home I needed a vacation after my vacation....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Here's a bunch of pictures....</b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYmqOqkj5kOCnFER2Tm8mYpl-pHqO3tA3yr-ehH0Yq9IQD0nf8-KMElc_AuubgjTEJKwJTrkq6ygjtokC9yA-KXknIWICk_ODRmKt8HGU0vLhx1aDJuj8Lzc9wxDjpYgjLK_ZmiELuyf8/s1600/IMG_20160813_160904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYmqOqkj5kOCnFER2Tm8mYpl-pHqO3tA3yr-ehH0Yq9IQD0nf8-KMElc_AuubgjTEJKwJTrkq6ygjtokC9yA-KXknIWICk_ODRmKt8HGU0vLhx1aDJuj8Lzc9wxDjpYgjLK_ZmiELuyf8/s640/IMG_20160813_160904.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Brothers Inc...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMhF0rcBfExXZy43EquFWYb4ks0ELtt-U0YyrY7ezt2E3ilZKyHeAWA3ua6tyIIgFlds8PajzX6KSaUd1MJivBP6Uyqvc6tPuIto3P10v5ktYsj7nw4W2cvgys5D2h9iFk_DZG9fjUFhD/s1600/IMG_20160813_185937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMhF0rcBfExXZy43EquFWYb4ks0ELtt-U0YyrY7ezt2E3ilZKyHeAWA3ua6tyIIgFlds8PajzX6KSaUd1MJivBP6Uyqvc6tPuIto3P10v5ktYsj7nw4W2cvgys5D2h9iFk_DZG9fjUFhD/s640/IMG_20160813_185937.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fenway and Red Sox</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkTttIUkM5fdSnM4Mu0TgWiPE3rY4JE9lq8pw-L59uYrHz_S6ttLuOstyCdjDD68SHKOQF6SS7EMJm_uk9mjIoQN2AFivdVztpJUfmzQZ6epbPzmBeStDwS_6cdJX4Q0Sa9fn2Dbkq10A/s1600/IMG_20160814_172541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkTttIUkM5fdSnM4Mu0TgWiPE3rY4JE9lq8pw-L59uYrHz_S6ttLuOstyCdjDD68SHKOQF6SS7EMJm_uk9mjIoQN2AFivdVztpJUfmzQZ6epbPzmBeStDwS_6cdJX4Q0Sa9fn2Dbkq10A/s640/IMG_20160814_172541.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crippled by lobster...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXPM14DdQgJlk1Yomh95Lqi1PQbBrhOLbzW4zUmwqu-WfD2I7bo2lERwcddzcOruzqhPfiKdE9iJVX6qNd9T3Z7A1ll8wW9f8lo1VLy82YzteHzOQfoq7xrvjysahcSFVTPOa-vZsGx0x/s1600/IMG_20160816_212816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXPM14DdQgJlk1Yomh95Lqi1PQbBrhOLbzW4zUmwqu-WfD2I7bo2lERwcddzcOruzqhPfiKdE9iJVX6qNd9T3Z7A1ll8wW9f8lo1VLy82YzteHzOQfoq7xrvjysahcSFVTPOa-vZsGx0x/s640/IMG_20160816_212816.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Billy Durney and our #fuckcancer pose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26Etk95J9cf5z8yLX7dbFjRFhlHuenajwLPJNy-Qm_2HzOKJVausshjuy7fXMI9_-DOsYujvTY8mWVixQDClAHiZDsj1WUnaGqH9x5s2GYEHgWMmfuqMsBjI7h-tL5MeQ7w82SNd4TPuO/s1600/IMAG7662_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26Etk95J9cf5z8yLX7dbFjRFhlHuenajwLPJNy-Qm_2HzOKJVausshjuy7fXMI9_-DOsYujvTY8mWVixQDClAHiZDsj1WUnaGqH9x5s2GYEHgWMmfuqMsBjI7h-tL5MeQ7w82SNd4TPuO/s640/IMAG7662_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladder 3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnbZqBXqhj1kkRPUv6tHA6Lu0MFvGdcD2fuk9zAshuNU4GMFyKjX1-uP7q0U_eVj3nLMTir59DJdIwM7QaxDltvbJf1ZwwEnJyZo01U7ImngLWq2NS0Gv6T2ZBHEa-EdUQu47-8GiebRq/s1600/IMG_20160816_180108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnbZqBXqhj1kkRPUv6tHA6Lu0MFvGdcD2fuk9zAshuNU4GMFyKjX1-uP7q0U_eVj3nLMTir59DJdIwM7QaxDltvbJf1ZwwEnJyZo01U7ImngLWq2NS0Gv6T2ZBHEa-EdUQu47-8GiebRq/s640/IMG_20160816_180108.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NYPD Love</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsOl8RbDRwGzTAkQfUcdvtkEpO5o3z37sI9aZsfKYZTqKpmwCe7_cxbiZdQvsg66WuD0ZG2jScbHc8FVe0boi0SulVEfeIHx5YNwFuQBugwbjkjHlDt5mSWZ6ur7FSfurzFq7V1CF4vdv/s1600/IMG_20160816_171820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsOl8RbDRwGzTAkQfUcdvtkEpO5o3z37sI9aZsfKYZTqKpmwCe7_cxbiZdQvsg66WuD0ZG2jScbHc8FVe0boi0SulVEfeIHx5YNwFuQBugwbjkjHlDt5mSWZ6ur7FSfurzFq7V1CF4vdv/s640/IMG_20160816_171820.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brooklyn Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXSEkAdn66DB4EVrHCkVCfWCwf6EQZY5M4-Vk4KKj-Nu4MN5-vGVJuhAVRWOaxApFT6599YeIeFnD4XzrT2UqG7zvadJ0j0HEtTeHbKF0iOZVKCUhcfPOrJpIb37MF9BHubg669Sn1cq8/s1600/IMG_20160817_155330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXSEkAdn66DB4EVrHCkVCfWCwf6EQZY5M4-Vk4KKj-Nu4MN5-vGVJuhAVRWOaxApFT6599YeIeFnD4XzrT2UqG7zvadJ0j0HEtTeHbKF0iOZVKCUhcfPOrJpIb37MF9BHubg669Sn1cq8/s640/IMG_20160817_155330.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9/11 Memorial<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMGXg5xGx94Dnhm9BFq4YN93de6Ff2I2yDXVkDk6L_9LOBvWEFI9PFYXc1fPrInHEj-FOtPrEhvASNb4oHJBLoEMjbZQ0VnpQj8YZXveaDb3BRhcrCK-gnYBz8x76yd4W92anpaAe4EFW/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMGXg5xGx94Dnhm9BFq4YN93de6Ff2I2yDXVkDk6L_9LOBvWEFI9PFYXc1fPrInHEj-FOtPrEhvASNb4oHJBLoEMjbZQ0VnpQj8YZXveaDb3BRhcrCK-gnYBz8x76yd4W92anpaAe4EFW/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entire Brown Brood<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>What else......</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Bella went on a mission trip to Mexico and had the time of her life. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
She followed that up with a trip to Young Life's Malibu club where Regina and I met 28 years ago.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Phoebe and Lilly both went to overnight camp at Black Lake Bible Camp.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In mid July Regina had an acute appendicitis and had to have emergency surgery.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I passed a kidney stone just to keep things interesting.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Regina went to LA and got to see Adele for her birthday.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Lilly's soccer team won 2 tournaments. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Regina, Bella and I got to see Macklemore in Olympia.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I will close it out now, been a great summer and this was a pretty long post so thanks for sticking with it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We continue to be amazed at the love and support our community shows us throughout the past 16 months of this cancer journey. This summer was much better than last year and our friends and family had a lot to do with it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My specific prayer requests.... if that is your thing:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Complete healing from metastatic adenocarcinoma</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Continued management and stabilization of my disease</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Peace for my family</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Restful sleep</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am a Warrior</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am a Thrivor</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am the Exception</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I choose the Miracle</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Warm Regards,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Jim</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
#holdfast</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-54296332585978398632016-07-01T10:43:00.002-07:002016-07-05T17:07:42.503-07:00Progression Free Survival-FAQ's<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Progression Free Survival!!!!</b><br />
I just got results back from my most recent CT scan.<br />
My cancer continues to be stabilized and minimized!!!!<br />
The fact is.... my measurable disease shrank another 1.2 mm since my last CT scan.<br />
Dr. Eaton continues to be pleased with the results, we are thrilled.<br />
This CT/Scan and Chemo Round #19 marks I full year in chemotherapy.<br />
It has been a hard year and we have had to stay sharp, combativeness has been the order of the day, everyday.... It takes a toll. We are looking forward to soaking in these recent results and cutting loose to do some living this summer. Thank you to all of our supporters that have gotten us to this place, it feels good to be in front of this thing. Take a deep Breathe.....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRf4cz2yf1mfM24SDaRRSeYF3-SPBpHj9-wBdUSBZ1b0Lnv7yVw-bBQqMqcjMTpuGVyvOJh5GoG0ipeiTryTxXtP8f0KmptG-b8NW7KgJxUW36_8EsNqKJKuCIPasslq95SbjA20tSWoL8/s1600/5dcfafe6-0e7f-4cea-b659-e8f1826f6b31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRf4cz2yf1mfM24SDaRRSeYF3-SPBpHj9-wBdUSBZ1b0Lnv7yVw-bBQqMqcjMTpuGVyvOJh5GoG0ipeiTryTxXtP8f0KmptG-b8NW7KgJxUW36_8EsNqKJKuCIPasslq95SbjA20tSWoL8/s320/5dcfafe6-0e7f-4cea-b659-e8f1826f6b31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)</b><br />
I get asked a lot of questions about my disease.<br />
I thought I would hit a few of them here....<br />
<br />
<b><i>How many more rounds of Chemo do you have?</i></b><br />
<div>
My chemotherapy schedule is indefinite. </div>
<div>
I will continue to get the current treatment until <i>it is no longer effective in keeping the cancer at bay.</i> As of June 23rd I have had 19 rounds of chemotherapy and I have been in treatment for 364 days, basically 1 year now. If/When the current line of treatment stops working I have a second line plan all lined up, planning ahead as to not be put into "crisis" mode again.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>What does Stage 4 Metastatic Cancer mean?</i></b></div>
<div>
It means that the cancer originated in an organ and the cells have spread to other parts of the body and set up shop. In my case origin was Lungs, and the cancer spread to my lymph nodes and my bones. </div>
<div>
It is because of this, that my only treatment option is chemo. </div>
<div>
Chemo can approach it systemically- radiation nor surgery are options. </div>
<div>
Think about applying weed killer to your lawn vs just pulling weeds.</div>
<div>
The weeds you pull (radiation/surgery) will likely grow back, but the area you put the weed killer (chemotherapy) should remain weed free. Get it?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>What is Remission and when will you be there?</i></b></div>
<div>
It is a term that gets thrown around a lot.</div>
<div>
In layman's terms, people interpret it as that the cancer has gone away after treatment.</div>
<div>
It is NOT a term <b>my</b> oncologist uses; my cancer is considered un-curable. <br />
Therefore, the expectation is that I will never be "in remission".. </div>
<div>
But miracles happen and <i>I haven't discounted that</i>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>What is No Evidence of Disease(NED)?</i></b></div>
<div>
It means that with diagnostic tests you appear to be cancer free: there is no measurable/observable cancer. Typically, this is associated with still being in treatment. Because of the complex nature with the spread to my lymph nodes, my Dr. Eaton says I am close but will probably never be true NED.<br />
But...per my last results, I am ever so close, and still strive for it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>What is Progression Free Survival (PFS)?</i></b></div>
<div>
THIS is where I am. After 4 rounds of super burly carbon based chemo last summer and 15 more rounds of "maintenance", my tumors have shrunk. </div>
<div>
They are minimized and stabilized.</div>
<div>
There has been no disease progression since I started chemo exactly 1 year ago.</div>
<div>
This is the goal with the management of my disease, and right now it is going quite well.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>What are the side effects of chemotherapy?</i></b></div>
<div>
During the first 4 rounds it was extreme fatigue, nausea, weakness, near fainting, and anemia. I also was having cardiac arrhythmias that were partially cancer related and partially side effects. On my current regime it is low grade fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite. Just generally icky feeling. This lasts 4-5 days, by day 5, I am ready to go back to work, by day 6 there seems to be a switch flipped and I feel almost normal.</div>
<div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div>
<b><i>Why haven't you lost your hair?</i></b></div>
<div>
Chemotherapy has become much more specialized and targeted that in many cases like mine, hair loss does not happen. Chemo attacks fast growing cells like cancer, it the past it didn't discriminate and hair loss happened.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>Why don't you look sick? </i></b></div>
<div>
Part because of my miraculous response to treatment, part because of the specialized nature of my chemo, part because at baseline I was a pretty healthy fit dude, and maybe mostly because I am a strong stubborn son of a bitch with a pretty stout mindset at fighting this.<br />
<br />
<b>Fun Stuff:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I recently was asked to be part of a panel by the<b> <a href="http://www.lungcancerfoundation.org/">Bonnie J Addario Lung Cancer Foundation</a>.</b><br />
I flew down to San Francisco and met some great people while sharing my story.<br />
Here is the presentation, fast forward to minute 48 to see my interview.<br />
<b><a href="http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/88332027">PT perspective panel</a></b><br />
<br />
Bella and I got to attend a Copa Americana match between the USA and Ecuador.<br />
It was one of the most exciting matches I have ever seen, and USA came away with the Victory!!!!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl24by3S2O40jiOcZNX9SqMm3SF62ZVK0ENxTx-mzPxo4M2RTeZP9DaJ3VlerpuNZe5g9owO40hriQMBKIjlgMw10JAi4W1iHzz4z2A0qGr2SGord7-i-7eapc5x8VK2QO7uLzeFGV3Vay/s1600/IMAG7428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl24by3S2O40jiOcZNX9SqMm3SF62ZVK0ENxTx-mzPxo4M2RTeZP9DaJ3VlerpuNZe5g9owO40hriQMBKIjlgMw10JAi4W1iHzz4z2A0qGr2SGord7-i-7eapc5x8VK2QO7uLzeFGV3Vay/s640/IMAG7428.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go Team USA!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
For Fathers day we went out the the Olympic Peninsula and hiked Lake Lena.<br />
What a great day out for the family, followed up with an awesome Fathers Day dinner.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSv0GWkR2NkN47YUf8LKLR4sEMYkvyv9qb3t5zhIXTLPhoYc4hjxHnAiNe30XKCnZWrtDMsBSvjv1uj8FVnxsSKPnaux9AD0814dSrRvOl4jqRgG-jB8TMRQazq4-PciWGq01MvKrNOgU/s1600/IMAG7447_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSv0GWkR2NkN47YUf8LKLR4sEMYkvyv9qb3t5zhIXTLPhoYc4hjxHnAiNe30XKCnZWrtDMsBSvjv1uj8FVnxsSKPnaux9AD0814dSrRvOl4jqRgG-jB8TMRQazq4-PciWGq01MvKrNOgU/s640/IMAG7447_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lena Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
All of the brown girls are out of school for the year.<br />
Phoebe has attended Black Lake Elementary from K-6 and will moving on to TMS for 7th grade.<br />
We celebrated her moving on to middle school at the 6th grade tea.<br />
Bella will be JR this coming year at Black Hills HS, and Lilly is gonna be a 5th grader at BLE.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_iI_cvCyYSHfaFRb10XW1VbfGTTxQXuA97HxCGyOSwI-De5LZFaCOPPH5x4r-DL9LrXgLznKMgcSJq1Hi_hjdTM0QIWYf9xhcH89JxZDot70TwA8auGwL0pD7Tv6vklROQm04POD7sPz/s1600/IMAG7426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_iI_cvCyYSHfaFRb10XW1VbfGTTxQXuA97HxCGyOSwI-De5LZFaCOPPH5x4r-DL9LrXgLznKMgcSJq1Hi_hjdTM0QIWYf9xhcH89JxZDot70TwA8auGwL0pD7Tv6vklROQm04POD7sPz/s640/IMAG7426.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6th Grade Tea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
Thanks for checking in and for the continued support.<br />
<br />
I am a warrior.<br />
I am a thrivor.<br />
I am the exception.<br />
I choose the miracle.<br />
<br />
Prayer requests:<br />
Complete healing from metastatic adenocarinoma.<br />
Peace, rest, and rejuvenation for my family.<br />
Good sleep.<br />
<br />
Thanks,<br />
Jim<br />
#holdfast</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-32884489653700232902016-05-18T23:38:00.000-07:002016-05-19T08:10:03.014-07:00... but I just saw pictures of him climbing Mt. Ellinor <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDvEteViV0tVE7uuniEaWYTD5JvA131zyOLQ4t_gyvvnBsWRivWWYGtjOMsTQ_YnWxd43AHzqykWrOmk3bHwkTGX-FHAEUHGJ_4sqYJdBGfLbY897iM8c74xlZwg9IQC7walplgo-4Jtk/s1600/ellinor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDvEteViV0tVE7uuniEaWYTD5JvA131zyOLQ4t_gyvvnBsWRivWWYGtjOMsTQ_YnWxd43AHzqykWrOmk3bHwkTGX-FHAEUHGJ_4sqYJdBGfLbY897iM8c74xlZwg9IQC7walplgo-4Jtk/s640/ellinor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b>My bride and Rock,</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/regina.brown.395?fref=ts">Regina Brown</a> <b>is the guest blogger today.</b></span><br />
<span class="s1"><b>She spits the truth, no candy coating, no bullshit......</b></span><br />
<span class="s1"><br /></span>
<span class="s1">I haven't posted much
publicly about the challenges of last calendar year of our life. <br />The daily
struggles, pain, and hardships. <br />Jim does an amazing job of articulating our new
normal and showing the positive aspects of our battle.<br />I have wanted his words to be enough.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">On social media I have chosen to
focus and reveal my gratitude. There are so many people I am grateful for. The
generosity of others' time and resources has deserved the air time. <br />I am
acutely aware of our silver linings & they are plentiful.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">All of this said, I
feel the need to come clean.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">It has come to my
attention that there are some folks who think that things must not be 'that
bad' ... </span><br />
<span class="s1">I mean, after all, weren't there just pictures of Jim climbing Mt.
Ellinor?</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Apparently. some people have been critical of some of the resources that have been gifted to our family. </span><br />
<span class="s1"><br /></span>
<span class="s1">Because....... Jim seems 'OK'.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p3">
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">He has all his hair.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="s1">He still works full-time <i>(around his chemo).</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><br />
He doesn't look like he's sick.<br />
He rides his bike.<br />
He snowboards.<br />
He climbs mountains.</div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">To those of you who
may have had some of these thoughts, I understand.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">I don't understand
because I have been in your shoes.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">I just understand
human nature.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b><i>Here's the thing:</i></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">There is so much you
don't know about our monthly chemo roller coaster. </span><br />
<span class="s1">You don't know because we shield you. <br />We
hunker down and push through the hard stuff. </span><span class="s1">We are neck deep and
are simply trying to survive.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Truth be told, I
haven't shared much of what I am about to share with you even with my close
friends.<br />I haven't had much opportunity to spend time with them in person to share these
things.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">We actually have some
really good days.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">These days are numbered...
But they still come.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">They typically fall
14 days after a chemo treatment.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Jim tries to plan any
activity that might be physically taxing(bike rides, snowboarding, hiking) for the 3rd weekend after his monthly
chemo (days 16 &17). These days are gifts.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">They are such gifts, that Jim feels the burden and drive to make the absolute most of the truly good
days and take pieces of his life back. They are small victories that help fuel the fire of survivorship.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The double edge of
that sword is that he pays the price for any truly taxing activity he takes on. </span><br />
<span class="s1">If it is as taxing as Mt. Ellinor.... The price tag is steep and his whole
family pays the price for the ensuing days.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Basically- for the
last year, each month is broken down into chunks.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Jim has chemo every
21st day on a Thursday.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">He chose Thursday to
ensure that most of his recovery time falls on days that he was already off
from the Fire Department so as to minimally impact his job and his ability to
function as Captain of EMS.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">It takes him 5-7 days
to feel close to himself after each chemo.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Five days if he takes
it really easy immediately following chemo/ Seven days if he participates in
typical family events (track meets, birthday parties, soccer games). <br />Then he
slowly rebuilds for the next two weeks... In preparation for the next round of
chemo.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">He gets one week a
month where he is at his 'best'.... His NEW 'best'</span><span class="s1"> = 70-80% of pre-cancer Jim.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">This is our life, for
as long as this specific chemo train lasts.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">It could be 6 weeks
it could 6 years, it all depends if the treatment keeps working, when/if it
stops we move to another line of treatment.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">We have been told
that the 5-7 day recovery will begin to stretch to 7-10 days, and so on.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">What this looked like
last weekend <i>(post chemo)</i> was that Jim tried to participate in family and
friend life <i>(birthday parties & track meets)</i>. </span><span class="s1">Unfortunately this
activity dug him into a hole.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">When he is in this post chemo deficit he is tired, physically uncomfortable, nauseated, and irritable.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="s1">I try to keep the
house as quiet and peaceful as possible.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">This usually means we
leave for chunks of the day.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">This tears me in half
because I want to be there with Jim so that he is not alone... but I have to
remove the younger girls from the house so that he can rest and they aren't
constantly being 'shushed'. It is a tightrope.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">This last Saturday,
he couldn't even<i> 'rally'</i> to take pictures of his daughter before prom. <br />It was
hard to tell Bella that her dad wasn't going to make it for pictures.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;">
</span></span><span class="s1">We had a friend's
daughter meet me and she took amazing photos in his absence:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_C4N5jQv7vuCdyMxtL2g4JUigktmGF78VJ6sd5x_0_iJqlMpey00iXgpZN-fRD4dIe6Td8c1-PlJMHmHygUdibmWWl9Tt2wBp0MMl5n3PkCWU3BBQij8nEpgOWs6hsfO00PnNnZzM45Ug/s1600/prom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_C4N5jQv7vuCdyMxtL2g4JUigktmGF78VJ6sd5x_0_iJqlMpey00iXgpZN-fRD4dIe6Td8c1-PlJMHmHygUdibmWWl9Tt2wBp0MMl5n3PkCWU3BBQij8nEpgOWs6hsfO00PnNnZzM45Ug/s640/prom.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prom 2K16 courtesy of Haley Stewart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">He was laid low
Sunday and Monday too.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span>Here we are on
Wednesday (today) and I am seeing glimpses of 'Jim' with a little more energy. <span class="s1">He is on the upswing.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br />Here's the truth of
Jim's chemo train... He's actually really fortunate.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">So many others have a
much more physically taxing road.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">So many others have
it much worse, we know this.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b><span class="s1">Our reality:</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">We are told that
Jim's cancer will not be cured.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">He is not a
<i>" 'survivor' - he is SURVIVING. </i></span><span class="s1" style="font-style: italic;">There is no 'life
after cancer' there is just life WITH cancer."</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span>So we are doing our
best with this life with cancer, fully realizing that each day is a true gift.</div>
<div class="p1">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Though we don't talk
about statistics- We know them:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Stage IV Lung Cancer
has a less than 5% -<i>5 year survival rate.</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Jim is doing
everything in his power to defy these odds.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">As you can imagine-
all of this takes an emotional toll too.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">On Jim. On Me. On all
of us.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">That is entirely
different and more difficult conversation than what I am sharing with you now.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Here is where I quote
one of my favorite movies- S</span><span class="s1">hawshank Redemption: </span><i><span class="s1">"I guess it
comes down to a simple choice, really. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AVy_opE3E4">Get Busy Living</a> or get busy dying. That's Godd*mn right"</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><span class="apple-tab-span"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="p1">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b>So, we get busy
living.</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"><br />We have a very
busy life with three children and two full-time working parents with no family
in the area.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><span class="s1">The girls and I have
to pick up the slack when Jim is really tired, and without family we have had
to rely on the kindness and generosity of our community.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b>I still commute daily and I am gone 9-10 hours a day:</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><span class="s1">A demanding job as a
school counselor supporting children in their crisis, grief, and life events.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b>Jim is working as
many hours as his body allows, but very close to full time:</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><i>A Captain at the Fire
Department helping shape Medical Services in new and innovative ways including
Cancer Prevention.</i></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b>Each of our daughters
has activities 2-3 evenings during the work week and more on weekends:</b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;">
</span></span><span class="s1"><i>Soccer, Track,
Acting Classes, Gymnastics, Youth Group, etc.</i></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br />Laundry and dishes
still pile up. </span>Meals still have to
be <i>'pre-meditated'</i> .</div>
<div class="p1">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">All the things we ALL
deal with. Nothing special. Just life.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">So n</span><span class="s1">ow you have a
fuller picture of our struggle... not just the highlight reel.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br />We have asked for
very little from our community.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">All that has been
given has come unsolicited.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">It has humbled and
shocked us.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">We are forever
grateful.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b><span class="s1">We feel the love.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: ".sfuitext-regular" , serif;"> </span></span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p3">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">All Best Things</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Regina</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9P5KFAM5bSkn7tVmbBQHS3R34H8CViLdf9Dy9uAOe7BQr2vtWnlpf4U24VQiQkNyFtd37v_bv_6o9_1M6rewMGli7roKb2M2piPa1ijc9UZKjcHWBDg-uPThIQ80spdffnWYZQqDzau4u/s1600/linnea-olson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9P5KFAM5bSkn7tVmbBQHS3R34H8CViLdf9Dy9uAOe7BQr2vtWnlpf4U24VQiQkNyFtd37v_bv_6o9_1M6rewMGli7roKb2M2piPa1ijc9UZKjcHWBDg-uPThIQ80spdffnWYZQqDzau4u/s640/linnea-olson.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim's friend Linnea captures the essence of our situation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br /></div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-55677840534969623182016-05-05T21:21:00.000-07:002016-05-05T21:21:03.497-07:001 year.....with a little help from my friends...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>1 Year from Diagnosis:</b><br />
May 6th, 2015 I got the phone call while heading to a medical conference in Idaho.<br />
It was the call that changed my life forever, Dr. Redmond seemed to stumble on his words as he told me, I think he was as blown away as I was.<br />
"It's not what we thought it was...... you have Lung Cancer".<br />
Nothing will ever be the same.<br />
My head was spinning..... anger, sadness, confusion. <br />
How the fuck can I have Stage 4 Lung Cancer? <br />
But I do...and that is the new reality.... that is our story.<br />
I am now at my 1 year anniversary of diagnosis (cancer-versary).<br />
I prefer to refer to it as <b>my first anniversary of "Survivorship"...</b><br />
There are those who thought I might not even be here at this point, the fact that I am here defies the statistical odds for my disease. <b>I am officially a cancer "Survivor and Thrivor".</b><br />
There is no known cure for Stage 4 Lung Cancer, I still hope and pray for the miracle that I will be completely healed, but in the meantime, I have wrapped my head around disease management.<br />
I am a better person than I was a year ago.<br />
I feel and accept emotions fully.<br />
I love more deeply.<br />
I cherish each day.<br />
I have more empathy than I have ever had.<br />
I do not take my loved ones or friends for granted.<br />
I am humbled.<br />
I ask for help when I need it.<br />
I accept help when I need it.<br />
My list of shit the "really" matters has gotten pretty short.<br />
<br />
<b>Clinical Information:</b><br />
2 weeks ago I had my most recent CT Scan.<br />
I had anticipated good results based on the fact that I had been feeling quite well.<br />
I was not disappointed....the disease is stable and has shown no progression whatsoever.<br />
My baseline at the beginning of treatment was 7 sq cm of disease, I am now down to 1.6 sq cm, and have had this stabilization for over 6 months. There is no active disease in my lungs, only appears to be cancer left in 1 lymph node, and the disease that has spread to my bones shows itself to be stable and continues to show evidence of healing.<br />
Dr Eaton used the words "exceptional" and "miracle" during my visit with him.<br />
Bam!!!! I am #winning!!!!!<br />
On the day of the CT scan I also bagged Chemo Round #16.<br />
The course of treatment will remain:<br />
Current cycles of Alimta (chemotherapy) every 21 days indefinitely.<br />
If/When the Alimta stops being effective the most likely next line of treatment will be a drug called Crizotinib which is a targeted therapy for my ROS1 genetic mutation.<br />
Continue kicking Ass and taking names!!!!<br />
<br />
<b>Help From My Friends:</b><br />
I truly believe that I would not be where I am (and we are) without the strong and solid support from our community. I cannot say thank you enough, I cannot return all of the goodwill that has been put forth to my family. I resolve to continue to be a better person and contribute in a positive manner to this world. The photo below captures the spirit of the support we have received.<br />
In this picture are 2 of my best friends Gus Bayle and Billy Cochran pushing me up the final climb back into Laguna Seca a couple of weeks ago at the Sea Otter Classic 50 mile Coastal Gran Fondo.<br />
When we have faltered or struggled, our friends and family have pushed us up the hill.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYOoPPXHt3trs8xkSvibR9-PwDt9s6noyb9pV2FnG0P2NE-yy6mdv2_oMTEeEneeL-sqby3QwzhS2O501CvdMxI4HGl-_F5EA4WJJBPAf04gRy_jNvOTBw4F90EY6xsaCPC6oDKz0c6A1/s1600/help.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYOoPPXHt3trs8xkSvibR9-PwDt9s6noyb9pV2FnG0P2NE-yy6mdv2_oMTEeEneeL-sqby3QwzhS2O501CvdMxI4HGl-_F5EA4WJJBPAf04gRy_jNvOTBw4F90EY6xsaCPC6oDKz0c6A1/s640/help.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a little help from my friends...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Fun Stuff:</b><br />
-First week of April I closed out the snowboard/ski season with an amazing day at White Pass with Phoebe and Lilly, they made their first hike up Hogsback Ridge and got to see some amazing things.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TapU3iPU8ZTBRg5qMXlj7k8wdh3ef1BXcGbJRMROIOB3AtcqmbN_e8ty-uYYzLEonKQ_r9aiVhiXUbOxC9sFxnPRzr-IP64lIm3u-OEPvKtEW5gTgOEQYm6FguhWPTrgTMc64n4Fe5yH/s1600/144755d2-ea1d-4c4a-acc0-d568bafd9bf4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TapU3iPU8ZTBRg5qMXlj7k8wdh3ef1BXcGbJRMROIOB3AtcqmbN_e8ty-uYYzLEonKQ_r9aiVhiXUbOxC9sFxnPRzr-IP64lIm3u-OEPvKtEW5gTgOEQYm6FguhWPTrgTMc64n4Fe5yH/s640/144755d2-ea1d-4c4a-acc0-d568bafd9bf4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hogback with the grommets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
-A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of traveling to Monterey, California with the Rad Racing NW kids to attend the Sea Otter Classic. I got to connect with lots of friends, and received a lot of love. While I was there I took my revenge on Cancer and bagged a 50 mile Gran Fondo.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGneJykhd4eck9XZjQ7kYILsZLEeWnK0R5faiCl4-C1Zfuh2uPGyZyakt1lsuHRrnzbt3KIxWlS2owAPO9BeEiXQc_mkqpm-fs-K6-ZNqcvbzTb8B-8jKX-r9MuL1I_8EnAfKGokS5BNOL/s1600/IMAG7238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGneJykhd4eck9XZjQ7kYILsZLEeWnK0R5faiCl4-C1Zfuh2uPGyZyakt1lsuHRrnzbt3KIxWlS2owAPO9BeEiXQc_mkqpm-fs-K6-ZNqcvbzTb8B-8jKX-r9MuL1I_8EnAfKGokS5BNOL/s640/IMAG7238.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Billy and "The Dude" at The Otter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImjV8bcV9fPf9T8G0K6m86IUrbR5RBUHPxbF81Oh0b9s2Kijq183jNM_gg27PNo4pIyNrQGfdieoKSdWuki0u-HiVq_cmbNr90uLrO92cB7L0nOZ4LstVLkYWkMMl4UvLxeopeS6A9eWi/s1600/IMAG7234_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImjV8bcV9fPf9T8G0K6m86IUrbR5RBUHPxbF81Oh0b9s2Kijq183jNM_gg27PNo4pIyNrQGfdieoKSdWuki0u-HiVq_cmbNr90uLrO92cB7L0nOZ4LstVLkYWkMMl4UvLxeopeS6A9eWi/s640/IMAG7234_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never a complete cycling trip without a "Worthy Sighting"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjF7iibYKivozU2IuiIl38t_cNd9O9erMMg38a2fx-5ONF_PxPKcBY49ia-4RHVorlH3jLe2cY0evFAecir0Qla45jzAZeNM5gmYJqjPxHm2vUFTGnrK8zevz4g7ihtF0TzADm6n2Tjrza/s1600/IMG_1283_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjF7iibYKivozU2IuiIl38t_cNd9O9erMMg38a2fx-5ONF_PxPKcBY49ia-4RHVorlH3jLe2cY0evFAecir0Qla45jzAZeNM5gmYJqjPxHm2vUFTGnrK8zevz4g7ihtF0TzADm6n2Tjrza/s640/IMG_1283_1.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling the coast with Jeremy Powers (J-Pow)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
-While on the trip I got to visit the <a href="http://www.lungcancerfoundation.org/">Bonnie J Addario Lung Cancer Foundation</a>. I got to thank the staff, and Bonnie herself for the solid work that they do on behalf of Lung Cancer patients.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYfeUbgq5tol9YnQRffVbvMYKZdyY0hEq-9XeSTRSRYyKN6tiJNMpAaPgE5f5b-010gKtqnL61zrmfk8OQzmFTYga2MhsZ1cjS9on4mcJbQa0SiMHo3B5kYa0xa_9i9WysDEblg1gZQ19/s1600/IMAG7222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYfeUbgq5tol9YnQRffVbvMYKZdyY0hEq-9XeSTRSRYyKN6tiJNMpAaPgE5f5b-010gKtqnL61zrmfk8OQzmFTYga2MhsZ1cjS9on4mcJbQa0SiMHo3B5kYa0xa_9i9WysDEblg1gZQ19/s640/IMAG7222.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonnie J Addario, Lung Cancer Survivor, Hero</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
-My good friends at Giro had a surprise for me, they have produced a limited edition "Hold Fast" cycling glove in my honor. Read all about it and order a pair here: <a href="http://www.theathleticcommunity.com/journal/2016/5/5/hold-fast">The Athletic</a>.<br />
Thank you Chris Distefano, Eric Richter, Jim Heeney, and Jeremy Dunn.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RMuDn_kH-mZS0BStbyVvDD4Srxlojuj2qP0SmkEyJ2tERWfKvsbXTP1EH7NGyL9W8VO4kyFUihofvGnMJ0ozejZvaTqwbP99-ciiNScwa75NsQk3A-xQoCfizEfu2rFHnHvNC1C6tWqI/s1600/IMAG7273_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RMuDn_kH-mZS0BStbyVvDD4Srxlojuj2qP0SmkEyJ2tERWfKvsbXTP1EH7NGyL9W8VO4kyFUihofvGnMJ0ozejZvaTqwbP99-ciiNScwa75NsQk3A-xQoCfizEfu2rFHnHvNC1C6tWqI/s640/IMAG7273_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love from Giro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
-I have set about being designated as "Fit for full duty" again at the Fire Department, it will be a bit of an undertaking but I am dead set on taking that portion of my life back. The goal is by July 1st.<br />
-One of the major projects that I have the privilege of working on currently at OFD is implementation of a cancer prevention program for my brothers and sisters. Clearly this is a project that hits very close to home and I am honored to be working towards making OFD a safer place to work.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00QwFbVDBNXyMyKPl-gR8m6R8W5sh8sm_TsNsoEkT2IiFeL2h1H4i2ORGIAClKtC4kQogtYywlicVxAccT8mjNRwJN9Hyov6nanYmARCbX4qhrF-zJUBtYYQp9VZltH1Fb3E_ndon-Z7i/s1600/2b750645-878a-41c7-843b-f22cdebbc277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00QwFbVDBNXyMyKPl-gR8m6R8W5sh8sm_TsNsoEkT2IiFeL2h1H4i2ORGIAClKtC4kQogtYywlicVxAccT8mjNRwJN9Hyov6nanYmARCbX4qhrF-zJUBtYYQp9VZltH1Fb3E_ndon-Z7i/s640/2b750645-878a-41c7-843b-f22cdebbc277.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good day at SCCA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thank you for taking the time to catch up with us.<br />
<br />
My prayer requests remain simple:<br />
Continued disease stabilization.<br />
Complete healing from Metastatic Adenocarinoma<br />
Peace for myself and my family.<br />
Restful sleep.<br />
<br />
I am a <b>Warrior.</b><br />
I am a <b>Thrivor.</b><br />
I am the <b>Exception.</b><br />
I choose the <b>Miracle.</b><br />
<br />
Warm Regards,<br />
#holdfast<br />
<br />
Jim<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-45748041974667901482016-04-05T20:02:00.000-07:002016-04-06T07:13:17.604-07:00The Climb...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
What??!! He went to Whistler?<br />
Doesn't he know he has Stage 4 Lung Cancer?<br />
He is on Chemo for Christsake...<br />
Is he supposed to be doing that stuff?<br />
<br />
Time: Yes I have the time, didn't even have to use a vacation day.<br />
Resources: Yes I have all the gear and the financial means to make the trip.<br />
Energy: I am at the end of my chemo cycle, so I feel the best that I will, and I feel pretty good.<br />
<br />
All of the above are reasonable questions....yes I went to Whistler, and I did it in hardcore style.<br />
We departed Olympia at 2 am and drove straight through to Whistler in order to be on that 9 am gondola. Upon arrival to the mountain we were greeted with bluebird skies and new snow within the previous 48 hours. My partners Casey and Royce led me to a pit stop at the Starbucks and we charged up the mountain. After a gondola, a couple of chairlifts, a t-bar, a bootpack, and a long traverse we ended up at the foot of a pretty serious hike over on the Blackcomb side. It was burly, I have done it before but that was a long time ago. Yes, we are those knuckleheads who can't be satisfied with getting where the chairlifts can take us, we have to go further, higher......<br />
The question was actually posed, do you want to do it? <br />
Anybody who knows me, knows that there is only one answer to that question, yes......lets do it. Sometimes in my head I forget that I am Jim Brown "Cancer Patient", this was one of those times. Casey transitioned and started hiking in front of us, he was the carrot, I took up the middle position in line and Royce followed me. There was a beautiful skin track but we were not on AT gear so it was boot packing for us. The first 15 minutes were fine, just nice and steady, I will get there when I get there type of thing.<br />
After awhile the idea that this was a pretty damned hard effort, set in and I had to refocus. It was very warm in the sun but then when we got into the shade the temp dropped considerably. Royce kept a close eye on me and checked in frequently, he gave me water and encouragement.<br />
At what appeared to be the halfway point I was really having some doubts about my decision to take on the hike, but.....those that know me know there is no way I was going to abort the mission that I had started. But I struggled,.... coming to terms with my new physical state is a slow process for this thickheaded fella. The trail traversed and the summit saddle was out of sight, I knew it was there, Casey had disappeared, I had to keep pressing on. The hike became a bit of a deathmarch.<br />
30 steps then rest, 30 steps then rest, 30 steps then rest, and on and on.<br />
Finally I made the saddle, and what was the first thing I saw? <br />
Casey taking a piss......seriously.<br />
The view beyond our vantage point was breathtaking and amazing, I was filled with emotion and my legs were wobbly with fatigue, I wouldn't even want to know what my heart rate values were during this effort, I think it would be kinda scary.<br />
We basked in the sun, re-hydrated, had some laughs, and considered our next move.<br />
Jim Brown's vote? No more hiking, lets go down from here brothers.<br />
We ripped some sweet turns into the bowl, and continued on our way.<br />
Friday night brought Nate's arrival and we plotted out 2 more days of alpine bliss.<br />
Great turns, great friends, awesome food, and a few gin and tonics rounded out the weekend.<br />
I'm pretty sure Dr Eaton had written me a prescription for that exact formula.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgKW0i_o9cwqn2V7zrzIlTl12sBFWyzLFvVCOjjcclN9JY6g0R0nrhU-BwRl-EAT-SHSeQ9rgek7olDW19Zxzn902DXgy2kwG3D3094J2rDfuYVqaPYn9fcxM46YQ13mPQGQ88KqFChvC/s1600/2016-03-28_09.44.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgKW0i_o9cwqn2V7zrzIlTl12sBFWyzLFvVCOjjcclN9JY6g0R0nrhU-BwRl-EAT-SHSeQ9rgek7olDW19Zxzn902DXgy2kwG3D3094J2rDfuYVqaPYn9fcxM46YQ13mPQGQ88KqFChvC/s640/2016-03-28_09.44.11.jpg" width="336" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and My Climb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>"The Climb" as a metaphor for my life right now.</b><br />
<br />
I faced a daunting and uphill task.<br />
I could not see the summit or end point.<br />
I had uncertainty but I tackled the job.<br />
I kept a steady and even pace.<br />
I faced emotions, and doubt.<br />
I was helped along by my brothers.<br />
I took water and nourishment to fuel my machine.<br />
I felt sunshine and I felt the chill of the shade.<br />
I did indeed reach the summit and reveled in the beauty.<br />
I did feel satisfaction in knowing that I gave it all I had.<br />
<br />
As I prevailed in "The Climb"I will prevail in my battle with cancer.<br />
I will not be stopped.<br />
<br />
I am a <b>Warrior.</b><br />
I am a <b>Thrivor.</b><br />
I am the <b>Exception.</b><br />
I Choose the <b>Miracle.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Clinical News.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Last Thursday I bagged Chemotherapy round #15.<br />
Next CT Scan is April 21st, I feel confident that it is going to report sustained stabilization of my disease, I base that confidence on how well I feel.<br />
<br />
Prayer Request:<br />
<br />
Complete healing from Metaststic Adenocarcinoma.<br />
Continued restful sleep.<br />
Peace for my family.<br />
<br />
Thanks for checking in.<br />
Hold Fast<br />
<br />
Jim<br />
<br />
Oh and Nate introduced me to the Raddest band: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vagfTO36LBk">Sleaford Mods</a><br />
NOT for everybody, Rated R. NSFW<br />
Had to add it, was a key part of the weekend, you will probably hate it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJq466LTN1ywl7kQYKWsst8uKg2oEjEED6xZ9Fj9-0ukySUHXWfyTUqQjPOFNCY7dp88zgZzidcPzc2LmMrTsvFOZPbt3liZUh4K6ZhphfyUWqirU1OEtAgdD3uyoiiEwQHTJc5n_Se3s/s1600/20160325_115300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJq466LTN1ywl7kQYKWsst8uKg2oEjEED6xZ9Fj9-0ukySUHXWfyTUqQjPOFNCY7dp88zgZzidcPzc2LmMrTsvFOZPbt3liZUh4K6ZhphfyUWqirU1OEtAgdD3uyoiiEwQHTJc5n_Se3s/s640/20160325_115300.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Spoils of the effort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBgb7F9K8b_RRDR5mN6EVNWuQDZ6P9DtM6_YvDEOHV7yBD-8l1eG9mSPS1Jw3IAnDiimvoEDe6pFXG3KCTkRjSKlLhVChToZwsRj1Q_OidnMfJ8bJhxSkFVM-fBeA2hajdy8MYFdVPv6K/s1600/whistler-crew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBgb7F9K8b_RRDR5mN6EVNWuQDZ6P9DtM6_YvDEOHV7yBD-8l1eG9mSPS1Jw3IAnDiimvoEDe6pFXG3KCTkRjSKlLhVChToZwsRj1Q_OidnMfJ8bJhxSkFVM-fBeA2hajdy8MYFdVPv6K/s640/whistler-crew.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whistler Crew<br />
(L to R) Royce, Casey, Myself, Nate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JslEYWi96n5qeCN79uhZj9N2MmLO6PkywMMkFzLp_1ezvZWZ7YgC_Xpe04BvjP96lXLVO49GTPyp1E3plTprubgDEfULFpsuBHvWo34qnO2x3ZIOAasdSlFMY6-CjIekOD8VhWK2jsX_/s1600/chemo-crew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JslEYWi96n5qeCN79uhZj9N2MmLO6PkywMMkFzLp_1ezvZWZ7YgC_Xpe04BvjP96lXLVO49GTPyp1E3plTprubgDEfULFpsuBHvWo34qnO2x3ZIOAasdSlFMY6-CjIekOD8VhWK2jsX_/s640/chemo-crew.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round #15 Crew Tammy and Sarah</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-56902922857591233602016-03-19T11:57:00.001-07:002016-03-19T11:57:12.030-07:00Dear Cancer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5LYSJTSX04zbVEx-pXqkUYLHL2eJ-q-W1_63l7tVXEJP5E7-_a1S9JncQ3WBwqXBHW0JWGqJ5ilXGREkkGH5DuPSEkQgk9AW94dd0EB0KPeZkP6KkraHAcl3eAMHR-KI58WlO03lZMEy/s1600/IMG_4485_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5LYSJTSX04zbVEx-pXqkUYLHL2eJ-q-W1_63l7tVXEJP5E7-_a1S9JncQ3WBwqXBHW0JWGqJ5ilXGREkkGH5DuPSEkQgk9AW94dd0EB0KPeZkP6KkraHAcl3eAMHR-KI58WlO03lZMEy/s640/IMG_4485_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #454545;">March 16,2016 White Pass Washington</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">Dear Cancer,</span><br />
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
First things first......Fuck You!</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Who do you think you are trying to mess my life up?</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
You have taken my control from many aspects of my life, but I vow to take them back. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I fear you like I would an opponent, it's a type of fear that makes you sharp. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Make no mistake, though I fear you... I am not scared of you. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I will take you head on, and I will fight you, and you better pack a big fucking lunch. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
At first, I suppressed my anger because I didn't want any negative vibes running through my body, but a friend pointed out that If somebody was trying to kill me, I would get pissed and that would help to fuel my survival instincts.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Well something IS trying to kill me and I AM PISSSED, and that does help to fuel my fire to survive and to THRIVE.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Your biggest infraction thus far is causing hurt and pain for my friends and family.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
How dare you cause my daughter's grief, how dare you cause them to worry about my health, well being, and survival. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
They don't deserve that....they deserve to be loved by their father for many years, they deserve to be kids and live life without this stress, they deserve to be walked down the isle by me someday.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Fuck You Cancer!!!! You are not going to take that from us.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I will prevail....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I will be victorious in this fight, you don't have any idea what you signed up for when you picked me.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
The power of prayer, trust in God, my family and friends, and the modern miracles of medicine are my weapons, you don't stand a chance.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Just thought you should know where we stand right now.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I will not quit.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I am a Warrior.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I am a Thrivor.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I am the Exception.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I choose the Miracle.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Suck It,</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Jim</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHQ4R_NvjkTMzdsxypTBvXvbXU0UAdPBeeMn32ffskIzimoVh8dKOjnyh_dW2ygJn774QGnEPARakLAo7MB_nqlrss9bc098KV5d0po_Oo6HpJFq6CRnJiWIMtmZrGPrxaichLCnyd1on/s1600/IMAG7103_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHQ4R_NvjkTMzdsxypTBvXvbXU0UAdPBeeMn32ffskIzimoVh8dKOjnyh_dW2ygJn774QGnEPARakLAo7MB_nqlrss9bc098KV5d0po_Oo6HpJFq6CRnJiWIMtmZrGPrxaichLCnyd1on/s640/IMAG7103_1.jpg" width="532" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March18th Brown Casa, Tumwater, Washington</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
</div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-79023934252709033792016-03-12T16:36:00.002-08:002016-03-12T16:52:43.744-08:00Honesty, Transparency, Perspective...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkhRC4yZFOW6ZAhVBY0yXyo1eNtI8jNeLXzwMgBonFx1Gu-nrjfSYKI0jSh4AYQew_MCVg99uqHr-HaGHmSlgka_hasM6gnykRuKTFPZ3UErbUb5rMPmZnYb88quebwyXQSSAwEkMGlW8/s1600/IMAG7030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkhRC4yZFOW6ZAhVBY0yXyo1eNtI8jNeLXzwMgBonFx1Gu-nrjfSYKI0jSh4AYQew_MCVg99uqHr-HaGHmSlgka_hasM6gnykRuKTFPZ3UErbUb5rMPmZnYb88quebwyXQSSAwEkMGlW8/s640/IMAG7030.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McLovin' is in the house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">I have just completed Chemo Round #14. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I started treatment 39 weeks ago.<br />
<div>
I was diagnosed 10 months ago.<br />
Results from my most recent CT scan 3 weeks ago indicate that my disease continues to be "Stabilized and Minimized".. </div>
<div>
In the interest of honesty and transparency I will say that while I have had great results, the battle has been wearing me down recently. <br />
I try to keep my chin up and put on the strong front, but it is a grind.</div>
<div>
I recently came across a video about a guy with a very similar situation to mine, he is 60 rounds into this, I am not even 1/3 of the way into as many treatments as him.</div>
<div>
He looks really good and it gave me inspiration.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrqEDmsPj8k">Dave McDonald changing the face of Lung Cancer</a> </div>
<div>
I feel like I have been less disciplined in the last 6-8 weeks with my game plan, I need to hit the reset button and buckle down a little bit, meditation, nutrition, exercise, supplements etc... I need to balance out the priorities, remember that my #1 job right now is beating cancer everyday and living life to the fullest within the reasonable limitations of disease management and treatment. </div>
<div>
I continue to have amazing support from family, friends, and co-workers, and it has made this journey much easier across the board for our family.</div>
<div>
As I sat in the waiting room at SCCA I looked around, and I am reaffirmed that there are many who have it a lot worse than I do in the battle.</div>
<div>
This is a challenge that I never saw coming, but now it is my reality, it is my fight.</div>
<div>
Despite my honesty about the struggle, don't think for a minute that my resolve has weakened.</div>
<div>
I am a Warrior </div>
<div>
I am am the Exception.</div>
<div>
I am a Thrivor.</div>
<div>
I choose the Miracle.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I intend to stay in front of this disease.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPLxCkrmk7uq5WOsxaZXpHl1flMcZUgQuFOFartBNFVSf-WoRNSSRkEuHMFI1-tDWm4g8egb9Qy-ab9W7mQUK3TN5g1YEN_3VFCQqVsmnl_1teX9x2ODevoYMTd7peXvLgsoNfmkuE3sA/s1600/IMAG7083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPLxCkrmk7uq5WOsxaZXpHl1flMcZUgQuFOFartBNFVSf-WoRNSSRkEuHMFI1-tDWm4g8egb9Qy-ab9W7mQUK3TN5g1YEN_3VFCQqVsmnl_1teX9x2ODevoYMTd7peXvLgsoNfmkuE3sA/s640/IMAG7083.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Round 14 with Chris Johns</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As would be expected my life perspective has been changed by my cancer diagnosis.</div>
<div>
<div>
It has been a roller coaster ride with some very deep lows, and some very high, highs..</div>
<div>
Everything I choose to do, comes with a price that is much higher than it ever was before. My baseline when I am at my best is physically about 80% of what I was before illness.</div>
<div>
By working with my therapist Mark Hurst I have come up with a process to make impactful decisions that takes into account the following three items:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Time:</i> Do I have the time to do this? How is it going to impact the rest of my schedule? Does it work around my treatment? How does it effect my family and work schedule?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Resources:</i> Do I have what is needed? equipment, money, support, help?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Energy:</i> What is my energy cost to do this? What are the long term and short term effects of my actions, and how do the effect my well being and my family?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After I have run it through this model I then consider the benefit or downside to my choice.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For example taking the family skiing/snowboarding.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Time: yes I have the time, weekends off.</div>
<div>
Resources: yes we have all of the gear and everybody has season passes.</div>
<div>
Energy: yes....depending on where I am in my treatment cycle. If I time our trips around Chemo I have 2 out of 3 weekends where I feel up to the effort.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Benefit/Detraction:</div>
<div>
It does indeed take energy out of me to be on the mountain and typically I feel it for a day or two, but...my soul is fed by being on the mountain with my family.</div>
<div>
Every time I go to the mountains, I take a piece of my life back, and for the day I have beaten cancer.</div>
<div>
The detraction is that I feel it the next day with regards to energy levels and fatigue.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The verdict is that the benefit is worth it.....<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TibIiTachNfcUjYVRVBDvHzSIFVNQNBk4w-a9DBH6BVWNsOrWJy1TPKUBuIBNkG98ieCpkCiQdocCISTeojdKA5TXIRLAClLLI-dWMTrjVlfE36uX2wIPMjGmNdXHmHRCa7-xnZ_Tr1r/s1600/IMAG7044_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9TibIiTachNfcUjYVRVBDvHzSIFVNQNBk4w-a9DBH6BVWNsOrWJy1TPKUBuIBNkG98ieCpkCiQdocCISTeojdKA5TXIRLAClLLI-dWMTrjVlfE36uX2wIPMjGmNdXHmHRCa7-xnZ_Tr1r/s640/IMAG7044_1.jpg" width="542" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding my soul at the mountain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> Fitness:</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am really struggling with the concept of fitness through my treatment.</div>
<div>
For the large majority of my life I have consistently had some sort of organized fitness plan, running, cycling, triathlons, circuit training, mountain climbing, snowboarding, etc...</div>
<div>
Since I have been diagnosed, I for the first time in my life have a physical limitation that prevents me from doing what I want to with regards to working out.</div>
<div>
The side effects from chemo put a big dent in my energy for 4-5 days, so I have to take it easy. During the rest of the cycle I have been trying either walk on the treadmill or go for walks from the fire station at lunch time. A couple of weeks ago I was even doing some hiking out in Priest Point Park.</div>
<div>
As is typical for me I think I overdo it at times and then I pay a price.....</div>
<div>
Balance....I have to find a balance.</div>
<div>
As the rain eases up here soon I plan to start getting out on my bike, I think a steady diet of road riding would really help my cardiovascular fitness without beating me up too much.</div>
<div>
I also feel like I need to do some strength training to help balance things out, we are set up at the fire station with a get fitness room, just a matter of carving the time out in my day and getting up there.</div>
<div>
Due to the effects of the illness I have lost muscle mass and gained some weight, not a place I like to be, but considering the circumstances, could be a lot worse.<br />
I look forward to taking this piece of my life back from cancer. <br />
<br />
<b>Further Perspective:</b><br />
<br />
Recently there was a devastating tragedy for a family in out community, Regina was directly effected by it and without going into detail I will just say It is a parents WORST nightmare.<br />
When I see something like this I look at my own situation and I realize how blessed I am and that I need to remain thankful and humbled by my life's circumstances. <br />
<br />
<b>Prayer Requests:</b><br />
<br />
Complete healing from Metastatic Adenocarcinoma.<br />
Peace and comfort for my family.<br />
Restful sleep for everybody.<br />
<br />
Thank you for checking in.<br />
<br />
Warm Regards,<br />
Jim #holdfast<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOFISPrBbMSMqovsZRTLixeN5DpfohhfSXLhCFz-GRS3C-szV2RKA625qcw4aQVT9mMAxJm2tYOouGFDHZAxGxtiba9r7UQNs-KlkrnBqpLzRL7RRhaaPTdMlY-aqornmaRuLkrg6RQbc/s1600/IMAG7020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOFISPrBbMSMqovsZRTLixeN5DpfohhfSXLhCFz-GRS3C-szV2RKA625qcw4aQVT9mMAxJm2tYOouGFDHZAxGxtiba9r7UQNs-KlkrnBqpLzRL7RRhaaPTdMlY-aqornmaRuLkrg6RQbc/s640/IMAG7020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 14th Father/Daughter Dance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesg3AE1tSs3zEj22qajo1KttPubVIOeoFewZnN6W4hclHtQF94sJyrpVyxQAd9HUHG3D2m1oB3h90zfNLjl4aCtFMuNvA8xde45bavTKYGb1_YUW92MeUdgZzCN8g1-fhfRGIXHfeaGGk/s1600/IMAG7082_1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesg3AE1tSs3zEj22qajo1KttPubVIOeoFewZnN6W4hclHtQF94sJyrpVyxQAd9HUHG3D2m1oB3h90zfNLjl4aCtFMuNvA8xde45bavTKYGb1_YUW92MeUdgZzCN8g1-fhfRGIXHfeaGGk/s640/IMAG7082_1_1.jpg" width="602" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filed Trip to Museum of Flight with Phoebe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-39345220099054359402016-02-23T19:56:00.000-08:002016-02-23T21:28:51.569-08:00No news, good news?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">Is it...."No news is good news" or "Absence makes the heart grow fonder"?</span><br />
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Either way it has been since January 4th since I wrote a blog update.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmn6qPen-4Iov5A2Iqkf8sYroQMawV-QBN-I_68lvHqjSoYjwFw4CG9eSsiHtM6hTy7P-ceau5pJ0TVR8ZZVjXYN7UtxgtfLMYLIavZ6y-E17OwjXVF8Iw18WQPwAXzVZeu_7PYajlIsk/s1600/FB_IMG_1453697589886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmn6qPen-4Iov5A2Iqkf8sYroQMawV-QBN-I_68lvHqjSoYjwFw4CG9eSsiHtM6hTy7P-ceau5pJ0TVR8ZZVjXYN7UtxgtfLMYLIavZ6y-E17OwjXVF8Iw18WQPwAXzVZeu_7PYajlIsk/s640/FB_IMG_1453697589886.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>F@ck Cancer!!!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<b>Clinically Speaking: </b><br />
On the clinical side there really has been nothing to report until late last week.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I haven't had a CT Scan since December 15th, we have now moved to a 9 week schedule for these scans. Last Thursday I was scanned and the results were "Stabilized and Minimized", in fact they said there was an <i>incremental reduction in active disease</i>.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
No matter how much I try to suppress it there is always some level of anxiety leading up to these scans, I truly think as a human being it is unavoidable, the the unknown makes us anxious especially when there is a lot on the line.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I continue to feel pretty well, after 9+ months it is hard to remember what "normal" felt like, but I am guessing most days I am 80-85% of Jim Brown's baseline.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
My chemotherapy will continue indefinitely, and it happens every 21 days, this is my new normal and I work around it. Typically I get 16/21 days where I am in the 80% range and the other 5/21days I am more like 60-70% because of treatment side effects.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
It could be worse, waaaay worse and I never forget that.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
2 weeks ago I had a "Power Port" placed, this is a semi-permanent IV access point that can be used for all of my treatments, blood draws, CT Scans.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Thus far I have have somewhere in the neighborhood of 70 sticks for various things, the port will make life much easier as my veins have take quite a beating.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<b>Cancer Advocate:</b></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Recently I was asked to participate in a project put together by a local guy named Bob Haase who happens to also be a cancer survivor.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
His project is called "Not what you planned", and the idea is to interview people going through adversity in an attempt to inspire others.</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Bob and I conducted the interview in early January and here it is:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/r5BOI1pCMbw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r5BOI1pCMbw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I was also recently asked by Lisa Summers from Black Hills high school to speak to her students. I was to be a "motivational" speaker and I spoke about adversity, perseverance, and resilience among other things. My talk at BHHS was met with great acceptance, and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to doing more to spread cancer awareness and inspire others.<br />
<br />
<b>Speaking of cancer advocates.....</b><br />
Check out this video made by fellow lung cancer "Thrivor" Tori.<br />
I have ROS1 mutated cancer and the outlook is pretty good for us.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1yWnzE-9Qg">ROS1 Lung Cancer</a><br />
<br />
<b>Life:</b><br />
I have been working full time other than on treatment week.<br />
The fire department continues to support me in a big way, recently my co-workers made a significant contribution to me and my family, this support has taken a huge load off of my shoulders.<br />
<br />
Lotsa time in the snow over the past 2 months, ripping with the family.<br />
I would venture to say if you tried to follow me on the mountain you would never guess I have Stage 4 Lung Cancer.<br />
<br />
At the end of January I got to spend time with my Rad Racing family at the annual team banquet, over 100 people in attendance, it was awesome.<br />
<br />
I am gonna keep on trucking and beating cancer every day.<br />
<br />
Prayer requests:<br />
<br />
Complete healing from metastatic lung cancer.<br />
Peace for my family.<br />
Restful Sleep.<br />
<br />
Thank you for checking in.<br />
<br />
Jim<br />
#holdfast<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXZ9WhyphenhyphenNWIOgHi_xCJau9Od7xWlbbxSgJ5K3zD0N_P8yXCHeIAyk1-1EcR2STLWMtVBDJHN7tsowuew3hb4LeUUnFav4kXR3xsLvXUErjNseUQut9ERhMBsPb7NBb9x6CIxjJgIFExMrU/s1600/IMG_20160218_183553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXZ9WhyphenhyphenNWIOgHi_xCJau9Od7xWlbbxSgJ5K3zD0N_P8yXCHeIAyk1-1EcR2STLWMtVBDJHN7tsowuew3hb4LeUUnFav4kXR3xsLvXUErjNseUQut9ERhMBsPb7NBb9x6CIxjJgIFExMrU/s640/IMG_20160218_183553.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A day in the life....</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="UPLOADING" height="266" id="BLOG_video-UPLOADING-0" width="320"></object> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-82637778906938602632016-01-04T20:55:00.000-08:002016-01-05T08:00:20.047-08:00Taking stock and moving forward....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Just finished up the holiday season and I have a lot to be thankful for.<br />
In the past 2 weeks there have been several key events in my life.<br />
<br />
December 15th Regina and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.<br />
I started out that day with a CT scan in Seattle, but then ended it with a very nice dinner with Regina and some close friends. It is hard to believe that the time has gone by so fast.<br />
Regina is my biggest fan and advocate, and she loves me bigger and better than anybody possibly could. I am a better man because of her, and I am so proud of the life that we have made and the family that has come together through our time together.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SrzMGWn4q7VS_wFq6tH6lajJc3mUs0hjrb3fJrVg8YFWtWlCtBzGMvXMa8O52B4_TySd7Xl8v-BPGH6fhxLalTGRfUoZUORzDYwtWaWX3MI6Inqo6AP8hJYBfExN_eayqOt9t0dLXoAh/s1600/IMAG6870_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SrzMGWn4q7VS_wFq6tH6lajJc3mUs0hjrb3fJrVg8YFWtWlCtBzGMvXMa8O52B4_TySd7Xl8v-BPGH6fhxLalTGRfUoZUORzDYwtWaWX3MI6Inqo6AP8hJYBfExN_eayqOt9t0dLXoAh/s640/IMAG6870_1.jpg" width="614" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">25 years together...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
December 17th I got CT scan results and went for my 9th round of chemotherapy.<br />
The news continues to be good, and the disease process at this point has been "stabilized and minimized". The amount of active disease noted by radiologists was measured to be 22mm.<br />
This is significantly reduced from baseline and on CT scan my lymph-nodes look basically normal, this is important since the majority of the cancer growth was lymphatic.<br />
Cancer that has spread to my pelvic bone remains stable with continued evidence of healing and no new evidence of disease progression. <br />
My goal is to be deemed NED-"No Evidence of Disease", I am not there yet but I am close.<br />
Treatment will continue indefinitely with chemotherapy every 3 weeks.<br />
<br />
December 23/24 I took my daughters to the mountains for skiing/snowboarding.<br />
Snowboarding with my family is my favorite thing in the world to do, 7 months ago when I was diagnosed I wondered if I would ever have that joy again. Needless to say I was thrilled.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujKvS9cyzFngN3sxQuaLywy_3jagwHpRo_6fvEgDPKkrDN3W9H-UmZDnz4QnxVMQ63SBBe3MXCow8qMgzWe_Gj8n4jepGK-qwh39a9S3tp7R_51IBqdS4X_UJR-oE_5X63okjCupBWfyv/s1600/IMAG6874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujKvS9cyzFngN3sxQuaLywy_3jagwHpRo_6fvEgDPKkrDN3W9H-UmZDnz4QnxVMQ63SBBe3MXCow8qMgzWe_Gj8n4jepGK-qwh39a9S3tp7R_51IBqdS4X_UJR-oE_5X63okjCupBWfyv/s640/IMAG6874.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Christmas came on December 25th and it was a low key affair at the Brown house.<br />
My mom came to visit and we spent the day enjoying everybody's company and being thankful for all the blessings that we have. Santa was very good to the brown girls, myself.... I was just so glad to be here and enjoying life to the fullest extent that I can.<br />
<br />
December 27-30 we traveled to Kellogg, Idaho to hit up Silver Mountain ski resort.<br />
The entire family tore up the mountain during the days, and the girls shut down the indoor water park every night. This was such a great family trip, really what we needed to recharge our batteries and look forward to the coming new year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxstmjHvRcqtd7E19387nqCNou8QnEGvJHWJqjISCTzvK_l6VD2NbYM5Uq60HnpD3jEJWcyI7oOYzbBioAtZlfgrxhFqys-csdJd759xEq1QnDNsdMWokulYjnH2iWIsVp2n5Ryf-EHua/s1600/IMAG6829_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxstmjHvRcqtd7E19387nqCNou8QnEGvJHWJqjISCTzvK_l6VD2NbYM5Uq60HnpD3jEJWcyI7oOYzbBioAtZlfgrxhFqys-csdJd759xEq1QnDNsdMWokulYjnH2iWIsVp2n5Ryf-EHua/s640/IMAG6829_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole Brown crew at Silver Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzQ_UFWXRGr6UDeFXcroMNqis9m8eATnHMRorv-VtCmtrDSCwswJvKQ-PPoerAuMoO4r6rNv1yPIXvmsUSsIGdHHc_Fn6kivakqDu6uOvWCtqZkYW2knVGbY5huKtX7cdw4w0ONE9KEeB/s1600/IMAG6835_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzQ_UFWXRGr6UDeFXcroMNqis9m8eATnHMRorv-VtCmtrDSCwswJvKQ-PPoerAuMoO4r6rNv1yPIXvmsUSsIGdHHc_Fn6kivakqDu6uOvWCtqZkYW2knVGbY5huKtX7cdw4w0ONE9KEeB/s640/IMAG6835_1.jpg" width="326" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wouldn't be me if I wasn't pushing the edge just a little bit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I spent New Years day back up in the mountains, this time it was just Isabella and myself with bluebird skies and amazing snow conditions. I would say this was the most joyful day that I have had since diagnosis. During the course of the day we got to run into some old friends and catch up as well. I am truly a blessed and fortunate man, this is a fact that I will <u>never take for granted.</u><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenbvVerMcTDfVz40hJ79XJPf07peeLCOUZk1sZ6aBbwNqPROUtBO8XH1Qmd2VKahQvtsxJjVddTdla5BqE9QE4sYwN_P7Lc0nOaIA-7yu0vTesJf32aVur_zlWdyMrvdchpf9DjfLPkbx/s1600/IMAG6886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenbvVerMcTDfVz40hJ79XJPf07peeLCOUZk1sZ6aBbwNqPROUtBO8XH1Qmd2VKahQvtsxJjVddTdla5BqE9QE4sYwN_P7Lc0nOaIA-7yu0vTesJf32aVur_zlWdyMrvdchpf9DjfLPkbx/s640/IMAG6886.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Years Day with Isabella</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMv4QsevCGw4pW7PH8VS9XSQISQBBwa8n_Zu1Zhlbamv9WO2ZBsDiazSMYcppmFOQ9CZRoQczFmWMx0uBkGjX2wNSbuMPn7tx_ktcQHf7LP0uCY1eZvmjONwYo53-mJ44-F__Qz096hh6-/s1600/IMAG6881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMv4QsevCGw4pW7PH8VS9XSQISQBBwa8n_Zu1Zhlbamv9WO2ZBsDiazSMYcppmFOQ9CZRoQczFmWMx0uBkGjX2wNSbuMPn7tx_ktcQHf7LP0uCY1eZvmjONwYo53-mJ44-F__Qz096hh6-/s640/IMAG6881.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#gobecauseyoucan #choosethemiracle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uymzZWdSyAQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uymzZWdSyAQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
I am quite happy to say goodbye to 2015, and move on to 2016.<br />
During the last 2 weeks of the year I was able to take important pieces of my life back from cancer. <br />
Currently I am finding a good balance with my disease management. My life cycle is dictated by chemotherapy every 3 weeks, and I can predict pretty well how I am going to feel after treatment and how long it will take me to feel good enough to cram as much "life" as I can in between.<br />
My immediate goal is to get myself to (NED)No Evidence of Disease status.<br />
By the springtime I plan to be in a spot where I can be put back onto "full duty" status and work alongside my brothers and sisters at OFD back on the line.<br />
<br />
I am a warrior<br />
I am a thrivor.<br />
I am the exception.<br />
I choose the miracle.<br />
<br />
Prayer requests:<br />
Complete healing from metastatic adenocarcinoma.<br />
Peace for myself and my family. <br />
<br />
10th round of chemotherapy this Thursday.<br />
Thanks for taking your time to keep up with my journey.<br />
<br />
Big Daddy<br />
#holdfast #choosethemiracle<br />
#gobecauseyoucan<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqWiMeWeOLC2F6duaVHgBfZa3aCeQvW_RHa1pr2tzfpquHLDxRyGJIS1R0YAiNo8R5oSHGf_8mlMHMiiWnpBxl0CIRvODGZC5M639apafSKFGW4cZuWOvVCn9BmcZtdWJUp6Bsl1UjABU/s1600/IMAG6859_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqWiMeWeOLC2F6duaVHgBfZa3aCeQvW_RHa1pr2tzfpquHLDxRyGJIS1R0YAiNo8R5oSHGf_8mlMHMiiWnpBxl0CIRvODGZC5M639apafSKFGW4cZuWOvVCn9BmcZtdWJUp6Bsl1UjABU/s640/IMAG6859_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-21948056905465706782015-12-12T12:35:00.001-08:002015-12-14T16:30:36.118-08:00Charmed.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.701961); font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">I have a charmed life, I have said it before and I say it now.</span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Leading up to my diagnosis, the products of my life were brought by hard work, passion, good mentorship, a little bit of luck, and a lot of blessings</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Then I got cancer, and the "charmed" part seemed to have ended.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Since diagnosis I have felt love like I have never felt, love so big I didn't even know it existed. Our community has come together to surround us with whatever we needed.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I have top notch medical care that has been very effective, in fact... I don't think I could ask for a better response from my body to the treatment.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
And then there is my family. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Regina is my rock and my cornerstone, she loves me with a depth that is a deep as the ocean, never a doubt that she has my back through thick and thin. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
My daughters love and inspire me giving me very strong reasons to live.<br />
So ya....I have a charmed life. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<b>Crisis Management and Disease Management</b></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
When you are first diagnosed with cancer, your world turns upside down in a manner </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
that only somebody else who has heard those words themselves can understand.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I was in crisis for several reasons.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>1. Psychological Stress </b></div>
<div>
It overtakes your every waking thought, all of the unanswered questions put in front of you. Cancer takes away the control of your life in nearly all aspects. You struggle to keep your chin up and you try to protect those closest to you from the terror in your heart. You try to keep a level of normalcy in your life to keep sane, but at the same time you are far from your "A" game, <span style="background-color: yellow;">how could you possibly be anywhere near it? </span><span style="background-color: white;">You</span> begin to understand that pride is bullshit, and that humility rules all, and will be essential in order to get through this. </div>
<div>
When is the last time you really thought about your mortality? </div>
<div>
When is the last time you thought about your own funeral, about your wife and kids forging through life without you? </div>
<div>
Those are daily occurrences for some of us, I try very hard to feed the "good dog" in my head, but some days are still rough.</div>
<div>
You suck it up and ask for help, you let the emotions flow no matter how painful they can be, you fight with everything that is inside of you because there is no other option. </div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: yellow;">This is life and death, there is a disease inside of my body and it is trying to kill me.</span></div>
<div>
I cry often, but you probably don't see me, its a pretty small circle that witnesses that event.<br />
The tears are mostly driven by seeing the effects of my disease on my family.<br />
I try my hardest to appear strong, and that I have my shit together.</div>
<div>
I attribute my ability to hold it together to my support systems, people who care about me, and the grace of god.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>2. Physical symptoms of cancer.</b></div>
<div>
Part of the crisis is feeling poorly. For me it was a partial airway obstruction from a tumor, and a persistent dry cough that made me miserable. From the point of diagnosis it only got worse as the untreated tumors were growing fast. I started chemotherapy June 25th and it was probably 2 weeks into treatment that I started to get relief from the cancer symptoms, the tumors were shrinking and the impingement on my heart and lungs was lessening. I was still having heart palpitations and near fainting episodes deep into July, but by August it seems like most of the "cancer symptoms" had subsided.<br />
Except for that blood clot they found in my lung on August 5th, that's a little bit of a problem, in fact.... a potentially lethal one at that.<br />
I was promptly put on daily injections of blood thinner and instructed not to do anything that might make me bleed....so no MMA fighting for me for awhile.<br />
I will be on blood thinner for at least 6 months to break down the clot and keep any others from forming.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>3. Side effects of Chemotherapy.</b></div>
<div>
The double edged sword of chemo is that it helps you with the cancer but it is a toxic poison that is being pumped into your body, and this has side effects.</div>
<div>
Heavy fatigue and nausea led the list from the beginning but were pretty manageable with rest and medications. Treatment is every 3 weeks so you get your ass kicked, then you start to feel closer to normal, then its time for your ass kicking again.</div>
<div>
My hematocrit(red blood cell count)is normally 45%, slowly over the course of time, the chemo chips away at that. By mid September my crit was down to 24% and my oxygen carrying capacity was basically cut in half, even the lightest exertion left me gassed.</div>
<div>
At this point my counts were too low to get chemo so I got a blood transfusion instead. <br />
The transfusion and the new regime(only 1 type of chemo) left me feeling better.</div>
<div>
My blood counts have continued to climb and crit has leveled out at 38% for now.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>At this point I feel like the "Crisis" is under control</i>, physically, I feel pretty darn good, psychologically, every day is still a challenge but I find my head in a pretty good spot most days. <br />
I am trying to have mastery over the things in my control as I move forward towards......</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Disease Management.</b></div>
<div>
This is the matter of controlling the progression of the disease and keeping in check so that I don't end up back in crisis. This consists of my line of treatment with SCCA, second opinions from western medicine, and all of the alternative modes that I have engaged. <br />
These are primarily outlined in my <a href="http://thedudeisthedad.blogspot.com/2015/09/remission-mission.html">Remission Mission</a></div>
<div>
Honestly I could live under the current circumstances for a long while, I have found a way to manage treatment and side effects that allows me to be pretty functional, and able to many of the things that I like to do.</div>
<div>
I continue to seek out help from my therapist to help the psychological side of the equation, which as I mentioned before is huge.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwOvKa8WJLX5oeNx-jbR2EQfGe3AnDvpsc9ks1p16e-l53KSNCrBID04qRdSUctCyUYfFvI1tcv3wBSVCMmtK5FwrYnpfc3iL_r0WSgJ4KEqu2nbf_2MDnMij3E9QSfAJ3n5WJfhkxmgQ/s1600/warrior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwwOvKa8WJLX5oeNx-jbR2EQfGe3AnDvpsc9ks1p16e-l53KSNCrBID04qRdSUctCyUYfFvI1tcv3wBSVCMmtK5FwrYnpfc3iL_r0WSgJ4KEqu2nbf_2MDnMij3E9QSfAJ3n5WJfhkxmgQ/s640/warrior.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<b>What else is up?</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The City of Olympia has accepted my occupational illness claim and it has been approved by Labor & Industries. This is a really big deal, essentially my cancer is considered an "on the job" injury and I will get all of the benefits that come along with such a ruling.</div>
<div>
Thanks to our union leaders and the <a href="http://www.wscff.org/">WSCFF</a> for getting the presumptive legislation on the books to protect firefighters. <br />
Thank you to my attorney Ron Meyers and his staff for making "action" happen.<br />
The support of the Olympia Fire Department Administration and the City of Olympia has also been crucial with this process.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I just returned from Denver Colorado.</div>
<div>
I went there to see <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDXWWCxDEbA">Dr. Ross Camidge</a> at the University of Colorado who is a world renowned expert in the very rare ROS1 genetic mutation that my cancer has.</div>
<div>
When it comes time to change anything about my treatment plan I want all of the information and knowledge that I can get so it <span style="background-color: yellow;">DOESN'T</span> feel like another crisis.<br />
When or IF my current line of treatment stops being effective, the next phase will end up being the clinical trial immuno-therapy or targeted ROS1 treatment.</div>
<div>
I want to make sure the plan is what is right for Jim Brown, <i>this is my story....</i></div>
<div>
Dr Camidge was very encouraged by the progression of my treatment and the reduction and stabilization of my disease process, they said they had to look at my scans pretty hard to find disease. He gave me some great information to take back to to DR Eaton and SCCA. <br />
I want to thank my brother <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gregorymkeller?fref=ts">Greg Keller</a> for attending the appointment with me and being another set of ears, we both heard some really good things today.<br />
Thank you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Boulder-Firefighters-Local-900/140034946164239">Boulder Firefighters Local #900</a> and Mike Rangel for helping me out with transportation from the airport on the trip. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
CT Can next Tuesday and Clinic/Chemo Thursday.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Prayer Request:</div>
<div>
Complete healing from Metastatic Adenocarcinoma</div>
<div>
Continued mental peace for myself and my family.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks for taking time to catch up.</div>
<div>
<br />
Big Daddy<br />
#holdfast<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRdnCzRpgpOhtwpV8tbTMi7IRMrVwEllLXj4hgCqWc44lQuqN375mwWOEhnn_EyyNkTN5RTWSR7pldUZroZ_oW0HikzOjwAkcrQdvFnf6rv9mcay6J-1oqmas4DXTeefBl43hI_NrAJZd/s1600/fireground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRdnCzRpgpOhtwpV8tbTMi7IRMrVwEllLXj4hgCqWc44lQuqN375mwWOEhnn_EyyNkTN5RTWSR7pldUZroZ_oW0HikzOjwAkcrQdvFnf6rv9mcay6J-1oqmas4DXTeefBl43hI_NrAJZd/s640/fireground.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on the drill ground with my brothers and sisters....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVkENAmc-aDgViXBdKQYDOHi0siQAk5O9hyPSWqs9U4OS5ckJ6wsByjM1p_2OAD2CPPIhenLT7YnIIJmQCp6Hs5yptgkzfaMDDAely9TDXs_iq8_yEKPMlzvKqiI7SwdOqdj4wseTZv6P/s1600/jim-tom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVkENAmc-aDgViXBdKQYDOHi0siQAk5O9hyPSWqs9U4OS5ckJ6wsByjM1p_2OAD2CPPIhenLT7YnIIJmQCp6Hs5yptgkzfaMDDAely9TDXs_iq8_yEKPMlzvKqiI7SwdOqdj4wseTZv6P/s640/jim-tom.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother Tom Wright from Lacey Fire, fighting brain cancer, we are stronger together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-2102746159764573702015-11-01T20:27:00.000-08:002015-11-01T20:27:18.244-08:00Hope Validated....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I will start this post out with this...<br />
I am not in remission, I am not "cancer free"...<br />
That said..... It was a damned good week to be Jim Brown.<br />
<br />
<b>Clinical Update:</b> <br />
<br />
On Wednesday I had my first CT scan since my Chemo regime changed.<br />
At my last Chemo treatment my my oncologist was preparing me to accept a slow down in my progress. The goal of the current regime of treatment is "maintenance" and that in his book "no growth" will be a win. For a hard charger like myself it is hard to accept that type of news.<br />
<br />
The days leading up to the scan were full of anxiety as we feared that there would be tumor growth and we would be put into a position to make a change in my treatment.<br />
Any time I am getting news or results Regina accompanies me to my appointments.<br />
I went through the CT scan routine and we prepared ourselves to meet wit Dr. Eaton.<br />
Finally the time came, as he entered the room, he had a smile and a lighthearted nature that immediately put us at ease. Upon his initial review he stated that my scan was "very good'.<br />
Basically he said if you were looking at my scan, and didn't know my medical history, my lymph nodes (location of most of my tumors) looked normal in size and shape.<br />
This does not mean that those nodes are cancer free, but it is a good sign. <br />
He compared my scan from June 17th side by side with Oct 28th scan and the difference was remarkable.<br />
Despite his prediction a few weeks ago, my tumors did in fact continue to shrink.<br />
Dr Eaton was both pleased and surprised by this development, he then said that I <i>"have one of the best responses to treatment he has ever seen"</i>. <br />
There remains evidence of cancer in some of my bones, this manifests itself as sclerotic activity (evidence of healing and increased bone density) this is all labeled as "stable". <br />
Upon getting this news Regina and I embraced with joyful tears.<br />
This was the first true joy that I have felt in quite some time. <br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;"><b>This is Hope Validated</b></span><br />
<br />
I am a Warrior.<br />
I am a Thrivor.<br />
I am the Exception.<br />
I choose the Miracle. <br />
<br />
I have much more to do in this life, and many more people to touch.<br />
This adversity is teaching me a lot about myself, and about life. <br />I intend to share those lessons with others who may be put into a similar tough spot.<br />
I am far from being done.<br />
<br />
I truly believe that God is performing a miracle in my life, that the prayers are powerful, and my comprehensive care plan to defeat cancer and heal my body is very effective.<br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;">I still have a long ways to go</span>. The current game plan is: continue Chemo every 3 weeks and we will switch to CT scans every 9 weeks instead of every 6 weeks.<br />
I will stick to my <a href="http://thedudeisthedad.blogspot.com/2015/09/remission-mission.html">Remission Mission</a> and stay the course, with a couple of minor adjustments.<br />
<br />
God tells us to be specific about our needs.<br />
To those who are praying for myself and my family, here it is.<br />
-COMPLETE healing from Metastatic Adenocarcinoma.<br />
-PEACE in my mind so that my body can fully engage my immune system.<br />
-Restful sleep for Regina and I (this has eluded us for quite some time).<br />
-PEACE for my daughters and our family as we take this challenge on.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8ITGFWwzhyphenhyphenFfgUxBopzy-g_Jbo38hvNKNNCZ3eiNVkiejO-19CoBue7G5ZO5rIDHLxgcncAqGfRlLLYh8ztd2eoi86BIfY6GtRO6JaKmotqX0mgGcV6PSMHJnXMDA0blYMH1JhdF5Vbs/s1600/note-regina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8ITGFWwzhyphenhyphenFfgUxBopzy-g_Jbo38hvNKNNCZ3eiNVkiejO-19CoBue7G5ZO5rIDHLxgcncAqGfRlLLYh8ztd2eoi86BIfY6GtRO6JaKmotqX0mgGcV6PSMHJnXMDA0blYMH1JhdF5Vbs/s640/note-regina.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Community: </b><br />
<b> </b>Last Wednesday Bella's HS team was scheduled to play Olympia High School.<br />
We rushed home from Seattle and made our way to the pitch.<br />
I volunteer to do sideline medical for the games so I was on the sideline for introductions.<br />
As each of the Olympia players were introduced, they ran across the field, and came straight to me for a fist-bump.<br /> Every player had "<i><b>Hold Fast</b></i>" written on their knuckles as a tribute to me.<br />
Additionally, OHS were wearing special edition "<i><b>Hold Fast for Jim Brown</b></i>" jerseys.<br />
One highlight of the game was that my daughter Bella scored and equalizing goal in the 1st half; a bullet from 25 yards. To punctuate the night - After the hard fought match was over, the Oly players took off their<i><b> Hold Fast </b></i>Jerseys and gave their jerseys to the entire BHHS team.<br />
Our whole family was stunned and humbled by this show of support.<br />
Thank you so much Tessa Effland and OHS Varsity Girls' Soccer Team. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkFOuyiQmHpnEow2FOHpcoSfxMtmdcec5Lhg-gFPl3xDpYbuPLBJ5n9KrY_qg8eu4yFC8nKn2ZUb1YuIR1RaGXswQ-ztKNdRKtCEDhK7cfoG7LCuCa-YB8xqIHzYltWqmf_BA4Qb__-xh/s1600/IMAG6609_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkFOuyiQmHpnEow2FOHpcoSfxMtmdcec5Lhg-gFPl3xDpYbuPLBJ5n9KrY_qg8eu4yFC8nKn2ZUb1YuIR1RaGXswQ-ztKNdRKtCEDhK7cfoG7LCuCa-YB8xqIHzYltWqmf_BA4Qb__-xh/s640/IMAG6609_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>BHHS and OHS with Hold Fast Jerseys</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Several of Isabella's friends took it upon themselves to paint a mural in the Black Hills High School commons area dedicated to me. A wolf is their Mascot; hence the handsome wolf in Fire Fighter bunker gear. This was a surprising and touching tribute. You can see the Oly Soccer Jersey worn by one of Bella's teammates Julia below. <br /> I continue to be blown away by community support.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8lq7KCaoiC4nmMlGLb68cYQs8raf6g6HQCDNI7aBBjkwqR9OJSmtlaNLCSgNtffSCmA5FyeobGxyD16ZDxKa6WgyoeiQj4C1kZhPYIYhdc681-oMBU3AkNp8vSHntGXEA1R7BHkkHPye/s1600/IMG_20151029_191008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8lq7KCaoiC4nmMlGLb68cYQs8raf6g6HQCDNI7aBBjkwqR9OJSmtlaNLCSgNtffSCmA5FyeobGxyD16ZDxKa6WgyoeiQj4C1kZhPYIYhdc681-oMBU3AkNp8vSHntGXEA1R7BHkkHPye/s640/IMG_20151029_191008.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>BHHS Class of 2018 Mural</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Other Life Events:</b><br />
Bella's team Black Hills High School won the league championship and are now in the state playoffs.<br />
I continue to work as much as my treatment schedule allows, and OFD continues to support me.<br />
Community members have put together a meal delivery plan for our family which is amazing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGov_wYRp7d2UqV_HVw2JZtGD4KOTb1WfSO787Jmt3e5blf33-rlH35XdcK_B74Re_G-5Z628Omy4jKAcT1W1kxVSO26fjh1qjlQ0I-bwUjZ40lPs0EHU3AkS-v7R2wwiskJfRxvwLh9K/s1600/champs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGov_wYRp7d2UqV_HVw2JZtGD4KOTb1WfSO787Jmt3e5blf33-rlH35XdcK_B74Re_G-5Z628Omy4jKAcT1W1kxVSO26fjh1qjlQ0I-bwUjZ40lPs0EHU3AkS-v7R2wwiskJfRxvwLh9K/s640/champs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>League Champions </b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thank you for taking the time to keep up with me.<br />
I truly do feel all of the good vibes and prayers.<br />
I am thankful and I am blessed. <br />
I will prevail, I will Hold Fast.<br />
<br />
Jim<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswgE6-VxBnJXKQHXkSZUzJ_0y5XFwSu8UFk2xNtGHiuy1reJ9oO29NNxygzVf2sTFpvJ1jBJZM-i1Mkn55CxfWsM498r0S0xLSS5XRg3WdATNR-j8dzncgV7gEePbE8VxLTncBRenhOlk/s1600/hold-fast-meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswgE6-VxBnJXKQHXkSZUzJ_0y5XFwSu8UFk2xNtGHiuy1reJ9oO29NNxygzVf2sTFpvJ1jBJZM-i1Mkn55CxfWsM498r0S0xLSS5XRg3WdATNR-j8dzncgV7gEePbE8VxLTncBRenhOlk/s400/hold-fast-meme.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-72528056434822206882015-10-12T20:34:00.000-07:002015-10-12T21:20:33.207-07:00Catching Up..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="371">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Catching Up:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
There have
been some very cool things going on in my life over the course of the last few
weeks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I don’t have
any new clinical information to report, as I am not due for another CT Scan till
the 28<sup>th</sup> of October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I
can say, is that doing only 1 type of Chemo drug is not as impactful with
regards to side effects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It feels like
my hematocrit is holding stable and my fatigue levels are much better than they
were before. I am in the office currently 32-36 hours a week on non treatment weeks and 15-20 on the weeks when I have treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have another Chemo
infusion(my 6th) this Wednesday, I just have to remember to give it the respect it
deserves and throttle back my activities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hold Fast Beer 5K:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So my
wonderful friend Hollie Myhr took it upon herself to tell my story to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Cascade
Lakes Brewing Company</i></b>, they reworked one of their existing beer labels
and came up with HOLD Fast IPA and then donated 12 cases of the beer to the
cause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hollie then in pretty short order
put together a 5k Run/Walk for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On
September 26<sup>th</sup> about 100 people showed up at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.thestrongcenter.com/">The Strong Cente</a>r </i></b>to
support our family.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was a
very cool grassroots event, both of my youngest daughters did the run and
Regina and Isabella helped staff the event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I got to stand up at the top of the hill at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fitlife</i></b> and hand out
High-5’s to everybody as they got to the top. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the run we had a party at <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Office Grill</i></b> where beer was auctioned off and the fastest runners were
recognized.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thank you
once again to my community for surrounding us with love and support.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Brief speech before the run: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74rnv2ad31A">HOLD FAST RUN</a> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6DiAmprpH5kfEK05nGGzh89-S3EqsSXBnTkii26N0uJSdP9iAzivASUrP8x1xTJT-UihFIMgWkERuIp-ctlZRIKp0W2jkg5xKBh7uHBK96CG72RK1lOXHPwG_ypsSyMaXr65l5zC1oOc/s1600/IMG_2195_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6DiAmprpH5kfEK05nGGzh89-S3EqsSXBnTkii26N0uJSdP9iAzivASUrP8x1xTJT-UihFIMgWkERuIp-ctlZRIKp0W2jkg5xKBh7uHBK96CG72RK1lOXHPwG_ypsSyMaXr65l5zC1oOc/s640/IMG_2195_1.jpg" width="562" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hold Fast IPA</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHatIp0h3ikM3u0ukO6PKZVayHb3JLjC2zGqSVmV74zOu-_8T99YjEBjFNA9TXTR9yA_w-2fmXci2Y4j8NP9QTwTmOVQp0xIGiJt7we1iabmJii7k2y_0UcxZdOm11mLpEVUe8GkqlH0nZ/s1600/IMG_9317_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHatIp0h3ikM3u0ukO6PKZVayHb3JLjC2zGqSVmV74zOu-_8T99YjEBjFNA9TXTR9yA_w-2fmXci2Y4j8NP9QTwTmOVQp0xIGiJt7we1iabmJii7k2y_0UcxZdOm11mLpEVUe8GkqlH0nZ/s640/IMG_9317_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Lillian at the top of the hill</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAlGxzlhsDI1cDUuO8KbVnlp4cmrT_fZ1-zTWh5REbFRt4pUltW7u6iJOLEGfDHSa0vuUAVn19IrMQV3yY0ai6k4M9YVswnzv-sPsqTISe-wMtwoptBjO9mTumIXgsfzbyHHDZEtfxUV8/s1600/IMG_9388_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAlGxzlhsDI1cDUuO8KbVnlp4cmrT_fZ1-zTWh5REbFRt4pUltW7u6iJOLEGfDHSa0vuUAVn19IrMQV3yY0ai6k4M9YVswnzv-sPsqTISe-wMtwoptBjO9mTumIXgsfzbyHHDZEtfxUV8/s640/IMG_9388_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Phoebe handing out kisses instead of High-5's</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Base to Space Stairclimb:</b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Remember
that part where I was gonna pull the throttle back on crazy activities??</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well…….I
thought it would be a good idea to participate in the first ever stair-climb to
the top of the Space Needle, which was a fundraiser for The Fred Hutchinson
Cancer Research Foundation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And you know
what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a good idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I raised over $1,000 in the weeks preceding
the event.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My friend
Troy Churchwell was my partner for the day, he and I have been through many
things together, and it was an honor that he volunteered to be my partner in
crime.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The morning
of the event I woke up and wondered what had I gotten myself into?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I was truly apprehensive
about what I had set out to do, but then I thought about the big picture, the
money I had raised, my defiance against my disease, and the potential
inspiration I could provide to others by doing this, so I shut down the doubt
and forged on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was a beautiful
fall day in Seattle and as we lined up I reminded Troy that “we would get there
when we get there,” “no problem” he said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I’m not
gonna lie, it was challenging and I really had to pace myself and take breaks,
this was more than a gentle reminder that the current version of me, isn’t “me”…..</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Eventually
we arrived at the top faster than I thought we would, both of us were overcome
with emotion and joyful tears were shed, this was a powerful bonding
experiance and left me feeling empowered about my situation, I’m still Jim
Brown Dammit!!!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz573OE-O740e2QM-oikkdXv1nwXyn5yupdFvpDAQ6XoI5EUkcQDebxWDyu31rzB0SqkHf0s5i5NpoAJ6QFlPgQJRR_rYVqr6BXkIx8WeEXkZw5qJsEsBWcqhWe0kdJ1QX5Lz1KAqEtye/s1600/IMAG6506-20151004-131508234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz573OE-O740e2QM-oikkdXv1nwXyn5yupdFvpDAQ6XoI5EUkcQDebxWDyu31rzB0SqkHf0s5i5NpoAJ6QFlPgQJRR_rYVqr6BXkIx8WeEXkZw5qJsEsBWcqhWe0kdJ1QX5Lz1KAqEtye/s640/IMAG6506-20151004-131508234.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Made it to the top!!!!</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqgQYXDk8xdE23gCtj3sIBgYSeLT_TCd26udW-a7jilZSqnq-4YSSbcFkX_hjuupqZYhuiKwtl9A68Mqf6IBmcBOZhJO5nd5i2LpIl27Gewurlv0bqZxkt_TWXF7aUYJJGpuCbiZW_bTG/s1600/space-needle-troy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqgQYXDk8xdE23gCtj3sIBgYSeLT_TCd26udW-a7jilZSqnq-4YSSbcFkX_hjuupqZYhuiKwtl9A68Mqf6IBmcBOZhJO5nd5i2LpIl27Gewurlv0bqZxkt_TWXF7aUYJJGpuCbiZW_bTG/s640/space-needle-troy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Breathtaking view</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Survivor to Thrivor:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In one of my
previous blogs I mentioned my new friend Justin McLean who is a cancer
Survivor/Thrivor from Melbourne Australia, he has been encouraging me from
halfway around the world in my battle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Justin is
trying to get people to shift their thinking with regards to survivorship and
characterize what we are doing as <span style="background-color: yellow;">Thriving and becoming Thrivors!!!! </span> Check it out here: <a href="http://www.thrivor.com/">THRIVOR</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Justin had
some business to do in the USA and he just happened to be in Seattle on the day
of the stairclimb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shared a tearful
hug upon meeting one another and bonded like we have been friends for years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I intend on being friends with Justin for a
long time, and he continues to inspire me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Check out
his letter to cancer here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuvSKv8OapI">LETTER TO CANCER</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Check out
his Rapha produced video here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JtVFGC0Zf0">NO PLAN B</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMSa8dvjs-gAfScdG57OhgQLx9VVx3WQgPOYvdDXBQEJI6Bg0mvH-js8Pj9UVvy-RWGXGdxD5XJu6uS3ZgoeMkCDlTqBu6TA2RKQZrmIii3Ydv4UlHaheXW35ETGVZ72toxMQAbKHfs1W/s1600/IMAG6514-20151004-131507966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMSa8dvjs-gAfScdG57OhgQLx9VVx3WQgPOYvdDXBQEJI6Bg0mvH-js8Pj9UVvy-RWGXGdxD5XJu6uS3ZgoeMkCDlTqBu6TA2RKQZrmIii3Ydv4UlHaheXW35ETGVZ72toxMQAbKHfs1W/s640/IMAG6514-20151004-131507966.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A couple of THRIVORS!!!!!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Fight:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am not
gonna lie or try to pull punches, I am keeping my chin up but this is an
emotional roller coaster and it can be pretty difficult to manage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I have some
pretty rough days and the darkness tries to creep inside of my head.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am
sticking to my <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://thedudeisthedad.blogspot.com/2015/09/remission-mission.html">REMISSION MISSION</a> </b>and
thinking like a warrior.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My daily
mantra:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>I am a Warrior.</i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>I am a Thrivor.</i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>I am the Exception. </i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>I choose the
miracle.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I tell myself
these things every day to internalize and live by them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
There are some cancer patients that describe the disease as a <b><i>gift</i></b> because it caused them to look a life differently and helped them change priorities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I will <b>NEVER</b> call cancer a gift, what I will say is that I have been extended an <b>INVITATION</b> to live and love fully, and to see things in new ways that were not apparent to me before.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When I come out of this thing on the other side I will be a <b>CHANGED</b> and <b>BETTER</b> man, and I intend to take the lessons I learn and pass them on to help others in the same spot as I have found myself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In closing....I am a thankful and blessed man.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Regina, Bella, Phoebe, and Lillian are the lights of my life and bring me bountiful joy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Please keep the prayers coming as I believe in their power.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thank you for your love and support during this challenging time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When you see me, remind me that I am a Warrior.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
#HOLDFAST</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Big Daddy</div>
</div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-72418440070702647182015-09-19T21:17:00.000-07:002015-09-19T21:17:38.838-07:00I'm winning this war.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBE9LwXIzL9vbB7kJSD3ODaQOgVRAEPJPIFJT-V1hHfSbykflkVs4sSnVhoheJdAcqvtRWaBT-TSyrk887elOhc4lV9sIB7Mok3cmUr3kmKzpXr9U-81uuKrrargCPSVLMs_aO2naUhoE/s1600/Screenshot_2015-09-07-22-02-52_1-20150907-221014632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBE9LwXIzL9vbB7kJSD3ODaQOgVRAEPJPIFJT-V1hHfSbykflkVs4sSnVhoheJdAcqvtRWaBT-TSyrk887elOhc4lV9sIB7Mok3cmUr3kmKzpXr9U-81uuKrrargCPSVLMs_aO2naUhoE/s640/Screenshot_2015-09-07-22-02-52_1-20150907-221014632.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
This was a pretty big week for me.<br />
<br />I will start with the clinical information about "The War"<br />
<br />
<b>50%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</b><br />
So I had a CT Scan on Tuesday and I got the results back on Wednesday.<br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;">50% overall reduction in cancerous tumor size!!!!!</span><br />
Dr. Eaton was very pleased and surprised with this progress.<br />
I reminded him that I am no ordinary fella, and<span style="background-color: yellow;"> I am am here to "Kick Ass and Take Names".</span><br />
<br />
<b>Pulmonary Embolism:</b><br />
The blot clot in my lung has dissipated, it is gone.<br />
Despite this finding I will continue to have to give myself a shot of Luvonox daily to prevent any further clots from happening in my body. I still have to watch myself to avoid getting into any situation in which I might bleed because my blood wont clot right now, and a small thing could become life threatening.<br />
<br />
<b>Platelets:</b><br />
Speaking of clotting... Platelets are the component of your blood that allows it to clot.<br />
My platelets were low this week, too low for me to get chemotherapy.<br />
Dr. Eaton pushed my chemotherapy back to next week to give me a chance to recover.<br />
<br />
<b>Red Blood Cells/Hematocrit:</b><br />
As it turns out chemotherapy messes with lots of things.<br />
Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body and chemotherapy causes havoc here.<br />
The results of my blood work showed that my hematocrit level was down to 24%.<br />
This is 21 points down from my normal 45% and is the magic number for a blood transfusion.<br />
Thursday morning I went back up to SCCA and got a unit of blood... man do I feel better after that.<br />
<br />
<b>Genetic Mutation:</b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A really exciting piece of news is that the results came back from genetic testing of my tumors and it turns out I have the mutation: </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>CD74-ROS1 fusion</span></span></span></b></i>.<br /> In the words of my oncologist "<span><i>This is good news</i>.</span>" Only 1-3% of adenocarcinoma patients have this mutation.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The best aspect of this news being that it is 'actionable' with</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> a drug called Crizotinib.</span></span> Approximately 70% of patients with this mutation have a prolonged positive response to Crizotinib. <br />This will be another weapon in my back pocket for t</span>he fight.</span><br />
<br />
<b>Whats Next?</b><br />
Per the protocol for the clinical trial that I am on, my treatment for the next phase will take me down to just 1 type of Chemotherapy (Pemetrexed). I will stay this course for the next 6 weeks; then I will have another CT scan. If things are continuing in a positive direction I will continue with the Pemetrexed until it is no longer effective. <br />Once Pemetrexed is no longer working we will make the choice between the clinical immunotherapy drug MK-3475 <i>or</i> Crizotinib (mutation drug).<br />
Here is a quick review of the immuno-therapy drug: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K0nTpcWXPo">MK-3475 Video</a><br />
<br />
<b>Mountain Bike Ride:</b><br />
One big part of my week was a mountain bike ride on Monday with some friends down in the Portland area at Sandy Ridge. After I had planned this ride several weeks ago, I realized I was probably in over my head with regards to my physical limitations and the effort required.<br />
Nevertheless.....I'm a knucklehead so I went forward with the plan.<br />
In the parking lot at the beginning of the ride I informed my homies that I was in doubt of my abilities and that if at any point I said I needed to turn around, there was to be no argument and that they were to continue without me. I thought this was agreed upon . . . 20 minutes and 3/4 of a mile into the 3.5 mile climb, I knew it wasn't gonna work out for me. Little did I know that my hematocrit level had dropped 24%.<br />
I tried to stop. No dice from the crew so I tried to keep going again, this only lasted for another 5 minutes before I had to stop again. We discussed the situation and the suggestion came up to tow me to the top with inner-tubes, I was very opposed to this idea but after a few minutes<span style="background-color: yellow;"> I cashed in all pride and ego and submitted to the plan.</span> Chris Distefano towed me with an inner tube and Jimmy Smith helped with the push, they got me to the top and I got to let loose on the downhill all the way back to the parking lot. That is a lot of love those boys showed me, Sean Bolland and Nate Mendel rounded out the crew. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuNyF8HQeNFq01T8tfyJPsTn1z_1aU9sS5GAq8neDE1NkvQ5nRTbwcBPTWs-tFVBNdBQKuXOuemks3zseUSIMmaogtJVwtdFQx5SVY6glHfvAPskWtxyaQ9bPNXehd40mIf56f61-1FO-/s1600/IMAG6469_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuNyF8HQeNFq01T8tfyJPsTn1z_1aU9sS5GAq8neDE1NkvQ5nRTbwcBPTWs-tFVBNdBQKuXOuemks3zseUSIMmaogtJVwtdFQx5SVY6glHfvAPskWtxyaQ9bPNXehd40mIf56f61-1FO-/s640/IMAG6469_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MTB Crew</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeBcyW_gbVhGNvh9y9WBG0vUfi2JL2_0emwL42yl5WO5JMRV1sR6F2ri2zN69N-6b7_FYIP1ZtNDtNxtXtqzlQ3sdjeRzlWIz4VDgHDsETc4mgcOkdJL-xs4YLPeHVKS2ymBKItyaD22y/s1600/IMAG6468_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeBcyW_gbVhGNvh9y9WBG0vUfi2JL2_0emwL42yl5WO5JMRV1sR6F2ri2zN69N-6b7_FYIP1ZtNDtNxtXtqzlQ3sdjeRzlWIz4VDgHDsETc4mgcOkdJL-xs4YLPeHVKS2ymBKItyaD22y/s640/IMAG6468_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coupla Dirtbags</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>Rock Show:</b><br />
I closed Monday night out with a Foo Fighters concert.<br />
Straight up...... the best rock band in the world.<br />
If you need a lesson in how to open a rock show, here it is: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3JFSTCzDFI">All My Life</a><br />
Big highlight was seeing my friend Nate getting it done with a "Hold Fast" sticker on his bass.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hMrXhChZan7VCY07vcB_Gbw5B0J0Bajwri6YEIFN_ygmhihDShRXiu-9_-5BizcKRHJMpxQIsIqZiz9AROGIxwvJsxCSyVxZUNvDZexBLC6HLpIzGK8dT6l0yyCM-hXfZskETR-jJ1TD/s1600/IMAG6454_1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hMrXhChZan7VCY07vcB_Gbw5B0J0Bajwri6YEIFN_ygmhihDShRXiu-9_-5BizcKRHJMpxQIsIqZiz9AROGIxwvJsxCSyVxZUNvDZexBLC6HLpIzGK8dT6l0yyCM-hXfZskETR-jJ1TD/s640/IMAG6454_1_1.jpg" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nate "Doing Work"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXtR_S4w5Rs81jfFOhdk5bPFzvaJpOavkNw5VaNnVEY5gY9HoWwi8iJRn2gmL9hMAcvPfDXx09x7apxK7sD53vXnmAVJJCA48vT3VAoAA1vqYVlQ6zhT4QWAB-iqFyyi-yA4rBSF_D7cj/s1600/IMAG6457_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXtR_S4w5Rs81jfFOhdk5bPFzvaJpOavkNw5VaNnVEY5gY9HoWwi8iJRn2gmL9hMAcvPfDXx09x7apxK7sD53vXnmAVJJCA48vT3VAoAA1vqYVlQ6zhT4QWAB-iqFyyi-yA4rBSF_D7cj/s640/IMAG6457_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acevedo Sighting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Inspiration:</b><br />
I am going to close this post with a short story about an interaction I had this week with a Rad Racing alumni. <br />Tuesday evening, Rad alumni Sean Worsech, reached out to me and we had a pleasant exchange. I hadn't seen him in awhile and we were catching up. After a few messages I inquired about exactly what he was up to. It was at this point that he bravely disclosed to me that he was a heroin addict and had struggled for years. He told me that <i>my battle</i> had inspired him to get the help he needed and to get clean. He said he made this decision right about the same time that I started chemotherapy, and that if I could do what I was doing... then he could get his shit together. As of our communication on Tuesday he was 80 days clean.<br /> I have to say that I was blown away by this news, but at the same time sooooo proud of him.<br />I am sharing this with you at this time because Sean has publicly disclosed this information on Facebook and I want to share a powerful example of one of several positive things coming out of this whole cancer experience and Sean's story goes straight to the top.<br />
1. You never know the private hell that people are going through, slow down and give folks the benefit of the doubt.<br />
2. God is powerful and there is no limit to his power and grace.<br />
<br />
In closing I want to say thank you for all the support and prayers.<br />
I will win this war, I am thankful, blessed, and fortunate.<br />
#holdfast<br />
<br />
Big Daddy<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFb6lkM9kJ502bd_jccmF-IMMupXKoK3lf-rACaovxY4LRPyVvQDEGHCTBCk0LspAOSjgRzZKR4drB4Tq8sPDtFVXe6j5aoYsvtogyFAGhW-ZTxVObLpVS2K2PJ2_2mIBouXrXeL9SrYnh/s1600/IMAG6474_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFb6lkM9kJ502bd_jccmF-IMMupXKoK3lf-rACaovxY4LRPyVvQDEGHCTBCk0LspAOSjgRzZKR4drB4Tq8sPDtFVXe6j5aoYsvtogyFAGhW-ZTxVObLpVS2K2PJ2_2mIBouXrXeL9SrYnh/s640/IMAG6474_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Star Bella in the Newspaper this week</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/B7ozMdfE2Kc/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B7ozMdfE2Kc?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1257010190120221453.post-41644651486880737572015-09-02T11:00:00.001-07:002015-09-02T11:00:49.971-07:00Remission Mission....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Been three weeks since an update.<br />
During that time I took an amazing trip to Canada with Regina.<br />
We had the chance to go back to the place we met 27 years ago, Young Life's Malibu Club.<br />
It was a week of rest, reading, meditation, prayer, and general healing for my body and soul.<br />
I read 2 books while I was there, walked every day, and soaked up the beauty and majesty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYYgEHV-h6M5PfRjX0L-V0INNmgqJ7RfOGkZZfuxEdp5Q6nNAmchJps2jKfScliO8r-Rb3ooGMS1gvBZXQY7S3ishZ_T1PedbKFfYcL-B-0fxu_QQbYxUFlKYPzJdhSQa_rTB94uOSaLQ/s1600/jim-reg-malibu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYYgEHV-h6M5PfRjX0L-V0INNmgqJ7RfOGkZZfuxEdp5Q6nNAmchJps2jKfScliO8r-Rb3ooGMS1gvBZXQY7S3ishZ_T1PedbKFfYcL-B-0fxu_QQbYxUFlKYPzJdhSQa_rTB94uOSaLQ/s640/jim-reg-malibu.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<strong>How am I feeling:</strong><br />
After 4 rounds and 12 weeks of treatment there seems to be a cumulative effect from the Chemotherapy. My red cell count is low and I am fairly anemic, this brings my endurance down and gases me out any time I exert myself. I am able to put time in at the office in smaller chunks than normal, and function with life's general duties. Working out has been put on the wayside for a little while as I deal the the anemia, and the blood clot that has formed in my lungs.(injections twice a day)<br />
I hope to get back in the mix here soon with regards to physical activity.<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Radical Remission:</strong><br />
One of the books I read in Canada is called "Radical Remission".<br />
The author identified over a thousand cases of "Radical Remission" which are cases where patients made miraculous recoveries after being given very dismal prognosis.<br />
She wanted to know what were the key things that these people had in common that may have contributed to their Remission.<br />
After all of the research it came down to 9 bullet points:<br />
1. Radically changing your diet.<br />
2. Taking control of your health.<br />
3. Following your intuition.<br />
4. Utilizing herbs and supplements.<br />
5. Releasing suppressed emotions.<br />
6. Increasing positive emotions.<br />
7. Embracing social support.<br />
8. Deepening your spiritual connection.<br />
9. Strong reasons for living.<br />
<br />
<strong>Jim Brown's "Remission Mission Statement"</strong><br />
Based on the principals in "Radical Remission" here is my gameplan, it is dynamic and ever changing but for the time being here it is:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Radically
changing your diet.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Consult
with Nutritionist based on principals in RR.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Start each day with glass filtered
water/100oz per day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eliminate sugar/dairy/refined foods.<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Increase organic vegetable and fruit
intake/juicing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eat only clean meats/fish in small
portions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No alcohol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>6.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>96 hour fast built around chemo
treatment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>7.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Investigate colonic treatments to
cleanse liver.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Start dietary plan after August
26th Chemo/Fast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Taking
Control of your health.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Continue traditional treatments with
SCCA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Continue Chiropractic with Dr
Rosser.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Continue Massage with Rebecca Noble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Continue Acupuncture with Jim
Stegenga.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Continue Jin Shin Jyutsu with Leslie
Demich.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>6.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Continue therapy with Dr. Hurst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>7.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Continue supplements with Dr. Shannon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>8.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Start Reiki with Jaz Klinski.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>9.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Vitamin D Booth. (Kelly Noonan)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>10.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Structured
exercise program. (Cycling, Walking, Weights)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>11.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Daily
meditation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>12.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Daily
yoga (30 min for fitness/flexibility)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in -40.5pt 0pt -31.5pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Follow
Intuition.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Persist with Oncoplex or other
similar DNA testing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Research any other possibilities
that "my gut" tells me to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Reschedule consult with Dr.
Mulligan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Investigate secondary consult with: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>OHSU/
Dana Farber/ MD Anderson/ Sloan Kettering<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Get
the answer to stopping Carboplatin vs. continuing with it or coming <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>back to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4.</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Using Herbs and Supplements.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Consultation
with Dr. Shannon @Wellness Center.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Continued immuno-boosting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Blood markers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Assistance with anemia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Colonic treatments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Releasing
Suppressed Emotions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Working
with Dr. Mark Hurst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anger/Emotions over Dad's death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lifelong<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>body dysmorphia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Insecurities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Perceived poor performance as
husband.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Perceived poor performance as
father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>6.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Workplace stress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>7.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fear of death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>8.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mind clearance. (meditation)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Increasing
Positive Emotions.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Joy/Happiness/Laughter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Identify physical things that feed
my soul and bring me joy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Cycling/Paddle-boarding/Hiking/Snowboarding<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> 2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Identify activities with kids for
joy (painted plate/movies/etc..)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Commit to laughter with Regina and
Kids.<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Go to firehouse once a week to watch
comedy with guys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Find things to watch with Regina to
laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>6.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One on one dates with girls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p></o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Embracing
Social Support.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Identify
and accepting the support put forth by my community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Family support. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Work place support <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Personal support <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fitness support-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Engage Wendy's website to build
specific support projects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>6.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Accept offers of financial
assistance and ask for any further needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>7.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ask for what I need, no matter what
it is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">8.</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deepening your spiritual connection.<o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Daily time in the word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Daily prayer to also include family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mentorship with respected men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fellowship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Investigate church attendance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">9.</b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Having Strong Reasons For Living.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Regina.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Isabella/Phoebe/Lillian.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Unfinished work on this earth both
professional and personal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Grandkids.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Avenging my father’s death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> S</span></o:p><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">o there you have it, as always I am thankful and blessed. #holdfast</span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvNPLC5AhH5kETj5A1YmA-cw8wKhiKQCbJPzJah0DG0XsHhxf2RDtjEIlxen5sgTgo0gNUtJy5-IEyWy5ymYBgdeKeM9Z5xD7ce235tQqRkl4IKq3TNDPzI32f1eX2ZM3-zJy0g_ctkWl/s1600/regina-princess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvNPLC5AhH5kETj5A1YmA-cw8wKhiKQCbJPzJah0DG0XsHhxf2RDtjEIlxen5sgTgo0gNUtJy5-IEyWy5ymYBgdeKeM9Z5xD7ce235tQqRkl4IKq3TNDPzI32f1eX2ZM3-zJy0g_ctkWl/s640/regina-princess.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
</div>
big daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957921308521023059noreply@blogger.com3