Month: May 2016

Sunday 5/29

What a completely awesome ride today!  I am so delighted that my body held and I was able to do the climb…………..It was hard and I am tired; but it was extremely satisfying and very fun!

I started solo in early morning, cruising through huge stands of conifers pierced with rays of sunshine. I climbed slowly in the silent, cool morning air.  Laurie was waiting with breakfast half way up the hill. We ate, pushed through the gate and continued up together. She crushed it as I tried to keep pace. Breaking out into full sun, surrounded by black lava rock and spectacular views was stellar. I still lagged but did not care – it was great to see Laurie pound up that hill, as I tried to keep her in sight.  I was so happy that we were doing this together!

We summitted, lunched and I napped.  I marveled at how Laurie said, “that climb was easy today.” I thought, “Really?” Down we plunged. Forty-five miles and 3500’ elevation – cancer cells be damned – all in a day’s play!

In the old days, my pride would never have permitted me to lag Laurie up the hill or allow other cyclists to pass me as if I were standing still.  Similarly, using walking as morning cardio workout OR considering cycling to do errands as a full on workout was not a part of my psyche. I now have a new word for this: Recalibration.

I always thought that youth was reserved for the young and wisdom for all others. I believe I have arrived at new place – a place of recalibration. I continue do all I can with gusto and full abandon, but I now do it with acceptance and try to do it gracefully. I feel so good about this -truly happy and content!

I think I have been coming to this realization for a while – but today is the day I fully articulate it.  Perhaps, it can be said: I learned something today.

Life continues to be grand!  Climb on, my friends!

Saturday 5/28

I assure you, the title of this post is literal not metaphorical.

Almost thirty-five years ago to the day, I was one of four cycling friends who set out with fully loaded touring bikes from Paradise campground on the McKenzie River.  We climbed the old McKenzie Highway, cresting the Cascade Mountains.  It was my first time making this climb. I was 25 years old and cancer free (I think).

Since then I have ridden this road many, many times. In the early summer of 2004, Laurie and I cycled it twice. Once with brother Tom accompanying him across Oregon on his Trans Continental ride. The other time, two weeks prior, to make sure Laurie was in adequate cycling shape to ride across Oregon with Tom.

Almost every year since, Laurie and I have done this climb. Usually we wait for ODOT to plow this mountain road of its winter snow. It is then open to bikes but not vehicles. Some years the road is wide open with no snow in the flowering meadows; while other years we ride the narrow single track of pavement bounded by towering walls of winter snow.

Even more daring are the years when we launch before ODOT has plowed. That scenario is as follows: Van camp the night before and munch breakfast the morning of at the locked gate. Unload the bikes, strap on the skis, push around the gate and ride naked pavement as far up the hill as possible. We then park the bikes and ski to the summit. At the summit we arrive to a very cool CCC-era built stone structure, known as Dee Wright Observatory.  By then we have broken out into the late springtime sunshine.  We enjoy snow play, lunch, lounging and a luxurious nap. The views are spectacular, the air delightfully warm, the sky the deepest blue, the conifers the most striking green and the solitude felicitous. We are happy together in this gorgeous natural setting!

Tonight Laurie and I drive up to camp with the intention of topping out on this ever so familiar summit by noon tomorrow. It will be my first climb of this magnitude since being diagnosed. I wonder how the cancer cells will like this trial.  Heck, they are already being mercilessly assaulted with hormone therapy and chemotherapy. Moreover, they are being starved of their sustenance – sugar.  I am fully confident that I will feel GREAT as I crest the summit, breath deeply the pristine air and absorb that noble landscape with its imposing views.  I bet that those cancer cells will be crying out to flee my body as fast as they can.  They’ll realize that their invasion was ill advised – an extremely bad idea – a very poor choice.  I hear them screeching, “I want out, NOW!”

So then, until tomorrow night when we arrive home, I leave you in waiting for my report. For now, back to preparations for tomorrow’s assault…………..You all will be the first know how this climb goes, as my intention is to post again sooner than later.  TTFN

PS:  If those pesky cancer cells are able to overcome this ravishment, my friends at OHSU will be bombarding again on Tuesday afternoon with the third chemotherapy treatment.  Take that suckers!

 Monday 5/23

Your response to this blog has been quite positive. That response, coupled with the relaxing, therapeutic effect I feel from writing, impel me to offer another happy post!

The satisfying rhythm and flow of home life continues.  Awaking in the morning still brings me joy and anticipation.  The exercise -stout morning walks with Laurie or a ride over the hill – is exhilarating and fun.  A slight modification to my Whole 30 diet resulted in a huge improvement – significantly more energy, vastly improved digestion and no stomachaches. I am so grateful for the stress free, relaxing afternoons, simply hanging out with Laurie.  Hard to image I am so gravely ill, as I Ride the Wave.

Often I marvel at how quickly the hours pass and the days seem to simply evaporate. Perhaps this is so, because we have been happily flooded with visitors over the last few days – it has been quite the social scene.

Reconnecting with Laura was fabulous!  She arrived at our doorstep, with my favorite flowers in hand (those in bloom) on Thursday afternoon. A stellar visit!  I sure appreciated Rob organizing his, fun-filled home poker game.  I love the dynamic that plays out over cards, chips, food and friends!  The arrival of Erick, my long time climbing mate, on Friday for lunch, a long hike, longer nostalgic conversation, dinner and the party like, music drenched, happy nighttime festivity was totally awesome.  It was so good to reconnect with this old-time, kick back, mellow friend visiting from Australia.  I experienced the warmest, strongest sense of community on Saturday morning when I attended my first ever Bat Mitzvah – Thank you Tali, Penny, Jared and Luis!  The weather forced us inside, but no way could I have complained about indoor climbing with Erick and Alan that afternoon.  The weekend just improved as Chris, recently back from Europe, drove all the way from Seattle to spend the day, evening and night with Laurie and me.  Chris (and his entire family) has always been extremely special to me over our 40-year friendship.  How wonderful it was for me to hang, hike, talk, eat, play, reminisce and talk some more with my bud, Chris!  I am so happy that he is willfully accompanying me on this newest journey – after all we’ve done so many journeys together over the years.

As you can see I have been blessed over the last few days with an absolute wonderful set of visitors and friends; each willing to hang out and share with me.  It has been a most happy time, as I am convinced that the journey with friends is a journey well conceived!

I end this post, just having returned from a yet another delicious acupuncture treatment from Carter. I feel so relaxed and satiated.  I suspect the rest of the day will unfold quite pleasantly and I will continue to Ride the Wave.  !La Pura Vida a Todos!

PS: I received permission this week from niece, Julia, to publish her hand written letter that has become so special to me.  I share it, so you too can feel the love and support I am receiving from family afar.
…………(click here)

Wednesday (5/18)

It has now been one week, 7 long days, since my last treatment. The week has been a little rough and I found myself struggling.  The fatigue, the emotional swings, the constant stomach issues and just being off rhythm have been a challenge.  Nonetheless, I cannot help but rejoice in the positives of the last few days.

I go to bed each evening a ‘good’ tired.  My favorite part of every day is when I open my eyes. I feel the cool air filter into our room. I realize I am well rested and energized.  My body feels good. I get excited to start a new day. Soon thereafter, for the exact reason, unknown to me, one of two things happens: I crash OR I don’t crash. Simple!

My circle seems happily smaller these days; the pleasures more simple. The daily highlight may be Laurie and I waking up to a rainy coastal day and feeling cozy. It may be the anticipation of seeing Erick for the first time in a year and knowing that I get to climb with him, Alan and Jane – my total buds. Perhaps it is the delicious acupuncture treatment from Carter Blue or the car nap as Laurie drives home. The two-hour family visit with Rhonda, Steve, Nicole and Jarrett was absolutely wonderful on Monday evening.

The support and encouragement of my fine friends continues to just pour into our life.  I cannot tell you all how rewarding this is!  The joy started this week with the old school, snail mail cards from Jacob, Unita, Laurie D and Danielle -so many XOXOXOX! Enthusiastic emails arrive sharing in our excitement of lower PSA levels. Blog comments (as you can see) continue to light up our days. The smiles, hugs and love we feel upon serendipitous or planned visits with friends are huge – each better than the last!  The anticipation of visitors from afar – Chris, Annamarie, Eric and Lana is so exciting.  The prospect of outdoor climbing this weekend – Are you kidding me?

It truly amazes me how this sudden, tragic, life-altering event has brought so much love and goodness to our life. I feel so especially, incredibly LUCKY – a mere Thank You simply pales.

I end this post on a extremely high note. Yesterday (Tuesday) and today (Wednesday) have been glorious days! I have experienced two perfect Oregon spring days – brilliant sunshine, satisfying exercise, super friend interactions, a significantly better stomach and the perfect, supportive wife at my side.  I feel AWESOME – As the Rhythm Returns.

PS:  TRACY: As your stated hero and inspiration, I feel somewhat responsible for your Bay to Breakers run.  Hope it was fun & you are feeling GREAT!

Thursday 5/12

I stir awake, open my eyes, breath deeply the cool, salted, sea air and listen to the crashing waves! I realize I feel good, far better than expected. Not 100 percent, but a far cry better than last night.  The gorgeous sunshine surely contributes to my raised spirits. I am psyched!

The morning household pace is quite slow. After breakfast I accompany Laurie on her walk from the beach house. I decide to go as far up as my body is willing to take me. Amazingly, by noon, we find ourselves atop Neahkanie Mountain (1670’) with a big smile!

Eventually, we descend and lunch at home. I spend the rest of the day relaxing, reading, writing and voting. I bounce from couch to couch (as opposed to bolt to bolt) enjoying the superb view. We manage a short sunset beach walk, returning fatigued but quite happy!
– So much for not doing too much in one day-

Friday 5/13

Less sunshine and more physical fatigue made today a grayer day than yesterday.  We climbed less, but walked longer on the beach.  Definitely not 100 percent. Again, I realize that those drugs sure do pack a mighty punch!
– We’ll see what tomorrow brings…………..

Monday 5/9

It is now four weeks to the day upon receiving that frightful evening call from my Eugene Urologist.  Today, Laurie and I set out to consult with my eastern medicine healer, Carter Blue, and receive his delicious acupuncture treatment.  We then continue on to visit, walk and dine with Linda at her house and then arrive Susan’s place for a two-night stay.   As usual, the evening biology conversation was quite informative, but most touching were Susan’s continued obvious concerns for my condition.  How, I super appreciate her dedication and tenacity while on this journey!

Tuesday 5/10

We are scheduled for a Dr. Beer’s examination / consultation, blood tests, a hormone therapy injection, a chemotherapy infusion, nutritional consultation and a bone density test – wouldn’t lunch and an afternoon walk in the gorgeous Portland sun be an added blessing!

I awake way to early (pre-chemotherapy steroid drug really seems to wreck ones sleep) and feel somewhat anxious.  By 7:15, Laurie and I strike out on foot for the Metro.  We meet Susan, the cyclist, at OHSU and are promptly ushered into the Beer appointment.  He examines, we talk and he pronounces me ready for a day of treatment.  Good News 1.  I get permission to reduce dose of that bothersome pre-chemotherapy steroid drug. Good News 2.

We are happy and excited when we learn that Lena will be our drug nurse today.  We have a window seat with a superb view of Mount Hood for the next 3 hours (after all Linda is on her way to the summit, as we settle in).  Blood panel indicates white blood cell count up & liver function is in fine working order. Good News 3.

An hour into drug therapy, Dr. Beer strolls by in his doctor’s outfit with a casual smile and remarks to us: “Have you seen the PSA levels yet?”  Laurie and I freeze!  He announces: 7!   He continues to smile, I search my brain for recognition and Laurie starts to cry tears of unabashed joy!

How can this be, I wonder, in the context of the last four tests: PSA = 18, 36, 48, 70?  A 90% decrease in just four weeks.  Didn’t we just talk this morning about a single digit PSA reading in 7 to 9 months?  Could this treatment really be working?  Beyond Imaginable Good News.

We dance through the rest of the day in our euphoric state. Exiting the Healing Center, we serendipitously bump into Chris and share our grand news.  We move on to visit and play bridge with Julia, converse and cook with Susan and dine with Eric.  Our world is pure delight and excitement!

Emotionally exhausted we crash!

Wednesday 5/11

I awake to wonder, did yesterday really happen?  I pinch myself and realize perhaps it really did go down exactly as I recall.  Wow!

I hop out of bed and immediately get caught up in the excitement around Laurie and Susan.  Susan off to SFO, us to Manzanita – busy morning preparations!  Buzzing about, packing, grocery shopping, happy conversation, drive to PDX, crossing back through town and drive to the beach house.

We arrive to this wonderfully familiar site and absolutely gorgeous setting, but I can hardly get out of the car.  My energy is fully SAPPED!  I can barely recall in my whole life ever felling this exhausted.  I drag the yoga mat to the grass, get on a few licks of SPF 30 and down I am for 2 hours in a most restless, exhausted state!  Wow, I realize, these drugs pack quite a punch!

My well-being does not improve at all, as I drag myself into the house.  I fail at being able to light the BBQ; I cannot even move the eating table onto the porch.  I sit and suddenly I hear the kitchen circuit breaker click OFF!  Somewhere in the background I miraculously hear Laurie say that dinner is done.  As she serves I simply break down in tears.  I feel the lowest I’ve ever felt on this new journey since that fateful call of four weeks ago.  Totally Wasted!

The next few minutes feel like a year!  My head spinning, not sure what is passing through it.  The sun slowly sets, the waves continue to crash, I nibble at our meal of sockeye salmon and Laurie is just there!  Still utterly exhausted, somehow spirits rise a fraction and we sit together and slowly eat.  I vaguely recall luckily finding the two breaker boxes and stumbling upon the correct one. Lights and plugs now function.  Sun fully sets, the hours pass, darkness envelops us and I rest.  Ever so slowly I begin to feel better.  I wonder again how powerful this journey has been and where will it take us next.  I stumble into bed after midnight, exhausted and hope for a grand awakening tomorrow!

Week of Monday (5/2) – Sunday (5/8)

We had our second treatment at OHSU’s Knight Cancer Institute on Tuesday, May 10th.  Before that post, let me describe the wonderful week previous.

The week began with an acupuncture appointment and consultation with Carter which was extremely satisfying!  At home, I quickly settled into a happy routine of exercise and rest cycles throughout the week – morning hiking, afternoon weights, two 20+mile bicycle rides and two gym-climbing workouts.  Very cool!  I enjoyed immensely, visits with Tom on the porch, Angie/Mark during Carson’s HS BB game at SEHS and the Poker Boys at Rob’s house.  Another sweet Tuesday night sauna and then the highlight of the week – Julia’s handwritten, heartfelt letter.  Watching Laurie’s tears was especially moving.  Julia Heil you ROCK! 

A little dated, but best I could do.  Cannot wait to see you this summer, Jules!

I admit, I did struggle towards week’s end. Perhaps adjusting to and maintaining the new diet, preparing for the Portland run or the double workout on Friday.  A huge Thank You to Laurie for her undying support in every facet of this journey!

The week concluded with a wonderful Mother’s Day BBQ perfectly synchronized with that new diet. Great having Steve, Rhonda, Katie, Lynn & Orion for the party!  Off to bed feeling happy, happy, happy!

 

Sunday, May 8

Wishing ALL the moms out there who are following me along on this journey, an especially

Happy Mother’s Day, 2016! 

In two days, Laurie and I will arrive OHSU to receive my 2nd hormone therapy injection and my 2nd chemotherapy infusion.  Today, I am feeling absolutely GREAT!

The Next Week (Saturday(4/23) – Sunday(5/1))

Two of the most interesting pearls of wisdom that I received from my friends this week were:

“Mike, you may have cancer, but more importantly, does cancer have you?”
“ Where the mind goes, the energy flows”

I found myself reflecting on both of these, as I began to feel an overall physical fatigue – perhaps due to the 1st chemotherapy infusion of a few days ago.

It has been less than two weeks since my diagnosis, although it feels like years.  I believe, I now have an intellectual grasp of what is happening within my body.  Emotionally, however, it goes up and down, but in reality – it is what it is.

The long and short of it is that there are two things: 1.) Those pesky, invisible cancer cells are in a survival struggle with my body’s immune system. 2.) The drugs, hormone and chemotherapy, battling those cancer cells, have their own side effects.  So, over the last week, I have been carefully monitoring my body and trying to implement best possible healing practices (diet change, rest, sleep, exercise, acupuncture, a rare pill, etc.).  I have felt quite successful – except for a minor stomach issue (perhaps as simple as acid reflux) and the fatigue, I continue to feel extremely well!  The fatiguing effect can be compared to cycling uphill against the wind with dragging brakes, or that cross-fit guy dragging around the huge truck tire, or climbing that 5.10b with a 20 pound weight hanging off your waist.  Nonetheless, I have found a nice rhythm of doing physical activity (cardio or strength workouts, climbing, yard work, food shopping, cooking, etc.) and deliberately resting for an hour or so.  Then do something else and rest – then again and again and again.

This rhythm is working especially well, as evidenced by all the cool stuff I’ve been able to do this week.  I’ve climbed with Alan twice, completed three strong cardio days with Laurie and a quality weight workout at the SRC.  I felt well enough to be part of the pinochle date at Steve’s place, our fabulous Tuesday night sauna, two special dates – one with Claire, the other with Hannah, a visit to Lynn at Willamette Oaks, a large-laddered house project at Peter’s place, dinner cooked by Corinne, a stroll over to the Eugene marathon and an awesome dinner party at Rich and Kay’s place. I met with Carter, my eastern medicine healer, who created a three-pronged plan (radical diet change, nutraceuticals to detox and acupuncture) to supplement the OHSU treatments.  Finally, I spent considerable time implementing this blog site and staying in close touch with friends.  The ‘get-well’ phone call I received from the 7th grade classroom in Largo MD and my conversation with Maureen from my high school days were both very special events. Happy texts from my sister Annamarie, multiple snail-mail cards, videos of Tanya’s family and touching email notes and photos from so many friends simply made my week!

WOW – after reading it is a clear why I felt fatigued!

I will close this post with three metaphors that have been playing in my mind this week.  The first is a vision of the anti-hormone drug viciously depriving those prostate cancer cells of their sustenance, so they just shrivel up and die away!  Perhaps, a little morbid, but, heck, I did not invite those cancer cells to the party – so, you all, Go Home!  The second metaphor also centers on depriving those prostate cancer cells of sustenance. Some research suggests that those cancer cells love sugar; they just want to intensely gobble it up and use it as a reproducing energy source.  Well, Carter’s radical new diet calls for no added sugars whatsoever and no grain based carbohydrates.  Again, I visualize these uninvited cells being starved as they shrivel up and die away.  The final metaphor I centered on  was the ubiquitous Bolt to Bolt metaphor. For all you non-climbers, this is my way of moving step by step, slowing myself down, enjoying the moment, not getting overwhelmed, smelling the roses and being grateful of all the wonderful pieces of my life.

So then, until next time, may all your winds be gentle tailwinds and all your hills roll gently downwards.  So long for now and happy trails……….

Tuesday 4/19
8am.  Regular morning walk with Laurie – Delightful!  Miscellaneous house chores: water newly planted kale, wash closes, install close line etc.  We all know how good it feels to arrive at the place you call  ‘home’.
1pm. Good weight workout.
3pm. Face-to-face: Steve, Corrine, Alan, Rich & Kay.  AWESOME!

Yes,  Laurie and I had been slammed with three devastating health reports over two weeks – each worse than the previous.  However, over the next four days, almost everything we heard was positive.  Additionally, we had time to ‘get our heads around’  this nasty cancer diagnosis.  That was certainly not true for our family members and dearest friends!  Thus, we realized the importance of sitting with them, explaining the facts and giving the reasons why we were now completely and legitimately super optimistic! 
       As we did this, we were soaked, beyond our wildest dreams, with delight. We witnessed the burden of worry lift from their shoulders, their faces lighten and their lips turn up into an ever so slight smile. We felt that they now believed we might really be getting this thing under control.  This joy of relieving our friends was simply indescribable – our best imaginable experience in this whole ordeal thus far!

Wednesday 4/20

3am. Up and typing……….I guess the pre-chemotherapy drug does have insomnia side effects.  Sent out fourth Health News.
7:30am. Morning Weight work out. Yes!
8am. Great ‘relieving’ conversation with brother Jeff and nephew Ryan.

9:30am. Off to Portland:  First Chemotherapy Session, Lunch Carts, Visit with Eric B for a tour of the Advanced Imaging Research Center at OHSU. Goes smooth as silk – continually impressed with OSHU staff. *

5pm. Great ‘relieving’ conversation with brother Tom.

6:30pm. Orion’s 21st Birthday Party.  We feel like guests of honor among our dearest friends. AWESOME!  Again, we feel relief, which make our souls soar!

*  I guess I’d be lying if I were to dismiss the concern, angst and dissonance I was feeling over my first chemotherapy session.  After all these years of watching what we eat, avoiding environmental toxins, intense physical workouts and cleansing saunas, it is hard to willfully allow the ingestion of those blatantly harsh, cell killing chemotherapy drugs.  Perhaps I shall write and post a short essay on this subject soon.

Thursday 4/21
3am. Up and typing………….Feeing Great
8am. Hike, Workout, organizing treatment and communications.
3pm. Great ‘relieving’ visit with Jane
7pm. Dinner and movie with my girl. Continue to feel GREAT, despite chemotherapy – they really are going to have to do a better job convincing me that I am ill!

Friday 4/22
5am. Up and Typing………….Little more sleep. 😛
8am. Morning workout.
noon. Benjamin kind enough to consult on this blog design. TY!
3pm. Afternoon workout.
5pm. More wonderful ‘relieving’ conversations – Lana and Tanya.
7pm. SEHS play date with my girl! Very fun!
10pm. Right to bed!

Sunday 4/17

8 am. We start to close down condo.  It is sad for me to end this much anticipated climbing trip with great climbing partners prematurely.  I know, however, that the decision is correct and it feels good that the decision is now behind me. I am super psyched to show Laurie Red Rocks, as I have really fallen quite hard for this climbing mecca.

9:30 am.  We start our hike of Turtleback Mountain.

2pm. We exit RR and drive to Fallon, NV for the night. It feels great to watch a good plan unfold!
9pm. We notice side affects of first hormone therapy drug injection in abs. and are little concerned.

Monday 4/18

8 am. We exit Fallon, NV.
9am. We receive a call from my Eugene urologist acknowledging imaging results. He is supportive of our plan to be treated at the Knight Institute.
10am. We receive assurance from Justina that side affects are normal.

 

5pm. We arrive home, feeling the love!

Friday 4/15
One can certainly expect that if you’ve been motivating around this planet earth for almost 22,000 days,  you would have experienced some pretty incredible days.  Well, for me, Friday April 15, 2016 was certainly one of those days!   Thank you to all who may have contributed in their own way to help line up the cosmic forces to make this happen for us………….……

7am. I awoke, reasonably well rested, to Justina’s email.  I excitedly dragged Laurie out of the bathroom to share the news.
7:15am. We frantically arranged and prepared for an immediate flight to PDX.  Bob chauffeured us.

9:15am. We board flight – Are you kidding me?  Is this really going to happen?

12:40pm. We land PDX.  It was great to see our chauffeur, Goelzie, who dutifully shuttles us off directly to OHSU.

1:30pm. We arrived OHSU.  Biggest hugs to Justina!  Simple paperwork, exceedingly nice people, quick blood tests, short educational video, Susan arrived!  We were swept up in the sweet emotion of it all and were feeling incredibly fortunate!

3:00 pm. Laurie, Susan, Justina & I intently listened to the calm, eloquent: Dr. Beers.  A treatment plan is constructed – key event .
4:30pm. Start treatment!  Yes indeed, start treatment!
6:00pm. It was a lovely glowing springtime evening when Laurie and I boarded the Orange line on our way to Manfred and Susan’s house.  We were aglow reveling in one of the best days of my life!
6:30pm. We sat down to a celebratory dinner with Manfred, Chris, Eric & Julia.  Awesome!  We fell asleep there flooded with gratitude.

For a complete account of this incredible day see Laurie’s story:  “Rock Star“.

Saturday 4/16
7am. I awoke at Susan’s house, reliving the power of yesterday.
8am. I excitedly sent out the third “Health News”.
9am. We basked in the warmest welcome upon arriving at Linda & Chris house. Over breakfast and an urban hike, Laurie and I felt camaraderie, support and peace.  Tapping into Chris’ medical knowledge was invaluable and soothing.  (Like a 5 hour doctor’s appointment in the park answering any and every question you could imagine)!  More than Awesome!

3pm. Flying back to Las Vegas to close condo and get car.

10:30pm. Went to bed pondering the radical change in our emotional state from just 72 hours ago.

Sunday May 1

8am:  Good Morning, Happy May Day!  Real time post coming your way….

My current journey is opening up all kinds of new doors.  Imagine just a few months ago Mike developing smart phone skills, having a medical oncologist on his team and blogging. Wow!

Since the feedback on the blog site has been so overwhelmingly positive, I will dedicate effort to keeping it current and fun. That said, I have hit a minor snag so today’s post will simply be this real time message: “Thank You All for your heartfelt, warm, touching words, prayers, sentiments and offers of help”.  It so incredible to feel you are out there sending those loving, supportive vibes. I wonder if this is the principle reason as to why I feel so good these days!

The photo is of early this morning as Laurie and I lent our support to the folks running in the annual Eugene Marathon.