Anniversaries

Monday, April 11

The second two weeks of April are filled with dubious anniversaries for Laurie and me. On April 11, 2016, one year ago to the day, I received a call informing me of the sobering results from the prostate biopsy of a week ago – high volume, aggressive cancer, Gleason Scale 9. Also this week, one year ago, there was my desperate exchange of emails with Manfred and Susan calling for help  (attached), the news that my cancer was metastatic and my acceptance into the Knight Cancer Institute for treatment. Next week’s anniversaries include my first chemotherapy treatment, Orion’s 21^st birthday BBQ and settling in at home to a new life – a life with cancer.

This all seems like a lifetime ago! Occasionally it still seems a little surreal, but by and large we’ve accepted this bewildering twist of fate. We do wish it were different, however we know it is here to stay. We are prepared to continue this journey through the rest of our lives together and go wherever it may lead us.

Over the last year, Laurie and I have experienced a tremendous amount of varying, intense emotions – not the least of which has been an overwhelming outpouring of love from all of you. We cannot overstate how valuable this has been for us. Your love has most certainly enhanced our lives in many more ways than you can ever imagine!

We have also learned so much over the last year. Perhaps the most valuable lesson has been to continue to live our lives as normal as possible. We strive to seize each day and live it with gusto, but not as if it were our last day. We try to take advantage of each and every opportunity for fun and laughter, but not over commit ourselves thus adding stress to our days. Most important of all we never, ever, ever, want to take each other for granted!  This has been a foundational commitment to each other ever since we started our relationship 17 years ago and has only gotten stronger since my diagnosis of a year ago.

One year later, Laurie and I are grateful for so many things, not the least of which is that I am still standing, walking, running, skiing, climbing, cycling, playing, laughing and smiling.

We continue to work and hope for the best.

Happy Days………..