Aloha Friends !
In the scheme of things, today is a rather big day for me, so I donned a very special shirt and cap that my friend Chris Kostman recently sent me from this years Badwater race (Chris is the Badwater race director and also quite an endurance athlete). Wearing this special shirt and cap makes me feel especially good about myself today. Thanks Chris.
Although most of us cancer patients will likely agree that every day is special, today rates higher than most, due to the fact that I'll be meeting with Dr. Charles Miller, my cancer oncologist, to learn all the details about the next phase of my treatment, which will be designed to rid my body of the remaining cancer cells in two lymph nodes associated with the rectal tumor. From what I've gathered so far, it will be a rather mean chemotherapy. Let's hope so, as I want to get rid of all of the cancer ! Obviously, I'm anxious to learn all about it.
The past few days have finally started showing some improvement in my energy level and also a reduction in pain and discomfort related to the surgery. It's feels like all the lil' construction workers inside me...the carpenters, plumbers and electricians are buttoning things up and the painters and clean-up people are starting to do their thing. I'll be all new inside, soon ! Whew !...it's about time ! Believe me, it's great to start feeling somewhat normal again. The fact that I still can't do much or even walk very far is not important. That will come with time. Today is a new day !
So, here I sit all neatly dressed like I'm ready to run a 100 miles or more, and strangely enough with a corresponding mind-set...apprehensive, but confident. "Hey, bring on the race !" You see, in many ways I've been training for this battle with cancer, both physically and mentally, over the past decade through athletics, and have watch many others do the same. One sweet gal who comes to mind is Judy Carluccio. Judy is a good athlete and did a lot of training with us, saying all along that there's "no way" that you'd ever see her doing something so insane as a 100 mile run. She basically told Cheryl and I: "No way, Jose !" Well folks, she's hooked on 100 milers and in fact she just finished another...the tough Cascade Crest 100, in the very respectable time of 29 hours. Yea Judy !
Judy has been a very big supporter in my battle against cancer, especially since she lives rather far away, in Spokane, Washington. In addition to other things she's sent in the past, she just sent me a beautiful card with an even more beautiful hand-written message AND her Cascade Crest 100 belt buckle, which immediately brought on another Kleenex Moment. Both the card and the belt buckle will share a spot on my wall as they are truly treasures.
Speaking of treasures, so it is with so many of my wonderful friends...all treasures. In an effort to keep me from wasting away, several of my friends have been bringing food by over the past week or two. Cheryl has brought over things on two occasions, and both Marian & Neal and Steve & Lisa have brought dishes to the house. Evie Char has come by on several times to give Healing Touch treatments. All my friends are such special treasures. I'm so very lucky !
Well, it's almost time to head to the doctor, so I wish all of you the best. Have a beautiful day ! Thanks to everyone for all the great photos, posts and comments. It makes my day to hear from you.
Don
At the start of the Angeles Crest 100 Mile Run.
Having fun up on Half Dome in Yosemite. 
Hey, do you see how flat and wide that trail looks?? :-)
Donohue pass in Tuolumne and Sonora pass.
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