Clean Socks and I'm Trekking Again!

Headed for Treatment #10

Rejoining a trek after a break -- even a short break -- is an incredible boost to the body and soul.  This chemo and surgery break has delivered renewed energy, along with clean and un-rumpled socks to hug my feet as I slide back into my boots.  And I'm walking . . .

Back on the Unexpected Journey trail, I consider some of our most satisfying trekking sock-wash breaks.  These are the breaks -- so lovely and soul-filling -- which caused me to look wistfully over my shoulder as we rejoined the trail recalling the goodness and value of the pause.  Normally a "meditation-in-motion chick," the best breaks still my body in a pleasant synchronization with a present and quiet mind.  They also bring forth the fresh memories of the trek so far -  the views, the challenges, the celebratory ascents, the closely watched, sketchy descents; and perhaps most especially, the people (oh the amazing people) we have met along the way whether sharing the trail for a passing moment or for days along the way.  These are the blessings of the trek.

I recall a break on Wainwright's Coast-to-Coast Walk, where we took our sole socks' washing break in Richmond, North Yorkshire (at roughly the halfway point).  In this quiet, sleepy little village, which can be wholly explored in half-a-day (and that's with a real rigor toward exploration), we lounged over mid-afternoon tea and slightly decadent scones in a sun-basked corner of a tiny cafe. It was so simple and yet poignant -- how the juxtaposition of the press and the pause heightened our appreciation of the smallest things when we got still and listened to all that beckoned to calm, soothe and replenish. 

It is good for the body and the mind to break routine (no matter how attached we may be to it) every now and then.  Like opening a window to welcome all that is new and possible, we become reacquainted with that which has become, well routine, with fresh eyes.  The gratitude floods in with the new (and renewed) sights, sounds, smells and tastes finding an enlivened presence in the rested vessel.

And my experience of the last three weeks was of the break -- respectful of the Unexpected Journey so far traveled, grateful, open, aware and ready for new challenges.  Not comfortable, but comforting in outlook.  Not easy, but easily managed given the news: Two weeks post-surgery and five weeks since my last chemo cycle, my cancer is in remission.  Now, it is as Dr. Nir wrote in his pre-surgery notes, "time will tell" of the curative success of the procedure.  And I am hearing the trail calling.  It is time for me to get back in my trekking groove: Socks clean and dry, mind clear, filled with gratitude, optimism and curiosity; held by an amazing community of support -- heading for Canterbury, en route to Rome!

Quote of the Day:

Have what Jim Henson liked to call “ridiculous optimism.”  Without it, we wouldn’t have this amazing world we live in.

                                                                                             ~Kermit the Frog (2014, Ted Talk)
Progress:

The Garrett Girls (sis and me)

• Surgery went off on schedule, 0730 hrs, 3 February (six months from the 3 August symptoms and hospitalization that resulted in my stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis).
• My procedure included resection of roughly 25% of my liver (area that included the large hepatic tumor), removal of my gall bladder and two extra-hepatic cancerous areas (one lymph node and one lesion in my peritoneum). 
• I was released from the hospital on my third post-surgery day.
• Upon release: I was blessed with a peaceful healing retreat week in the care of my loving sister and amazing spouse.

• At the start of treatment cycle 10 (Monday, 24 Feb), Dr. Rixe gave us the news that my cancer markers are in the low-normal range (that is, of an individual without cancer).  The marker results, along with the pre-surgery imaging and surgery combine for current assessment of cancer in REMISSION.
• Per protocol, I am right back into chemo treatment for clean-up.  I don't know yet how many treatments cycles are ahead.
• There will be many tests and labs in the future to track and confirm the success of my treatment.
• I'll also restart my targeted therapy (Avastin) on 23 March.
• Dr. Rixe concurred with my suggestion to begin Fenbendazole (thank you, Chip and Malissa for encouraging me to investigate this alternative supplement to my treatment).
• I feel like I've won the lottery.  

 

Via Francigena, 2020!