Uphill in the Wind and the Rain

 

I know it's been a quiet span on the blog.  We've spent the last few weeks in a steady climb . . . only in the last few days have we been able to anchor our boots in scree, lean into the wind, deflect a steady rain with  bladed hands over wrinkled brows, and discern the culmination of the rise.  

It's not our first uphill slog in the elements.  There have been plenty . . . In particular, I recall a crazy day on the Pennine Way when we sang (in relentless repetition) all we could recall of Jim Croce's "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown."  Words we could not recall, we made up --  and soon we were staggering in collapsing giggles -- uphill, against the wind, in a driving rain -- to the top of Great Shunner Fell.  Nothing we did made the climb any less steep, the rain needles any less spiky nor the wind any less penetrating . . . but when I think back, what I remember is the fun.  It was our choice to sing and laugh.  It was the power of being part of a team (of two) who chose to smile.  And you know, when we reached the top, the rain turned to fog, which eventually gave way to a late day clearing sky.  I can't imagine whining and complaining would in any way have eased the climb.  There's no way to know how the hiking may have been different on a clear day.  What I do know for sure is that I cherish the memory of laughing through adversity.

And I've no doubt, there will come a day when we'll look back across the past five weeks of treatments and procedures, grateful to have made the decision to lean into the ascent, the wind and the rain, with all the humor and grace we could muster.  Over time, experiences of post-procedure discomfort, malaise, and nausea will give way to fond memories of walks with our dogs, high fives over achieving Genius level on the New York Times Spelling Bee, a spectacular take out meal and the continuous support of family and friends.  We truly are blessed.

Quote of the Day:

"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”

                                                                          ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Progress Report:

• My second procedure in just less than a month -- microwave ablation (MWA) of the remaining tumor on my liver -- went (according to Dr. Bennett) "technically perfect,"  to which he added with a wry smile, "We got a really good burn."  We'll find out how really good with a scan in a couple of weeks.  
• My marker test this week confirmed my CEA remains undetectable.  All metabolic and blood labs remain normal.  The joke is that I am the healthiest Stage Four cancer patient in town.
• My integrative medicine doctor has tailored my diet somewhat as a result of nutrition genome testing.  Turns out, I have a genetic SNIP (Single nucleotide polymorphism) that sees increased glucose levels with higher saturated fat intake.  So immediately I began to reduce fatty red meats and dairy (two key components of my KETO nutrition plan).  There will be no red meat and very little dairy going forward -- rather, more healthy mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.  No complaint from this quarter -- I'm back to a modified Mediterranean diet with ample healthy (plant-based) fats.  I'll stay in ketosis through fasting -- without the butter and bacon backbone!  This is a big yippee! 
  
• It's been a light stretch for my beloved HIIT workouts since the MWA -- still I'm on a 29-week Peloton streak!
• Another lifestyle adaptation recommended by my naturopathic oncologist is cold exposure to boost my cellular energy (viva la mitochondria!).  So it's back to my cold shower experiment from 2016 -- this time with the structure of the Wim Hoff Method   If Wim (the Iceman) is new to you, click on the link to learn about Wim and his Method.  Unconventional, yes . . . and just the change in tempo I need right now!  (Things were getting a tad "groundhoggy" after 16 months on the trail). So, forget that neoprene jacket . . . I'm headed into an unheated pool (at 6,600') in the winter.  My teeth already are chattering!
• And a puppy update:  The fall the mating was successful!  Our new puppy should be born between 10 and 14 December.  That means we'll bring our Brussels Griffon home at the (puppy) tail end of winter.  
• Otherwise: IVC continues weekly, the supplement list just keeps growing (the more we learn, the more we supplement) and another two-week Braftovi break seems to be somewhat ameliorating the discomfort and limited range of motion in my arms. 
• Bottomline: We're choosing to smile, lean in and trust that the sun will break through to shine on a fabulous view before us.
  

Via Francigena!