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Have you ever wished to borrow Dorothy’s ruby slippers to just take you home on command?  We did, a month ago, when confined to rehab for an expected twenty-one days.  But Dorothy’s slippers reside at the Smithsonian, and not in Durham, North Carolina, so no clicking of heels for me.  We considered a dramatic breakout using Kim’s new red Chevy truck but after a week we chose our moment of freedom and snuck out to the parking lot and into our minivan, still salt- and sand-coated from its latest sailing trip to to Lake Jordan with teens, dog and Cool Ranch Doritos. At home, time t ..read more

On the morning of April 2nd, my family awoke to the news that my father had died during the night. Upon hearing this, I was not where I should have been. I belonged next to my mother and brothers in that moment, in our family home in Greenville, North Carolina, Instead, I was in a room in Duke Hospital, Dean a few yards away in a recliner. Somehow we would all face this day and those to follow with a positive attitude  – that is a lingering gift from Dad to us all. “There in Spirit” My father’s memorial service was held Wednesday, April 5 at 1 p.m. in Greenville, NC.  Physi ..read more

The last in this series of blog posts was promised as a tribute to a few of the people who have appeared on the path of my brain tumor journey and helped me persevere and soar. I like to call them my “angels.” We all cross paths with special people every day. Even the slightest smiles from strangers elicit gratitude. Yet occasionally, my journey intersects those of individuals who really make a sizable difference. Now, 21 months after initial discovery of my brain tumor, this post only mentions three of these angels, but is dedicated to them all. On the Healthcare Front Sometimes it’s as simpl ..read more

Introspection continues In October, I started a four-part blog post series that I call “Bouncing Back.”  In this brain tumor-forced journey, we’ve endured unpredictable drops and turns, and yet somehow,  hope and gratitude rise to the surface.  I’ve enjoyed sharing my ponderings on this topic and am now ready to tackle part three. Featured at the North Carolina Museum of Art, part of the most extensive Rodin collection between Philadelphia and the West Coast. It’s my blog and I’ll brag if I want to. There are two thoughts I’d like to share as I begin: First, my parents h ..read more

As my reminiscing continues, it’s time to tackle part two of this “Bouncing Back” series of posts.  My greatest asset in fighting cancer is hope. It helps me stay positive, and is fundamental to my enjoyment of every day. Lately I’ve pondered this: given the challenging circumstances with glioblastoma, where does all that hope come from? SOURCES OF HOPE on this brain tumor journey Feeling good is a source of hope. Having given up toxic chemo for Keytruda immunotherapy that super-charges my body’s own defense system, I feel great! My only pain is muscular: right arm and neck/bac ..read more

16 months into this awkward brain tumor journey, I’m feeling well and musing about how I got here. This is not a search for the cause of my glioblastoma; that will remain unknown. Rather, it’s a silent search for how I became a person who can endure the dramatic drops and turns on this crazy roller coaster ride and keep bouncing back. First chemo stops working? Try a second type. Then a third. Bad news? Unpack it, give it its time, then pack it up and keep going.  With each fresh challenge, find a new source of hope.  I’ll admit this is tiring. Very. Yet it sure is nic ..read more

Alternative title: “n=1” Just a week after my last post, I already have something to say. It’s positive and (by my standards) brief, so why not? As I start writing this, it is 9am on Friday Oct. 7.  At this moment, n = 0.  For anyone who hasn’t had the joy of studying statistics and probability with an inspiring teacher, that means sample size is 0, referencing something that has not yet been done. Now, as I return to the keyboard the next morning, n = 1.  Yesterday, for the first time ever, someone with my particular Glioblastoma progression is on a combination of me ..read more

With incalculable help from local friends, I hosted a fund-raising social event on Sept. 28 at a community-oriented restaurant in Carrboro, the cool, funky town adjacent to Chapel Hill. By all accounts, the event was a big success.  150 people mixed and mingled, bid on an array of silent auction items donated by local businesses, and enjoyed Tandem’s food and drinks.  Hugs reigned as old friends reunited.  In our brief program, Duke’s Dr. Matthias Gromeier described progress with his modified poliovirus vaccine for brain cancer. In all, we raised around $13,000 for Angels Among ..read more

Nope, that’s not a typo. That’s pear as in the fruit that is – when you catch it just right – one of the best flavors on the planet.  More about that in a moment. Health update: not much to report, which is good. I’m still basking in the glow of the last MRI. I feel quite well. I enjoy walking but outings aren’t as far, fast, or frequent. That’s fine; I’m happy to be out and about even if my former scurry is now a relaxed stroll. I manage physical fatigue. Sitting instead of standing sometimes takes a bit of planning and creativity; on this point, I’d like to thank the person who th ..read more