Headline credits for this post:
Bruce Springsteen’s Land of Hope and Dreams
Well, Big Wheels Roll in Fields Where Sunlight Streams …
This past weekend I rode in the Levi’s GranFondo cycling event in Windsor CA with my great friends David Schneider, Gary Hollingshead, and Kurt Romstad – along with my brothers-in-law, Dan DaDalt and Reg Govan. It was really an amazing day, all 68 miles of it! If you’d told me 2 weeks ago I’d get through this, I wouldn’t have believed you. My bike miles have come slowly over the past few months. I couldn’t be more grateful for how this crew watched out for me and got me through the long day and ride. With their support – and a very big boost of M&Ms and Oreos at mile 33 – I felt like nothing could stop me. Throughout the day, I told anyone who would listen that I was absolutely the luckiest individual they could possibly meet among the hundreds of participants. I know this experience was really special medicine which will carry me a very long way.
Thank you David, Gary, Kurt, Dan and Reg for making it happen!
Meet Me in a Land of Hope and Dreams …
This time of my chemo cycles is always challenging. I finished Round #56 last week. This week we’ll do some status scans and determine our path ahead. “Scanxiety” is a real thing (have a look at Cancer.net’s definition here) and every cancer patient experiences it to some degree. I get through my Scanxiety by thinking of my possible outcomes this way …
– Door 1 ~ our hopes and dreams for the best outcome come true
– Door 2 ~ we must roll on in steady state, keeping The Beast in check
– Door 3 ~ well, nobody wants Door 3, but you need to be ready for anything
So, in short, that’s hope for the best, be satisfied with staying the course, and be prepared for potential bad news. Mix that in with the amazing Orange Power and Blue Mojo I get from family, friends and my healthcare team and I find there is always room for great HOPE! Of course, a few rainbows here and there along the way can help the cause too. I spotted this one last Thursday as I prepped for my last chemo dose of Round #56.
I’ll Stand By Your Side
You’ll Need a Good Companion For This Part of the Ride …
I’m really proud of what Team Crafty has accomplished recently with the Conquer Cancer Foundation. It’s great to stand together with my family, friends and Conquer to help other cancer patients and help advance cancer research. Here’s what I’m talking about:
- Conquer Cancer is releasing a special video of our story next week on May 2nd. Its purpose is to share some hope with cancer patients nationwide. I’ve seen some of the work in progress and I’m confident it’s going to be really special.
- Conquer’s new “Trailblazers Merit Award” for cancer researchers is officially a go and will be awarded for the first time in June at the big ASCO Annual Meeting. Thanks to all our family, friends and Salesforce for helping fund this endowed annual award. Three of my world-class UCSF cancer doctors earned Merit Award distinctions from ASCO early in their careers – it is really a catalyst for the brightest minds in cancer research. So I know all of our future Trailblazer award winners are going to help thousands of other cancer patients during their respective careers. That will be a lasting positive impact on the cancer community for which we can all be proud.
- My recent podcast with Dr. Mark Lewis is worth a listen if you haven’t heard it. We cover a lot of ground including thoughts on how to process cancer statistics mentally and emotionally, how music can be transformative for patients, tips for packing for a hospital stay … and of course, Team Crafty’s message of hope and gratitude.
You can listen to it here.
Yeah, Leave Behind Your Sorrows
Let This Day Be The Last
Well, Tomorrow There’ll Be Sunshine
And All This Darkness Past
Thank you for all the support from near and far.
We feel it every day and you carry us when we need it most.
Mady, Nat, and I are forever grateful.
Get educated.
Get screened.
Support cancer research.
Keep rollin’!
Crafty
P.S.
Doesn’t seem possible that I’m approaching 5000 miles on my e-bike but I am.
I expect to hit it during the week of 5/3 and 5/5, my birthday and Conquer Cancer Day.
If you’d like to join me and Mady in Petaluma for a short ride to mark the big milestone, please reach out. Plan to bring your bike and some of your Orange Power or Blue Mojo colors for a special Team Crafty photo …
Orange ~ for Conquer Cancer Foundation
Blue ~ for Colorectal Cancer Awareness