On April 10th, 2019 I had the incredible privilege of being a guest on a show geared toward helping women survive the trauma of cancer. I shared a bit of my own cancer journey with the amazing women who co-founded Breast Friends: Sharon Henifin and Becky Olson. We then…
Chicago Basin: Bagging 3 Fourteeners
(Notes from our hike in August, 2016) This photo barely scratches the surface of the beauty of the Chicago Basin area of southwest Colorado, and it was a trip we’d hoped to make for many years. Because of all the details involved, it only came together this summer. Once you…
Ever wondered how old your body is?
“It’s not the years — it’s the miles!”Whether you’re evaluating cars or people, there’s a lot of truth in that. Some of us have had a few hard knocks that have aged us faster than others. A couple of years ago, I was introduced to an Omron scale that measures…
Pumpkin Chai Donuts
I have made these multiple times and everyone loves them. You can use various pureed squashes (like turban or buttercup) instead of pumpkin – still amazing. I use regular eggs and regular oatmeal, but choose the version that fits your dietary needs. Link to original recipe INGREDIENTS 2 cups gluten free oat…
Part 1 – A Look Back at my Cancer Journey – Overview
(In honor of being 11 years cancer-free, I’m sharing part of my journey so that others may be educated, encouraged, and possibly entertained. The following journal entry has been slightly modified from its 2008 creation.) I’ve been reading health and nutrition books since I was 14 and following all the…
Part 2 – A Look Back at my Cancer Journey – Diagnosis, Tests and Staging
(Note: I just realized that the calendar days from 2006 are the same as in 2011. April 10th was a Monday and Easter was on the 16th in both years. Weird. According to my old day-timer scheduler, I hiked the Manitou Incline Monday, April 10th before going to work and then meeting…
Part 3 – A Look Back at my Cancer Journey – PET Scans and Ports
(Note: The following are three excerpts from family email updates 11 years ago.) Thursday, April 20, 2006 Tootie the Toomah must die! Rather than conduct a family participation contest to “Name the tumor,” I went with the first one that came to my mind – Tootie. Sorry, no prizes. Much…
Part 4 – A Look Back at my Cancer Journey – MAYDAY!
(Modified from a journal entry/family update email dated May 1, 2006. It may have been a day to celebrate Spring and May baskets, but for me it was “Mayday! Mayday!” — my own personal distress day.) Putting chemotherapy drugs in the human body is like spraying pesticide on a garden.…
Part 5 – A Look Back on my Cancer Journey – Hello side effects!
(Adapted from journal entries/family email updates from May 2-7, 2006) I now have several radiation treatments under my belt — or more accurately, below my belt. It is a daily appointment and painless except for the exposure issue. I have to drop my scrub pants and lie uncovered on the table…
Part 6 – A Look Back on my Cancer Journey – Flights, Hikes, and Hair Loss.
(Adapted from journal entries and family email updates from May 13 – 18, 2006. I flew to Boise to drive back to Colorado with our daughter, Tess, who had just finished her Freshman year.) Saturday, May 13, 2006 Hello again. Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there. Hope…