Two Year Anniversary

"If you make it to 2 years post transplant, your risk of recurrence returns to baseline". This loaded statement from my oncologist returned today to be digested and dispelled. The past 2 years feels like a dream but I look back at the posts and pills and recall a vivid reality, and the Herculean community effort it took to bring me here today.
Much has happened since my last blog, and I will bring you up to date:

Erin and Steve at Planet Ice for R2S

In June I joined the Ride to Survive group from Maple Ridge to North Delta. The group rode 400 km from Kelowna, and has raised over 2 million dollars for Cancer Research since it started 9 years ago.

Elgin Park High School spin-athon for PAH ER

Also in June, staff and doctors participated in the Elgin Park Spinathon where the inspired students raised over $40,000 in funds for purchase of equipment for the Peace Arch Hospital Emergency.

Katie exits the "Limo"

Katie and Max

 In August my bone marrow donor, Katie Knopf married her partner Max, and we wish them well in their life together. They are going to have their hands full looking after their 8 month old son Wyatt and remodeling their home!

Remarkably, one of my sister Michelle's friends who signed up while I was ill, was just this past  week recruited to donate stem cells for someone else in need. The circle of life continues.

Zoe, me, and Jason at Perissa Beach, Greece

 Also in August we took a long awaited trip to Greece with the family. It was wonderful to connect with my parents and extended family in Athens and on the island of Skopelos, and later venture south to Mykonos and Santorini.

Zoe pours Caroline a glass of Santorini Rose at sunset

The four of us scuba diving inside the Santorini Crater

Me, Sweeney, McNeil, Ridley, Hemming, Konar

 Gwilt, Jacklin,

 Staschuk & Rogers

 This week was the 35th (whew!) anniversary of our high school graduation and chance to get together with pals from Vancouver College at Peace Portal Golf Course. Of note, I was the only non-Golfer.

Todd Hansen and the Coastal Race Club break at Esquires

At a recent Saturday ride with the Coastal Cycling Club the group toasted recovery, and lamented the recent loss of our friend Kerry White.






  Thanks to all the medical people, family, and community of friends for helping me make this milestone!

The view from Santorini at sunset

Walk With Your Doc

Time to get out those walking shoes! Friday May 10 is the World Move For Health Day, and I invite you to Walk With Your Doc, wherever you live. I will be walking on May 10 from 12:15 to 12:45 at the Centennial Oval in White Rock on 16th and 146 th in front of the Centre for Active Living, and would love to have you join me and other local doctors and citizens for a little walk around the track.  Or join your doctor elsewhere, as the whole province will be awalkin'. (more info at https://www.bcma.org/walk-with-your-doc)

On other fronts, I participated in the medical conference at Sun Peaks, where I had a bit of a ski pole mishap while I was busy taking pictures and failed to unload the chairlift in a timely manner. Check out the video below to see the whole event:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-19ZVIhEDT4

And my sister Michelle took me on a vigorous cycling trip in the Santa Monica Hills in California. I am still recovering...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FfKnGdQi9o

 

 

And of course the kids are finishing University for the summer and heading home. It will be good to see them, in person.

Yin and Yang

Yin and yang are complementary forces, representing the duality of life, interacting to form a whole greater than either separate part.

 Caroline and I celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary Feb 14

Dr. Katie Weiler has agreed to stay on and share the practice, and in time take on new patients. Patients who have grown fond of Katie and her thorough and thoughtful approach, will be able to continue with her. We will cover for each other and work as complementary images of each other.

Brother Andy and I went retro, and physical,  cross country skiing at Holyburn Mountain.

Manraj Johal and I upgraded our Critical Medicine skills, feeding the intellectual.

A visit to Peace Arch Hospital meant hugs from the ER Nurses.

And a recent email and blog post from Katie Knopf, my donor in Michigan, let me know that she and Max  and their 3 month old son Wyatt are doing well.                         Yin and Yang.