A Sunny Getaway

Ok...I admit....the last 6 months have been a little mentally draining on Kim and I. :) (quite possibly could be the understatement of the year)

Kim and I had the opportunity to get away last weekend to Key West for a couple days at a Bed and Breakfast along with some time in the Sun! What a wonderfully relaxing trip! We accomplished EVERY ONE of our critical missions...

1. Sit in Sun by Pool/Beach with Book. CHECK!
2. Swim in Pool/Gulf to cool off as needed. CHECK!
3. Wander the island and shop for goofy Jimmy Buffett stuff and related swag. CHECK!
4. Relax. Relax. Relax. CHECK!
5. Forget about everything in the real world and BE NORMAL for a little while and enjoy each other for a few days. CHECK!

To kick off the trip, Kim and I met with Dr. Crute (my amazing surgeon) on Wed afternoon before we left. She reviewed the latest MRI from May. She was incredibly happy with the results! We then spent the next hour celebrating, laughing, and talking about good things! Dr. Crute has an amazing talent in helping us put everything in perspective. We both look forward to our visits with her. They truly brighten our day!

With Every passing day, I appreciate more and more the time that I have. I am ALIVE and Kicking and LIVING every minute! I know I sound like a broken record, but it is amazing how my outlook changes and improves every day. I find myself being alot more sentimental, and smiling for no reason other than I am just truly happy! Anger is an emotion that rarely pops its head. I love looking back at good things, and I am also looking forward further and further ahead!

I promised at the start of this blog to share my thoughts and feelings during this journey. Believe it or not, the dominant feeling I have is happiness. Happy to be alive, happy to be working, happy to have the friends and family that I do, and Happy to have been able to have had this last weekend to spend with my wife. And most of all, happy to think of the good things yet to come!

PEACE OUT!

6 Months Later...

Next Friday, June 27th will mark 6 months since my diagnosis with a Brain Tumor. With a little help from the best surgeon in the world, along with the support of my family, and my awesome support group led by my friend Marky P, and my wife, Kim who helped prop it all up, I am still here! Alive and Kicking and feeling better than ever.

I don't believe in looking backward except to celebrate, so this little trip back over the last six months is my way of celebrating each of you who in your own way helped me become what I am today... A CANCER SURVIVOR...

When I think back, I still smile and get a little emotional thinking about...

1. Opening my eyes after 12 hours of surgery to my wife's smile.
2. Lyle bringing Jimmy Johns to the crowd waiting during my surgery...
3. the "Livestrong" bracelets that Kev & Deb left for me while I was sleeping
4. The books that were sent to me by my dear friends... Gene, Beth, and Jeff - that helped build the fight in me.
5. Lyle calling Swan...enough said.
6. The drives to Madison with Swan, Lyle, Mom, and the snowy ones with Kim....ie SNOW DAYS!
7. Using this Blog to say what I have wanted to say for years to my Dad and explain to him that what he has done for me means so much to me and how much I love him.
8. Becoming closer to my Mom than I have ever been, and the Laughter that we shared that has helped me heal. :)
9. Watching Jeff keep our business up and running during my downtime...
10. Seeing my friend create one of the most special nights I have ever had (See "a night to remember, and night I will never forget) Gene put it best...Mark P you are an angel sent from heaven to us all! I think of the vision of walking in the room at Cliffbreakers and seeing 50 people from throughout my life there to wish me well...every day!!!
11. The wonderful techs at UW Madison who managed my Radiation Schedule
12. Getting the opportunity to see how I have touched people throughout my professional life through their own words. I am still so moved by MJ Wilcox and his words that I review them often.
12. To my AMAZING Surgeon - Dr. Crute who saved my life and who I can't wait to see on Wed to show her the great results of my 2nd post radiation MRI!!!

There are many more things that I could celebrate...for more detail...read back in this documentary of my journey...I am doing all that I can to ensure I leave nothing unsaid.

Thank you once again to everyone...continue to SHARE HOPE! It works!

Peace Out!

New Source of Strength

Just a short post to let you know that I am feeling absolutely fabulous! I am exercising several times a week and I truly feel as good as ever!

Wanted to share something that has become another source of strength for me. I only found this source a few days ago, but it has had a huge impact on me!

David M. Bailey is a Brain Tumor Survivor of 12+ years now, a singer/songwriter, and someone who has been coined "The Hope Guy". I met him at the American Brain Tumor Assoc. conference, but didn't really look him up until earlier this week. His music and lyrics are inspiring.

I am including two You Tube links of 2 different songs that represent me the most. Can you figure out which one represents me the most? :)

The Links are safe and tested. Please enjoy and let me know what you think. You may or may not like the music, but listen to the words. It truly has me inspired me....NOT TO SING...YOU DON'T WANT THAT, but Hope Does Run ETERNAL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiV0SsKVUbk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhtHtURCIFs

Check out his site http://www.davidmbailey.com/ for his bio and more about his music.

Please do tell me what you think. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.