Got no checkbooks, got no banks, Still I'd like to express my thanks - I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night. ~Irving Berlin, "I Got the Sun in the Morning," 1946

Cindi, Kimi, myself &Violet just before the start.

Last weekend was the 2012 Alaska Clean Air Bike Challenge (in case you did not know) and it was simply the most amazing weekend I have experienced in a long time. John Thain, KTVA Channel 11, interviewed Sam and I to kick off the ride, then followed me with camera and microphone for a few miles along the route on Saturday morning.  The interview was aired Monday night and again on Tuesday, and just in case, here is the link:  Glass Half Full. While riding along after I returned the bike camera and mike to John, I must admit I experienced a bit of melancholy, missing Sam and worrying about him being alone for the weekend.  Right then, it hit me that the Glass Half Full team captain needed to get out of that mood immediately, which I did.  Between my teammates, the other 300 or so riders, the weather and just the fact I was actually participating in a 120 mile bike ride in some of the most beautiful country, lifted my spirits immensely. There was a bit of rain the first day during the ride, hail that evening, beautiful sunshine Sunday morning with an incredible view of Denali...and then...the last 20 miles or so, a headwind which just about sent every one of us over the edge!

The view from my room at Talkeetna Lodge.  Denali in all his glory.

There were so many inspirational stories among the riders.  One woman was diagnosed with stage IIIB lung cancer and is an 8 year survivor.  She and her husband biked together and he is now preparing for the Seattle to DC bike ride this summer. Absolutely phenomenal people!  I am already looking forward to next year.

Sam is doing ok.  Yesterday was his monthly Zometa infusion for the bone mets and today was the CT scan for his lungs/abdomen/lower back region.  Hopefully it will show what is causing the pain and other issues, if not, an MRI will be the next step.  His spirits, as always, are great which makes the entire situation so much easier to deal with. Of course, it also helps fishing season is upon us and he has other things to think about.

The first of our many weekend jaunts is tomorrow as we are off for the weekend to Knik River Lodge.  Next week on the 25th we are headed to Kodiak for 10 days.  We are both really looking forward to that even though, as I noted previously, I will be flying home to work for a few days and then flying back.  Plus, Sam informed me this evening he will be taking his "kayak" along.  Oh boy.  I will have to find the picture of him in the kayak and you can judge for yourself but let's just say...he barely sits above the water. I will just do my best to not think about it!

Ciao!

“Courage is like a muscle strenghthened by its use.” Ruth Gordon (the late actress)

Sam is either the bravest man I know or the craziest man I know, or possibly a little of both.  Hints about various aspects of his current physical health have been dropped all week, and tonight is no different. "My left eye is kind of blurry."  Followed by, "I guess it's been that way a few days...maybe a week or so."  Hello?  Since when does "a few days" equal "a week or so?"  Either way, I did not react because that drives him nuts.  I calmly walked into my bathroom and proceeded to have a "moment" while processing what Sam had just told me.  At that point, I headed to the computer to google "blurry left eye lung cancer."  Needless to say, I should not have done that.  While I am sitting here silently freaking out, Sam is over in his chair, laughing with the cats, cheerful as can be just like life is normal, which in a way, I suppose it is.

On the other hand, now he is sitting over there telling me that perhaps the reason he is having these "head" problems is because his brain is tired from studying too much Japanese.  As a certain former half-governor often says, "You betcha!"

Rocky aka Garfield, taking his after dinner nap.
He is so black you can hardly see that
his head is  upside down.

After writing all this, I do feel better and it really is life as usual.  So many different things happen throughout the course of one's cancer journey, it is often referred to as a "roller coaster ride."  Therefore, overreacting to something is not in any one's best interest, especially Sam's or mine. Tomorrow, however, if he still is having issues, I will insist on him calling the oncology triage nurse to tell her what is going on.

Sweet Pea guarding her toys because she knows the
scary big green monster (the vacuum) is about to come
out of the closet and get her and all her toys!

As for me, one more week until the Clean Air Bike Challenge (http://action.lung.org/goto/daraglass) and yes, I am ready.   Sunday is the Bike for Women and although it is only 9 miles (compared to 120 next week) the first half is downhill which means the second half is uphill.  What are the race planners thinking? No matter what it will be fun.

Our Memorial Day plans are made, we are headed to Kodiak on the ferry. If all goes as planned, because we are not able to get a ferry back until the following weekend, I will fly home on Tuesday morning and fly back to Kodiak Friday afternoon to get Sam and our truck back on the ferry Saturday to head home.  Yes, it sounds kind of crazy, but sometimes you just do what you have got to do.  He is very excited about spending a few additional days hanging out in Kodiak (city) and I hope it all works out for him and that I do not worry too much about him.

Ciao!

Failures are made only by those who fail to dare, not by those who dare to fail. Lester B. Pearson

As most of you are aware, Sam has taken some time off from his blogging.  He claims to have gotten bored with it, which, after almost 3 years, does seem rather likely.  Perhaps my blogging will motivate him to start again!

The past 3 months have been almost a blur.  Sam's doing quite well for someone with stage IV lung cancer.  He is not as active as he was, and I don't know if that is a result of the insane amount of snow and cold we've had this winter or because his body is just slowing down.  His positive spirit does remain and for that, I am quite grateful.  My most challenging moments are when he is angry and I need to quickly determine if it's actually me he is angry with or the situation at hand. Or both for that matter.  I am often unsuccessful at figuring it out, just so you know.

Right now, to keep his mind busy, he is studying Japanese.  Yes, you read that right.  Japanese.  He sounds great when I hear him practicing, but then...I know nothing about Japanese, he could just be speaking gobbledygook for all I know.  I admire him for attempting it because I can't say I would do the same.

The animal shelter enjoys his presence a couple times a week.  He's even learned how to groom the dogs, handling the dogs under 40 pounds.  The cancer in his lower back and pelvic area do not allow him to work with the larger dogs anymore.

As for me, life is good.  Just wish the snow would go away.  I am training for the 2012 Alaska Clean Air Bike Challenge, an annual fundraiser for the American Lung Association.  It's a 60 mile bike ride from Houston to Talkeetna on May 12-13.  120 miles round trip.  Here's my webpage for it if you'd like to donate, or perhaps join the team?  http://action.lung.org/goto/daraglass  I'm at about 70% of my fundraising goal, which I am absolutely amazed about!

Chat at ya later!