Three years

SandiaBuddy · March 2020

Three years ago, I faced a nearly totally obstructive colon tumor and I did not know if I would live a day, a month or a year. After surgery and a not too happy course of chemo, I have managed to make it through my three year CT and blood tests with no evidence of cancer. There have been side-effects and challenges, some of which are ongoing, but I am lucky enough to live a relatively normal life.

One of my passions is hiking the Grand Canyon, and I was lucky enough to make three rim to rim to rim hikes (essentially back-to-back marathons) last year, and I hope, as long as health, money, hotel reservations (and coronavirus!) work out this year, to do as many or more this Summer. Added to that, I have done regular rim to river to rim hikes over the year (R2R2R season for me is 5/15 to 10/15). I recognize that some on this board have not had the same advantages as me, and my heart bleeds for them. But I also want to give people who are on the front end of this disease the hope that life after colon cancer can be satisfying.

I contemplate mortality every day. This helps me to strive to be a friendly presence on the trail and in life in general. I have included a photo that was briefly my profile photo. It is from a rim to rim to rim hike at sunrise on the Colorado River. Not apparent in the photo is this means that I got up around 12:30am and hit the trail at 3:00am. I have nine miles behind me and fifteen more to go. I hope that all of you can find the meaning, challenges and satisfaction in life that I have, even after cancer. Cheers.

AnneO1965 · March 2020

That is so totally awesome! I

That is so totally awesome! I'm so glad that cancer hasn't beat you!

I'm still struggling to find what my new meaning of life is, and I look forward to the day when it hits me.

Trubrit · March 2020

Celebration Time!

And that can only mean one thing - HAPPY DANCING MAN one for each year.

He has been very quet lately, and so happy to be out and dancing his happy dance. The dance we are all doing for your three years of NED.

May you see many a mile of canyon in life ahead. So many joys to be experienced. This morning, I had a Coyote share the trail with me. Yesterday, 10 Pronghorn. Ah, life in the great outdoors is.....well, GREAT.

Tru

NewHere · March 2020

AWESOME!!!

On so many levels. That whole 12:30 thing hitting the trail at 3:30 though. not sure about that time in the morning (I'm lazy, on triathlon race day I am usually up at 4AM)

Congrats again, great news.

SnapDragon2 · March 2020

It is so good to hear

It is so good to hear positive journeys! Thank you. AND, good to see you back here

danker · March 2020

Hiker

When I lived in Tucson. i used to hike in the mountains. My last hike was when I fell crosing a lightly sanded boulder. Broke my glasses, brused my forhead. and I was still a mile away from the car to get home. Keep hiking and stay NED as I have for the last 9 years!! Good lucK!

beaumontdave · March 2020

Congrats Sandia, three years

Congrats Sandia, three years clear is awesome, hiking is wonderful, wish I could do as much. Enjoy your path....................................................Dave