A Farewell Tour - of sorts

ImNotDeadYet
ImNotDeadYet Member Posts: 244
in Kidney Cancer #1

Many of you may remember that the band The Who had a "Farewell Tour" in 1982. They had another one a few years later, and then later a "Final Farewell Tour." And they're still touring and playing today.

With that in mind, I decided to do something while I'm still healthy enough to pull it off. I'm calling it my "First Farewell Tour: Inspired by The Who; Brought to you by cancer." I live in Colorado, but most of my family and friends are on the west coast where I grew up, and the east coast where I lived for almost 10  years. I'm starting with the west coast leg in August. I'll fly into Norcal and spend a few days - and catch a "Jerry Day" celebration over the weekend. Then I'll head to Socal for a few days, and I'll finish up in Las Vegas so I can visit with my niece - and some friends as well.

Been having a rough go with side effects lately, including being hospitalized, and wasn't sure I'd be able to do it. But if I don't do it now, I may not have the opportunity later, so I'm going to make it work. Flying solo for this trip, as we are trying to do a vacation in Sept for both of us and she can't take that much time off - nor can we afford dog care for two trips. After reading Fox's post today, I became even more determined to make sure this trip happens and see as many people as I can during my two week adventure. For the first time in a while I feel excited, and am looking forward to something. 

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Comments

  • CRashster
    CRashster Member Posts: 241 Member
    #2
    Sounds great.

    I'm imagining a similar thing for myself when my situation finally goes south. Have a good trip.

  • Brock1969
    Brock1969 Member Posts: 80
    #3
    awesome!

    Make that trip the best! Enjoy. 

  • Retcenturion
    Retcenturion Member Posts: 240 Member
    #4
    Fare thee well!!

    It sounds like a great time. You've been through a lot. You can't get enough of the company of old friends." Takes  time,you pick a place to go,you just keep truck in on!" If you can let us know how it goes. Sending more positive thoughts to you.

  • paintergrl
    paintergrl Member Posts: 47
    #5
    Go for it!

    Sounds like an awesome trip!! I hope it's fantastic! Side note, I live in CO too. 

  • APny
    APny Member Posts: 1,995 Member
    #6
    I'm thrilled for you to do

    I'm thrilled for you to do this. Go for it!

  • Allochka
    Allochka Member Posts: 1,074 Member
    #7
    Have a great time! The title

    Have a great time! The title of the post sounds scary - but the contents is pretty postive :-)

  • Gtngbtr58 @aol.com
    Gtngbtr58 @aol.com Member Posts: 206 Member
    #8
    Good luck

    Sounds like alot of fun-how about we rename your adventure " Farewell to letting cancer rule" tour I like that much better.  You are young and have with g-ds help alot of living to do-June

  • stub1969
    stub1969 Member Posts: 985 Member
    edited June 2018 #9
    Have a great trip!

    Enjoy every moment and savor the time with friends and family.

    I'm looking forward to hearing about your adventure when you return.

    Stub

  • BoondockSaint
    BoondockSaint Member Posts: 242 Member
    #10
    Have fun, safe travels. 

    Have fun, safe travels. 

  • Deanie0916
    Deanie0916 Member Posts: 628 Member
    #11
    Have a great trip

    Have fun at the Jerry day celebration! Can't wait to hear some stories. God bless.

  • ImNotDeadYet
    ImNotDeadYet Member Posts: 244
    #12
    Retcenturion said:

    Fare thee well!!

    It sounds like a great time. You've been through a lot. You can't get enough of the company of old friends." Takes  time,you pick a place to go,you just keep truck in on!" If you can let us know how it goes. Sending more positive thoughts to you.

    Like the Doo-Dah man says, I gotta play my hand

    ...and I'm hoping the cards are worth more than a dime! Especially for the Vegas leg of the trip!

  • ImNotDeadYet
    ImNotDeadYet Member Posts: 244
    #13
    CRashster said:

    Sounds great.

    I'm imagining a similar thing for myself when my situation finally goes south. Have a good trip.

    I get it

    I think that's why I'm doing this now. I want to do it while I can still fully enjoy it and get around. My worry is that by the time things really start going south, it might be too late for a trip like this.

  • AnnissaP
    AnnissaP Member Posts: 632 Member
    edited July 2018 #14
    Live and enjoy! Wonderful

    Live and enjoy! Wonderful idea!!!

  • Angiebby75
    Angiebby75 Member Posts: 208 Member
    #15
    Enjoy and safe travels. 

    Enjoy and safe travels. 

  • Glidergal365
    Glidergal365 Member Posts: 93
    #16
    love it!

    I hope all your travels go smooth and you make some great memories with folks! 

  • ImNotDeadYet
    ImNotDeadYet Member Posts: 244
    #17
    Thanks for all the support!

    I appreciate all the supportive comments. I know the title sounds a little ominous, but I also have a FB group where I post updates for friends who want to follow, called I'm not dead yet." Its cover photo is the "Bring out your dead" scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I realize I have a darker than average sense of humor. However, that's one of the things that gets me through dealing with this. I have scans and an onc appt at end of July, right before I leave. I'm keeping positive thoughts that all will be well for the trip. My only real worry is side effects. I was off the Votrient for a week while I was being evaluated (including my night in the hospital). Tonight will be Day 4 of being back on. I think I have an especially sensitive GI; the side effects really nail me there. However, I also know that barring something curative soon, this is the healthiest I'll be, so I'd better make the most of it now.

  • amandac2018
    amandac2018 Member Posts: 26
    #18
    Sounds like a wonderful idea

    I hope you have the time of your life. Enjoy friends, family, memories and have a great time !!!!

  • ImNotDeadYet
    ImNotDeadYet Member Posts: 244
    #19
    The First Farewell Tour was amazing

    I'm so glad I did this while I am still able to get around pretty well. It was truly humbling to have so many friends and family come together in so many different places. I am moved beyond words by people's generosity and hospitality. This has helped me to become acutely aware of how lucky I am to have such wonderful people in my life. We sometimes don't realize how much people care, if we don't reach out and let them know how much we need them. I've been home for over a week and am still completely blown away. 

  • Jan4you
    Jan4you Member Posts: 1,330 Member
    #20
    ImNotDeadYet said:

    The First Farewell Tour was amazing

    I'm so glad I did this while I am still able to get around pretty well. It was truly humbling to have so many friends and family come together in so many different places. I am moved beyond words by people's generosity and hospitality. This has helped me to become acutely aware of how lucky I am to have such wonderful people in my life. We sometimes don't realize how much people care, if we don't reach out and let them know how much we need them. I've been home for over a week and am still completely blown away. 

    WOW, glad you had this time

    WOW, glad you had this time away "on tour,"

    Hope you documented all these memories, with pictures and such.

    Thanks for sharing~glad you're back here with us too!

    How did you hold up with side effects and all?

    Hugs my friend, Jan

  • ImNotDeadYet
    ImNotDeadYet Member Posts: 244
    #21
    Jan4you said:

    WOW, glad you had this time

    WOW, glad you had this time away "on tour,"

    Hope you documented all these memories, with pictures and such.

    Thanks for sharing~glad you're back here with us too!

    How did you hold up with side effects and all?

    Hugs my friend, Jan

    Thanks, Jan

    In general, I did OK on the reduced dose of Votrient (400mg, down from 600). I did get worn out a few times; I had to leave a concert early at one point. I also had one rough night/morning and spent an unplanned extra day at a hotel so I could sleep and rest. I had a few GI issues, but nothing close to what I get at 600 mg. If I'd had three weeks, I could have built in more rest time  But overall, it worked out pretty well  

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