Blog Archives - The KCA Bandits

Loving

11/27/2016

Wow! This movie touched me more than I expected. I knew a lot about the legal side of this story, but was moved by the personal side in ways I did not anticipate. As someone who not only had to fight for equality of marriage, but also broke the laws of WI when I was legally married in MN ... this is so personal. Heather and I could have (according to WI state law at the time) each been imprisoned up to 9 months and fined $10,000 each for getting married - and this was in 2014! I continue to pray we won't move backwards and have these rights taken away from us. Many of you may not understand what it's like to fight for an inherent right to marry...sadly I do and fear everyday that those rights will be taken from us. My love is no less important or valuable than anyone else's. I am a good person who lives my life with stronger morals and values than many. As I fear my own mortality on a daily basis, I am constantly reminded of the 1,000+ legal benefits & protections marriage has provided me and my family ... benefits at a state, federal, employer level. I have paid into these systems (considerably more than the average American) for my entire adult life. I pay more taxes now that I am married. God created me this way, so no argument about religion is appropriate here. No one decides to face this level of hate by choice. I can not be 'converted'. Future generations will look at this time and shame us for how long it took us to find a place of love and equality. I just hope no more pain will be placed on me, my family, our friends before then and we will live free from hate and discrimination.
#loving #loveoverhate #happilymarriedtomybestfriend

So much to be Thankful for

11/24/2016

Thanksgiving. My favorite holiday. I am thankful for so many things in my life. I am most thankful for the amazing woman, Heather Dooley. She is my best friend, my rock, and the most loving and caring wife. 2016 has been a tough year, as my medical battle took on a whole new level. I am so thankful to have a spouse who not only embraces our new normal, but also supports me with compassion and courage every step of the way. I am thankful to have such an amazing partner on this journey. I love you and am thankful every day that you are by my side.
#givethanks #thankful

Stage IV ... the never ending fight

11/23/2016

Friends and family. As we approach Thanksgiving I am sad to report that after months of positive news of my tumor markers dropping, my body has decided it's not digging this treatment and they have now spiked back to original levels (from back in May). This is incredibly discouraging, but we have a new plan. I started injections last week to shut down my ovaries (most importantly shutting down estrogen production). Next Friday I will start a new (second) chemo. While this is not the news we were hoping for, it's also not uncommon. Heather and I remain confident in my clinical team and hopeful the new treatment plan will improve my status. As always, I encourage you all to take a moment to be thankful of of the people in your lives. I know this Thanksgiving will be especially important to us, as we celebrate with the Dooley family. I am sad to not be with my immediate family, spread out from SC to VT to TX to us in WA. I also know our tight family bond will continue to bridge the challenges of distance. Head up, positive thoughts as I continue to enjoy and appreciate every day I have. Be Thankful and have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving 🦃

Getting ready for Christmas ... before Thanksgiving

11/23/2016

With lights ... and one of the best things I ever got from my dad, the tree topper (note the hippie glasses). Still cracks me up after all these years that my dad has any hippie part of him. So special!

It's beginning to look a lot like the Holidays. Christmas Tree is up and looking fabulous (and smelling even better). While we miss our 12 ft trees from WI, this sure was a lot easier. A little more cleaning and Heather is baking a pie ... then we are ready for Thanksgiving 🦃 #thankful

Testing day @ SCCA

11/18/2016

Full day of appointments and procedures today. Just got my contrast for a bone scan in a few hours. Katie May, you know how I hate those darn nuc med tests. Ugh! Do I look like I have radioactive isotopes flowing through my body? I may glow a bit more today than normal ... hehehe. Bring it on!
#fucancer #onedayatatime

Thanks Pittsburgh

11/17/2016

Bitter sweet goodbye to Pittsburgh. Appears my travels here may be done. After so many trips here since July, I've really come to appreciate the city and it's people. Last night I had a wonderfully fancy dinner with my primary business contact in PIT. Then I went to check out a rugby bar, founded and owned by ruggers! Shame you can't see the player on the sign. So happy I was able to make it here. Sadly no rugby players on a Wed night, but did meet some great people and enjoyed the trivia night. I may have closed the place, forgetting I'm no longer in my 20's 😮 Good times!

Olympus Ladies Korean Spa

11/11/2016

A day at the Olmypus Ladies Spa ... most commonly known as the "Naked Ladies Spa".

Relaxing day! Started with a massage at the Chinese Foot Spa, and later enjoyed a few hours at the naked ladies spa ... relaxing in the tubs and mineral rooms. Of course, I had to enjoy some Bibimbap wearing just a robe and hair net. Love this place!!!

Stop by Aurora Sinai

11/4/2016

Checking in with the awesome people who used to support me clinically in Milwaukee! Miss this group dearly ... As awesome as Seattle Cancer Care Alliance is, I miss my care team family from Milwaukee. Love you all!

Scylla time!

11/3/2016

Enjoying some time with the ladies of Scylla Rugby when I'm in Milwaukee

Dinner with my MKE survivor family

11/1/2016

Had the opportunity to get together with a few Team Phoenix ladies for dinner when I was in Milwaukee. It was so wonderful to catch up with these ladies and have conversations you can only have with other cancer survivors. #thankful