Extra Lift

As a pilot, extra lift is a welcome aspect on almost all flights, helping to quickly reach cruise altitude or to clear climbing terrain. When mtn biking or skiing, access to the mountain via chairlift helps cover more terrain and in my opinion, makes the experience more enjoyable.

I left our local mountain 2 weeks ago to focus on my treatment. Hanging up my skis and gear in mid-January just felt wrong, but as I've written, I'm committed to attack the cancer that chose to attack me. It would be another 10 months before I'd be back on snow - tough to accept, but so small in the overall scheme. Those 10 months turned into just over 10 days, as I got my "extra lift" today at Mt. Baldy!

After 2 sessions of radiation and 1 loooong session of chemotherapy, my energy levels are actually HIGHER than pre-treatment. Placebo-effect, maybe, but who cares? I was able to get back on skis and participate in a field avalanche course today (and tomorrow)! Wasn't in the cards two weeks ago, but 4 weeks ago, neither was cancer. So life right now is a daily evaluation, under the watchful eye of my Chief Medical Observer - CMO Rose. I felt great on the slopes of Mt Baldy and had the energy to dig snow pits, track beacons and of course take several runs. 

The other source of "extra lift" that I have received in abundance has been the prayer support that I have received from so many of you, including the supportive congregation at our new church in La Verne. Our Pastor has been so involved with Rose and I and continues to lift us both up in prayer. It doesn't hurt to have a brother, who will be a priest soon, pulling for you either. God's hand has been in all of this - from discovery to diagnosis to prognosis. I can say with with complete honesty that I have NO fear of cancer or the outcome I face, despite how that might sound. It is all part of His plan, though I pledge to do my part. I don't talk often about my religious beliefs - never have. That's my relationship with God and it's personal to me. But it became apparent that I was thanking family, friends, doctors, medicine - without giving thanks to God. He will provide the "extra lift" needed to get me through this.