Cancer is a persistent and determined disease. It is like the 400 lb gorilla sitting in it’s corner, waiting for the zoo keeper to let down their guard. The people think that they have it under control, but if all systems and protocols are not adhered to, it is waiting to escape. 

During our most resent appointment with Dr Martin we took a look at the latest MRI image of the brain tumors and compared it to the last image from February and the first image from August. Yes, the major tumors are still lurking there. The largest one, high up in the brain is showing thinning margins on one side and a slight difference on the other side. Not growing, but changing slightly. He wants Dr Sumner, the radio oncologist to check the images soon and share her reading with us. The growth in the cerebellum appears to be unchanged. While it has not disappeared, Dani’s balance and motor skills really are coming back to more normal. Her one day on skate skis a month ago went well. She did not attempt powerful uphill intervals, but gliding along on the Lodgepole Trail worked great. She skied a few more days of classic before plunging into her spring garden cleanup. She has cool weather plants ready to go in and she drove the old T-100 pickup to her favorite Llama/horse manure pile in La Pine to get that sh__ worked into the soil. 

As the seasons change so do Dani’s interests. The skiing is still good, but she hears the call of the birds, the smell of the soil and the song of the tree frogs. We gave cycling a try last week with a 30 minute ride on the gravel trail behind our home. This time there was no longer listing to the left and drifting off trail into the rabbit brush, as there was in July of last year. With that foundation she met up with her friend Roberta for an exploration of the maze of bike paths at Sun River. That too was successful. 

With cross country skiing, physical therapy, cycling and gardening all occupying our days, we feel confident that her treatment and medical team have given us the belief that we can  join a group of “old” friends for a 6 day river trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon in Idaho. That will launch July 3. It will be a celebration of our passage through a year with this disease. 

So, the cancer is not gone. It is sitting quietly in it’s cage and is being kept at bay. That is what we can do. I am volunteering at the second race of USA Olympic Trials selection in Oklahoma City. I have a feeling that when I get home I get to shovel manure.