July 13, 2011 – Twenty months and counting

It’s been 20 months and three days since I received the startling and unwelcome diagnosis of inoperable Stage IV lung cancer. I’ve beaten the odds so far, though I would be lying if I didn’t admit that chemo is wearing me down. I’m coughing a lot, especially at the end of each day, and haven’t got a lot of energy, which is confirmed by my sinking red blood cell count. ‘Chemo brain’ comes and goes (a convenient catch-all excuse for everything!) and I’ve also lost some weight, tipping the scales now in the low 180s – time for more high-protein smoothies! The weekly Gemzar infusions have caused fevers, aches and pains, and an unsightly rash, although it wasn’t too bad this last go-around. But considering everything, I’m doing reasonably well and still enjoying a full life, albeit at a somewhat slower pace.

We’ve been out of internet range a lot lately, which is the reason for the long lapses between blog posts. Thank you to everyone who checked in to see if our silence was in some way ominous – it wasn’t; we were just too busy having fun. Be assured that no news is good news.  Our 12-day trip to Lopez, which already seems like a long time ago, was wonderful. Summer has finally arrived in the Pacific Northwest, and most of the days were long, sunny and gorgeous. We enjoyed the usual Lopezian pursuits: sailing (thanks, Joe!), kayaking, hiking (including the back side of Chadwick Hill to look down on Watmaugh Bight, which is the steepest and arguably most spectacular hike on the island), swimming in the new pond (brrrr!), campfires, reading, and just puttering around the yurt. The big news is that we have new neighbors to the north – Larry and Barbara, a nice couple from Seattle, have bought the 17-acre parcel across the meadow from us and are in the process of erecting a 24-foot Pacific yurt (same as ours, though khaki-colored). Counting Steve’s 16-footer, that makes three yurts in the meadow now!

The view from atop Chadwick Hill -- overlooking Watmaugh Bight toward Seattle.

The beautiful Watmaugh beach with the Olympic Peninsula on the horizon.

We had a memorable Fourth of July, beginning with Kathryn’s signature breakfast (pancakes, bacon, eggs, fruit) up at the farmhouse. From there, we went into town for the parade, which was pure Norman Rockwell, small-town stuff, and the Lopez Library’s annual book sale.

In the late afternoon all of us went to our friend Paul’s pig roast at his beautiful lakeside cottage – a quintessentially American 4th of July gathering with tables full of delicious food and drink.

Family and friends enjoyed quite a feast at Paul's Lopez oasis.

The pig sported the traditional apple in his mouth and trendy wire shades.

To top off an already memorable day, we went back to town for the 10:30 pm fireworks display, an event the locals take very seriously. It was an amazing show, underwritten annually by the Scripps family of San Diego (who own an island just off the south end of Lopez), and was way more than one would expect from such a small community.

Lopez fireworks! Friday Harbor's show, which looked lame in comparison, is on the horizon.

We then spent a quick day and a half back in Mill Valley, went to see Dr. Liu, had another blood test, and got my seventh infusion of Gemzar (the start of round three). Right after my ‘fix’, Leslie and I drove up to Pinecrest Lake to join Hank for four wonderful days at his classic 1920′s mountain cabin. Hank was just opening the place up that weekend, a month or so later than usual as he has been recovering from his heart surgery – happily, he is doing fine and getting stronger every day. None of us, however, had the energy to go sailing, but we did get in lots of small hikes, cooked some incredible meals, and toured around ‘topless’ in Hank’s hot new convertible.

Hank's cozy Pinecrest cabin.

Rob at the South Fork of the Stanislaus River where it runs into Pinecrest Lake.

Water, water everywhere. The rivers and lakes in the Sierras are overflowing.

We checked out Beardsley Lake, Clarks Fork, the Lair of the Bear (Cal’s summer camp for adults), and of course the amazing view and incredibly high snow level at Sonora Pass. We talked briefly with four Pacific Crest Trail  thru-hikers, who were having the time of their lives. We also ran into a quiet guy named The Owl, a ‘trail angel’ who we met at the same place a year ago. One weekend a year, The Owl travels by himself up from Palo Alto with a load of beer, soda, cake and other goodies, which he sets up on a picnic table at the Pass and gives out to appreciative long distance hikers. He had 21 customers that day (the snow has finally relented enough to let the hikers through), and had the satisfaction of knowing he made each one of their days. The world needs more people like The Owl.

Our tour-mobile and guide at Beardsley Lake.

Hank and Rob in the Sonora Pass parking lot — still not open for the season!

Snow, shorts, and flip-flops.

Coming down from the Pass, we ate a prime rib dinner at Kennedy Meadows, a delightful time warp of a resort, filled with horses, real cowboys, and campers. Hank has been going there forever and knew our bartender and waitress, as well as the whole history of the place. Making the evening even more fun, Suzi Beatie and the Webers – Bay Areans also staying at Pinecrest – serendipitously showed up for dinner at the same time and joined us. It was a great weekend, and Hank’s hospitality was boundless. We had the luxury of sleeping in every morning, and by the time we stirred, Hank had walked to the store for the newspaper, the coffee was brewing and breakfast underway. A true five-star B&B!

The view leaving Sonora Pass through the top of Hank's convertible, at 45mph.

We’re home for a few weeks now, and looking forward to catching up with everybody. We had dinner with John and Jo Ann last night to belatedly celebrate Pinjii’s fourth ‘birthday’ (June 29, 2007, the day that we adopted him from J&J), as well as to thank them for continually watching the little beast while we are traveling. Pinjii is spoiled rotten by his two sets of parents, and seems to have no idea that he is a cat, not a person. Someday, we will get around to posting some pictures of him and telling his story.