2222

Sunday January 1, 2024 - Day +745
Blogging Tunes: Hirschmilch Radio Chillout

Yes, I know it's 2024, not 2222, but... it's been 2 years, 2 weeks, and 2 days since my second stem cell marrow transplant.  That’s a lotta twos.  So, let’s make a deal: I won’t bury the lede if you promise to keep reading past the TL;DR.  Deal?  Good.

TL;DR; 2+ years since transplant #2 and there’s no sign of leukemia.  Obviously, that’s great news.  I wouldn’t say I’m (close to) 100% but I’m doing OK.  If you want to know more, keep reading.  You said you would. :)

Some of you are probably wondering why you didn’t hear from me (either via email or blog post) in the fall asking for Support in the annual Light the Night campaign.  There’s a very simple reason and it’s the main point of this correspondence.

In Jan/Feb 2024, my older son, Floyd, will be participating in an LLS Campaign called Student Visionary of the Year.  He’s on a Golden Gate team of more than a dozen kids including Ty Landers.  Some Salesforcians and avid blog readers might recall Ty’s father’s (Patrick’s) story.  13 years after Patrick’s death (and my first transplant), these kids are continuing the fight against blood cancer by raising money to help patients not only survive but thrive after treatment.

Simply put, I didn’t want to ask for your Support twice.  So, Light the Night '23 is out, and SVotY '24 is in.  So consider this a teaser to the official launch later this month, and watch this space for more info about the campaign along with the official donation link.

I know I can count of you to support Floyd, Ty, and the rest of their team in this amazing cause.  

Here’s a picture of Floyd and me from our epic hike to the top of Angels Landing in Zion National Park from April 2023. When I was 14½, I was lucky enough to do this hike on cross country trip -- thanks, Mike!  Getting to do this trail with my son was a lifelong dream come true.  Being able to do it?  That's the magic of LLS, years of research and trails, Be the Match, my UCSF team, and Martin.

So that’s the main thing... if you want to stop reading, you have my blessing.  Want to know a little more, keep reading.

As I alluded to on this Facebook post today, this holiday season hasn’t been the best for my physical, emotional, and mental health.

On the physical side… a couple things going on. 

i) I’m the heaviest I’ve ever been.  Y’all'd probably say I look fine, but I’m up to 178lbs and my ideal weight is between 160 and 165.  It’s a huge difference in how I feel, how my clothes fit, etc.  So gotta do something about it.  (See Intention #4 below.)

ii) Something's strange with my legs — specifically my calves and hamstrings.  It’s *possible* that I’m just old need to stretch a lot more, but it feels like something else is going on.  Stretching, hot tub jets, and Icy Hot has helped and I’ve been able to hike and bike pretty normally, but my range of motion and stamina seem limited.  Massage gun made it worse — a lot worse — so not doin' that for a while.  Sometimes even just walking around the house, my legs just seem to kinda... seize up.  I’m gonna ask my team about it when I see them in a few weeks if it doesn’t improve.

Despite this, I was able to do a 6.5 mile hike (with 1600 elevation gain) today above the Loch Lomond hills.  

If you look closely, you can see Andy’s, the Loch Lomond Marina, and the Richmond bridge in the background.  More details about the route, elevation, etc. are on this Strava post.

I was able to get through it, but there’s no way I could do Angels Landing right now.  The boys want to go back to Zion this summer to do The Narrows.  Somehow, I need to get myself in much better shape by then.

OK, so that's the physical stuff.  Not going to share any additional specifics about the other stuff here.  Rather, I’m going to assert a few New Year’s… hmmm…. not going to say “resolutions”… I think the more appropriate word is “intentions.”  

So here they are — pretty much in order of priority:

1) Regular Wendell (and Lori) — if you get the reference, great — if not, google it.

2) Continue my lifelong journey of learning how to be a better husband and better father.

3) Leverage regular exercise, hikes, and meditation as a means for fighting depression and overall health and wellness.  Early to bed, early to rise, and *real* exercise every morning.  Until the pool opens, that means a brisk walk or Peloton ride.  Every. Friggin. Morning.

4) Do not let other people's suffering become my suffering.  Related, limit the effects of the second arrow.

5) Lose 13+ pounds.  Yup.  Gotta get down to 165.  This “really tight pants” stuff has got to go.  This is all about good diet, green juice, smaller portions, no evening snacks, and #3.

6) No Alcohol until #5 is complete.  Yep, too much drinkie over the holidays.  It's not serving me.  Unneeded calories and early-morning-exercise killer.  Eff that.  Time for a cleanse. 

7) Play music every day.  Even if it’s just for 10 minutes.  Speaking of which, 3 Chum gigs coming up in the next 5-6 weeks. Event info here.

8) Limit the device time.  Wordle? Yes.  Quordle? Yes.  Octordle? No.  Mindless Facebook scroll and Reels? No.

And the hardest one of all….

9) Stop getting so pissed when my sports teams inevitably lose.  They will always lose… it’s just a matter of when.

If you made it this far.  Thanks.  :)

iwkkia (keep kicking)