A New Life

Originally, I started this blog as a way to update my close friends and family about my diagnosis. It evolved into a cathartic outlet for me to express my feelings about what I was facing as I continued my cancer treatment. Then, to my surprise and gratitude, this blog became a source of inspiration and information for hundreds of subscribers who I've never met, but who are also dealing with cancer.

Sometimes I wrote with audience #1 in mind, sometimes I wrote for myself, but often I wrote with a message clearly targeted to those who are seeking hope and solace by following my cancer journey as they travel their own.

Well, this blog post is for all three of you.

I arrived home from the hospital on Saturday. I am exhausted and admittedly a bit loopy on Vicodin but overall I'm just VERY relieved. As you know from my friend Stacia’s postings, the surgery went well. Fortunately, they didn’t see any cancer during the laparoscopy.

It was a strange sensation waking up these past couple of mornings. I almost feel like I have awoken from a nightmare. I am cancer free and my body is back. I feel like I have a new lease on life.

My new body and cancer-free status aren’t the only changes to share.

Our family is about to start a new chapter of our lives. I have accepted the position of Executive Director, California for TechNet. This job is based in Sacramento, so this summer we will be moving to Davis (20 minutes from Sacramento). My role will be to represent the tech sector (high tech, biotech, clean tech, green tech, financial ventures), particularly in the policy and political arena of Sacramento.

After 12 years of service at the Port of Oakland, it is strange to be walking out the door. But it is time. Cancer has taught me to take risks, live life to its fullest and to seize the day (or the great new job, as it were).

I am excited about a long, healthy, adventurous future with my family, my new city, and my new career. So – over the next couple of weeks I will be packing up my office, talking to realtors and getting ready to embark on my new life.

So if you don't get a lot of posts from me in the near future, consider it good news. But please, keep in touch. I will periodically update you with news on my health, on discoveries in colon cancer, on the great work that Kenra is doing to help cancer patients keep their hair using Penguin Cold Cap technology...this may be the last of my cancer (please God!) but you haven't heard the last from me!