Where I am and where I’m not

I have been an advocate for lung cancer for a decade now, beginning with a story which appeared on ABC World News with Charles Gibson on June 2, 2009. Weeks later I began my blog and that fall I became one of the original peer reviewers for the CDMRP.

Ten years ago a blog about lung cancer was an unusual thing and lung cancer advocates were few and far between. Thankfully neither of these things is now true.

As I continued and broadened my advocacy efforts I have had the privilege of coming to know and care about so many extraordinary individuals. And I have watched with amazement as they have poured their passion and individual skillsets into advocacy in ways that were often beyond my own scope.

The past few weeks have been a time of soul searching. I am, without a next treatment available, once again between a rock and a hard place. It is what it is. However, this circumstance has meant that I must reassess my priorities. And what I have realized is this: I need to focus on living.

What does that mean? I shall continue writing my blog, my most consistent form of advocacy/activism all along. And I shall selectively participate in additional opportunities. However, I am on the short end of a long stick with much yet to do. As long as I am able, I want to write, paint, travel, love. Take it all in. Swallow life whole.

So there you have it. Two weeks ago I travelled to San Francisco for my friend Kate’s sixtieth birthday bash. Nos amis Melinda and Sally were there as well and we partied for three straight days. A fabulous time. And then I headed south to Palo Alto for some time with Wendy and Cristina, who I met, gee, a little over a quarter century ago when we all worked at the Redwood City Library. They generously paid for my flight and showed me a good time as well. So much fun. So much love.

And then this week my friend Lynn gifted me with a trip to Miami. I fell fast and hard for that city–lying by the pool with the sun on my face and a warm breeze blowing–a little slice of heaven. And Lynn was both a gracious host and a fabulous tour guide; we saw a little bit of everything.

So that, my friends, is where I’m at. In, out, about, around. Living it. Loving it.