4000 miles and turning West! GROW AND GIVE: an excuse to not shave and to give to Zero prostate cancer

 



It is pretty special when you see someone who is really quite “normal” or “ordinary” do something extraordinary.  In this case it is my husband, who as a good athlete and retired postmaster, used the difficult circumstances of having a major battle against stage 4 prostate cancer and the death of his son by suicide, to motivate him to pursue something extraordinary.

 Scott has now gone from Minnesota to Maine to Florida and has turned west toward California. He is now 4000 miles in, and we expect to get beyond the halfway mark to El Paso Texas when it is time to fly home to MN for his next round of cancer tests and treatment.

We are spending a few days in Florida on tune- ups. Tune up for Scott’s bike and tune up for Scott with a sports massage. We are also using the time to try to do as many talks and fundraisers as we can to continue to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer and schizophrenia. And then it is off we go continuing the journey west.

This month is grow and give for zero prostate cancer. Scott is sporting a beard to support the month and even dyed it blue for the blue ribbon of prostate cancer- which is a big step for this very understated, reserved man! He got quite the looks out biking – which gave him more opportunities to tell his story. Thank you for supporting this journey by reading this blog, sharing Scott’ story and encouraging awareness and donations.  Milesformoney.org

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bike Faster Scott! Mayo report – new metastasis and radiation, slight delay

Image
As we have said over and over, we are so extremely fortunate for the excellent care we have received by the medical professionals  along the way. This visit was no different and the Mayo report follows.   The PSA was up a bit more to .36, and the PSMA pet scan showed some new metastasis in the bones. The other blood work looked normal.  Today we saw Dr. Eugene Kwon,  Scott's primary  provider who explained the test results and is directing his care, and Dr. Sean Park, Mayo Radiation Oncologist. Dr. Kwon was already prepared with a plan at our 7:15 am appointment today. Dr Park was not even on the schedule but made time for Scott ( thanks to Dr. Kwon,)  when the PMSA pet scan showed some new mets that need to be addressed now. Dr. Kwon talked to Dr. Park, who got Scott in for the consult today, and then Dr. Park designed the simulation, which also happened today. Mayo again illustrated a fantastic team approach and communication! The radiation will begin on Monday, happen again on
Read more

Mayo Visit January 3-4 2024 with Dr Kwon and his team

Image
  First, we are incredibly grateful to Dr. Kwon and his team. We have complete faith in them which makes the journey so much easier. Even so it is always stressful when testing is coming up as well as waiting for results. We are truly fortunate that because Mayo is so efficient it is a very short wait for results and decisions. Scott’s PSA went up a bit further over the last few months and he has some small visible m etastases (mets) revealed from the choline pet scan. One is the right clavicle from the last visit, and a “tiny” spot on a left rib, and an “indeterminate” spot on a lymph node. If you know Scott’s history, you know prior to chemo a couple of years ago Scott had a significant amount of bone and lymph node mets based on both the choline and PSMA pet scans. The PSMA pet scan tended to show more of the bone mets, the choline more of the lymph node mets. These all faded away through chemotherapy and hormone deprivation therapy. But in the last 6 months the cancer stopped sl
Read more

Cash Sweat and Tears award, Philly

Image
Scott took a break from biking, after pushing past 7000 miles and getting to Santa Barbara, CA., for us to fly to Philly to attend an awards luncheon. We are very honored to have received the Cash, Sweat & Tears award at the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum’s annual recognition of the year’s most inspiring volunteers. sponsored by Blackbaud.  See the linked press release here . Zero Prostate Cancer nominated Scott for this award for his drive and motivation to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer. The CEO of Zero, Courtney Bugler, introduced us, underscoring the persistence, determination and work ethic Scott has exhibited throughout the 7000 miles, and 8 months of the journey. Scott then spoke to the audience about why he was doing this journey. If you have never heard Scott's story live, I urge you to go on Facebook  and listen to the video of his speech.  The ballroom had about 600 people representing multiple charities from around the world - and there was not a dry
Read more