MILE$ FOR MONEY

Scott is into what many would say is the most challenging part of the trip. Forget that he is doing only two weeks after having radiation, or right after having a Lupron shot that takes away all his testosterone! We like to say he is doing it after training for 10 months or over 8000 miles, to be ready for the climbing! Earlier this week Scott had had his biggest climb to date – through the Washington Pass. Due to heavy snow cover the road had only been plowed through three days before his ride! The climb was epic, Scott was going uphill for most of the 6 hours of biking with only a few short descents. As is oh so Scott, he did not complain. But he did use “mental” breaks every 2 miles, and later every mile where he would stand up and change position. His body managed the climb well, and has been the case for him, the mental challenge of the relentless nature of the ride, was indeed the hardest part. Breaking up the ride into segments helps immensely. ( Another life lesson!)  D...

Today I had one of those heart stopping moments where I heard a kaboom when I was pulling out of the campground. I stopped immediately only to see the hitch and front end of the camper on the ground. Scott had already biked out. I called him, and he biked back.  Thankfully, the hitch had not broken but had come out of the receiver. It was human error – guessing the pin was ahead of the sleeves ie the pins didn’t properly go through the sleeve to secure it.  Lesson learned: even when you have hooked up hundreds of times, you can make a mistake. Stay present in the moment!  With the amazing help of the Jim and Mike of Riverbend Campground in Washington, and a fellow camper,  we propped up the camper with a jack, took apart the hitch, put the hitch back together, and we were able to reconnect all and hook up.  (It sounds simple, but it was not simple.)  I trailered on to the next site with no further issues. We will be inspecting all tonight to ensure that not...

Scott finished his last radiation treatment this morning to his rib and clavicle. So far, he has “irritation” to the clavicle but manageable with ibuprofen. Happily, he does not have any diarrhea or nausea from stray radiation to intestines behind the rib area, and only typical, not debilitating, fatigue. The side effects are expected to peak within two weeks from the last treatment. We are both just grateful the new mets are manageable and Scott can continue the milesformoney.org mission.   Our hearts are full after a full weekend of seeing family, friends and going to church. One of the hard parts of this year long trip is missing our loved ones. We appreciate their understanding of the need for us to do this mission, to honor the life God has given Scott, and Benny’s life. We are excited to get rolling again to finish those last “few” thousand miles and continue to raise as much awareness and funds as possible for the two charities zero prostrate cancer and schizophrenia psych...

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 o...

Scott is almost 8000 miles into the milesformoney journey. He left off in Lincoln Beach, Oregon, where he will pick up after we return from this Mayo visit. We drove to McMinnville to drop the RV in storage – thank you to Gary Squires for allowing us to park the RV in your storage area while we are back in Minnesota. Huge thanks to Cynthia Easterday who arranged for a community talk in McMinnville. Everyone loved the yummy cupcakes and was moved by Scott’s inspirational talk. We also spoke to the East Portland Rotary, as well as speaking to Wesleigh Ogle and her team, of KATU news, who are putting a tv piece together for their “everyday heroes” segment. We are extremely excited to see and hear the piece!  For me especially,  as a long time rotarian, it is like a piece of home every time we speak at a Rotary, which is an international service organization based on “service above self.” Last week was National Physician’s week. What a fantastic opportunity to thank Scott’s do...