Merry Christmas! It's wonderful to get to be here.
Life is a GIFT! How do you appreciate it?
I am thankful for everyday. Everyday with Honore, Hope, my family and my friends. And I appreciate my life by living it to the best of my ability all the time.
Love,
Travis
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
October 2009 Update
Wow, how time flies. I didn't realize it has been so long since I posted, so I better get something down. We've been really busy, as you might imagine with Hope now becoming a full-on toddler. She's entering the independent phase where every question we ask is answered, "No-no."
Hope are you thirsty? "No-No." between sips on her sippee cup.
or Hope, did you poopy? "No-No." Even though everyone within a block can smell it.
As for my health, I'm doing well. I had my third round of Rituxan in September, which went well. My doctor said I was doing great, blood work looked terrific, no B symptoms, basically nothing to complain about. Still in remission, so still just going one day at a time...which is really a great kind of way to live, no so tied up in worrying about the future really frees me in alot of ways.
I've been battling the flu the last two weeks. My body just doesn't seem to bounce back quite as quickly when I do get sick. I was sick for a couple of weeks with something similar in the spring. My only thing with that is I HATE being laid low. Just tired of being sick I guess...you kinda get that way after a while.
One thing that has been a huge positive for me lately, is how many people have contacted me because of the blog. Just last night I received an email from someone who's spouse was going through R-ICE chemotherapy in preparation for a Stem Cell Transplant. He was asking a few questions, and thanked me for posting this blog. It really touche me because that's what I intended when I originally decided to start this thing.
I hoped that by sharing my experiences I could, in some small way, make other people's journey that much easier, or maybe just a little less frightening. It is very rewarding to hear from people who draw inspiration or strength from what I wrote last year. It's kinda magical.
Gman, who is in the middle of his transplant right now, hang in there man....I'm pulling for you. You can do it!!! And, Craig's wife, who's in RICE today to get ready for a transplant, hopefully before Chrismas, you hang in there too!!! I know y'all have the strength and determination to make it....and you're in our prayers.
Guess, part of the truth of not writing is simply not knowing what anyone would find of any interest. Basically, we have a relatively normal life now. Sure, it feels like we're running around with our hair on fire all the time, but isn't that part of it? Isn't part of life being there and participating? Sure feels like it to me, at least after all we've been through, that's how I have come to view life.
This is the roller coaster, enjoy it while your aboard. The ride will end someday.....
Love to you all,
Travis
Hope are you thirsty? "No-No." between sips on her sippee cup.
or Hope, did you poopy? "No-No." Even though everyone within a block can smell it.
As for my health, I'm doing well. I had my third round of Rituxan in September, which went well. My doctor said I was doing great, blood work looked terrific, no B symptoms, basically nothing to complain about. Still in remission, so still just going one day at a time...which is really a great kind of way to live, no so tied up in worrying about the future really frees me in alot of ways.
I've been battling the flu the last two weeks. My body just doesn't seem to bounce back quite as quickly when I do get sick. I was sick for a couple of weeks with something similar in the spring. My only thing with that is I HATE being laid low. Just tired of being sick I guess...you kinda get that way after a while.
One thing that has been a huge positive for me lately, is how many people have contacted me because of the blog. Just last night I received an email from someone who's spouse was going through R-ICE chemotherapy in preparation for a Stem Cell Transplant. He was asking a few questions, and thanked me for posting this blog. It really touche me because that's what I intended when I originally decided to start this thing.
I hoped that by sharing my experiences I could, in some small way, make other people's journey that much easier, or maybe just a little less frightening. It is very rewarding to hear from people who draw inspiration or strength from what I wrote last year. It's kinda magical.
Gman, who is in the middle of his transplant right now, hang in there man....I'm pulling for you. You can do it!!! And, Craig's wife, who's in RICE today to get ready for a transplant, hopefully before Chrismas, you hang in there too!!! I know y'all have the strength and determination to make it....and you're in our prayers.
Guess, part of the truth of not writing is simply not knowing what anyone would find of any interest. Basically, we have a relatively normal life now. Sure, it feels like we're running around with our hair on fire all the time, but isn't that part of it? Isn't part of life being there and participating? Sure feels like it to me, at least after all we've been through, that's how I have come to view life.
This is the roller coaster, enjoy it while your aboard. The ride will end someday.....
Love to you all,
Travis
Monday, August 3, 2009
Mac update
Well, the race was terrific. We had a great time. It was very slow, but it was incredibly rewarding to even be a part of it. I struggled during the week with the fact that I was strong enough to be back out doing what I love so much. It was a tremendous high for me, a terrific reward for struggling through this last year.
We finished 17th out of 20 in our section, which was not good, but at least I got to participate. I sailed us into so many holes with no wind it wasn't funny. But we had a good crew and we had a good time.
Honore and Hope went up to Mackinac Island the weekend before, and had a terrific time playing on the island. Hope kept pointing to the horses and saying "Moo!", which was very funny. She also felt the overwhelming urge to kiss the horses, which usually meant Honore or I had to chase after her to prevent an unmitigated disaster.
Hope is such a wonderful gift for us. For me, she represents the newness of life. The joy of each new experience, the curiosity she has for the world at large is so refreshing to watch. Also, she waves at everyone she sees and if you don't wave back, she gets all worked up. It's very funny.
I received Jeff Abbott's new book, Trust Me, which he dedicated to me with a very wonderful thought. I have started it and am enjoying it thoroughly. Thank you Jeff, seeing your dedication brought tears to my eyes, and Honore's also.
I had my six month CT scans on the Wednesday before the Mackinac race. The results came back negative, so the cancer remains in remission. I am so relieved, as according to Dr. Grinblatt the first year after a stem cell transplant is very telling. This puts me on a path to making 5 years in remission, which would be terrific.
I am still on the Rituxan regimine, so I get treatment every three months, but it's really nothing much. The worst part of the Rituxan treatment is the benadryl knocking me silly on the day of treatment.
Life otherwise is returning to some sense of normalcy. I know normal doesn't exist for us, but returning to a relatively normal routine is nice. We will always live in the shadow of my lymphoma, and always wonder when it will return, but we have adapted to this and have become very proficient at living life to the fullest while we can and not wasting our time or energy worrying about the cancer.
We are back to raising money for the Leukemia Cup Regatta, which will be the end of August. We're looking forward to it, and would love any support. www.sailtravis.com to participate. Email me if you have interest in attending the event, August 21 & 22.
I'm playing with posting pictures of Hope, so bear with me on the pictures column. Trying to find an easier way of posting them.
Love to you all,
Travis
We finished 17th out of 20 in our section, which was not good, but at least I got to participate. I sailed us into so many holes with no wind it wasn't funny. But we had a good crew and we had a good time.
Honore and Hope went up to Mackinac Island the weekend before, and had a terrific time playing on the island. Hope kept pointing to the horses and saying "Moo!", which was very funny. She also felt the overwhelming urge to kiss the horses, which usually meant Honore or I had to chase after her to prevent an unmitigated disaster.
Hope is such a wonderful gift for us. For me, she represents the newness of life. The joy of each new experience, the curiosity she has for the world at large is so refreshing to watch. Also, she waves at everyone she sees and if you don't wave back, she gets all worked up. It's very funny.
I received Jeff Abbott's new book, Trust Me, which he dedicated to me with a very wonderful thought. I have started it and am enjoying it thoroughly. Thank you Jeff, seeing your dedication brought tears to my eyes, and Honore's also.
I had my six month CT scans on the Wednesday before the Mackinac race. The results came back negative, so the cancer remains in remission. I am so relieved, as according to Dr. Grinblatt the first year after a stem cell transplant is very telling. This puts me on a path to making 5 years in remission, which would be terrific.
I am still on the Rituxan regimine, so I get treatment every three months, but it's really nothing much. The worst part of the Rituxan treatment is the benadryl knocking me silly on the day of treatment.
Life otherwise is returning to some sense of normalcy. I know normal doesn't exist for us, but returning to a relatively normal routine is nice. We will always live in the shadow of my lymphoma, and always wonder when it will return, but we have adapted to this and have become very proficient at living life to the fullest while we can and not wasting our time or energy worrying about the cancer.
We are back to raising money for the Leukemia Cup Regatta, which will be the end of August. We're looking forward to it, and would love any support. www.sailtravis.com to participate. Email me if you have interest in attending the event, August 21 & 22.
I'm playing with posting pictures of Hope, so bear with me on the pictures column. Trying to find an easier way of posting them.
Love to you all,
Travis
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Chicago-Mackinac Race
I had my six month CT scans two days ago, and they were clear. No sign of the cancer at this time, I'll see Dr. Grinblatt in August for a progress check, but for now, I have a CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH!!!! WOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!! I love when that happens. :)
The Mac is finally here! The biggest race in our annual sailing season, the world's longest fresh water race. 333 nm from Chicago to Mackinac Island, which basically runs the diagonal across Lake Michigan and into Lake Huron. I an especially excited about this year's race because I had to watch last year's race on my iPhone from the comforts of our lakehouse, which was horrible because all I wanted to do was be out on the water.
This year's race looks to be really slow, so after this afternoon's start (about 12:40 CDT), we should probably finish sometime Tuesday afternoon. I am racing on the Beneteau 36.7 Veloce. There are over 350 boats entered in this years race, and our section of the fleet has 20 boats in it.
You can track the race, including several boats in the Beneteau fleet by clicking http://www.cycracetomackinac.com/ and then looking for the iBoat Race Tracking logo on the right hand side of the webpage. You may also track the race on Facebook and/or Twitter, if you have any interest. Honore and Hope are already in Mackinac vacationing with the rest of the Woodside clan(except Hope and Craig who are still in Salt Lake City). They will be there when we arrive sometime Monday or Tuesday(hopefully not Wednesday).
For me, getting to do this race is a bit of a miracle. I had no idea I would be this strong, and have this good a stamina within a year. Regardless of how we do, I feel like we've won just getting to be on the boat.
I have to run, have a train to catch to make boatcall or I'm left ashore. Love to you all, thank you for your thoughts, prayers and wishes.
Travis
The Mac is finally here! The biggest race in our annual sailing season, the world's longest fresh water race. 333 nm from Chicago to Mackinac Island, which basically runs the diagonal across Lake Michigan and into Lake Huron. I an especially excited about this year's race because I had to watch last year's race on my iPhone from the comforts of our lakehouse, which was horrible because all I wanted to do was be out on the water.
This year's race looks to be really slow, so after this afternoon's start (about 12:40 CDT), we should probably finish sometime Tuesday afternoon. I am racing on the Beneteau 36.7 Veloce. There are over 350 boats entered in this years race, and our section of the fleet has 20 boats in it.
You can track the race, including several boats in the Beneteau fleet by clicking http://www.cycracetomackinac.com/ and then looking for the iBoat Race Tracking logo on the right hand side of the webpage. You may also track the race on Facebook and/or Twitter, if you have any interest. Honore and Hope are already in Mackinac vacationing with the rest of the Woodside clan(except Hope and Craig who are still in Salt Lake City). They will be there when we arrive sometime Monday or Tuesday(hopefully not Wednesday).
For me, getting to do this race is a bit of a miracle. I had no idea I would be this strong, and have this good a stamina within a year. Regardless of how we do, I feel like we've won just getting to be on the boat.
I have to run, have a train to catch to make boatcall or I'm left ashore. Love to you all, thank you for your thoughts, prayers and wishes.
Travis
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Leukemia Cup Regatta Fundraising
As many of you know, Honore and I are large supporters of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and every year we fundraise in support of the Leukemia Cup Regatta. This year, the 13th Leukemia Cup in Chicago, will be hosted by Columbia Yacht Club on August 21st & 22nd.
I am attaching our fundraising letter for this year, as I think it sums up so many important reason we support the Society, and need your help.
If you have any interest in attending this year's event, please contact me and I can get you more information. twilhite@emergent1.com
Here's this year's letter......
June 15, 2009
Dear Friends,
We survived my Stem Cell Transplant in September. It was the most difficult thing we have ever gone through. My body was strong; my will to survive great, and my support group was amazing, including the wonderful love and strength shown by Honore. I triumphed, and the cancer is back in remission. I blogged about the journey if you are interested, log onto honitrav.blogspot.com.
However, my cancer remains incurable. My oncologist says I have a 50-50 chance of making 5 years in remission. Beyond that, it’s only a matter of time before the cancer returns. When it relapses, we have to use the last line of defense against my disease, a donor stem cell transplant.
Fortunately, my brother is a perfect match. Unfortunately, even with a perfect match, the procedure is extremely difficult, carries a 25% mortality rate, and only a 65% success rate. If it fails, they have to re-introduce my current stem cells and then it will be a long, slow battle until the cancer finally overwhelms my system.
So once again, Honore, Hope and I are supporting the Leukemia Cup Regatta here in Chicago. Hopefully, we can keep my cancer at bay long enough for medical research to find a cure for my disease, or another course of treatment to buy us more time.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the best way to support this effort, because of their dedication to finding a cure for blood cancers like mine. And the fact that 80% of the money raised goes directly to research.
We have met several researchers, including Dr. Janet Rowley, one of the world’s foremost Chromosomal Geneticists and widely regarded as potentially winning the Nobel Prize in Medicine. They have all indicated that without our support through the Society, many of the best treatments and medicines would never have been researched. We fund the early stages of development, before a procedure or medicine is big enough to earn government support. So in many ways, the money we raise is the MOST important.
Will you please help us in this effort? Simply, log on to www.sailtravis.com or complete the form below and return it. Understanding this has been a tough year for many, we appreciate any contribution as even small amounts can make a HUGE difference.
The Regatta festivities this year include a silent auction and party on Friday night, August 21st and racing on Lake Michigan Saturday afternoon followed by a dock party and awards ceremony at Columbia Yacht Club. Mark your calendars today! With your help, we are going to beat this disease. Thank you for your support.
Love,
Honore & Travis
I am attaching our fundraising letter for this year, as I think it sums up so many important reason we support the Society, and need your help.
If you have any interest in attending this year's event, please contact me and I can get you more information. twilhite@emergent1.com
Here's this year's letter......
June 15, 2009
Dear Friends,
We survived my Stem Cell Transplant in September. It was the most difficult thing we have ever gone through. My body was strong; my will to survive great, and my support group was amazing, including the wonderful love and strength shown by Honore. I triumphed, and the cancer is back in remission. I blogged about the journey if you are interested, log onto honitrav.blogspot.com.
However, my cancer remains incurable. My oncologist says I have a 50-50 chance of making 5 years in remission. Beyond that, it’s only a matter of time before the cancer returns. When it relapses, we have to use the last line of defense against my disease, a donor stem cell transplant.
Fortunately, my brother is a perfect match. Unfortunately, even with a perfect match, the procedure is extremely difficult, carries a 25% mortality rate, and only a 65% success rate. If it fails, they have to re-introduce my current stem cells and then it will be a long, slow battle until the cancer finally overwhelms my system.
So once again, Honore, Hope and I are supporting the Leukemia Cup Regatta here in Chicago. Hopefully, we can keep my cancer at bay long enough for medical research to find a cure for my disease, or another course of treatment to buy us more time.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the best way to support this effort, because of their dedication to finding a cure for blood cancers like mine. And the fact that 80% of the money raised goes directly to research.
We have met several researchers, including Dr. Janet Rowley, one of the world’s foremost Chromosomal Geneticists and widely regarded as potentially winning the Nobel Prize in Medicine. They have all indicated that without our support through the Society, many of the best treatments and medicines would never have been researched. We fund the early stages of development, before a procedure or medicine is big enough to earn government support. So in many ways, the money we raise is the MOST important.
Will you please help us in this effort? Simply, log on to www.sailtravis.com or complete the form below and return it. Understanding this has been a tough year for many, we appreciate any contribution as even small amounts can make a HUGE difference.
The Regatta festivities this year include a silent auction and party on Friday night, August 21st and racing on Lake Michigan Saturday afternoon followed by a dock party and awards ceremony at Columbia Yacht Club. Mark your calendars today! With your help, we are going to beat this disease. Thank you for your support.
Love,
Honore & Travis
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