I can’t believe I am writing this so soon. I think we knew it was a possibility because once you are in the cancer world you don’t ever really leave it, but at least you hope you will get some years between the battles. Unfortunately, in life, timing is not something we can always control. We didn’t get the break we expected and Anne is fully in the battle with cancer again.

As I wrote in the last post, we decided in January to define our new normal. It was time for me to get a real job, it was time for Anne to embrace life beyond cancer and it was time for our kids to become more of a focus.

I was thrilled to see Anne embrace life. She emerged from her chemo fog and started planning trips with the kids. I’m not sure how they came up with a round-the-world cruise as a goal, but they did. She started buying books again and I started referring to the UPS guy as her boyfriend because he brought her a present from Amazon every day.
She started taking a computer science class with Kieran at www.udemy.com. When the class proved to be too difficult for Kieran, she kept going and, true to her Phi Beta Kappa roots, she made getting an “A” in the class a goal.

I was fortunate enough to get a few professional options and decided to take a job with AEG as the SVP and GM of Axs.com. It is a great company and I am excited about the team and the opportunities we have to improve the ticketing and live event experience.
Again, timing is not within our control and the week I started, work, Anne had a test alerting us that her cancer had spread. After my first day and happy hour, Anne and I ended up spending the night in the emergency room with her 4th or 5th intestinal blockage. The previous blockages have all resolved in a couple of days, but this one is holding on and will require surgery.

Unfortunately our kids are not getting to be the focus, but they are blessed with great friends and grandparents who are helping to keep their lives going. They also are coming together for each other.

This isn’t an easy post to write. By nature, I don’t like sharing negatives with the world, however during round 1 and round 2 we felt prayers, good wishes and thoughts from everyone and we know they helped Anne recover. It’s time to add her name back to the prayer roles and circles, plant flags in mountains for her, stick prayers in walls, light candles, wish her well in your heart and reach out spiritually, however you are comfortable.

We are aggressively pursuing treatment. Anne has a regiment of alternative and conventional medicine she follows. She has added radiation for the first time and will be working with doctors to find the state of the art treatment for her.

Feel free to leave comments, although we will probably be unable to respond.

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