FOREWARD
Hey all.
Lisa, me, and the pups embarked on another adventure this past summer--Road Trip Adventure 2017--visiting some new places and a few of our old favorites. Through the years we helped each other discover what it really meant to live: traveling through the States, National Forests and Parks, breathing in the Atlantic and Pacific breezes, sitting and watching mountains try to move, listening to an entire mountainside of Aspens fluttering, snuggling animals, loving fiercely...living, happy.
Anything less would not be living.
Not long after this trip--and a couple more boondocking nights for good measure--we faced a new set of challenges as Lisa's health declined, and on September 13th, 2017, with an Aspen leaf on her wrist and her hand in mine, Lisa lost her battle with cancer.
She shared her joy of life with so many people who are now better because of it. Lisa wanted to share what would be our final adventure with all of you, writing down the details of every day and campsite and meal, but never had the chance to put it out there--or most likely.... knew that, I, would NEED to do this.
Now, 6 months later, I want to share the memories from 'Lloyd Road Trip Adventure 2017' as Lisa saw them. This blog captures many of the wonderful times that will live on with me forever.
Her words.
Our story.
Enjoy the memories, we do. XO.
Kevin, Scout, Reno, and Springs the cat.
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'I think it is safe to say that the 2016-2017 school year was rough for the Lloyd household. In October, I was given a shocking diagnosis of Stage 4 metastatic Melanoma. Several stays in the hospital (including an ambulance ride that I don't recall and some time in the ICU) turned our world upside down. There is no cure for this type of cancer, but thankfully there are newly discovered treatments that can hold it at bay for a time. I missed a ton of school, and Kevin did too as he stayed by my side for the tests, the medicines, the long nights in the hospital.
I spent a lot of time visualizing myself in a hammock in the woods under Aspen leaves during those weeks of being poked and prodded. Kevin would play a game with me where he would ask me to "name a campsite" that we'd been to and we would laugh and talk about our time there.
When my Melanoma tested positive for a genetic mutation known as B-RAF, (a type of mutation not typically associated with sun damage as many melanomas are), my oncologist started me on a new gene targeted therapy. Thankfully, my tumors responded and began shrinking. This meant that I started feeling better and could begin resuming "normal" activities.
After some intense physical therapy to regain strength to stand, walk, bathe, dress, etc on my own again, ( my time in the ICU weakened me tremendously), I set my sights on returning to the classroom. I'm happy and proud to say I was able to do so for the final nine weeks of the school year. I was even able to go on the 8th grade trip to Washington DC.
As I returned to "normal" life--if you can count dozens of pills and side effects "normal"--Kevin and I began to dream about being able to road trip this summer in spite of everything. And here we are. We've created a new "normal." We've got a few shorter trips planned this summer, and this one is the first.
This year's blog is dedicated to all of the people in our lives who helped us get through this year. We will keep fighting, and we have the strength to do so because of your love and support. There are too many to name...you know who you are. XO'
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