Happy Thanksgiving!
My follow up appointment with my doctors is not until December 5 and we will find out the recommended treatment at that time. I will als get the "Brundle Fly Hairs" removed from the right side of my head at that time. I have not exhaustively counted them but I have counted twenty seven stitches.
Every day I walk my dogs I tell them audibly how lucky are we to breathe the crisp, autumn air together for one more breath and perhaps we get to pal out togetherfor an entire day. How lucky am I and my dogs (Mojo 11 years old) and Salena (13 years old) to be enjoying the moments we have left together. Attitude is very helpful especially when saying, "I get to pick up Mojo's poop again today! I am so lucky. Good boy Mojo. Good poopie boy!". "Come on boy, let's walk. Power it up!"
Happy Thanksgiving,
Jack "The Comet" Burton
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Movie Review, Joy, Update, Dogs, Edward zipper head
Aloha,
I would like to give you all a reason to click on this site. I know I make fighting cancer look as exciting as watching grass grow but your support helps me in this fight.
I watched the movie "Bucket List" with Jack Nickolson and Morgan Freeman with my folks' the other night. The movie deals with some mature topics so I recommend the movie to adults and advise parents to do their parenting and see if the movie is appropriate for your child.
The movie touches on some big questions we answer in life. One of the pearls I took away is, "Have I experienced joy in this life and have I helped others experience joy." My answer is a resounding, "Yes!".
I feel joy walking my dogs to go potty every day. I have a little trick I use on myself for the mundane daily task. I tell myself, "I get to walk my dogs in the sun, one more day, and I get to pick up their potty. How lucky am I? My dogs turn 13 and 11 years old in February and March respectively. I have been fortunate to have learned and retained some very good, dog training, dog care, dog medicine, advice from breeders and dog trainers that I still use. Mojo and Salena and I will work on some of our distance commands like "down stay" and "sit stay" today. German Shepherd Dogs are smart and periodic reminders make them feel good and make these important, life saving, commands reliable.
I need to follow up with my neuro-onclologist before being released back to work. We will be starting a new treatment, that may include poison, (chemo-therapy). I should get the final pathology early this week.
My goal is to keep my body going long enough to help find the cure to this mystery that is Glioblastoma Multiforme (most malignant form of primary brain cancer). I believe we can find a cure. I am reaching for the effortlessness in the effort. I am living strong and believe satisfaction lies in the effort.
I find it funny how one's life can change very quickly. I feel like "Edward Zipper Head" which is a play on the Johnnie Depp movie, "Edward Scissors Hands". I feel good and maybe by living a relatively healthy life style it has helped with the cancer treatments. I get some comfort believing that to be true. I have not been on the bicycle yet but Mojo and I have done a mile plus long walk at a gentle pace. I figure I have my whole life to get in shape for the next Livestrong bike ride which may be this June for me in Seattle, Washington or in San Jose, California. I would like to head out to Austin as well and visit my good friend, Dave McKnight who was so gracious to put me up in his home with his wonderful family, near Austin.
Peace and Love,
Jack "The Comet" Burton
I would like to give you all a reason to click on this site. I know I make fighting cancer look as exciting as watching grass grow but your support helps me in this fight.
I watched the movie "Bucket List" with Jack Nickolson and Morgan Freeman with my folks' the other night. The movie deals with some mature topics so I recommend the movie to adults and advise parents to do their parenting and see if the movie is appropriate for your child.
The movie touches on some big questions we answer in life. One of the pearls I took away is, "Have I experienced joy in this life and have I helped others experience joy." My answer is a resounding, "Yes!".
I feel joy walking my dogs to go potty every day. I have a little trick I use on myself for the mundane daily task. I tell myself, "I get to walk my dogs in the sun, one more day, and I get to pick up their potty. How lucky am I? My dogs turn 13 and 11 years old in February and March respectively. I have been fortunate to have learned and retained some very good, dog training, dog care, dog medicine, advice from breeders and dog trainers that I still use. Mojo and Salena and I will work on some of our distance commands like "down stay" and "sit stay" today. German Shepherd Dogs are smart and periodic reminders make them feel good and make these important, life saving, commands reliable.
I need to follow up with my neuro-onclologist before being released back to work. We will be starting a new treatment, that may include poison, (chemo-therapy). I should get the final pathology early this week.
My goal is to keep my body going long enough to help find the cure to this mystery that is Glioblastoma Multiforme (most malignant form of primary brain cancer). I believe we can find a cure. I am reaching for the effortlessness in the effort. I am living strong and believe satisfaction lies in the effort.
I find it funny how one's life can change very quickly. I feel like "Edward Zipper Head" which is a play on the Johnnie Depp movie, "Edward Scissors Hands". I feel good and maybe by living a relatively healthy life style it has helped with the cancer treatments. I get some comfort believing that to be true. I have not been on the bicycle yet but Mojo and I have done a mile plus long walk at a gentle pace. I figure I have my whole life to get in shape for the next Livestrong bike ride which may be this June for me in Seattle, Washington or in San Jose, California. I would like to head out to Austin as well and visit my good friend, Dave McKnight who was so gracious to put me up in his home with his wonderful family, near Austin.
Peace and Love,
Jack "The Comet" Burton
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
It is great to be home!, The Emperor's clothes, Little things, Final Pathology next week, Partying with Einstein, More Later this week
Aloha!
I was released from the hospital yesterday and went to a good friend's home in Danville, California with my father. We had some excitement as my clothes were lost for several hours. As we were pulling away from Walgreens down the block from the hospital with my brown bag, prescribed drugs, we received a call that my excellent boots, jeans, tie died socks, black leather belt, and shirt had been found! I was stoked!
I had a wonderful surgery and both my neuro-surgeon and neuro-oncologist were beaming and glowing with how well I seem to be healing and fighting this cancerous beasty. The little things are important to me like making my health care workers feel good about their important jobs and having my own clothes.
We should get some final pathology results early next week and I will share. Now this cancer has not been "cured" but maybe I will help unlock the puzzle. I hope we can unlock the puzzle next week but a realistic scenario is for me to keep on tapping into the goodness around me, practicing staying mentally, physically, and spiritually fit, and journeying into the unknown giving my healthcare professionals time to work with all the data and variables.
If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it? Albert Einstein
The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible. Albert Einstein
I will write later about my most excellent hospital experience later. I am taking it easy and actively, relaxing my brain. It is good to be in Nevada City with my folks and dogs who were well taken care of while I was fighting cancer in the hospital. I may write a little story about whow the fight is going using allegory and military tactics to describe how I see the battle unfolding. Livestrong! Thank you for the support! It means very much for me and gives me power for the fight!
Peace and Love,
Jack "The Comet" Burton
I was released from the hospital yesterday and went to a good friend's home in Danville, California with my father. We had some excitement as my clothes were lost for several hours. As we were pulling away from Walgreens down the block from the hospital with my brown bag, prescribed drugs, we received a call that my excellent boots, jeans, tie died socks, black leather belt, and shirt had been found! I was stoked!
I had a wonderful surgery and both my neuro-surgeon and neuro-oncologist were beaming and glowing with how well I seem to be healing and fighting this cancerous beasty. The little things are important to me like making my health care workers feel good about their important jobs and having my own clothes.
We should get some final pathology results early next week and I will share. Now this cancer has not been "cured" but maybe I will help unlock the puzzle. I hope we can unlock the puzzle next week but a realistic scenario is for me to keep on tapping into the goodness around me, practicing staying mentally, physically, and spiritually fit, and journeying into the unknown giving my healthcare professionals time to work with all the data and variables.
If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it? Albert Einstein
The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible. Albert Einstein
I will write later about my most excellent hospital experience later. I am taking it easy and actively, relaxing my brain. It is good to be in Nevada City with my folks and dogs who were well taken care of while I was fighting cancer in the hospital. I may write a little story about whow the fight is going using allegory and military tactics to describe how I see the battle unfolding. Livestrong! Thank you for the support! It means very much for me and gives me power for the fight!
Peace and Love,
Jack "The Comet" Burton
Friday, November 14, 2008
The art of slow
Aloha!
I am ready! Livestrong!
I enjoyed practicing the art of slow this morning. I gathered post surgery stuff like drugs, pictures, and stuffed animals, Tibetan hope beads, and books. I also filled out an advanced directive and specified all my pieces and parts are well used and have no warranty with them either explicit or implicit. I can get annoyed at tedium but I practiced enjoying putting the little doo-dads together this morning.
Well, I have surgery scheduled at 11 AM Pacific Time and will sign off for now. I will try to get a hold of a laptop after surgery and update people of my conditions. Morphine! I may have a fun post.
Peace and Love,
Jack "The Comet" Burton
I am ready! Livestrong!
I enjoyed practicing the art of slow this morning. I gathered post surgery stuff like drugs, pictures, and stuffed animals, Tibetan hope beads, and books. I also filled out an advanced directive and specified all my pieces and parts are well used and have no warranty with them either explicit or implicit. I can get annoyed at tedium but I practiced enjoying putting the little doo-dads together this morning.
Well, I have surgery scheduled at 11 AM Pacific Time and will sign off for now. I will try to get a hold of a laptop after surgery and update people of my conditions. Morphine! I may have a fun post.
Peace and Love,
Jack "The Comet" Burton
Thursday, November 13, 2008
MRI Results, Brain Surgery 11 AM PST, Major Tom
Aloha!
I feel good and strong! I am ready and believe I am going to achieve a great result from surgery tomorrow. Here is a lyric from David Bowie's "Major Tom a Space Oddity" about an astronaut I visualize in my MRI ride or even walking my dogs.
"“ am I floating round my tin can. Far above the Moon. Planet Earth is blue And there’s nothing I can do.
Ground Control to Major Tom. Commencing countdown, engines on. Check ignition and may God’s love be with you."
Usually before I have my one and a half hour MRI, I visualize blasting into space on a solo Apollo type of mission. The difference is all of you are in my head and heart so it is a good ride where I practice yogi breathing and meditation. I am flooded with warm, wonderful, memories and feelings and rarely remember that I am in the confining, MRI capsule to search for death. I don't worry about death. I have death by the head and I am pummeling it with a titanium fist. We have this cancer nearly figured out and I believe we will beat it with no side effect to the host, me. I am not resting except to cure cancer because the fish is still on. We still have some more effort but we are living strong! Thank you for the support. It is very helpful for me.
Today's MRI shows that there is increased blood flow to the two areas of interest on the MRI. The MRI indicated another brain surgery is a good idea. Increased blood flow tends to indicate new tumor growth but we are very new into my new clinical trial and the research into primary brain cancer so we could find something out entirely mind blowing through surgery. Tomorrow I am scheduled for a 11 AM surgery. I am ready and I believe that this surgery is exactly what we should do for me as a patient and for primary brain cancer research. I feel strong and believe that we will have a good outcome. I believe we will cure cancer in my body and I will be around for many more decades muddling through this wonderful life. I have all my surgery essentials like, Tibetan Hope Beads, Pictures of Pets, Friends, and Family, and a new, German Shepherd Dog, Puppy stuffed animal.
Perhaps there is another big Deschutes Rainbow in my near future on the end of my 3-weight fly rod? If not a big fish, looking up the Deschutes River Canyon is inspiring.
--Jack "The Comet" Burton
"It takes love, courage or genius to make things smaller, simpler, or peaceful."
I feel good and strong! I am ready and believe I am going to achieve a great result from surgery tomorrow. Here is a lyric from David Bowie's "Major Tom a Space Oddity" about an astronaut I visualize in my MRI ride or even walking my dogs.
"“ am I floating round my tin can. Far above the Moon. Planet Earth is blue And there’s nothing I can do.
Ground Control to Major Tom. Commencing countdown, engines on. Check ignition and may God’s love be with you."
Usually before I have my one and a half hour MRI, I visualize blasting into space on a solo Apollo type of mission. The difference is all of you are in my head and heart so it is a good ride where I practice yogi breathing and meditation. I am flooded with warm, wonderful, memories and feelings and rarely remember that I am in the confining, MRI capsule to search for death. I don't worry about death. I have death by the head and I am pummeling it with a titanium fist. We have this cancer nearly figured out and I believe we will beat it with no side effect to the host, me. I am not resting except to cure cancer because the fish is still on. We still have some more effort but we are living strong! Thank you for the support. It is very helpful for me.
Today's MRI shows that there is increased blood flow to the two areas of interest on the MRI. The MRI indicated another brain surgery is a good idea. Increased blood flow tends to indicate new tumor growth but we are very new into my new clinical trial and the research into primary brain cancer so we could find something out entirely mind blowing through surgery. Tomorrow I am scheduled for a 11 AM surgery. I am ready and I believe that this surgery is exactly what we should do for me as a patient and for primary brain cancer research. I feel strong and believe that we will have a good outcome. I believe we will cure cancer in my body and I will be around for many more decades muddling through this wonderful life. I have all my surgery essentials like, Tibetan Hope Beads, Pictures of Pets, Friends, and Family, and a new, German Shepherd Dog, Puppy stuffed animal.
Perhaps there is another big Deschutes Rainbow in my near future on the end of my 3-weight fly rod? If not a big fish, looking up the Deschutes River Canyon is inspiring.
--Jack "The Comet" Burton
"It takes love, courage or genius to make things smaller, simpler, or peaceful."
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Update my Blog Friday, PleasePlease feel good
Aloha,
I may not be able to let everyone know how I am doing Friday but I have a good friend that will telephone many of you. Please update my blog with what you learn from my friend. The update will probably be something like, "Did you get the license plate of that Neuro-Surgeon? Good job in surgery doctor! Ow! I feel like I am healing! Nurse, I would like the Afghanistan, Red Morphine this shot, please. The Pakistani Gold is good, but let's try the Afghanni Red this dose"
If you want to win in life and make others feel good, do not bill yourself as a Ford POS (piece of *&^%) like a grey Maverick or a pink Pinto. Be honest and be cool like a shiny, blue, Mustang, Shelby Cobra, a red, Panterra, or even a blue and white striped, Ford GT40. Imagine you are an electric car that is currently available on the market today that goes zero to 60 miles per hour in about four seconds and has a 150 mile range. We are only at the beginning of throwing away the limited thinking and ways of the past and tapping into the abundance that has always been available to us. We are our future. Please, let us believe in each other.
I am feeling the power, love, strength, courage, hope, stamina, speed, health, skill, and goodness. Please, keep the thought, prayer, energy flowing. I am absorbing and reflecting the goodness. I am having fun with the memories and visualizations that is for sure.
Peace and Love,
Jack "The Comet" Burton
I may not be able to let everyone know how I am doing Friday but I have a good friend that will telephone many of you. Please update my blog with what you learn from my friend. The update will probably be something like, "Did you get the license plate of that Neuro-Surgeon? Good job in surgery doctor! Ow! I feel like I am healing! Nurse, I would like the Afghanistan, Red Morphine this shot, please. The Pakistani Gold is good, but let's try the Afghanni Red this dose"
If you want to win in life and make others feel good, do not bill yourself as a Ford POS (piece of *&^%) like a grey Maverick or a pink Pinto. Be honest and be cool like a shiny, blue, Mustang, Shelby Cobra, a red, Panterra, or even a blue and white striped, Ford GT40. Imagine you are an electric car that is currently available on the market today that goes zero to 60 miles per hour in about four seconds and has a 150 mile range. We are only at the beginning of throwing away the limited thinking and ways of the past and tapping into the abundance that has always been available to us. We are our future. Please, let us believe in each other.
I am feeling the power, love, strength, courage, hope, stamina, speed, health, skill, and goodness. Please, keep the thought, prayer, energy flowing. I am absorbing and reflecting the goodness. I am having fun with the memories and visualizations that is for sure.
Peace and Love,
Jack "The Comet" Burton
Finish What You Start, Patience and Compassion, Challenge, Sometimes an Adjective
Aloha!
I have been delighted to revisit with some of my martial arts practitioners in the last few hours. The martial arts practice is much of who I am. I have been recalling many of the lessons we learned including, “Finish What You Start.” Maybe I have started curing the deadliest manifestation of primary, brain cancer. I am going to make every effort to cure this cancer and win this fight. Maybe I I am a part of something even greater I can help finish to a good end?
I have found that practicing values like patience and compassion is more fun when challenged. Yes, I have slipped a couple of times in exercising patience and compassion but I found that the practice under difficulty is more rewarding than when given an easy situation. Life is an art and should be practiced.
I was walking Mojo and Salena this morning. Yes! I was able to walk my dogs another day and take them to go potty! I was thinking about precious moments. Sometimes an adjective will mess up a perfectly good noun. All our moments are precious. Moments when patience and compassion are tested are precious. It is fun for me to be aware of the preciousness of each moment. Ahhhhhhh!!!!!! That nice breath I effortlessly inhaled, retained, exhaled, and retained was delicious.
Peace and Love,
Jack “The Comet” Burton
I have been delighted to revisit with some of my martial arts practitioners in the last few hours. The martial arts practice is much of who I am. I have been recalling many of the lessons we learned including, “Finish What You Start.” Maybe I have started curing the deadliest manifestation of primary, brain cancer. I am going to make every effort to cure this cancer and win this fight. Maybe I I am a part of something even greater I can help finish to a good end?
I have found that practicing values like patience and compassion is more fun when challenged. Yes, I have slipped a couple of times in exercising patience and compassion but I found that the practice under difficulty is more rewarding than when given an easy situation. Life is an art and should be practiced.
I was walking Mojo and Salena this morning. Yes! I was able to walk my dogs another day and take them to go potty! I was thinking about precious moments. Sometimes an adjective will mess up a perfectly good noun. All our moments are precious. Moments when patience and compassion are tested are precious. It is fun for me to be aware of the preciousness of each moment. Ahhhhhhh!!!!!! That nice breath I effortlessly inhaled, retained, exhaled, and retained was delicious.
Peace and Love,
Jack “The Comet” Burton
Sunday, November 9, 2008
DRI - Dangerous, Rude, Illegal, Yeah!, My Mom is out of the hospital, I am so ready for brain surgery!
Aloha!
If your behavior is dangerous, rude, or illegal, I bid you fair warning. You may be admonished publicly by a strong man with brain cancer. Today I admonished a smoker at a hospital.
This person was smoking cigarettes in a signed, designated no smoking area near the entrance and exit of the hospital. My Dad, my Mom’s nurse, and my mom in a wheelchair were on our way out of the hospital after my Mom's four day stay after we were in a car collision. We were rear ended at high speed on highway 99 Thursday night and Mom basically had a Ford POS Taurus driven up her rear. Mom was hurt badly and has eight fractured ribs. I believe neither my father, my mother, or me have sustained chronic injuries but Mom will be hurting from the ribs probably for some time after I have healed from brain surgery this coming Friday, November 14.
I was hit in the face with a poisonous, noxious, cancerous, dangerous, stinky, cloud of cigarette smoke by this selfish and probably nicotine addicted woman. I asked the nurse to validate we were indeed in a no smoking area. My admonishment of this person’s behavior was audible for at least 30 yards and I did set a dramatic example. I let this woman know I am highly allergic to cigarette smoke and I have brain cancer. I told her, “No Smoking!”. I was somewhat less patient and compassionate than I am with selfish, rude, dangerous, illegal fools but my admonishment was done with candor, honesty, strength, and without regard to the person’s social status, martial ability, age, sex, religion, political association, dress. I learned and my next admonishment of someone’s rude, illegal, or dangerous behavior may be a bit more patient, compassionate, and quiet. However, I may have saved this smoker’s life. Perhaps next time she thinks about lighting up she will think about me and the man she injured with her cigarette smoke who has brain cancer. Perhaps this thought will get her to stop smoking and avoid diseasing the wonderful gift that is the human body. I know this person has good in her.
The woman did not apologize for her dangerous and rude behavior that injured me, but she did immediately throw away her cigarette. I would have called the police. Smokers beware. Dangerous drivers beware. I will not tolerate rude, dangerous, or illegal behavior that injures me, people I love, or innocents. Yes, I will allow the police to do their jobs. Just because other people tolerate rude, dangerous, and illegal behavior that lands my mother in the hospital for four days with 8 broken ribs is not a valid, logical argument for Jack to tolerate rude, dangerous, illegal behavior. I find many people behave rudely, dangerously, or illegally as a matter of their own personal convenience.
I do feel good and I am ready for brain surgery. I will have a nice, uplifting post soon on driving politely that will make you, your passengers, and other drivers on the road feel safe, good, powerful, and beautiful. I will expand on my lesson I learned about patience and compassion at the hospital smoke free zone. I may even pontificate on tolerance and when toleration is not appropriate. For example, I have a high tolerance for pain. Perhaps if I showed more sensitivity or MRI diagnostics were cheaper we would have detected my brain cancer earlier and have had a curative treatment by now.
Another post may be a bit more creative about my blissful walk towards eternity. It appears that post is becoming a bit of a cliffhanger.
I feel I have some fight in my voice and my message is one of hope, cooperation, and love. Courage, strength, power, flexibility, skill, and apreciation for beautiful friends, family, and supporters is the feeling I would like you to share with you and your loved ones. Be good to each other. How lucky am I to have picked a fight with the deadliest form of primary brain cancer. I feel loose, fast, and powerful!
Smiles! Smiles! Smiles!
Peace and Love,
Livestrong!
Jack
If your behavior is dangerous, rude, or illegal, I bid you fair warning. You may be admonished publicly by a strong man with brain cancer. Today I admonished a smoker at a hospital.
This person was smoking cigarettes in a signed, designated no smoking area near the entrance and exit of the hospital. My Dad, my Mom’s nurse, and my mom in a wheelchair were on our way out of the hospital after my Mom's four day stay after we were in a car collision. We were rear ended at high speed on highway 99 Thursday night and Mom basically had a Ford POS Taurus driven up her rear. Mom was hurt badly and has eight fractured ribs. I believe neither my father, my mother, or me have sustained chronic injuries but Mom will be hurting from the ribs probably for some time after I have healed from brain surgery this coming Friday, November 14.
I was hit in the face with a poisonous, noxious, cancerous, dangerous, stinky, cloud of cigarette smoke by this selfish and probably nicotine addicted woman. I asked the nurse to validate we were indeed in a no smoking area. My admonishment of this person’s behavior was audible for at least 30 yards and I did set a dramatic example. I let this woman know I am highly allergic to cigarette smoke and I have brain cancer. I told her, “No Smoking!”. I was somewhat less patient and compassionate than I am with selfish, rude, dangerous, illegal fools but my admonishment was done with candor, honesty, strength, and without regard to the person’s social status, martial ability, age, sex, religion, political association, dress. I learned and my next admonishment of someone’s rude, illegal, or dangerous behavior may be a bit more patient, compassionate, and quiet. However, I may have saved this smoker’s life. Perhaps next time she thinks about lighting up she will think about me and the man she injured with her cigarette smoke who has brain cancer. Perhaps this thought will get her to stop smoking and avoid diseasing the wonderful gift that is the human body. I know this person has good in her.
The woman did not apologize for her dangerous and rude behavior that injured me, but she did immediately throw away her cigarette. I would have called the police. Smokers beware. Dangerous drivers beware. I will not tolerate rude, dangerous, or illegal behavior that injures me, people I love, or innocents. Yes, I will allow the police to do their jobs. Just because other people tolerate rude, dangerous, and illegal behavior that lands my mother in the hospital for four days with 8 broken ribs is not a valid, logical argument for Jack to tolerate rude, dangerous, illegal behavior. I find many people behave rudely, dangerously, or illegally as a matter of their own personal convenience.
I do feel good and I am ready for brain surgery. I will have a nice, uplifting post soon on driving politely that will make you, your passengers, and other drivers on the road feel safe, good, powerful, and beautiful. I will expand on my lesson I learned about patience and compassion at the hospital smoke free zone. I may even pontificate on tolerance and when toleration is not appropriate. For example, I have a high tolerance for pain. Perhaps if I showed more sensitivity or MRI diagnostics were cheaper we would have detected my brain cancer earlier and have had a curative treatment by now.
Another post may be a bit more creative about my blissful walk towards eternity. It appears that post is becoming a bit of a cliffhanger.
I feel I have some fight in my voice and my message is one of hope, cooperation, and love. Courage, strength, power, flexibility, skill, and apreciation for beautiful friends, family, and supporters is the feeling I would like you to share with you and your loved ones. Be good to each other. How lucky am I to have picked a fight with the deadliest form of primary brain cancer. I feel loose, fast, and powerful!
Smiles! Smiles! Smiles!
Peace and Love,
Livestrong!
Jack
Monday, November 3, 2008
Livestrong Update: Non - Cavalier Brain Surgery on November 14 – I Feel Strong
Livestrong Update – Thank you for fighting cancer with me. We ended up raising $3,085 for the fight against cancer. The entire Austin Livestrong Challenge raised something over $3.5 million and I am proud, pleased, and happy with our contribution.
My 90 mile ride was off the pace I wanted to finish in but I showed I finished in 5 hours, 30 minutes and 46 seconds ride time. I have not done much group road riding and never fell into a good pace line so my riding was just about all solo wind breaking.
I had a very powerful feeling of connectedness during the ride and entire event. I feel we are all in this fight together. Thank you for fighting cancer.
I an happy with the biking skills I have learned riding with the Disciples of Dirt mountain biking group. I have not been bicycling training as much as when I was before being challenged by glioblastoma multiforme (most malignant form of primary brain cancer). The grand mal seizure I had in yoga class on July 12, 2008, and brain surgery on August 4, gave me about 30 calendar days and 22 riding days for the 90 mile ride. I practiced mostly breathing, and efficient peddle stroke, muscle memory, and honoring my heart and my brain.
The Austin Livestrong Challenge Ride on October 26 is turning out to be a training ride for my Right Temporal Craniotomy on Friday, November 14, 2008 at the University of California Medical Center, San Francisco. I feel strong. My third brain surgery within a year is inconvenient when training for something like the Cream Puff 100, Mountain Bike Race in early July 2009. I found out on Thursday, November 23 while in the truck with Dave McKnight that brain surgery would be scheduled most likely on November 17 after an MRI on the 14th. When I got back to California I heard from my surgeon and we have decided to put me on a steroid that may clear up swelling or fluid in my brain. The steroid may give us a clearer view with the MRI and then the doctors will do their doctor stuff. How cool! This is my third craniotomy within a year! I feel the strongest and fittest, mentally, spiritually, and physically, for this surgery than my two previous surgeries.
I am strong. I trust my doctors. I have wonderful support. I have two, lovely German Shepherd Dogs I walk daily. How lucky am I! I have been blessed with the opportunity to fight a bad ass disease and we get to use clever, new tactics to win the fight against cancer! We also are using techniques that have been proved by the test of time. As I have said over and over and over again, “Better is the Enemy of Good.”, Voltaire. We are using good how we can and using our creative, open minds, to find a solution to the “incurable” cancer. I am doing my part. I am keeping my being strong as best I know how to and I have humbled myself to listen to my health care givers, supporters, and other advisors. I believe and trust that people know stuff and do have my best interest at heart much of the time. I have learned that the internet has much information that is more akin to what I pick up after my dogs on our walks than actually factual or useful in any way. “A lie told often enough becomes truth” Vladimir Lenin.
I find that mindfully being aware of the fun I am having on my bicycle, how wonderful it is to feel the wind in my hair, sweat on my body, and life in my being distracts me from discomfort. Mindfully varying riding position on long rides helps with riding comfort and riding pleasure as well. Being a yogi, I do have a mantra I use that gets me out of my head and into my body while riding.
Peace and Love,
Jack Burton "It takes love, courage or genius to make things smaller, simpler, or peaceful."
My 90 mile ride was off the pace I wanted to finish in but I showed I finished in 5 hours, 30 minutes and 46 seconds ride time. I have not done much group road riding and never fell into a good pace line so my riding was just about all solo wind breaking.
I had a very powerful feeling of connectedness during the ride and entire event. I feel we are all in this fight together. Thank you for fighting cancer.
I an happy with the biking skills I have learned riding with the Disciples of Dirt mountain biking group. I have not been bicycling training as much as when I was before being challenged by glioblastoma multiforme (most malignant form of primary brain cancer). The grand mal seizure I had in yoga class on July 12, 2008, and brain surgery on August 4, gave me about 30 calendar days and 22 riding days for the 90 mile ride. I practiced mostly breathing, and efficient peddle stroke, muscle memory, and honoring my heart and my brain.
The Austin Livestrong Challenge Ride on October 26 is turning out to be a training ride for my Right Temporal Craniotomy on Friday, November 14, 2008 at the University of California Medical Center, San Francisco. I feel strong. My third brain surgery within a year is inconvenient when training for something like the Cream Puff 100, Mountain Bike Race in early July 2009. I found out on Thursday, November 23 while in the truck with Dave McKnight that brain surgery would be scheduled most likely on November 17 after an MRI on the 14th. When I got back to California I heard from my surgeon and we have decided to put me on a steroid that may clear up swelling or fluid in my brain. The steroid may give us a clearer view with the MRI and then the doctors will do their doctor stuff. How cool! This is my third craniotomy within a year! I feel the strongest and fittest, mentally, spiritually, and physically, for this surgery than my two previous surgeries.
I am strong. I trust my doctors. I have wonderful support. I have two, lovely German Shepherd Dogs I walk daily. How lucky am I! I have been blessed with the opportunity to fight a bad ass disease and we get to use clever, new tactics to win the fight against cancer! We also are using techniques that have been proved by the test of time. As I have said over and over and over again, “Better is the Enemy of Good.”, Voltaire. We are using good how we can and using our creative, open minds, to find a solution to the “incurable” cancer. I am doing my part. I am keeping my being strong as best I know how to and I have humbled myself to listen to my health care givers, supporters, and other advisors. I believe and trust that people know stuff and do have my best interest at heart much of the time. I have learned that the internet has much information that is more akin to what I pick up after my dogs on our walks than actually factual or useful in any way. “A lie told often enough becomes truth” Vladimir Lenin.
I find that mindfully being aware of the fun I am having on my bicycle, how wonderful it is to feel the wind in my hair, sweat on my body, and life in my being distracts me from discomfort. Mindfully varying riding position on long rides helps with riding comfort and riding pleasure as well. Being a yogi, I do have a mantra I use that gets me out of my head and into my body while riding.
Peace and Love,
Jack Burton "It takes love, courage or genius to make things smaller, simpler, or peaceful."
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