Well, another spring's Jack's Camp has come and gone. There were a total of 16 family in attendance for this wonderful camp. Of the 16 families, 4 were "new". There were some truly new family who were introduced to the "welcoming influence" that everyone shares at camp. Two families were newish, one hadn't been to camp for 3 years, but they came back and had fun.

I am back at work today and thinking again about my priorities. There were some missing campers who will hopefully be back for more camps. Work is going to be moved down the priority list and life has been moved up the list.

It has been four years since my first and second surgeries to remove the tumor growing into my brain stem, crushing my pituitary and squeezing my right 6th cranial nerve. One more year of active life that I would not have had without great doctors and excellent technology. If my MRI scan looks good again, then I might be able to move on to MRI scans only once every two years.

Just one more year for my five year anniversary. That will be a big day for me.

This was my fourth time as a camp volunteer at the Taylor Family Foundation/Northern California We Can pediatric brain tumor camp. We had many new families join our camp. This time, one of the younger kids graduated into the older kids group. It is always great to have kids survive and return year after year. The Friday night campfire and show (put on by some of the volunteers and the campers) was fantastic--so were the s'mores. At meal times, I met many new faces and connected with the regulars. A great time was had by all.

I just got back from another great weekend with friends and family at Jack's Camp (a part of the We Can Northern California Pediatric Brain Tumor Network supported by the Taylor Family Foundation). It was really great to see familiar faces and meet a few new families. As always, I go for selfish reasons--the kids may not know it, but they help me be a better person by showing me how they cope with life and how they share their love and support.

This is the third anniversary of my second surgery (craniotomy).

It has been three years since my first surgery. Thank you to all of my friends and family for the support they continue to give me. Thanks also to my soccer mates for understanding my limitations.

Today marks the three year anniversary of when I was diagnosed (2008) with a clival chondrosarcoma. That is one brain tumor type out of about 250 types.

I had a blast at Jack's Camp in Livermore, CA. The kids were great! I loved seeing my friends and making new friends.

A fellow volunteer and brain tumor victim has the same view of the title "brain tumor survivor" that I do. We are both doing well, but "survivor" sounds too definitive and conclusive. The brain tumor cells are still there (much of it has been removed and scarred with radiation) and they may spread to other body parts or re-grow in the brain. I prefer the title "brain tumor fighter". I actively fight being just a "BT person" by being active in sports and I support others in their BT fight. If my tumor never returns and I die late in life, then I will be a brain tumor survivor.

Friday-
Today was my trip to Camp Arroyo for Jack's Camp. I don't know what to expect. Are the kids going to be really bad off? Will I fit in? Can I deal with the trauma of others?

Today marks the two year anniversary of my second chondrosarcoma surgery.