Beginnings

Brain cancer is...

...saying “hello” on the Summit’s final day.

The day ended with dinner at Seaworthy with Caitlyn, our Ambassador Manager, and Taylor, our Colorado Optune Brotha—both our new friends.  It was the end of the Summit.  To ward off tears, we felt comfort in our parting words, “not endings. Beginnings.”

If you have read our last couple posts, you know what this Summit has meant to us.  It has made our world so much bigger and even more tightly connected.  

You’ve lived through Darrell’s story with us thus far (thank you!).  Through the Summit, we have heard 19 more stories, 19 more stories about people with the same “you have a brain mass, proceed to surgery” opening line.  The same teams, building safety nets so strong that families cannot fall to the ground.  The same decision to choose gratitude and examine priorities. The same decision to try Optune.  All the same story...and all different stories.

Through the Summit, we said thank you to ABTA, where we learned so much in the early days, and that has so much more to offer.  We learned more about Novocure’s trials.  Darrell talked with people from China and Brazil, hoping to bring treatment options to their nations. We learned new strategies.  We saw prototypes of Optune equipment and gave our feedback.  We gained new heroes.  

On our last night in New Orleans, we say, “hello!” Here’s to beginnings.

“Elevate Expectations”

Brain cancer is...

...elevating expectations.

We had another full day.  Here’s the video recap:

One quote for the day: “We thought we’d be dead.” 

When one person says, “I didn’t think I would be alive now,” it gives a moment’s pause.  When more than a dozen people say, “We thought we’d be dead”? The length and weight of the pause change.

Optune has a tagline: “Elevate Expectations.”  Expectations? Elevated.

His People

Brain cancer is...

 ...normal.

Today was a powerful example of why people form tribes.

We were on our own through lunch.  Darrell kept scouting the lobby and streets for Optune users.  When we could find none, Darrell concluded,  “They’re sneaky!”  Takes one to know one?

The afternoon held a photo shoot, an intro session and dinner with the group, and then Darrell chatted people up at the meeting of the Society of Neuro Oncology.

Here’s a video for the day:

Alternate YouTube Link

Highlights for us:

• Hugging people we have cried with but whom we met for the first time face-to-face today. 

• Taylor from Colorado! 

• Seeing 20 people wearing Optune...standing side by side.  

•  Being in a room where jokes about brain cancer were funny.
• Admiring so many head wear styles. (Beanies, durags, solely surgilast, scarves...) 

• Having everyone wonder who—not what—was beeping. 

• For Andi: hearing my husband speak publicly, for the first time since 2016.

 Satisfied.

Boris and Natasha have landed.

Brain cancer is...

... okay with a blown cover.

When we landed at MSY—New Orleans—tonight, there really WAS a driver with a sign.  And the sign really DID say “Boris and Natasha”!

The Back Story on the Old and Beloved Joke:  Boris and Natasha.  

Andi and Darrell resembled haggard, middle aged Russian spies in their most recent passport photos, in prep for the Seattle/BC trip, so we probably should not have been surprised when Curt and Barb met us at the Seattle train station with signs that said, "Boris" and "Natasha" (click here for the 2016--culmination.)  Fast forward to a few weeks ago, when we heard that a driver would meet us at another station--the New Orleans airport--with a sign.  We could only hope that the sign would say, "Boris and Natasha" (Here's the post wherein we hoped.). You can imagine our surprise and happiness when we were greeted this evening with a spy sign.  Hurrah! Thanks, Curt and Barb! 

More Happiness:  Our First Optune Handshakes

After checking in, we headed down to the Pelican Bar restaurant for dinner.  A charming fellow approached Darrell and inquired, "Excuse me sir.  Would you please tell me about your device?"

Hey!  Darrell and the charming fellow were wearing the same device! Optune! Tim and Cathy flew in today too...from southern California.

When we shook Tim's hand, we told him that his was our very first in-person Optune handshake.

Whoa.

Wonder what tomorrow will bring.

 

Thank You, Veterans!

Brain cancer is...

 ...remembering.

Today we officially observe Veterans Day, which occurred yesterday (the 11th hour of the 11th day).
Thank you, family and friends, and thanks to all your family and friends--living and passed--who served or are serving in the military.  We are grateful for your service.

While we in the US recognize Veterans Day, others who commemorate the end of World War One celebrate Remembrance Day or Armistice Day.

Darrell and Andi had the honor of being in London, 2014, while the Brits constructed the above art Installation, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red. Inspired by the famed poem In Flanders Field, each of the 888,246 poppies in this installation represented one Allied Forces' personnel life lost in World War One.

Here's to peace.

Speaking Easy

Brain cancer is...

...ready for the evening.

M&Ms for breakfast (above) pretty much assure a good day.  After the M&Ms came work then non-work: A hike at the Santa Rosa Plateau.

Next, we spent much of the day in political discussions at the Public House.  Even after the election?  Yes.  Even though we all vote the same way?  Yes.  Actually, given the role that public houses have served in US politics (click here for some background), I guess we shouldn't be surprised.

Next up?  An array change, the Grange, Anthony's, and a speakeasy.

Start the day with M&Ms, end it with a speakeasy?  A good day, start to finish.

What Is a Bucket List?

Brain cancer is..

...considering weighty topics.

Today we found ourselves in Temecula for wine tasting and the weekend.

Sure: Geoff and Beth.  Always Geoff and Beth.  But also...Christopher (above).

The Nightingale

We had lots of hours together to consider weighty topic such as, “What constitutes a bucket list?”

We drew important conclusions, such as: Bucket list items might not need to be proper nouns such as “Australia.” 

Chris suggested that perhaps an important item would be “to love and be loved.”  Sounds like solid reasoning to us.  

The five of us also concluded that new adventures—including those close to home—should make the list.  

Also: renewed commitment to time with friends.  

Maybe we would add, “Live long enough to talk about bucket lists with your godson.”

Going to bed with Hampton smiles on our faces.

Bonus Content 

One more reason to smile:  As of 11/08/18, Darrell is 33 months post diagnosis. Let’s just keep smiling.