Unity

Greetings! I am thrilled to tell you my PET scan revealed I’m in remission, y’all! Thank you for your support!

As many of you know, Shannan and I are fans of Sister Hazel. The band’s concerts are always audience centered and family friendly. At the Hazel Hang we attended in June, a woman was on the front row with two elementary aged kids. Ken Block, the lead singer, pulled one of the little guys up on stage. Shell shock set in on the boy. He stood next to Ken frozen as if blinded by the stage lights. Ken was patient and kind with the youngster. After a couple of minutes, the boy happily returned to his mom and brother.

Jett Beres, the bassist, was stationed on the same side as the family. He, too, brought the boy on stage. Still, the child was hesitant to be the center of attention. At one point, the young fellow raised one arm in the air. His hand balled in a fist as if to say power. That brought a cheer from the audience. The boy stood there, fist held high. I looked around the room and noticed adults raising their hand with him in unity. I couldn’t help but to pump my fist up high. Not everyone joined in, but a great many did. Women, men, young and old, some singing, dancing, drinking, and others solemnly holding up an arm in solidarity with an unknown kid. The moment didn’t last long, but for me, it marked the very sense of belonging that brings people to concerts.

Last July, in person and on social media, I raised my arm, not in power, but in a request for support. You, oh so many of you, quickly and repeatedly pumped your fist with mine. You said yes to me, and no to cancer. Throughout my treatment, particularly in the tough times, I would raise my fist in the air. I knew I was not alone. It was that sense of friendship, love and unity you gave to me that made all the difference. Please know that in the everyday and the hardships, I stand, arm raised with you.

Tom

Exercise in the Hard Times

Greetings! Recently I was diagnosed with cancer at the base of my tongue and in my neck. Fortunately, it’s contained to those areas, and my care team is very confident about treatment. I’ll start radiation and chemotherapy July 8. The process will run for 7 weeks.

My brother, Tim, was diagnosed with cancer this very time 20 years ago. His was in the exact same places as mine. He had been a long-time smoker. I have never smoked. Damn genetics! The good news is, Tim went into remission. I am clinging to that reality. 

This site is largely dedicated to my Streak of exercising every single day for over 22 years. Thanks to The Streak, my current physical health will serve me well in the treatment and recovery process. I understand radiation and chemotherapy will take a heavy toll on me in the coming weeks. I’ve been trying to decide what to do about The Streak in the weeks to come. Below is an excerpt from one of the cancer information books provided by my care team. As you can see, regular exercise is strongly encouraged. That’s all I need to know. It is my goal to continue to exercise every day for at least 30 minutes throughout this process.

Celebrate Health!  Exercise!

Tom

22 Years and Counting

Greetings! Over 21 years I’ve become pretty good at planning for odd situations that call for extra steps to preserve The Streak. For the most part, I’ve managed inclement weather, the occasional ache and pan, and international travel. A couple of years ago, we took a week-long cruise on a very small boat with no exercise room. It worked out fine because the cruise was in the Galapagos Islands. The weather was lovely all hours of the day and night, especially the early morning when I worked out on the top deck.

The last year proved to be a difficult one, for sure. I didn’t plan on some health issues like a hernia or nerve damage in my right foot. Carefully, I worked through those issues. In December we took a trip to South America, which included four days on the boat. It did not have an exercise room. I wasn’t worried as I had a similar experience in the Galapagos. The major difference came as this ship cruised channels in Patagonia and around Cape Horn. It was very cold, windy and often raining. Exercising on the top deck was cold, wet and miserable.

Other changes over the last twelve months made preserving The Streak not a simple as it has been for more than a decade. We moved. We seriously downsized. Our previous home had an exercise room with more space at my disposal than many yoga studios. Our new home does not have a dedicated space for exercising. As a result, I gave away most of my exercise equipment. We joined a gym to make up the difference. It’s not the same. However, I’m getting into a new routine. For the first time in 22 years, I had my anniversary work out in a gym. Embracing change felt like the appropriate thing to do.

Given the planned and unexpected events of the last 12 months, The Streak remains intact. I always say if you make this exercising your priority, you’ll find the time each day and you’ll find a way to get it completed.

Long live the streak.

Tom