I have heard from my parents a lot of people asking, “Why hasn’t Tyler updated his blog? Is everything OK?” I cannot express how touching everyone’s concern has been throughout this entire journey. Like a lot of things in life, I just need a bit of gentle prodding to get going again and I thank each one of you for that. I will try to get back into something of a routine and update regularly, but I reserve the right to laziness and to claim that I was too busy, which I hopefully will be. Just a heads up, this is going to be a long one with a lot of pictures at the end, get comfy.
Just to single out a few people specifically… Thank you Mark Carpenter for the incredible Angel’s tickets. And know that it was your gentle prod that put me over the top and got these words onto the page. Thank you. My mom and old family friends, Mike and Laura Sanders, and I had an amazing time. It was a nail biter right down to the last play (last Sunday’s game). It would have been nice if they brought in the tying run on third, or the go ahead run on second, but we could not have asked for a more exciting game. It was really nice talking a bit of sailing with Mike and hearing the latest news on everyone from Laura. Needless to say, it’s always great to spend some time with my mom.
Thank you to Chris Coffee and the guys that got together for our little jaunt to Tahoe. The cabin was amazing as always and the company matched it. Though, there were numerous times when I would think to myself, “Man, it is sure nice to be married. That never happens at home.”
Thank you to George and Miluse for showing us such an incredible time in Switzerland. I know that kids are always welcome in the folk’s house, but you both took such incredible care of us and really made it a wonderful trip. At the outset, I was a bit apprehensive about going for such a long trip, considering my condition, but you two really made really easy for us and all of my special needs were taken care of.
Now that we are thinking a bit about Europe, after one more passage, I will try to recap some of the highlights of the trip with photos and captions. The next few posts will have some of the things Eva and I have done since we got back.
The following passage was written on July 5th, 2007, but for one reason or another, I never got it up on the blog. Most of you know what day that was and its significance for “us”. It was one year earlier, on July 5th, 2006, that I was diagnosed with cancer. It was a rough day. We have since marked the months as small victories and getting to that day has been an incredible feat. I know that the fifth of July will remain in my memory as I hope to watch it come and go 79 more times.
Thursday 7-5-2007
Thursday the fifth of July marks one year since diagnosis. Wow, what a year. There have been more ups and downs, laughter and tears, dreams dashed and remade in the last year than any other year of my life. Some might think of my plight as a tragedy, but they miss the incredible good that has been a direct result of this horrible disease. Think about it, for the last year, food has tasted better than it ever has before. Every beautiful view has been just a bit more inspiring. Every embrace from my wife has been that much more special. Everyday that I have gotten up and had the sun shine down on my face has been a gift for which I am truly grateful. I believe Lance said something to the effect of “We [those diagnosed with cancer] are the lucky ones.” Alluding to the idea that until the notion of living to 100 is taken away, it is very easy to just take for granted what you have. I would like to extend thanks to all of you who have made the last year so special for me. Each and every one of you has touched me in one-way or another and I certainly would not be here today if not for your love and support. I could never name everyone that I am in debt to but I would like to thank a few groups specifically. Obviously, all of the doctors and medical staff that have cared for me and have kept me around. From the first confusing days of diagnosis to my hospital stay to the office that has become a place of tranquility, peace, and inspiration as well as excitement with that lovable dog. I would like to acknowledge my coworkers and the support that they have given me that made the transition to cancer patient as easy as it could be. Not having to worry about work has probably been more beneficial than we will ever know. Assuming everything is still going well, I am planning to return in August and am looking forward to seeing all of those wonderful people very shortly. Friends and friends of the family who have been there for my family and me…it has been amazing how much love and support we have all received and how many people have found time to do some amazing things with me over the last year. Keep coming up with ideas, I like to hear them, and love to do them. My new parents and brother in law (and his girlfriend)…you all have welcomed me into your family, and it has been quite an adventure. As Eva says, “You know my poking is what is keeping you around.” My parents…we have always been close and you both have always supported me in whatever endeavor I have undertaken. This one was sort of thrust upon me but your love has contributed so much to me doing as well as I am doing. Your unwavering support has made so many tough decisions, easy. We have always had fun times together, but so many of the best times have been over the last year. Thank you both for everything. The last two on my list are my Grandma and my wife. I was and am so close to my grandmother. She was such an incredible woman. It has been almost 7 months since she passed away, but I still catch myself wanting to pick up the phone and let her know about everything that has been going on. It is hard, if not impossible to find someone as interested in your life as she was in all of her grandchildren’s lives. I have never felt as much ease and contentment as I did when I was at her place. I miss her so much. I love you Grandma. Finally, my wife…without whom I seriously doubt if I would be here today. I shudder at the notion of going through this without her. She is the light of my life. She brings me happiness each and every day. I do not know how she does it, but she is even cute when she is mad at me, or I at her. She has certainly gotten more than she signed up for and has endured it stoically. I think we both have lived more and dealt with more than your usual twenty-somethings and she still wears that wonderful smile on her face, keeps that kind tone in her voice, and looks younger and more beautiful than the day I met her. I owe her my life, a life together, and I am going to do everything I possibly can to give it to her.
Now onto the trip…
Friday 7/6/2007
Eva took the entrance exam for Swiss medical school today. I did not feel like hanging around the university, so I went to the zoo. Ahhh, such an 8-year-old, I still love the zoo. There was a new huge green house with animals just out and about. Chameleons and Galapagos Tortoises, sweet. This guy was putting on a little show, unfortunately for him, I seemed to be more wooed than the target of his affection (on the left).
Zurich in the afternoon, after a rain has cleared. What a beautiful city and a beautiful day.
Eva and I enjoying what is known as the “Jumbo Jumbo.” This was a wonderful little dinner with Miluse in a very cute part of Zurich. Fabulous meal, even if it did send me into an almost unrecoverable food coma.
On a bridge in Zurich. Everyone over there was really nice to me but I still just cannot help but think in my head that they are all saying to each other “Hey everyone, look at the funny American with his backpack. Lets get him to talk so that we can hear some funny long vowels. Be careful not to piss him off or else he will call in a pre-emptive strike.” I know I am paranoid and self-obsessed. Luckily, I am already married.
Saturday 7/7/2007
George, Miluse, Eva, and I went into Germany to a bit of shopping and have lunch. What a cute couple.
Sunday 7/8/2007
Eva and I went over for a BBQ at her friend Justyna’s house. We got to spend the afternoon with her boyfriend, folks, brother, brother’s wife, and their daughter. They are all wonderful people and the little girl is adorable.
They even let me hold the little girl. Eva and I totally want one.
Wednesday 7/11/2007
Switzerland is just a beautiful place. Here we were running along a river that winds its way through the countryside.
I love wheat fields. I had never really walked through wheat fields before and there is just something about them that appeals to me. I cannot really put it I into words, I just want to run my fingers through them.
Thursday 7/12/2007
My parents arrive in Switzerland. They could not bear to be away.
Eva and I in Eva’s folk’s back yard. Nice little view. Seriously, you can hear cowbells from their patio.
Somehow my parents ended up coming over on our 1-year anniversary. I guess they just wanted to be a part of the celebration. Eva had a great place in mind and we all cruised out there. It used to be the witch hut and witches would harass you during dinner. It had changed into the munching house and now cleaning ladies would harass you and occasionally break into song. It sounds a little crazy, but it was a wonderful and memorable evening.
I am just amazed that she stayed with me for a year. I count my blessings every day.
Friday 7/13/2007
My parents, George, Eva, and I went out for a run in the forest and fields across the street from her folk’s home. Check out my mom running by those cows.
Again, I love the wheat fields.
Up in the hills a bit, there is a tiny little lake, named Egelsee. Try to guess the translation (hint Stand By Me).
My dad and I sucking it in for the camera. It is a wonderful thing to be able to take a little dip halfway through a run.
Later in the day, my folks and I drove down to Saas Fee (basically on the other side of Switzerland, only a 3 and a half hour drive). To get through one set of mountains, you drive your car onto a train and then the train goes through the pass. Why we do not have a train that could do this along I-5, I do not know.
Saturday 7/14/2007
Here is the view from their patio in Saas Fee. Their place is right on the edge of town and looks right up into the mountains and the glacier.
We took two gondolas and another mountain train (this one was just for people) and ended up at Allalin at over 3500 meters above sea level (about 11,500 feet). Spectacular views and just amazing to think about walking on a glacier.
The world’s highest revolving restaurant. How could we pass that up. The Swiss network of restaurants and mountain huts is pretty amazing. You could hike through the Alps, stay up at elevation, have a roof over your head, a steak on your plate, and a beer every night, if you wanted to. Not into hiking up hill? Just take the gondola up. What a way to rough it.
At Allalin, they also had the largest glacial gallery in the world. They had hollowed out a bit of the glacier and had all sorts of ice sculptures and even a couple slides for the kinds. Quite a unique experience.
We hiked down from the middle station and were just overwhelmed by all of these beautiful wildflowers. Here is a cute one of the folks.
I could not help myself, and ended up frolicking through this field moments after I took this photo.
Sunday 7/15/2007
Today we did it the hard way and actually hiked both up and down. We went up to a restaurant called Hannig. On the way, we passed a place called Hanneg and there were a handful of times when we would come to a signpost that indicated two different directions to Hannig. Sort of the all roads lead to Rome phenomenon.
Here is the signpost at Hannig. Hmmm, so many choices. Which one has lots of beautiful flowers and spectacular views? Oh, all of them, OK. Note that there are four signs pointing towards Saas Fee.
Mom and I trying to look stoic.
Again, we love the cows. We just never get this close to them in LA. As Cletus would say, “Hey ma, look at the city folk all hibily nibiliy about dem dare cows.”
Monday 7/16/2007
We did it the easy way again and took the gondola up to the land of marmots. Cute little buggars. We were stoked to just see them let alone be surrounded by a few.
I think my dad is communicating with this one on some basic level. He must be their leader.
On our way back up to Zurich, we stopped for a few hours in Bern. Here are the folks in old town waiting for the clocktower.
As the bear is the mascot of the city, they have “bear pits” across the bridge from the old town. What is a bear pit? Well, the name pretty much says it all as it is a sunken enclosure, a pit, with a couple of bears in it. It is sort of like one enclosure from the zoo, right there in the city, without the rest of the zoo. Anyways, the bears seem to be well taken care of. It was really hot when we were there and apparently that got them in the mood. If you chuckled at this, ask my dad about the bats in Portland. Make sure you have a few minutes and don’t expect the response to be G rated.
Tuesday 7/17/2007
Eva and I arranged for a chemo session while we were over there. The Swiss doctors were really kind and wonderful and it was a totally different experience from UCLA. The hospital was out in the country a bit, and certainly did not care for the numbers that UCLA can handle, but it was still amazing how quiet the place was. You could actually get some rest there. You could look down the hallway and not see anyone for ten minutes at a time. The room was large and sparsely furnished and probably would have been split up into two rooms in America. It was very nice, though I did miss that adorable little fuzz ball. I got Mitomycin C and some cheap Erbitux, sweet.
Wednesday 7/18/2007
I was feeling OK, so my parents and I went into Zurich for the day. We checked out the Chagall windows in Fraumunster.
And then went up into the bell tower at Grossmunster.
If any of you are wondering, the stories you have heard about Europe are true. Women will often swim or layout topless. Now I am a happily married man, but if someone were to find themselves in the tower at Grossmunster with a good telephoto lens, they may get a little treat. Or I guess you could be less creepy and just go swimming. Just don’t stare.
One way of celebrating Swiss Independence Day is to gather around after dinner and explode a table bomb. Now Americans are usually a freaked out at the idea of bombs and especially one that you would put onto your table, but this was really cool. You light the fuse, enjoy the moment of anticipation and Boom! Party hats, toys, prizes, and streamers go everywhere. We wanted to bring one back but, somehow, I just do not think that it would have made it through security.
Saturday 7/21/2007
George the son and Susi came over for the weekend and it was really nice to see them. Susi, Miluse, and Eva spent some quality time in the kitchen and the boys just got to sit back and reap the rewards. Maybe this old world mentality is not so bad.
Sunday 7/22/2007
George the son, Susi, Eva, and I went to the Reuss River for the afternoon. In addition to hanging out, taking dips in the river, and jumping off of bridges, George had brought a new toy, the slack line. This was a little intimidating but really fun. It takes a little while to get a feel for it but after about a half hour I could walk the line for about 10 seconds.
George was pretty good and could actually walk from one end to the other and back.
He could even maintain his focus when I was trying to distract him.
Susi was also pretty skilled at the slack line.
Wednesday 7/25/07
The 25th was Eva’s birthday. I tried to spoil her as much as possible by giving her a few gifts throughout the day. George had arranged for us to take out a sailboat on lake Zurich, which was really nice.
Eva and her mom. How cute.
It was a gorgeous day but the wind would sort of come and go. In the lulls we would swim or find other ways to amuse ourselves.
Another cute one of Miluse.
Here we actually were going a bit and I thought Eva was having fun being taken for a ride. She waited a minute and then asked if I could lower the ladder for her. Luckily, she had a smile on her face the whole time.
Hey, if you crop out the belly, I don’t look so bad.
Friday 7/27/2007
We left to head back home and somehow we came back with more than we took. How does that always happen? We flew American on the trip back and though they still left much to be desired, it was much nicer than the fiasco on the way over (until we got onto that Swiss Air flight). Again it was a great trip and Eva and I had a wonderful time. Hopefully we will be going back soon.
