Who knew that fishline would start our next life journey? Fast forward from the severe headache created from too many enthusiastic dives down to untangle a coral head to getting several scans at the ER. Turns out my head is just fine but scan of my neck just happened to include the top of my lungs. Here the bizarre twist of fate began when a mass appeared at the top of my right lung.
"May you live in interesting times." I think navigating a new lung cancer diagnosis during the Covid pandemic qualifies. I am choosing to jump over the weeks of shock, tears, angsts, anger and frustrations but they were all very present and wove in and out of our everyday life. Not being our first or even second journey down this cancer path both Janet and I have some idea what lies ahead, albeit the stakes feel much higher this time. So, this time rather than being caught in the distracting downward spiral of 'cancer' I am choosing to focus on the surrounding love and support of our Ohana and the beauty that is ever present in our world. I seek to keep the balance of being present in the beauty and love of this life while undergoing my cancer treatment and all that it entails. 
So we suited up and left our beautiful island of rainbows and landed on the campus of Stanford amongst the rainbow of autumn leaves.
Through well connected dear friends, a Covid vacancy and perhaps some good karma we landed in the perfect light filled cosy apartment right on Stanford campus, only a 6 minute drive to the medical center.
In the week that we have been here we have enjoyed exploring the beautiful but eerily silent and empty campus. California is in serious Covid lock down and the usual 30,000 students faculty and staff are now only here virtually.
Shortly after we arrived I got my pre-procedure Covid test, the level of care and protection for the staff and the public is impressive.
My EBUS Endobronchial Ultrasound bronchoscopy biopsy followed 2 days later. Once again I am impressed with the efficiency, professionalism and care I am receiving here at Stanford. Yesterday we met with our Oncology team (tele-health), we are all still awaiting the final pathology report but they did give us an approximate idea of the diagnosis and treatment journey. They believe it is the most common lung cancer for a non-smoker; non small cell adenocarcinoma. The treatment will most likely be 6 weeks of radiation with 2 concurrent chemotherapy treatments followed by a year of bi-monthly immunotherapy. This will all start in about 4 weeks while I have more tests and the specific treatment course for me is formulated.
As is our tradition after 'big' medical appointments we headed to the best local ice cream parlor we could find. We had several choices which I am sure will all be tried eventually! Accompanied by our traveling family we all enjoyed the treat enormously.
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