Two years ago today my world turned upside down.  God believed that I could do more – I’ m not so sure…but who I am I to ask why?  No real answer there- just that he thinks I can so – GAME ON!

It’s been a long two years, and the best respite other than laughs and good times with family and friends is travel. And so, we travel.

Nikki just back from Key West with the girls, Me to PR with my brother, and the whole family to California in April.  There is so much to see and experience. I see each day is a gift – and well, then they should all be Saturdays!  The best they can ever be. With that I will say…please, from me to you- GO DO!

Let this be the best year ever!

I hope to create so many great memories that my mind is filled with happiness.  Because really, there is plenty to worry about. Why not fill your life with all your favorite things? (and oh yea keep doing them) It’s like the sun chasing away the rain.

Always keep trying and never give up!

Again, it’s time to fight for what I want –to be around my family and friends and have great times and make memories that will last forever – God willing.

2 years is a good milestone.  Like on a PowerPoint chart with a schedule of events.

Currently I’m on a clinical trial protocol, taking us to NYC on average of once a week for appointments and infusion (we have some great lunch places) in addition to a daily oral chemo drug.  Initially there was a good response, with fairly manageable side affects. The most recent scan however, shows that the cancer found its way around the drug.   And here we are in February, and – well a not so good scan result, that pretty much disqualifies me for the trial.  SO, back to the drawing board.

Dr Langer, Vicki and Suzie are fantastic – they take such good care of me.  And with that I am so humbled and appreciative of all the health care folks – docs and everyone at Penn, Sloan Kettering, Cleveland Clinic, Copper and Temple Lung not to mention countless other doctor friends on my team!  When I send out my emails to all these top docs and ask the inevitable question – what’s next?  I just kind of pause as you believe they have the solution, the path to the cure, or in my case the best life possible!  So damn-it, lets have it – the best life possible.

With all this, I have re-opened MSI studios (Mod Sounds Incorporated) This is the original Camden/Pennsauken studio that my uncles had going back in the 60 and 70’s- what an influence that was on my brother and I.  It’s so cool to have a recording studio in the family.  After my uncle Geeter died this past year, I went to his house and found some microphones, cleaned them up, and just this morning Sophia and I were recording Three Little Birds.  So as Bebe and I sang this morning – “Don’t worry about a thing, because every little thing is gonna’ be all right!” the first official track went down. There will be many more to follow.

The other issue at hand is that there’s a brain tumor is in a place that is challenging my balance.  So what do I do here?  Up the gain and PRACTICE MORE YOGA.  There is no way this disease is going to take my balance away from me.  I have concentrated so hard on my favorite thing of all – surfing.  So many ways to enjoy it from mellow long OC lines with my brother, GB, Scottie and Critter to some of Indonesia’s finest with my Australian family and friends.  My time in the water sustains me, the jetty at my home break – my “thin spot”.

Along with this latest news has come another crazy idea – to run Broad Street again, all 10 miles.  It was 2008 Broad Street when I first I set out to run forest run. This set into motion Philly Distance (1/2 marathon) and eventually Philly Marathon in 08. I later found out that my running was training me for the fight of my life. I hope to run that race, finish at a decent pace and have accomplished it – to ‘have run’ while being treated for cancer and fighting for my future.

As for family – this is the new normal. We all have our way thru this madness – which takes me ONE STEP BEYOND! (Our high school graduation song).  We have a California family trip planned with more sun, surf and love.  From C&C in LA to yoga surf friends in Encinitas we will drive the Pacific Coast and explore, see some old friends, and some new friends, and LIGHT UP THE SKY! –Literally jam the hard drive full with fun stuff and great memories.

So with all that said, I hope you feel up to date and inspired!  I have my sources of inspiration as I often talk about them, and I hope you do to.  It does take a village, a tribe – all disciplines, a balance of music, art, surfing, family and friends – all the good stuff, to complete our lives. I am focused on positive visualization. I can see the cancer shrinking.  I can see that – it may not be possible for my type of cancer right now but I will not lose faith in my vision and the belief that my life on earth is not limited by my cancer but is enriched by it.

Namaste, Dean, N, G & S