Kiss Your Life

Sign in Zinc Cafe in Corona del Mar, where Tom surfed in the old days.

We have been in southern California all week where Tom underwent a battery of tests and I sneaked off to eat lunch at Joan’s on Third.  He wrote:

We had an epic day Friday at Cedars-Sinai Hospital. They found what they think is the primary tumor in my small intestine, the tumor that has been feeding the cancer cells to my liver the last several years. They took a picture of it (a gross looking little beast) and tagged it with a tattoo for the surgeon to take out later on. I have another procedure this Monday to see if other tumors exist, but it is highly likely this is it.

 

This does nothing to help the most urgent problem of my tumor burden, but hopefully over time, as they reduce the tumor burden in my liver and take out the primary one in my small intestine, I can move back a little from the ledge and enjoy life with a new-found perspective. It is going to be a busy summer and fall as the therapies and surgery are implemented. I feel very serene and hopeful about things. Thanks for all your support.

In solidarity, Tom

I have posted pictures of some local signs at Laguna Beach reminding us to take life one day at at time.  Thank you for your thoughts. Tom enjoys reading your comments so keep them coming!

Susan

Celebrations and Preparations

We have been traveling so I am sorry we did not post last week.  I know you want to know about Tom’s health.  He is scheduled for three different diagnostic tests at Cedars Sinai the week of June 18-22.  The immediate goal is to shrink the tumor burden on the liver so that other therapies can be undertaken. In the meantime, the Sandostatin allows Tom to run and bike at a measured pace, not to mention to keep up with his 8 grandchildren!

Now for the travelogue. . . .

We recently returned from New Jersey where we saw Jake receive his Ph.D. from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. We are so proud of him and grateful to Katie and the children for their support during the long road to the degree–six years.  It was a moment to savor. We also celebrated the birth of Benjamin James Rugh, who was blessed by his father at home with his brother and sisters, cousins, aunt and uncle, and grandparents looking on.  Truly Jake and Katie set the standard for productivity this year!

While we were in the East we stayed with Christine and Doug Taber, my sister and her husband, who have just relocated to the Philadelphia museum district in a fabulous vintage row house.  Their good care made our trip possible. While in Philadelphia  we spent an afternoon in the new Barnes Foundation museum and were intrigued by the ensembles of paintings and tools.  Sunday we had the privilege of joining Jeff and Jaime and their children at the Philadelphia Museum of Art where Charlie and Max raced around getting ‘points’ for spotting the Van Gogh sunflowers and the biggest sword in the collection.  We were lucky to spend the evening with Jaime’s parents and catch up while we dined at The Dandelion.  We value their friendship and so admire their family.

Our most recent celebration was of my 60th birthday at beautiful Log Haven with family and friends.  The tributes by Pete and Tom were touching, as was Tom’s rendition of our theme song, “In the Cafeteria with You” that brought back memories of our first road trip together and our celebrations through the years.