Fessing Up

32 Comments
photo R Angert

It has been a busy and interesting and harrowing couple of weeks. And I have been largely absent because it took a while to sort things out. I thank Cris for so gracefully taking up the slack for the last few days. And there is a way forward and let me explain.

Well, first this all started with these headaches and hearing problem that I started having starting two months ago. At first I thought it was an infection and I obtained some antibiotics to try and deal with that but the symptoms continued and I went to a chiropractor that Wiley uses and he actually gave me a lot of relief because my neck was so kinked up that it was contributing. But ultimately the symptoms continued and My Rebecca got me to mention it to Nugget (Dr Gold my oncologist). He immediately ordered a MRI brain scan.

That scan was accomplished last Monday and within hours I was hearing that I had a tumor under my right ear. It is inside my skull, in the skull bone and outside the skull. This all sounded pretty darn scary as you can imagine. I shared that with My Rebecca and our son and daughter without knowing any more. Then Wednesday My Rebecca and I went into the hospital to talk with the Cyberknife department people. This is targeted radiation. We were much comforted after this meeting with the professionals.

It comes down to me showing up for five sessions between this Monday and the end of the month to get treated. It is a routine procedure these days and I was left with one “maybe”. That is whether the hearing in my right ear would survive all this. So there is that.

So, that is where we are for now. I just wanted to jump in and be with you and tell you that things have calmed down and that we have a way forward. Your prayers would be appreciated.

We are taking a “daycation” today and driving up to Port Hadlock to visit Terry Hershey and Nancy. It is a beautiful sunny day. I have a job to do my annual springtime ritual of finding my sunglasses. They seem to disappear permanently each October.

OK, enough of this loves, Felipé.

32 thoughts on “Fessing Up”

  1. I had a feeling something was up… you are as always in my prayers. Things always seem better with a plan whatever it is. Very very best wishes fir treatment

    K

  3. Oh Phil. I am sorry you are going through all this pain and anxiety. Hope it helps to know you have a whole slew of fans out here praying for you night and day. The prayer rug is out, and your name is on the refrigerator! That cyber knife stuff sounds promising–I have read so many good things about it. The wonders of modern medicine. That, and all our prayers and love, will get you through this, shining. Hope you find your sunglasses and enjoy your day in Port Hadlock. (First I wrote Port Haddock, but that didn’t sound right.)
    Cyberlove,
    Henriette Anne

    1. Ciao Felipe,

      Thank you for the update and for sharing this next part of your journey with us. You are supported, loved, and cared for by so many in this community that you have created! We are all blessed to call you our friend and you remain in our prayers.

      May the strength, wisdom, and insight you gained on and from from the Camino, along with God’s hand carry you on and through your current path.

      Love,

      Rho

  4. Daycation: Good Idea.
    Time to talk to Family and sort things out: Good Idea.
    Checking back in here and letting us know ( we mostly knew something was up I think): Good Idea.
    Thank you.

    I’m sorry about the tumor news, happy about the treatment you’re going to get.
    Of course you and R are in my thoughts every day and I wish I could be closer to dheck in face-to-face.
    I don’t know if it makes an everyday difference, but please know my heart is with you.

  5. LOVE YOU FELIPE! I am sharing this blog with the students (many who are on their way to becoming real Caminoheads) and if we see you Monday, wonderful, and if not, that is alperfect, too.

    Please know that you are in our prayers.

    BIG LOVE from all of us in Berkeley xoxoxoxox

  7. Thank you dear Felipe for sharing this news with us. It’s tough information to digest, for you, Rebecca and your family and for all of us who love you. Time to ramp up the support and prayers – there are a lot of us pilgrims walking with you, God as well. If there is anything that will lighten your load, don’t hesitate to ask. I hope your day-cation today to Port Ludlow is just the right medicine! xo

    1. ramping it up a hundred-fold and have the 20 wonderful students of Art & Pilgrimage 2021 (a diversity of wonderful folks on a number of pilgrimages and paths) on the case as we study Phil’s Camino this week…

      Love to you from Berkeley, Catherine – so glad that you are there for Phil, Rebecca, and family xx

  8. I have one at the left base of my skull,a bit too close to the brain and spinal cord for comfort.it is a Mycosis Fungoides plaque.i saw my consultant on Thursday,16th, and he was shocked how rapidly it’s spreading so I’m off to the Rare Lymphoma Clinic on the 6th of May and probably Full Body Electron Beam Radiation and Interferon Alpha which you have to inject.also a full body CT Scan soon to check if it’s, the Mycosis Fungoides, has set up home inside me.to cap it all the day I had my bad news a friend of my sister died from stage 4a(2) Mycosis Fungoides.really strange given how rare it is that she should have known somebody with it!good luck with your own struggle.Looks like I’ll be adding a PET Scan to my list of medical examination devices too,not that I really want to!,but I’ve never had that one only; X-rays, MRI, CT Scan and Ultra Sound.

  9. Dear boss,

    Thank you for being you and inviting us to your Tapas table no matter what.

    Togethernessing loves,
    Cris

  10. Hi Phil,

    Thanks so much for letting us know what is going on. I am so sorry for this latest challenge, but as you said, there is a way forward and you have a plan. And we know the One who walks with us, always. Lots and lots of prayers for healing and strength.

  13. Hi, Phil!
    I’m a student at the Jesuit School of Theology in Dr. Barush’s courses and had the honor of meeting you last semester via Zoom… was looking forward to being inspired again tomorrow. On the chance tomorrow isn’t looking good, may the Holy Spirit continue to accompany you on your pilgrimage(s) of love, hope and generosity.

    Anne Z.

  14. Hi, Phil!
    I’m a student at the Jesuit School of Theology in Dr. Barush’s courses and had the honor of meeting you last semester via Zoom… was looking forward to being inspired again tomorrow. On the chance tomorrow isn’t looking good, may the Holy Spirit continue to accompany you on your pilgrimage(s) of love, hope and generosity.

    Anne Z.

    1. Anne ~ at the moment it looks like I will be able to join you all this morning. I am looking forward to it. Felipé.x

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