Radiation treatment is officially over and while I miss the amazing team at the clinic, I am thankful to close that particular chapter of my life and now I can focus on completing my remaining chemotherapy treatment. While on a fairly aggressive chemo schedule, the plan is to take a new MRI sometime in December to see if the cancer is indeed recessing and winning the battle over my brain. What could possibly make for a better Christmas present than knowing that victory is mine?
Now it is extremely important to me that when I write about the side effects or pain that I may be experiencing with my treatments, I do so to be as authentic and transparent as I possible without trying to sound like I am complaining. While I know many of you are concerned for my health, family, and my full recovery. I DO NOT want you to stress about these areas of my life… I promise you that I can handle these uncomfortable days. My hope is that by sharing these setbacks from my own battle, you will better understand and empathize with those around you that may also currently be fighting for their life against this terrible disease. I am blessed with the grittiness of my Father (Roger Hughes) and empowered to push through even the toughest days by each and every one of you. So as is the Hughes Troop tradition… we will fight through the brightest and darkest of days TOGETHER with the most EMPOWERED ATTITUDE anyone has ever witnessed!
This last weekend was packed full of family, friends, and fun. After more than a year of planning, Saturday morning was the big Warrior Dash event. My priorities for the event changed dramatically since being diagnosed with cancer 3 months ago. At this point, my goal for the Dash was simply to prove to myself that I could finish the obstacle course. As I woke up early in the morning, I knew something was immediately wrong. My body ached like it has never hurt before. On a pain scale of 1-10… it was an alarming 11. Almost blinded by the pain, I stood up for the first time, my knees buckled and I immediately crashed to the floor next to my bed. At that moment I was scared for the first time since this whole journey began. I was able to get up on my feet and struggled just to get town stairs so I could take my medication. I was concerned that the pain or whatever was going on internally may create an ideal scenario for another seizure… thankfully that did not happen.
For the next hour the bones in my legs, knees and feet screamed for mercy and simple things like walking suddenly became a tremendous challenge. I thought about calling Tracy and not participating the Warrior Dash, but I just couldn’t allow myself to cave in mentally or physically. After eating, drinking water, and struggling just to walk 10 feet in my home, the pain began to subside (although a level 5 pain was present throughout the entire week). Thankfully the medicine began to kick in and everything changed the moment I drove into the parking lot and saw my wonderful friends rallying around each other and me. There was no way I was going to let them or any of you down. It was GAME ON!
If you haven’t seen the pictures from the Warrior Dash… check them out HERE. It was an absolute blast and we will be doing it again for sure next year. We are going to put another team together so let me know if you would like to run it with us and we would be happy to add you to the Hughes Troop Warrior Dash Team. Either way, you should attend and experience this event. It will be memory you will carry with you for a lifetime. The rest of that Saturday I spent resting up and watching the Oregon Ducks football game since the pain, sun, and exercise took a lot out of me for that day.
On Sunday, my friends had planned a Hughes Troop Warrior Car Wash to help raise money for my medical expenses. I want to personally thank Mikal, Laurie, Tony, Jordan, Sari, Tracy, Galo, Mark, Dennis, David, Annie, Brad, Melissa, and my 3 boys (who else?) who volunteered their personal time to help make the car wash a tremendous success. I was able to actively help wash almost every car that drove through. In addition to the random drivers stopping by for a quick wash, many of the Troops paid us a visit and were kind enough to let us wash your car. Your time spent driving out to see me and donating to our wash is greatly appreciated. It is a very humbling experience to admit that without the help of my friends and all of your selflessness, I would not be able to fight my battle as well as I have. What made the car wash even extra special for me is that my 3 boys were able to come out, help wash, hold signs, eat snow cones, and most importantly witness what happens when a connected and caring community comes together for a common goal. Those life lessons are hard to create on their own. Each of you continues to help create an impression on my children’s lives by your comments, photos of you wearing blue bracelets, and participation in the variety of events my friends have hosted on my behalf.
After such a hectic weekend, I plan on slowing things way down this upcoming weekend. I plan on spending a considerable amount of time with my boys, watching college football, playing basketball with them, catching a movie perhaps, and watching Nick play flag football with his team on Sunday. The weather should be much cooler and I think that will also help me sleep much better at night.
To end this update, I will share with you a quote that I absolutely love… “If you’ll not settle for anything less than your best, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in your lives.” - Vince Lombardi
Keep FIGHTING FORWARD!!
