Butterflies and Unicorns
First off, let me apologize for the long lapse in blogging. The last year has been a physical challenge as I've been treating my stage IV cancer. Huge props to my team at UC Health and CU Anschutz. I'm fortunate to be working with the same urology oncology department as Deion Sanders who announced this week that he's been treated and underwent a bladder transplant for bladder cancer. I'm the less famous patient.
You can imagine that blogging has been a low priority as I've been treated for my prostate cancer that's metastasized to bone. Last summer I underwent chemotherapy and for the last 18 months I have been treated with hormone deprivation therapy--think of cancer as a dinosaur and testosterone is the dino's food. Kill the food source to try and slow down Jurassic Park.
I'm not saying that my blogging days are over, but with my limited (low) energy, I have shifted focus to a new podcast. My daughter approached me with the idea of recording stories and conversation for prosperity and perhaps for grandkids someday to listen and watch (YouTube channel)
"The Butterfly Pavilion Podcast" hosted by my amazing daughter. We figured, why not turn it into a podcast. You'll have to give it a listen to understand why butterflies when everything with the blog has been all about the unicorn and the Boston Marathon; and subsequently long Covid advocacy since its' inception.
The feedback of the podcast has been overwhelming. A work colleague of 25 years emailed me this week and shared that he (very) recently discovered he was diagnosed with stage III multiple myeloma and an associated right lung mass. Devastating news, but he was touched by our podcast sharing, "Your daughter’s idea and connection are so special."
We both thought that (like my long Covid advocacy) perhaps my story and trying to find light in darkness might somehow touch or help someone with a similar experience. Don't get me wrong, that time between diagnosis in November 2023, and our first appointment in January of 2024, I had no idea if I had six months or six years to live--prognosis ultimately was 2-8 years but that's best effort medical prognosis.
I was devastated. Many sleepless nights and lots of tears. I can't say that I'm carefree but I try to listen to the inspiration of Nightbirde from America's Got Talent--she had an amazing outlook on life but ultimately succumbed to her cancer.
Anyway, we have released three podcast episodes thus far with "Purple Delight" coming out today (August 1, 2025.) Our goal is to provide updates on treatment but focus more on living life and telling a few funny or heartfelt stories along the way.
As always, you can keep in touch on the below socials as 140 characters are a lot easier that writing a full blog post--this summer has had a summer cold/sinus infection that's dragged on for two months that has really wiped me out. Cancer on top of long Covid is no joke, but we tell a few on our podcast.
Be well, and thanks for all the support and love.
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