in the 1970’s franklin bass version of the hobbit there is a song entitled the “greatest Adventure” I have it in several versions on my iPod and it is one of the songs I like too listen to when I get my rope all tied up in knots.  the line that the greatest adventure is what lies ahead, the chances, the changes are all yours to make, the mold of your life is in your hands to break.

So June 12th was the day of my surgery, a surgery that despite my doctor telling me that the procedure was going to be pretty simple because my tumor was in an easier to access space than it usually is, and was still encapsulated, still had me worried I would wake up missing a chunk of my pelvis; interestingly enough my body had attacked my tumor and the margins around it were for all intents and purposes dead tissue, they had thought this was the cause of my multiple infections, the jury is out on that. but I was happy to imagine vicious little white blood cells scorching the earth around it to make sure it had no where to go, my own little howling commandos if you will.  Well we all know how things went, found out I really am big boned, densely packed bone structure, I am also fairly resilient, I am proud to say evidently I am prickly and hard to eradicate.
a few minor scares brief as they were:
3 month follow up – resident saw a mass on the ct scan, got me all worked up, actual doctor came in, looked at the image, looked at the resident and said “that’s his testicle” proving that i have big balls.

Cellulitis came back in december, but then my vascular doctor and I were well prepared for this, i was more annoyed than anything else.

Monday, I turn 38, this birthday is mildly special because I can say I have reached it with a substantial portion of my original equipment.

the last 6 months were a time of reflection for me, a time to look at the grand vista of my life and see where I am headed.  there are a few things I need to change, I need to lose weight, get back in shape, I have not ruled out a tough mudder or monster dash in my future goals, but that will really be a “hey chris lets get a team together and do this, maybe in utilikilts” and not a My bucket list thing

I’m growing a beard, mostly because its freaking cold out and I kinda liked the grey tiger look from June.

i am shooting a lot more, because its fun, both firearms and camera, would like to do a lot more of both,

learned my bucket list is getting pretty empty, need new bucket list items,

so in closing, life is going well, I am thankful to everyone who donated to the GoFund me, as well as the calendar sales, your help made it easier for us to stay onto of our bills, it still boggles my mind insurance would cover a hot tub for therapy (did not get one) but balked at covering a second bone scan.

Anyhow, hope your 2015 is full of joy and happiness, keep your stick on the ice, and find a good song that you like and make it part of your soul.