No Stomach, No Problem

I have a bad a$$ gene that I am always trying to out bad a$$…a difficult task. In January of 2024 after a routine screening I found out I had a large tumor in my stomach, additional tests indicated it had likely spread to at least one lymph node. I was lucky to have a trial in my area that enabled me to get immunotherapy despite my diagnosis being under stage 4. Immunotherapy only has a 40% chance of working on stomach cancer patients. Fortunately by surgery on March 26 I was headed for a complete response and my pathology report returned 100% clean with 0/32 nodes showing cancer. I was so lucky to return to running 4 miles almost everyday just 3 weeks post op and lead climbing big wall 65’ over hung big walls clean at 6 weeks. I lost 20 lbs I didn’t have to lose right after surgery. Which ironically despite muscle wasting made me a much stronger climber and a few months post op I onsited my first big wall over hung 5.11 on lead. I was so thrilled to be able to return to outdoor climbing adventures in the fall of 2024. The best was climbing at Red River Gorge for 4 days of extreme fun which we topped off at The Solarium in Muir Valley warming up leading Air Ride Equipped 5.11. Thank goodness for my incredible surgical team, advances in medicine like immunotherapy that enabled me to literally go right from treatment to climbing, my incredible family & friends and my crazy climbing addiction that kept me so freaking fit @56 that surgery that qualifies you for disability actually enhanced my athleticism! I owe so much mental & physical health to this sport. I hope my story gives hope to others & let’s send vibes that cancer effing decks! Hugs to all who suffer 💜 🧗‍♀️ 🤗