A trip is changed, then cancelled, and a new focus is created
by Boppa
In January 2010 we received our lottery choice/permit for Entry #47. We had determined that a trip to Gaskin would be very child friendly, especially after reading “Ducks” enjoyable trip report. Everything was proceeding nicely, and then we received a phone call from Jeff and Sara with wonderful news. Sara was pregnant and due September 12, a week after our planned trip. So we kid them about how even thinking about the BWCA puts them in a child bearing way as they are now two for two with trips and pregnancies at the same time. Because Sara cannot change her vacation, the trip with the 5 of us is scrubbed, our 1ST entry cancellation ever. My Bow partner and I go into planning “our” next trip, a bit disappointed but you plan around what you have control over.
For ourselves we chose Entry #64, East Bearskin Lake, in large part because we wanted to see the Johnson Falls that Spartan 2 so beautifully captured in her photos.
But another huge wrinkle unexpectedly entered the picture. At my wife’s annual physical a concern surfaced, which required further examination. Further examination led to the discovery of a cancerous tumor and major surgery was quickly scheduled and performed. Removal of the tumor was to be followed with both chemotherapy and radiation treatments over the next 6 to 7 months. The prognosis is guarded, but hopeful, however our planned late August entry into the BWCA was not to be, due to Doctor’s concerns. They were correct, as the chemotherapy treatments brought the issue of fatigue which we have addressed continuously.
Another purpose in writing this report is to hopefully encourage all to take care of ourselves by having a yearly physical. My wife had no symptoms that made her feel even slightly ill; she had two weeks earlier completed a demanding canoe trip in the Adirondacks without any side effects. Unfortunately, going so long w/o any symptoms for earlier detection can be one of the insidious aspects of the disease.