Camino prep prep

Posted on August 29, 2025 by sheraaaa

*Carrie and I got out of town last weekend.*

I’ve had some learning moments during my Camino planning.

First, I had intended to wait to book most of my lodging until I got there and discovered how my body was doing, but the scarcity mindset set in, and I became worried that most bookable options would be booked, especially since I’m using a luggage transfer service. So I went ahead and planned out the whole 170 miles and choose mostly hostels (or albergues) with a few hotels here and there so I would be assured a good night’s sleep and some quiet on occasion. But 170 miles in two and half weeks means I’m going to be walking some long days. Can I do it?

Then I went to book the luggage transport service to each spot, figuring the more I did from home, the less I would have to do there when I am faced with my body and the miles, so I looked at three different services: Caminofacil, Tuitrans, and Pilbeo. Many of the places I had booked didn’t show up on their ready made list of delivery spots! Arrrg. One service said I should change my plans to places that did show up on their list, but another said I could contact the lodging, get some info, and pass it back to them, and they would make it happen. So I went with those guys. I went with the flexible peeps who would have my back. And as I worked through the list yesterday, I discovered a lot of my lodging WAS on their list….their list being a hodge podge of addresses and names that sometimes didn’t match the exact title of the hostel, thus the confusion. Whew. It was more work than I had planned, but good to note if you plan to hike the Camino in the future and use luggage transport. Start your booking process with the transportation folks and book from their list.

In other news, I got my chemo port removed this week! Woot! If you haven’t seen a chemo port before, picture a quarter-sized, no, maybe a bit larger… a half-dollar-sized round disk that’s about a quarter inch thick implanted beneath your skin between your collar bone and your breast. It can be on the left or right side; mine was on the right, closer to the lung tumor. It has three raised bumps on the surface, so the skin tightens around it and looks a bit alien. A tube comes off it and is threaded through a vein in your neck so that sometimes people will say, “What’s that in your neck?” When it’s time for chemo, I lather the thing up with lidocaine cream and put a bandage on it before going to the hospital. The lidocaine will numb the skin, and the nurses use a special needle to puncture the skin and port….the three dots guiding them in like the lights on a runway. The tubing is taped to the skin for the multiple courses of drugs that will be injected directly into your vein that day. It saves your arms from being destroyed by the chemo. My chemo was the kind that only needed to be injected once a month, but others get it daily or weekly. So getting this thing removed is a big step towards living with active cancer in my past.

When talking with the doctors during the removal, they asked how long I had had it in, and how long my treatment was. All of their eyes got wide when I said I got the port in January, the chemo lasted until April, and I reached “no evidence of disease” by July. “Wow!” they said. “That’s fast!” I know, I quipped back. “And I had tumors from head to thigh! 27 just in my brain!” It seems surreal to say it even now. How did I get better so fast? Is my body really that responsive to the chemicals and radiation? To the diet changes, supplements, love, and positivity from all of you? I feel like I’m a Radical Remission example, except to get that moniker, you need to have been in remission for three years. I’ve been in remission for one month. I have a ways to go, but I’m off to a good start!

Lets see, what else does the Portugal prep prep look like?

I walked 9 miles the other day, that’s training!

How about my current iteration of a gear list:

In the roller carry-on (transported each day)
	Neck pillow (for the plane – that red-eye on the way over will be killer)
	Inflatable pillow (for the hostels – works well to get proper neck alignment at night)
	Silk sleeping bag liner (again…hostel beds)
	Feathered Friends 40-degree Flickr Quilt
	Stick roller (I’ve carried one of these since my 2022 AT hike after a 6-month bout with planter fasciitis)
	Nylon grocery bag (small/packable)
	Extra zip-locks of various sizes
	Wise Pilgrim “The Camino Portugues” guidebook
	First Aid kit
	A few magazines (Harpers & Atlantic)
	Chacos (some days of walking I’ll want to wear these)
	Tech
	Travel plug adaptor
	Tablet/mouse adaptor
	Mouse (for all that writing I’m going to do in the hostels!)
	Clothes
	Non-hiking clothes (depends on the room left in the suitcase -pants/jeans? t-shirt?)
	Few pair of underwear & bra (shout out Bend brand Branwyn!)
	2 pairs socks (I’m looking at you ToughCutie)
	Merino wool pants (for sleeping & when cold outside)
	Toiletries
	Shampoo & Conditioner
	Small chunk of soap
	Bar soap container (small plastic something)
	Contact case/solution
	Glasses
	Toothbrush & paste
	Floss
	Medications (oh, still so many medications)
	Travel towel (probably my pagna from Burkina Faso)
In the Lumbar Pack each day
	Passport
	Paired down wallet
	pen
	Notebook
	Phone (with Airalo e-SIM)
	Wise Pilgrim Camino App
	Caltopo App (I made my own map of the route and my nightly stays)
	Tablet & keyboard
	Small Power Bank for phone
	Headlamp (only if I start walking early…you know, there will be sunrise-on-the-beach walks!)
	Ear buds
	Sunglasses
	Chap stick
	Sunscreen
	Umbrella (in suitcase when not raining)
	Waterbottle
	1 Liter water bladder (for extra if I need it)
	Ziplocks (in case of rain)
	Small first aid
	Daily medications
	Epi pen (I’m allergic to wasps…like anaphylaxis allergic)
	Sharpie
	Pstyle & Wander Woman Wipe
Clothes to wear each day
	Hat (not sure which one yet)
	Purple Rain Adventure skirt (I designed the logo!)
	Black spandex shorts
	Tank top (not sure how hot it will be)
	Long-sleeved shirt
	Warm Synthetic Jacket
	Wind Shirt (in suitcase when not needed)
	Raincoat (in suitcase when not raining)
	Rainpants (in suitcase when not raining – I usually wear a trash-bag rain skirt, but I figured this was front-country the whole time, I’ll be more civilized!)
	Altras (I’ve never really worn them before, but they are light and I don’t need the ruggedness of my usual Oboz)
	Orthotics (In case you didn’t know, I’m old)
	Socks
	Warm hat (in suitcase when not cold)
	Mittens (in suitcase when not cold)

So there you have it folks! Next up: more walking.

Life Update 8/21

Posted on August 21, 2025 by sheraaaa

I returned to PCT Days last weekend….things started going wrong just after PCT Days last year…I’m still chairing the Oregon Trails Coalition, so was helping to spread the **Fund Trails** message with my friend Matt Ruddy from Trailkeepers of Oregon. Speaking of…we are collecting trail stories from people all across Oregon as part of a campaign to celebrate the many ways trails show up in our lives—and why they deserve ongoing public funding and support. **What’s your trail story?**

I know I’ll be feeling the echoes of my Dad’s passing for quite a while, and paired with my healing journey, it’s even more of an imperative to get out on the camino to walk out a lot of these emotions. Walking is the way I process the world, walking and writing together are the ultimate…so I’m excited that I have both on the horizon.

Back to the world of cancer stuff, I’m on the maintenance schedule now that includes monthly labs and meetings with my oncologist. I got my labs done this week and it still shows low white blood cell counts and low platelets…these are side effects of my daily cancer med, so it’s to be expected, but it also means that my immune system isn’t as robust in defending my system from infection, but I started a new treatment regimine this week, prescribed by my naturopath oncologist: Mistletoe!

Yep, it’s the christmas kissing plant, or in my case, an immune cell super-power upgrade. Here is what mistletoe will do for me:

Help my immune system to recognize and destroy tumor cells by activating tumor-killing cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells and natural killer cells. As cancer progresses, cancer cells mask themselves from the immune system by hiding their cell markers. Mistletoe helps to reverse this progress, exposing cancer cells to the immune system.
Blocks the ability of cancer cells to build new blood vessels
Repairs DNA of cancer cells, making them less aggressive
Damages cancer cells’ cell membranes and structure
Promotes immune destruction of cancer cells
Blocks production of proteins that promote growth in cancer cells
Blocks ability of cancer cells to invade new tissues
Anti-inflammatory, modulates pain response

The fun part? Giving myself shots. The treatment comes in self-administered injections several times a week, and since the medication doesn’t have to be refrigerated, it should be all good to take to Europe with me in a few weeks.

So I have this new med, and when I return from Portugal, I’ll start another new med, Zometa, which is an infusion that I’ll get every three months to strengthen my bones. The internet tells me that Zometa is a bisphosphonate medicine that alters bone formation and breakdown in the body. This can slow bone loss and may help prevent bone fractures. So this will help me recover from the swiss cheese effect of the cancer growth on my bones, and it will be doubly useful because I am hovering around menopause, which also can lead to osteoporosis. I’ve been advised to avoid high-impact activities because of my increased fracture risk, and not that I’m going to suddenly start racing motocross or anything, but I’m hopeful this will lessen the risk if I do try things this winter like cross-country skiing. I’m probably still going to avoid downhill skiing for now (sob).

So even though I don’t have any active cancer, I’m still seeing doctors like it’s my job. Maybe this will lessen with time? Maybe? Because I’m on monthly labs and periodic scans and my medication is delivered by timed doses each month, this means I really can’t be away from home for more than a few weeks for the foreseeable future, and when I come off my anti-seizure drug this winter, I won’t be able to drive for three months! It’s hard to see a return to normal; this is a new normal.

Speaking of the new normal, I’ve been having trouble wrapping my head around how to live my life now and how to make decisions now. I am in that in-between place where I don’t know what going forward looks like. In my immediate future, I have Portugal, but after that???

I had started accepting that this may be the end, that it may be my last year or so, so I decided to live hard right now and do all the things. But when I got the scan this summer showing me that I didn’t have any active cancer at the moment, suddenly I could see a longer life… a future longer than a year at least, so does that mean I start saving for retirement again? Can I even entertain the possibility of retiring? All the while, I still need to make it to 5 years…and the odds aren’t quite in my favor, but then again, I’ve always excelled at exceeding the odds and have had good luck trusting the world. Do I stop planning and live now? Or plan just the next year and go big?? Or do I plan to be alive in 10 years? 5 years? 3 years? Do I start my business again? But I’ve also always wanted to write a book, so why not give that a shot when I have time (or maybe not)?

I don’t know friends. I guess I’ll start by going on a long walk.

Portugal Prep

Posted on July 29, 2025 by sheraaaa

Kirk and I took a day hike up to the base of 3 Finger Jack last weekend. It may look extreme, but this point is only 2ish miles from the trailhead! The worst part was driving up the washboarded dirt road, which was much harder on my neck than the hike.

I mentioned my intention to hike some of the Camino de Santiago thru Portugal in one of my last posts, and now, buoyed by all the good health news, I’m making it happen…and all of a sudden, the trip is soon, very soon (like September soon!)

I’ll be writing here daily while I walk, and now my time is filled with logistics like:

Whats up with the whole luggage transport system? Since my back/neck/shoulders still can’t support a pack I’ll be paying to have my roller carry-on bag transported each day. There are several companies that offer the service, and you only need to book 48 hours in advance, so that leaves room for serendipity…especially important because I don’t know how many miles per day my body will tolerate yet.
How do I book hostels, hotels, or auberges? Fortunately, many of these lodging options leave half their beds open for first-come walkers….In the day and age of cell phones and reservations, that is amazing, and again leaves some time for the hike to evolve as I see how the miles are feeling. I do have the first three nights booked, though.
Visa? Not needed
Money? Debit and credit cards will work, although I’ve had to check the international fees for both…since my trip is relatively short, just a few weeks, it sounds like getting cash from ATMs along the way will be an advisable way to go
Gear? I’m experimenting with a few different lumbar packs to carry things like a raincoat, umbrella, snacks, and water…I used the Gossamer Gear Piku this past weekend on a day hike, and loved how light it was, although the larger capacity (nine liters) means I can still put too much weight in it, like I did for a walk around town this week 😬. I have a Mountainsmith lumbar pack on order to try, although it comes off the shelf much heavier at 1.56 lbs vs the Piku at 8.9 oz.
Blogging? I thought I would bring my Surface tablet with keyboard to write at cafes along the way, but on my hike around town, it seemed heavy in the pack…I could just type on my phone like I do on regular backcountry hikes…we’ll see. I’ll take some more hikes with it and decide later.
Language? I’ve been taking some Portuguese lessons on Duolingo, but a big portion of the way will be in Spain (about 100 miles vs 70ish in Portugal), and I don’t have time to get good at two languages. Anyway, I hear English is pretty prevalent, and I can always rely on Google translate.
Sleeping? Since I’ll be in a bed each night and can transport whatever fits in my roller carry-on, I’m planning to bring my 40-degree feathered friends quilt, an inflatable pillow, and a silk liner for the beds. I hear i will need to be alert for bed bugs, so I am getting versed I need what to look for.
Food? It will be quite an urban experience, so I’ll have cafes and restaurants all along the way. I will also probably take advantage of grocery stores and hostel kitchens to buy and make my own meals…as for eating restrictions, I’m going to be a bit looser with my diet and eat what is fresh and authentic…I want to immerse myself in the experience, and if that means an occasional glass of wine or pastry with lunch, so be it!
Navigation? I bought the Wise Pilgrim guidebook and app, and I also made my own data book in miles vs kilometers, and have the route uploaded onto Caltopo, which I’ll use on my phone too.

There will be other questions that come up as I’m putting this trip together, and I’ll probably post once or twice more to share that with you. I’ll also post my gear list and anything else you might find interesting. Have other questions? Leave a note in the comments!

I see this as the first of many Camino-style hikes I plan to take since my body is different now, and as I’ve mentioned to some of you, I see developing these type of hiking opportunities for the less-able bodied or people who simply want to eat good food and sleep in beds as a potential pivot for my business once I’m able to start working again. Exciting!

*Testing out the Gossamer Gear Piku lumbar pack.*

Cancer Update June 26

Posted on June 26, 2025 by sheraaaa

Every day is a gift.

With so much uncertainty these days – both with my illness, my dad’s illness, and in the world – it seems the most logical thing to do is to focus on each day. What in the day makes it a success? What is there to be grateful for? It’s as if the most cheesy sentiments are my mantras these days…and they keep me going.

I’m halfway across the country right now, down in Lafayette, Louisiana, visiting my parents for a few weeks.

*This is the first time in years that my three brothers and I have been with my parents in the same place at the same time; it has been a wonderful visit.*

Before I left Bend, I had a barrage of doctors’ appointments, and once again, things are promising! The neck surgeon gave me the best news of all, my neck (a constant source of concern and soreness) is healing well, although I’ll probably have the neck soreness for the rest of my life . But the collapsed C7 vertebrae hasn’t progressed, so I have the go-ahead to start increasing movement.

I just have to use pain as my guide.

Easy to say, let pain be your guide… I won’t know it’s too much until the pain comes on, but there is hope in that guidance as well. He said the only things I need to avoid are axial loading activities, like standing on my head, and I can safely say I will be doing no such thing! I’m even starting to consider putting on an empty day pack and slowly adding weight over time. If I can walk with a day pack, the world seems much more doable…and my plans of a Camino journey even more likely.

The best outcome from these doctors’ appointments was the clearance to walk a section of the Camino this fall. More to come on that as I start to put that trip together, but I will be heading to Portugal for a few weeks in September! I’m thrilled at the prospect of stretching my legs along the coastal path, all with a bed to sleep in each night, coffees and cafes along the way, and meeting people from all over the world. Yes, I’ll be going solo, and I’m excited about the prospect of trusting the world in this next journey. I’ll be blogging daily again on that trip, it will be just like old times!

I’ve been sharing my story with a wider audience too. The National Brain Tumor Society asked to feature my writing on their blog, so they put together a wonderful little feature from my blog this year.

How a Hiker’s Life Changed Overnight: A Metastatic Lung Cancer Story

Then I did a podcast interview with Hikertrash Radio about my journey as well:

I’ve done countless podcast interviews in the past, and you can listen to a previous one I did with Hikertrash Radio here:

For even more podcasts check this out.

What else is new? I did my first water aerobics class yesterday, and wow, am I sore! I had to modify my moves in the pool…too much jumping is still quite jarring to my spine…so I slowed my roll as needed with the lovely older ladies that were in class with me. My cousin Amy helped me get a pass to her pool because I quickly found that going for a walk in July in Louisiana was WAY TOO hot and humid for a comfortable jaunt. I either have to get up before the sun or head to the pool for any exercise while I’m down here.

I have a busy, busy schedule when I get back to Oregon. A ton of doctors’ appointments await me, including a full body PET scan…cross your fingers for me that all my tumors are still getting smaller! Then it’s Kirk’s birthday, a visit from my Aunt Barbara, a Burkina Faso Peace Corps Reunion, a trip to see some friends in Eastern Oregon, PCT Days in Cascade Locks, and maybe even a trip to the Oregon coast. It may be too much, but I like to be optimistic and ambitious, so we’ll see! All the while, I need to ramp up my miles so I have hope of hiking 5-10 miles a day on the Camino in September.

I’m taking each day as it comes, but also giving myself things to look forward to. And I have so much to look forward to!