Pre-Op

Jon's pre-op appointment is in a week and a half. In the meantime, he is enjoying life without daily trips to the hospital. Hiking, biking, running, and pacing the house fill his days... Given this cancer is very rare, it is ironic that the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, is battling it as well.

Megatron

"Megatron" is the name of the machine that treats Jon's primary tumor. This four million dollar machine can be seen here. For the last three weeks, Jon has driven to Kaiser Sunset 5 days/week for treatment. This is a rather "liturgical" season in his treatment plan; and it will come to a close in two weeks. Jon will then wait for his skin to heal and surgery will promptly follow. The surgery will include the removal of the primary tumor in his left gluteus along with adequate margins.

Four rounds of chemotherapy will follow surgery.

This is an incredibly long race, but Jon maintains a very positive attitude. He refuses to let the disease define him. Whether he is at the Mater Dolorosa Retreat Center in Sierra Madre or riding San Gabriel foothills, he is mindful of being still... even in the waves of anxiety...

And these little animals help keep it all in perspective....