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Cancer and The Grand Teton
Hey mags!
I haven't been on here in a bit, but wanted to share some fun stoke...
So, last July I was diagnosed with rectal cancer and it's been a hell of a ride. I was diagnosed at stage two, so it was caught relatively early (for a healthy 35 year old with no family history of cancer)
On the first day of chemo/radiation I was a little shocked to see this picture at the end of the hallway...
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Well, it's been almost a full year. I've done chemo and radiation, surgery to remove the tumor, ileostomy bag and chemo for 6 months, ileostomy take down surgery, infection, shitting my brains out, and now I'm exactly one month away from the eve of my summit! Oh yea, and no sign of cancer!
Super excited!
Should be a good crew too. Some good friends from my TGR days. Josh Nielsen, Aaron Hamby, Dave Hudacsko, Todd Jones, Brian McDonnell (who had the same cancer and treatment as I did.) and our Exum Guide is TGR photog Chris Figenshau.
I've been posting updates on caring bridge if anyone wants to read more about it.
Also on my instagram @tatemacdowell with the hashtag #TheMountainInTheHallway
Anyhow, thought I'd share a positive cancer story. I hope to have a pretty awesome trip report to share with everyone!
This is me training on the stairs at home in Cardiff, CA. I've been doing these for a year to get ready.
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