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This is Juno Beach in Dieppe present day, and the day after landing. My dad was a Red Cross medic, didnt carry a gun, he was captured not far from here in France. He spent two years in a prison camp. After I became a firefighter I understood why he never talked about the war. I never talked much about my job after either. On landing 90% of these boys never made it past the beach and when you look at their scared faces you can see many never even made it past 17. Proud to be a Canadian here. These men fought for your freedom, never forget their sacrifices. A song of honor: https://youtu.be/K8UeWzOfiqo 
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I spent the last few months on the very edge again walking with the reaper, battling cancer for the third time. Strike three, but I am not out. Another firefighter career caused cancer. I was no longer really afraid, just very sad. I won again this inning, it tried to sneak up but we caught it early!!!!! It fought me this time with the deadliest cancer, that kills more people every year than any other. I would have thought after I just swam Alcatraz, finished a full Ironman and beaten it twice before it would have given up. Now it sadly lies in a jar of formaldehyde, waiting to be disected by a pathologist miles from my home. I hope to never see it again ! The surgeon was so inspired, he is running the Vancouver Marathon with me on May 3. Right after, I will cross Canada with my fantastic dedicated film crew, and the signed Canadian flag I carried around the world for the final filming before the movie releases. Likely November 29 2020 at the Dunbar theatre, then premier then globally in a theatre near you. I assure you the film will insire you to help others and overcome hardships..You are all invited to the premier. The people that supported me, gave me a food, a bed, a donation, the poor sick people I left at the cancer clinic yet again, even the ones that broke important promises to me, you are forgiven, forgive me...life is too short ask me! The sick people that will never leave the hospital made me so sad when I left (for good).There is an incredible transformation of senses and appreciation leaving the sterile antiseptic hospital environment Colors are more vivid, the cool wind in the air on your face, the sunsets, even the sounds of the birds, so crisp and clear ... every breath is a gift! . .Thank you God, or the universe or the power that we likely don't even understand, that grants one the gift of life. I intend on carrying on my journey of inspiration, and don't intend on wasting any breaths  My favourite meditation spot on my bike route. I go there at noon each time for lunch break and meditate every Sunday. Even if it rains. The ocean air clears the mind to help it through my next cancer challenge .  Never Forget 9/11 As I battle my tumor, I think of the 202 firefighters and 241 NYPD officers have died in event related illness since then. I think of countless other firefighters with work related cancer. My high school friend that beat lung cancer inspired me, and offered me lunch after my battle. Others I so wish I could just see, but I cant. Peace! On that day Sept 11 343 - NYFD 60 - NYPD 8 - EMT's and 1 NY city Patrol man all went to work and never came home again. 2996 people lost their lives.On shift change that day at my fire station none of us went home. In this pic Assistant Chief Gerard A. Barbara looks up at the burning towers. Moments later he would go in, never to return. All gave some...some gave all.  My poor body has had some of the most painful medical treatments and tests known to man. Needles, surgery, chemo, radiation etc. I never gave up hope and stayed positive, even though my film may make you cry a bit. Almost everyone in my life past and present will be in the film, even the ones that left my life. But my annual follow up tests are the worst. Not the tests or waiting for results, its the poor people in the clinic. The new ones that cry, the seasoned ones looking at the floor with no hair, frail and weak, and the poor children. No discrimination in cancer. I am healthy, I can leave, they cant. I feel so bad leaving to go out to a bright sunny day, cars driving people laughing busily hurrying along. Ignoring the fact that inside that building its not sunny at all its raining. Please be thankful every day for your health, because it may just keep you out of there ! I sat under this magical tree a lot in beautiful Jericho Park on the ocean, when the Doctors thought I might die 15 years ago. Sorry Docs I lived .... a lot. I pictured the trunk as big tough knots in life that eventually found their way into long beautiful branches. Since then, I have sat here with a few people that had big tough knots in their lives with relationships etc. I listened, meditated and held them when they cried. I miss them. They eventually branched out beautifully. Headed to Kona for World Championship.! Am I bugging you.......I dont mean to bug you. Bono   Rough Water Swim: West Vancouver to Kitsilano Beach: Monday August 5 @ 7 am.
9.5 km across Vancouver’s English Bay. And it’s not an easy 9.5 km swim! This race is a significant undertaking both physically and mentally. Tides and weather within the Bay can significantly increase the distance and time you are required to swim. Water temperature can vary over the course depending on the season; swimmers should expect and be prepared for temperatures between 12 °C in the channel and up to 22 °C near the finish. Enjoying Whistler's famous mountain size giant date bars. After months of training, eat, sleep, repeat, I'm following my sports medicine Doctors orders. The final week before Ironman, eat, eat, eat a lot more, ride and swim a bit and sleep. my favourite is the prescription to eat a cheesebeger 90 km into the 180 km ride segment in the race. It has all the protein, fat and carbohydrates needed and it worked last year. Atletes will burn up to 10,000 calories. My motivation to finish is: possibly a Kona world champs race entry, the whole day after race at Skandinav spa and massage booked. Then a week on Alta lake, after the boys of summer have gone with paddle team friends just relaxing and eating . Watch for us next year on The Amazing Race going for the grand prize! |
My JourneyI am a fire captain and cancer survivor. Current LocationIn memory of the
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