Art Estopinan and his wife Olga welcomed a baby boy into their world. Arturo, Jr. looked like any other sweet infant. He laughed, he cried, he grew. But it soon became apparent that something wasn’t right.
Art and Olga Estopinan with their son at the Baltimore Aquarium, compliments of the Make A Wish Foundation
After much trial and error, Art Jr. would be diagnosed with TK2 or mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, which causes progressive muscle weakness. Motor skills such as standing, walking, eating, talking, vision and breathing can be effected. Research at Columbia University MedicalCenter was the first glimmer of hope for the family.
The impact of this rare disease diagnosis has changed their lives. Olga stopped working to become a full time mom and caregiver to her son. The family sold their home to move closer to doctors at Johns Hopkins who, in coordination with Columbia in New York, provided medical care to Art Jr.
But the Estopinans found that they were not alone. Other cases of TK2 were being diagnosed and their family became connected with others around the world, looking for answers to an incurable childhood disease.
If you’d like to support the Estopinan’s efforts to shed light on TK2, information on giving to Columbia Medical Center can be found here.
Art Estopinan on Love, Hope and TK2 on This Week’s Bump In The Road
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Sean Swarner is a real life inspiration and a walking example of what is possible.
At the age of 13, Sean’s life was irreparably changed when he was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma. He was given 3 months to live.
And then, a year later, a totally unrelated cancer, Askins Sarcoma, was diagnosed. This time he was given 14 days to live.
“The chances of me surviving both these illnesses is the equivalent of winning the lottery 4 times in a row with the same numbers.”
But he miraculously survived and this terrible bump in the road led to some amazing life insights that set him on a path that no one could have anticipated.
After spending some of his early college and young adult years chasing a range of possibilities from molecular biology and immunology to psychology, he realized he needed to take the time to look deep within to understand his relationship with cancer. School was not his path. He dropped out of a doctoral program to pursue a path that allowed him to use his mind and body together to do something that no one has ever done before: He decided to become the first cancer survivor to climb Everest. On one functional lung.
“I wanted to use Everest as the highest platform on earth to scream hope and give back to the cancer community.”
Climbing for cancer inspiration
View of Mount Everest and Nuptse with buddhist prayer flags from kala patthar in Sagarmatha National Park in the Nepal Himalaya
Sean went on to climb the highest peaks in Africa, Europe, South America, Australia, Antarctica, and North America, known as the 7 Summits. And he didn’t stop there. Sean went on to compete in Hawaii’s Iron Man Competition; he went to the South Pole; and the North Pole. On his North Pole expedition, he brought a film crew that captured the quest. Here is a trailer from True North: The Sean Swarner Story. The film is available on Amazon:
On this Bump In The Road with Sean Swarner, we talk about the importance of using our mind/body connection to achieve life goals; about the lessons one learns from Mother Nature; and importance of connecting with your own personal intrinsic motivators. And about Sean leading a CancerRoadTrip to Kilimanjaro. (Sign up below to know when we announce our 2021 trips.)
This is a terrific conversation with applications for everyone’s everyday life. Enjoy and be truly inspired!
Bump In The Road: Sean Swarner, Adventurer, Author, and Coach
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What is #CancerRoadTrip and how did it come to be? Read this post to get the backstory!
The New Mexico Restaurant industry has been hard hit by Covid-19. New Mexican establishments, from our local favorites to the high end, innovative cuisine of some of Santa Fe’s culinary stars, all have all been impacted.
New Mexico restaurants have been through a series of on again, off again closures dictated by the governor. First they were closed. Then 50% indoor occupancy was allowed. Then they were closed again, at the peak of the summer tourist season. Then outdoor dining at only 50% capacity during the hot days of summer, if you had an outdoor patio. Tents came into fashion, then the government found ways to fine even these attempts to stay in business.
Some areas had almost no corona virus. Other areas, only a light load. But the restrictions were sweeping, accompanied by fines of up to $5,000 per day and the revocation of licenses, even as official government data puts the survival rate at 99.7%.
The constantly changing governmental dictates and uneven impact across the state left many restaurants reeling. Food was wasted; people laid off. Suppliers had no one to supply. Many restaurants closed.
Then the state demanded two week quarantines for anyone entering the state. It advised near by Texans not to come and banned them from New Mexico State parks.
New Mexico was closed for business.
According to Yelp, from March to July, 687 restaurants in New Mexico have closed, at least 355 permanently.
New Mexico is a state of small businesses and the closures of “non-essential” business have decimated small local business owners and their employees. And among the industries hardest hit, are the area’s restaurants.
On this Bump in the Road, I’d like to welcome Carol Wight from the New Mexico Restaurant Association; Janice Argabright from the iconic Owl Bar and Cafe in San Antonio, NM; and Wayne Moore from Lescombes Family Vineyards as we discuss the state of the restaurant industry in New Mexico and where we go from here.
Two New Mexican Restaurants and a Vineyard
The Owl Bar & Cafe in San Antonio, New Mexico
The Owl Bar and Cafe is known far and wide for real, authentic New Mexican food. It is a New Mexican classic.
Located at a four way stop in San Antonio, New Mexico, this restaurant has been part of the New Mexican landscape since 1945. Their world famous Owl Burgers–a green Chile cheese burger– bring customers in from all corners of the earth. And for good reason! The crispness of the hand formed burger, the green chile (homemade daily), a bit of cheeses, tomatoes and lettuce on a perfect bun. This is green chile burger heaven!
Whether you are en route to Bosque Del Apache or Carrizozo, this cherished restaurant needs to be on your list of places to visit.
Inside the iconic Owl Bar & Cafe
Homemade Green Chile at the Owl Bar & Cafe
Lescombes Family Vineyards
Lescombes Family Vineyards winemaker Herve and sons Florent and Emmanuel
The Lescombes Family are sixth-generation French winemakers. With roots in the Domaine de Perignon winery in Burgundy, France, Hervé Lescombes was drawn to New Mexico where he now grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Moscato, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, and Chenin Blanc. Today his sons runs the day to day aspects of this business.
The Lescombes brothers have grown from a single vineyard to a regional restaurant presence which includes two D. H. Lescombes Winery and bistro locations in Alburquerque and Las Cruses; a tasting room in Deming; and Herve Wine Bar in Santa Fe.
The 400 acre vineyard is located 47 miles west of Deming at 4500 feet.
Sunset New Mexico Style
Bump In The Road: Saving the New Mexico Restaurant Industry
I hope you’ll find this week’s Bump in the Road interesting and informative. May it remind you to support your own local restaurants.
Part I with Carol Wight from the New Mexico Restaurant Association
Part II with Janice Argabright from the Owl Bar & Cafe in San Antonio, N.M. and Wayne Moore from Lescombes Family Vineyard
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What is #CancerRoadTrip and how did it come to be? Read this post to get the backstory!
Kandis Draw lives in Chicago, is a classically trained pianist and a lover of philanthropy. She is a member of the Aids Foundation of Chicago Associate Board, Gilda’s Club Chicago Associate Board, and is an active member on the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) Illinois Chapter, and the Curvicality Advisory Board, which is an online magazine which focuses on lifestyle, fashion, fitness and inspiration, all while promoting positive body imagery for plus-size women. She has written articles for NOCC National, Splash magazine, and recently published in Cancer Wellness Magazine. She was also featured on Ignite Hope, and Tina’s Wish.
Kandis Draw has worn many hats: daughter, writer, volunteer. When her mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she also became a caregiver. With two young siblings, ages 5 and 9, at home, Kandis stepped up, taking care of her mother as she went through cancer treatments, as well as raising her brother and sister and keeping some degree of normalcy in the house.
“It taught me a lot about life and how quickly things can change.”
Caregiving is a lonely role, especially for a young, single woman. A normal life is no more. No more job; no more days out with friends; no more carefree times. One of the lessons to come out of Kandis’ experience is to reach out for help and connect with others, sooner rather than later.
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What is #CancerRoadTrip and how did it come to be? Read this post to get the backstory!
Cynthia Toussaint is an inspiration. She is an author, health advocate and founder of ForGrace.org a not for profit that deals in issues related to chronic pain, gender bias in the medical system and the need to find health.
Our wide ranging discussion touches on diverse topics ranging from present moment awareness; positivity versus authenticity, particularly when dealing with illness; meditation and gratitude; NDE’s (Near Death Experiences); and taking charge of one’s health.
Cynthia Toussaint’s book, Battle for Grace
Cynthia Toussaint’s story, as detailed in her book, Battle for Grace, A Memoir of Pain, Redemption and Impossible Love, starts off with a twenty one year old Cynthia, a ballerina and performer, who has just landed a role on TV’s hit series Fame. Everything in this aspiring actress’ life is coming together. It’s what she’s wanted to do her entire life: perform.
But it doesn’t come together as planned, and what should have been an innocuous injury–a hamstring tear– turned into Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) which translated into decades of pain and isolation, navigating a medical system that discounted her experience at nearly every turn.
Cynthia with her husband, John Garrett
From this backdrop, Cynthia Toussaint talks about her life, lessons learned and her desire to live. The latter became so important when she was recently diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, a fairy grim diagnosis. Cynthia calls the diagnosis a wake up call. Listen to this fascinating woman tell a story of pain, redemption and impossible love.
Cynthia swam every day through 18 grueling rounds of chemo
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This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on these links.
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What is #CancerRoadTrip and how did it come to be? Read this post to get the backstory!
Inspiration, joy & discovery through travel. Oh, did I mention with supposedly incurable cancer?
What's on your bucket list?
Thank you for stopping by!
CancerRoadTrip is about making lemonade out of lemons.
As you read my story, you may want to start at the beginning to "grok" how CancerRoadTrip came to be. You can click here to start at the end (which is actually the beginning) and read forward! The posts are chronological, with the most recent posts appearing on the front page.
