ZM, Cancer, and the Damnable Shame of it all

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Messages 21 - 40 of total 90 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Ian Gill

Big Wall climber
Redding, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 4, 2012 - 03:29pm PT

I was going to leave on the 14th, fix 2 on the 15th, haul gear to the base and blast on the 16th (Saturday)
JEleazarian

Trad climber
Fresno CA
Jun 4, 2012 - 03:35pm PT
I feel awful offering only support but no tangible help, since I'm still in injury recovery mode.

What an inspiring post and thought! My prayers and best thoughts are with you.

John
mucci

Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
Jun 4, 2012 - 03:36pm PT
I can carry loads for you on that weekend Ian.

PM me if you decide to follow your heart.

Best wishes Bro!
nature

climber
CO
Jun 4, 2012 - 03:37pm PT
We could take up a beer fund collection for the porters that meet him on top. Doesn't seem right to have a guy that gave up booze foot the bill for the beer. Also doesn't seem right that said porters don't get beer.
Ian Gill

Big Wall climber
Redding, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 4, 2012 - 03:42pm PT

Man who gave up booze would buy beer - I've already got to give Tom some Cobras at the bridge as it is!
RDB

Social climber
wa
Jun 4, 2012 - 03:44pm PT
Hey Ian,
Floored when I read your post. Glad you came to the "right" decision. Just got the "clean" read myself from Stage 4. My thought since day one was "it will enhance me, not define me".

But it is the gift that keeps on giving isn't it? Enjoy every nano second on El Cap my friend. I hope to be right behind you!
Dane
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Jun 4, 2012 - 03:51pm PT
**SUPERTOPO SEZ F*#K CANCER!!**
Ian Gill

Big Wall climber
Redding, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Jun 4, 2012 - 03:53pm PT

Right on, Dane - my thought was always "Cancer will never kill me". Oddly enough, though I've lost my mother, father, and sister - all to cancer - in the last 6 years. But I was the one to survive, for whatever reason. So when I got the diagnosis again, it was like "Again? REALLY?"

Life goes on!
climbera5

Trad climber
Sacramento
Jun 4, 2012 - 04:02pm PT
Don't live with regret. Do it while you can and you can write a best seller when you conquer both. God speed!
Double D

climber
Jun 4, 2012 - 04:05pm PT
Ian...my prayers and best wishes for a successful recovery on that whole cancer deal. Also congratulations on your daily victories ...keep it up.

As for the Captain ... she's made 'o stone mate so no worries she'll be waiting .

Dave

Gagner

climber
Boulder
Jun 4, 2012 - 04:06pm PT
Hey Ian -

Glad to see you get this off your chest - bummed me out when you told me about it a few weeks ago.

You're strong and motivated. You've got lots of support from your friends on the Taco, and elsewhere.

I know you will do this, and have a blast. And then beat this F#$@@r, again!!

Call me any time bro.

WOO FRICKIN HOO!!!

Paul
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Jun 4, 2012 - 04:07pm PT
You sound like a helluva guy. My best wishes to you and remember we're all waiting for a TR.
climbski2

Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
Jun 4, 2012 - 04:30pm PT
Who knows what the future holds.

Ahh hell what's the worse that happens.

Which is worse?

A. You go for it..You get a little xtra tired.. get a few pitches up and it dosn't happen for you..

B. You don't go for it.. and you never come back.. mebbe cause of cancer ..maybe just cause life is a busy thing?

Seems a lot more risk not going for it in my way of thinking.

heh the positive side of negative thinking?

Course there is this great scenario..

You go for it.. it kicks your ass a bit but you pull it off. You go home and then you kick the sh#t out of cancer. You make a million dollars selling the story and they make the greatest climbing film evah!! :)(better than Padula's El'Capitan)

Cause f*#k Chemo can't be worse than soloing a wall... can it?
zBrown

Ice climber
mercenario de merced
Jun 4, 2012 - 04:51pm PT
You've come such a long way Ian and even further to go. There's no stopping now, you've already more than proved that you can. Everybody here agrees. The doctors say to go. Just pin them down something for your kidney so your physical energy level stays up there with your psychic.


Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.


My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.


He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.


The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

BASE1361

climber
Yosemite Valley National Park
Jun 4, 2012 - 05:36pm PT
Sorry to hear this Ian.

If there was one last thing to do or place to be I'd get there. Your friends and family support you. You have an outlook on life that many people in this world don't get a chance to see and maybe never will.

There's always hesitation at the exit point. It's part of why we do all this madness. Same with climbing my friend. You know once you commit and step off into the void that it's one of the most blissful places in time to be.

Climb El Cap

1361
wayne w

Trad climber
the nw
Jun 4, 2012 - 05:54pm PT
Hi Ian,

So sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I know that the road ahead will be rocky, but from where I am sitting that is all the more reason to get up there. The power and positive energy that will be flowing through you prior to, during and after that ascent will be magic that you will want on your side while going through your treatment.

I did have a large melanoma removed once that would have killed me had my surgeon not gotten it when he did, but have been lucky otherwise, personally, when it comes to the big C. I have dealt with Paralytic Polio at 9 months, Post Polio Syndrome for 40 years, cars running into me and leaving me much the worse for wear, as well as two assaults that left me seriously injured. After the second one, in 09, I took two and a half years off climbing to recover. My first climb since was on May 17th, when I jugged El Cap for the 15th time in 23 1/2 hours, up Zodiac. My 6th IAD of the Captain plus a 29 hour lap up ZM in 02. Getting ready for a return to the Diamond in July for my fifth time up that proud alpine stone. Though I'll be 60 this year, and after the car that crushed my right foot when it hit me on my m/c in 08 I have to use two poles and my left leg almost exclusively to get around, I feel like the luckiest man alive. I don't think I'd feel quite the same way were I to have given up on this crazy dream somewhere along the way.

Though I obviously can't help out with carrying bags for you, I'll be sending you good thoughts and positive energy
bergbryce

Mountain climber
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Jun 4, 2012 - 06:02pm PT
This is heart wrenching. I tip my hat to you for conquering these incredible difficulties. You've got my positive support 100%.

I've got finals coming up, but if I was somehow in the Valley that weekend I'd be happy to haul a load to the base or from the top.

Bryce
A5scott

Trad climber
Chicago
Jun 4, 2012 - 06:50pm PT
Cancer can suck it. Get out there and do it! I think the best way to beat cancer is to never give up on your dreams, and keep on keepin on, until we are hanging out in that mighty Portaledge in the sky. Keep positive and focused on your goals, stay happy and you win every time.
Prayers and mojo sent. Wishing you all the best and I'm so looking forward to your trip report!
Scott
Hannes

climber
Jun 4, 2012 - 06:58pm PT
Good luck and all the best! Had I been anywhere near I would gladly have helped carry
shipoopoi

Big Wall climber
oakland
Jun 4, 2012 - 07:59pm PT
ian, i hope it works out for you and you get to climb el cap. all my best to you, steve schneider
Messages 21 - 40 of total 90 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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