“There is no better place” than being here, present in the moment, savoring the moments of our life “to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life,” as Thoreau said. That’s what we strived for on our trip together and what we strive for on life’s trail. We endeavor to live beyond our own condition, circumstances and struggles, and practice empathy and compassion for all. Dostoevsky stated, “To be a human being among people and to remain one forever, no matter in what circumstances, not to grow despondent and not to lose heart — that’s what life is all about, that’s its task.” Every member of the Sole 2 Soul for MPN™ team rises to the occasion of life and lives out this principle. Each has a powerful story of living beyond themselves because we know that beyond ourselves is where joy lies.

Whether hiking with an MPN or in support of patients with MPNs as doctors, advocates or caregivers, our team shared their personal and inspirational stories of resolute spirit, compassion, forgiveness, purpose and love. John, our trusted videographer embraces life despite stage 4 cancer. That’s powerful! That’s inspirational! Chad and Kym Wells, parents of Mason, shared his story, when as a young man he was maimed during the 2016 terrorist attack in Belgium. Mason forgave his attackers and is forging an amazing life of service. Their stories, along with so many others, wove along the trail, and their fighting spirit filled us with resolve: the stories of caregivers who live in solidarity with their spouses and parents; family members carrying out the work of those who have passed; and the stories of patients courageously “sucking the marrow out of life.” “Jersey” is the young woman, Brooke, whom I quoted at the beginning of this blog. “There’s no better place,” is a phrase that her father, who passed from cancer when she was just 17, said to her. It’s a mindset that is engraved on her heart and are words that focus my resolve.

I was blessed to be able to spend so much time talking with other patients about what it’s like to live with an MPN and know that we understood each other. From the symptomatic phase where people think you’re crazy or delusional to diagnosis, to treatment, to lifestyle, we understood each other. Their presence, resolve and optimism were the “life blood” of our hikes. The trail has trained my approach to life and hiking is an easy metaphor for life. Pack the essentials. The trail will meander, ascend and descend just like life. The trail will be dry, wet, muddy, icy, snowy, foggy, buggy, flat, steep, peaceful and sometimes precarious just like life. Miles are just a number like our age, they press on. We will stride, stumble and fall, but we move on. The sun will shine, rain and snow will fall, the wind will blow, we forge ahead. You might get lost, but you find your way back. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Enjoy the journey. Never hike for the end. It’s always an adventure. Be open to the experience, be silent and listen, absorb the vistas and rainbows, share the trail and the experience. Help others and accept help. We define our hikes just as we define our lives. Brooke nailed it when we were about to summit Carthew peak when she said “We are defining cancer! We’re not letting cancer define us!” I wrote last year that optimism and hope are disciplines that I cling to. Cancer does not define the Sole 2 Soul for MPN™ team. Optimism, hope, compassion, empathy, resolve, tenacity, camaraderie and joy define us.