At 11:00AM on Friday April 24, 2009 my father, Ken, came in my office to tell me that his doctor had called and asked him to come into his office to discuss the results of his abdominal CT scan, which he had had the previous day.  My heart sank, and I knew immediately that something was badly wrong.  I told him I loved him, and asked if he wanted me to go with him, to which he said "no".  I was in a meeting with my brother Steve until 3:00PM, but was unable to concentrate due to the pall that I sensed I was about to be hit with.  As we walked back towards our offices, we talked about our worrry.  As we rounded the corner, my dad was in my office with his feet up on the desk.  He handed me a business card and said "this is my new doctor".  I saw the word "Oncologist", and my life was changed forever.  As he uttered the word pancreatic and liver, I wept uncontrollably.  After the tears, the hardest part was yet to come...telling my mom...

In the following days, I discovered the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.  They provided me with free information regarding treatment, nutrition, support, and research.  they never once asked for anything from me, they only gave.  But, this would not be possible without donations from people who care...people who want to make a difference...people like you.  I encourage you to discover what I have learned by visiting www.pancan.org, and to see for yourself the amazing work that they are doing to reach for the the seemingly IMpossible.

On September 13th, 2009, I am registered to participate in IronMan Wisconsin.  The race consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run.  I have been training for this event since March of 2009.  Ironman is a test of one's will, to summon one's spirit and heart to command the body to perform the IMpossible.  Pain goes with the territory.  And in this way, IronMan is a metaphor for life.  If in doubt, follow this link or click on the Youtube.com video to the left:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTn1v5TGK_w.  You can't make this stuff up...To learn more, go to:  http://www.ironmanwisconsin.com.

But, life must have purpose, and mine is to save my dad's life...and I can't do it alone.  I have the greatest fortune of friends and family to support me in this.  So, I ask, most humbly, to make whatever contribution you are capable of making, to assist others through this difficult diagnosis, to find hope, to find a cure, to make the IMpossible possible...

"When the world says give up, hope whispers try it one more time..."