Over the Christmas holidays I was shuffling between Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Bangkok, going to multiple medical appointments, and found out I have a rare form of cancer in my left eye — a choroidal tumor. Because of the size, I was told it could not be treated in Bangkok, and I have to go to the United States for treatment. After many back-and-forth emails and referrals, I will finally be seen at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, at the end of March.

The timing could have been better because my Medicare doesn’t start until April 1, leaving me with many costs to cover until my insurance kicks in. I have ten appointments scheduled over three days at the Mayo Clinic. At that time, I should have a better idea of where I stand medically. I would guess at this point I have about 20% of my vision in my left eye. I don’t know if they will be able to save the eye and what, if any, level of vision will be left. Beyond the initial treatment for the tumor in the eye, the Mayo Clinic will also be looking to see if the cancer has spread to any other areas of my body. I was told to expect to stay in Minnesota for one or two months.

If they can treat the eye they will do a plaque brachytherapy procedure where they take a gold plaque, embed radioactive bits, and surgically attach that to my eye for three to seven days to try and shrink the tumor.

Your donations will help with travel costs, lodging, rent, diagnostic tests, CT scans, ultrasounds, copays, down payments, and deductibles. I have always been a pretty independent person, but sometimes something like this makes it necessary to move beyond the norm and ask for help. Anything you’re able to give is deeply appreciated. If you’re not in a position to donate, sharing this page means just as much.

Most people who know me know I am in the middle of riding my bicycle around the world, and I am currently on break waiting for warmer weather to get back on the road. My hope is that this is one of those annoying blips in life — although a pretty big one — that delay or alter future plans. If I lose vision in my left eye or if the eye has to be removed, I can still function normally, and I can continue my bicycle touring, with a future of planned cancer screenings for the next few years. If the cancer has spread, that is something I will deal with if and when I find out. Until then, I will continue to live my life as I have — always looking forward to my frequent bicycle rides.

Rochester, NY