“Only one mountain can know the core of another mountain.” Frida Kahlo
There was something about Steve and mountains. Wherever Steve was, if there was a nearby mountain, he started eyeing it. Sometimes he ran, sometimes he biked, and sometimes he hiked, but whatever method he chose, he always seemed driven to traverse the giant hunk of earth and rock all the way to the top.
Maybe Steve’s connection to mountains was something spiritual. Mountain peaks are often sacred places. Mount Olympus was the dwelling of the gods in Greek mythology. Mount Sinai is significant in the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic faiths. Mount Fuji is sacred to Buddhists – and the Shintoists believe it is an embodiment of the spirit of nature. And the ancient temples of Machu Picchu, high atop the Peruvian Andes, were sacred to the Incas. There are countless others, all the destinations of pilgrimages in various forms, where people go to be close to the heavens and their God.
Or perhaps Steve’s connection to mountains was something else. Maybe it was related to challenge. Aren’t mountains also metaphors for challenges? As far as Steve was concerned, there was no mountain too steep or high and no challenge too daunting to deter him. Maybe that’s what called to him from those peaks.
While battling cancer, Steve spent some time thinking about challenge. He wrote:
I’m probably wired differently than most terminally ill cancer patients. I’ve always looked at a challenge as an opportunity. Case in point #1 – CPA Exam. Only 10% of people pass the CPA exam on their first try. I knew it would be difficult for me to do, but I probably studied more than anyone. The result was successful as I passed the exam on my first attempt. Case in point #2 – Ironman Triathlon. The numbers seemed staggering: swimming, biking and running 140.6 miles in one day? But I knew people that had completed an Ironman. So I decided I would take on the challenge. I did and I was successful.
My point is that if anyone can beat cancer it is me. I know I still have a long road ahead of me. It is realistic that I will have cancer in my system the rest of my life. But it is possible to live WITH cancer. The key is to remember the goal and that is to survive. My mindset is that I have the desire to keep moving forward.
Steve was strategic and when a challenge presented itself he took the time to study it, develop his plan, and then execute it. And, if he didn’t meet with success, he would re-evaluate, adjust, and take it on again. He never gave up.
A tough mountain trail, aptly called MOFO, was one of those particularly difficult challenges, one that took Steve a few years – and a few different strategies – to conquer. Steve’s good friend Craig introduced him to MOFO, a local mountain biking trail in the Park City, Utah area. Shortly after their tennis obsession wound down, Craig relocated to the charming ski village nestled in the majestic Wasatch Mountains. It was a tennis buddies weekend trip to visit Craig that launched the annual MOFO trip, something that eventually grew into a major event.
For the inaugural attempt, Craig chose a route that involved driving to a strategic point of access to take-on the challenging MOFO trail. The group had a great day on the mountain, but none successfully reached the top. The riders, each of whom was wired much like Steve, took that failure as a challenge and were determined to return and take on the trail again. Giving up was just not an option.
In the following years they tried different approaches. One year they took a loop route that began at Craig’s home. Another year they tackled the trail head-on by starting at the base of Park City Mountain and going straight up the steep, single track. It took a few years, but eventually they all conquered the tough trail. And once they had dominated that mountain, the next phase of MOFO was born.
The outing, which began as a fun and competitive challenge for Steve, Craig, and their small group of tennis buddies, grew with each passing year. Now it is a major fundraising event and has raised over $1million for the National Ability Center, a nonprofit organization based in Park City which provides adaptive sports and recreation programs for participants of all abilities.
As a popular fundraising event, it’s now a tradition that the bikers begin the long, demanding day at Craig’s home and ride a very scenic and incredibly difficult route through the mountain passes and up the steep single track MOFO trail. Then, after a rigorous day in the hills, Craig hosts a prime rib and steak dinner for all of the participants at the Park City Prime Steak House. Those who succeed at summiting are privileged and drink their wine from a glass engraved with the words, “I Conquered MOFO.” Those who do not successfully summit are required to down a beer at a ‘dive bar’ across the street from the restaurant, drinking from a commemorative mug displaying the words “MOFO Kicked My Ass.”
From the first inaugural trip and all the way through its growth into a major fundraiser, the MOFO weekend became one of the highlights of Steve’s year. Steve-O stories were told and Stevisms were coined. Some of the more memorable bits of advice that came out of Steve’s days on that steep trail in the magnificent Wasatch Mountains are:
“Always keep your eyes forward and focus on the road ahead”
“Remember to slow down and rest on the gentle slopes”
“Never use your granny gear”
CaringBridge Posts
August Update
By Steve Andrews — Aug 7, 2013 10:46pm
It’s been a month since my last update. A lot has been going on. Let me get you up to date.
In July we went to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston to meet with one of the top Oncologist in the country that specializes in my cancer. We were very impressed with the facility and the doctor. He gave us a suggested plan to follow over the next few months. The plan includes some newer chemo drugs which have had good success against gastroesophageal cancer. After consulting with doctors in Seattle and Boise, we started one of these new treatments a few weeks ago. This will continue for a few months. At that time I’ll have a new scan to see if the new drug is effective. Although my tumors are considerably smaller than when I started, it’s important that I continue to receive chemo to prevent the tumors from growing. Cancer cells are smart and they eventually build a resistance against specific chemo drugs. The key is to continue to find and use different drugs that work to outsmart the cancer.
It has been challenging with these newer drugs to get insurance approval. However we received good news this week as my second line treatment was approved for coverage!
Is the chemo keeping me from doing my normal activities? HECK NO!! I continue to work full time at Simplot. Not only do I enjoy my work, I also love my interactions with my fellow comrades at the office. Working is very therapeutic for my mental health. That is why I continue to work!! And I continue to spend time training for triathlons when I’m physically able to.
I pulled off a minor miracle last Sunday. I started and completed the Boulder 70.3 Half-Ironman. It wasn’t easy, but somehow with minimal training I was able to finish the race. Big thank you goes out to my cheering squad that made the trip to Colorado. That includes Julene, Karlie, Dale, Margi, and Nora. Dale also competed in the race and had a stellar performance.
Saturday is the Emmett Triathlon. While I am not racing, I look forward to watching Karlie compete in her first Olympic distance race! She has trained hard and is ready to go! And Michael is signed up for an Olympic triathlon Sunday at Santa Cruz, CA. Yes the whole Andrews family is getting the triathlon bug!
Michael was in Boise for ten days in July. It was great hanging out with him and his friends. We will see him again in September when we travel to California to watch him compete in a half-ironman triathlon.
Julene and I are looking forward to the Steely Dan concert on Sunday night. I’ve been a big fan of them since high school.
I appreciate everyone’s support, prayers, and best wishes. The X Factor is in full force and keeping me in the ballgame. It’s overwhelming to know I have so many people rooting for me. Thank you so much.
God Bless you
Steve
#16
By Steve Andrews — Sep 12, 2013 5:16pm
All things considered, I’m feeling good! Today I finished my 16th full chemo treatment. I usually suffer through a couple of rough days after each treatment, but then I bounce back. I’m not letting cancer get in the way of my daily activities. Even on my down days I get myself out of bed and go to work. Take that big, bad cancer….you’re not tougher than me!
I’m still staying active and have several athletic events coming up. At the end of the month we are heading to Park City for our annual mountain bike ride/event. And I am hoping to do a 10k or half marathon before the end of the year. I need “carrots” on my calendar to keep me focused on my training.
We just returned from Santa Cruz, CA where we watched Michael compete and finish his first half iron distance triathlon. It was called “The Big Kahuna”. Very cool race along the coast, with a finish line at the beach. Michael had a great race and we are very proud of him. We’re talking about getting the whole family to sign up for next year!
On a medical note here’s where I’m currently at. I have a scan scheduled for September 25th. This will be a good indication of how the new treatments are working. Because I’m feeling good, I am optimistic that I will have a good report. In a few months we have a different chemo treatment planned which was recommended by the doctor at MD Anderson Cancer Center. This treatment is considered experimental for my type of cancer, but MD Anderson has seen success with it.
I’m approaching my one year anniversary (October 2013) living with cancer. At the time of diagnoses, I was only given one year to live. I’m going to make it through year one, and I am ready to move on to year two, and beyond! We are going to celebrate on my birthday (October 22nd) in Flagstaff with the kids and my parents.
It’s not a big deal, but the chemo is starting to take a toll on my hair. I might be a bald guy in a few weeks. Will this make me faster in the swimming pool? I sure hope so!
I lost a good friend a few weeks ago. Lee Roberson and I went to Capital High School together and made many “March Madness” trips to Las Vegas together. Rest in peace, Lee Roberson.
I appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers. The X Factor is stronger than ever. Everywhere I go I hear about how much inspiration I’ve given others. My renewed purpose in life is to make a difference in the lives of others. None of this would be possible without God who is guiding me and healing me.
Steve
Good Scan Results!
By Steve Andrews — Sep 26, 2013 12:05pm
A quick update on the results of my latest scan. I’ve got good news to share with all of you. Liver is now clean; lymph nodes are no longer enlarged; lung tumors are smaller or non existent; nodes on adrenal glands are unchanged. We will continue with the current chemo regimen of FOLFIRI every two weeks. It’s working!
I’ve still got a long way to go, but this was awesome news. I appreciate all of your prayers and good wishes. You are a big reason for my good results. THANK YOU! The X Factor is flying high!!!
God Bless you!
Steve
