Just got back from a week long Alaska cruise with wife, son, his girlfriend, in laws, brother & sister -in -law, wife's aunt & uncle, and 2 family friends. A relatively modest group of 12 this time around.

My wife and her brother conspired to make this a "Heroes Cruise -- 2008" -- honoring the four of us who are cancer survivors (me, my mother-in-law (lymphoma), wife's uncle (colon), and 1 of the famly friends (prostate). Had T-Shirts saying Heroes Cruise 2008 on the front and "Do you know a Hero?" on the back. The local CCC has a big "Heroes" celebration for survivors every year, hence the inspiration. The cruise ship also had a 5K Walk for the Cure for Breast Cancer, which we all did (as we did in January)

A good time was had by all, and we got to raise some money and awareness for cancer, including Head & Neck cancer, as we were continually asked about our matching shirts.

Things continue to go well for me. Still battle the dry mouth, and the collateral shoulder & neck nerve damage/fibrosis pretty significant. One of the women on the cruise is a physical therapist, and she ran me through some tests showing pretty significant loss of motion and weakness in my trapezius and related areas. Starting an exercise regimen, so we will see how that works.

Alaska is gorgeous, as always, but have to admit it is good to be back in the warm weather. I did find a great Tilley's hat in Skagway that gives me the necessary sun protection, and actually fits me! (I wear size 8 -- big head, but nothing in it . . . )

Good to be back!