Embracing Growth: Our Journey Through Cancer, Change, and Chasing Dreams

Welcome back to Kerouacs Cruising! It’s been two weeks since our last episode, and I felt compelled to share where we’re at—raw, unfiltered, and real. Life has thrown us some curveballs, but we’re learning to swing back stronger. Here’s a glimpse into our journey through James’s cancer treatment, our big camper plans, and the growth we’re finding in the struggle.

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James’s Cancer Journey: A New Chapter

If you caught our last episode, you know James was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. His thyroid has been removed, and he’s gearing up for radioactive iodine therapy—a two-week process involving hormone boosters, a high dose of radiation, and scans to check for cancer elsewhere in his body. While he’s radioactive, he’ll need to isolate, which has him tying up loose ends and preparing mentally for what’s next.

The good news? James is holding strong. His energy and strength are intact, and the hormone replacement meds seem to be working well (though, knowing him, he’d keep any struggles close to the chest). We’re grateful this isn’t more serious, but it’s still a lot to process. Through it all, we’re choosing to let this challenge make us stronger—both as individuals and as a couple.

Chasing the Camper Dream

Big things are on the horizon! In about a month, we’re closing on a bulk of our property, which will finally allow us to buy the camper we’ve dreamed of since starting Kerouacs Cruising a year ago. This camper is more than a vehicle—it’s our ticket to full-time travel, with Idaho as our home base and adventures across the country.

Last year, selling property helped us clear debt and invest in gear like StarLink, a GoPro, and a solar generator to fuel this lifestyle. This time, the camper is our focus, and we’re already planning our next steps: selling more property to build a sustainable income and keep the wheels turning. Our goal is to spend most of our time on the road, with stops in Idaho for family (hello, grandbaby!) and maybe a future spot in Bullhead City.

Growing Through Struggle

Lately, we’ve been grappling with imposter syndrome. Kerouacs Cruising is a travel podcast, yet we haven’t hit the road in a while. It’s easy to feel like frauds when we’re not out exploring new places every week. But here’s the truth: no journey worth taking is without struggle. Every successful person—whether it’s someone we admire or ourselves—has moments of doubt, wondering if they’re the right one for the job.

Sharing this isn’t messy or inappropriate—it’s authentic. By opening up about our challenges, we hope to inspire you to step into your own power. You don’t need a perfect, polished life to chase your dreams. You just need to keep moving forward, even when it’s messy. For us, that means finding freedom in small moments—like watching the sunset at home and imagining the adventures ahead.

What’s Next for Kerouac’s Cruising

We’re setting our sights on June 20th as our ship-out date, aiming to hit the road for Idaho to celebrate our grandbaby’s first birthday. We’re brainstorming routes and stops, and we’ll share the planning process in upcoming episodes. Expect stories of beautiful spots, dog-friendly adventures, and the real talk that defines Kerouac’s Cruising.

Our book, Together We Rise, we are blessed to co-authored with a truly inspiring group of individuals, hits shelves in mid-June. It dives into our journey so far, and we can’t wait to share it with you. Stay tuned for more details!

Join the Journey

Thank you to our incredible listeners who show up every week. Your support means the world, and we’re endlessly grateful for those who share our episodes. Want to connect? Here’s how:

• Comment on this post or the episode wherever you listen.

• Follow us on Instagram or Facebook @kerouacscruising.

• Email us at join@kerouacscruising.com with your thoughts or suggestions.

• Support the podcast by liking, subscribing, and leaving a review—it helps us reach more dreamers like you.

Here’s to embracing the struggle, chasing dreams, and finding freedom on the road. Happy travels!