21 Comments
User's avatar
Erik Hogan's avatar

Man, Jonathan, this is rough! One step at a time (pun intended), but I think you’re a very strong and resilient guy. I’m hoping for the best!

Expand full comment
Jonathan Giles's avatar

Thanks, Erik. Gosh, if there was ever a role model, it is you--strong and resilient (with an artistic eye)!

Expand full comment
Robust Connections's avatar

Here's to knee-healing, body saying 'yes' to your MST continuation! and your LIFE continuation! May the muses of poetry and trail-hiking get together and cause the wind to be at your back. (-;

Expand full comment
Jonathan Giles's avatar

Haha! I totally agree with your sentiments! Thanks for writing and for following along!

Expand full comment
Peter sontheimer's avatar

Jonathan, you are one tough and eloquent man. I hope your knee recovers and you can continue the hike. I really admire your determination and I have my money on your

being back on the trail.

Peter

Expand full comment
Jonathan Giles's avatar

Ha! Thanks, Peter! I hope so!

Expand full comment
Jonathan Giles's avatar

It's easy to get back on the trail, the difficult part is walking it once you are there! I am heading off to the first of my three-segment hike this Monday. Will let you know how it goes once I put one foot in front of the other!

Expand full comment
@brianrankin42's avatar

I've loved catching up on your posts since seeing you in Asheville. But oh man, this is a gut punch. So sorry. Sending good vibes your way.

Expand full comment
Jonathan Giles's avatar

Thanks, Brian, I'll use those good vibes as motivation to keep going!

Expand full comment
Fran Gardner's avatar

My husband goes back and forth with those PSA tests and MRIs. He hasn’t done any treatments for cancer that was first detected about a decade ago. Many elderly men (he is 85) just run out the clock on prostate cancer. So far, the cancer is there but in a holding pattern.

Best of luck with your handling of this difficult issue. This is a great story.

Expand full comment
Julie's avatar

Dear Jonathan, These comments have said it well. Wishing you good luck, strengh, and the continued support of your family and friends. Warmly, Julie

Expand full comment
Glen Vecchione's avatar

A powerful, powerful story Jonathan. I think you’ve made the wise and prudent decision to wait and see rather than jump right in and deal with potential consequences which may affect the quality of the rest of your life. My dad was diagnosed with the small cell aggressive form in his late-sixties, chose to the the radioactive seeding only, and died from something else at ninety. We are the same age and all of us of a certain age are on the same train. Best to live your life. That’s why you hike and I traipse around Italy like a 30-year-old. God bless us all! Let's enjoy the years ahead which may be many!

Expand full comment
Jonathan Giles's avatar

Thanks for the nice note, Glen. I agree with your sentiments and will proceed cautiously. To this day, I am not sure about hiking, but, boy, traipsing around Italy sounds just wonderful! Of the two of us, I think I would prefer to be in your shoes!

Expand full comment
Marlene Steinour's avatar

This post brought to mind your Camino mantra, "One stick, one step, one stone"

Take all of these challenges one at a time. That is how you climbed the Pyrenees, hiked across the Meseta, and the Canterbrien mountain, and most recently the MST. And remember to lift all up to God and his earth angels. 💕 Marlene

Expand full comment
Jonathan Giles's avatar

Thanks, Marlene! The camino taught me to stay in the present and not get caught up in the future. "One stick, one step, one stone."--that is a life lesson if I ever heard one! Thanks for the reminder!

Expand full comment
Mike Lovette's avatar

I hope your knee heals quickly so you can take advantage of this opportunity to return to the trail. I also hope you receive an encouraging PSA result in September!

Expand full comment
Jonathan Giles's avatar

Thanks, Mike, for following along with my story and the encouraging note. I very much look forward to getting back on the trail and just know I will receive encouraging news in September. Ha! Stay tuned.

Expand full comment
Richard Gehring's avatar

I wasn't expecting to hear this as you obviously weren't either. I am continually reminded of your excellent mental attitude all along. Here's to getting a few miles in during August !!

Expand full comment
Jonathan Giles's avatar

Thanks, Rich! It'll be crazy but this will soon be all behind me. We should talk--I hope your recovery from surgery is going well.

Expand full comment
Maggie Southern's avatar

Prayers for healing, peace, and continued strength!!

Expand full comment
Jonathan Giles's avatar

Thank you, Maggie, thank you very much!

Expand full comment