Off-trail to Iceland Lake in Emigrant Wilderness

[Casey Bowden]

Dear BPL friends,

Here’s a link to an 8-minute video documenting a short trip to Emigrant Wilderness in August 2022. If I goofed the link copy/paste this:

Regarding the text below, it’s related to the last minute of the video and I recommend watching that first.

———- Note: Watch the video (link above) before reading the following text. ———-

At 7:45 am on September 27th, 2022 the kids performed a drum-roll and Em presented me with a single 500-mg capsule of Hydroxyurea. After swallowing the pill the kids went to school, Em headed down the peninsula to work and I hopped on the Vespa and scooted to the Little Farm for a run up to Wildcat Peak. We didn’t initiate the fight, but now we are striking back.

My bone marrow is producing too many white blood cells (myeloproliferative disorder); I have blood cancer. This was discovered by accident in mid-August during my annual checkup via a routine blood test. Actually, it was almost not discovered as I have no symptoms, am in excellent health and under 50 so these tests are generally not given annually. If I had not wanted to see my cholesterol levels relative to last year’s values…

That doctor’s visit  was on a Thursday afternoon and that evening I met an old friend and we headed up into the Sierra Nevada mountains for a backpacking trip to Iceland Lake in Emigrant Wilderness. Upon arriving home Sunday evening my doctor had left a phone message and email; “Your white blood cell count (WBC) is a bit high, please come in for another test”. Monday I gave another sample and learned that my WBC from Thursday was 101.5 K/uL while the standard range is 3.7 to 11.1 K/uL.

An assistant from the Kaiser Oncology department called the next day and scheduled a bone marrow biopsy for me on Friday. Early on in the conversation the assistant mentioned that the doctor thought I had CML. Before hanging up I asked “What is CML?” “Chronic myeloid leukemia,” she replied quietly.

Now, a month later. More blood samples have been given and genetic tests have been run. I do not have CML, which is unfortunate, as it is “the blood cancer you want to have”. Kaiser has gone as far as they can and referred my case to Stanford. A bone marrow transplant, which if successful would be a complete cure, may be in my future. We anxiously await their call.

Casey Bowden [47], Emily Su-Bowden [47], William (PJ) Bowden [14] and Sydney (Meimei) Bowden [11]

You, my BPL friends, have received this because you are significant to me. Although I rarely post I’ve been here for over 20 years, met some of you at GGG’s and usually spend a few minutes each morning looking at the recent forum posts. Know that I am physically and mentally strong and unequivocally expect to beat this. You may now return your regularly scheduled programming of dyneema vs. hail and iPhone satellite communication.

 

 

[Paul Wagner]

Hey Casey, sending lots of good thoughts your way.  Love the trip report, and the fact that you got out and into the mountains. That’s a wonderful place to explore.

As you move forward with your diagnosis and battle, please let us know if there is something we can do to help.

[Alex Wallace]

Wonderful video, Casey! Who doesn’t love a good swim in an alpine lake?! Your narration had me cracking up…till the end. Your strength, humor, and charisma really shine through. Good vibes heading your way.

[Matthew / BPL]

Wow. Thanks for sharing this. You sure look and sound like you are well-suited to beat this. Best wishes.

[jscott]

What a shock this must be for you and your family. Hearing your story, I take hope in several things:

–the condition was discovered relatively early, before you were symptomatic (although I understand that things have progressed).

–a bone marrow transplant could be a complete cure. Stanford is the best, literally. And they would doubtless want to work with someone with a good prognosis ( good health, young and relatively early detection). Take heart! All of us and the wilderness are with you and your family.

[d k]

Casey,

Thanks for sharing this with us all.  I’m sorry to hear that you have this to deal with, but I am confident you will beat this.  I send you good thoughts and wishes, and I can also say that a hiking friend in her 70’s had a bone marrow transplant (I think also at Stanford) for leukemia last year and is now doing great.  As a younger person, you are at an even better age for this, as Jeff says.

Iceland Lake is near and dear to our hearts.  I can’t tell you how great it was to see all those spots again in your video, and think of all the good times my partner and I have had along that route with dear friends.  I hope it worked its magic on you as it has for us over the years!

Debbie

[JVD]

Yes, thanks for sharing your story. It’s touching. All the best on the journey.

— John

[Erik G]

That looks like a great trip; thank you for sharing. Emigrant Wilderness is one of my favorite areas for off-trail meandering!

It was a pleasure shootin’ the breeze with you at at least one of the legendary GGG’s, and your Joie de Vivre was just immediately apparent, as it is here in this video. I hope to see you at many more in the future. Good luck and stay strong! All the best wishes from me and mine :)

 

[Casey Bowden]

Cancer Update:

In January 2023 I had a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant at Stanford for atypical chronic myeloid leukemia. This January a bone marrow biopsy confirmed that I am cancer free! Thank you all for your thoughts and messages. Looking forward to more backpacking in the near future.

[Terran Terran]

I just came in for the good news. Sounds like a hard time. You’re a tough one to beat.congratulations!

[Jerry Adams]

I don’t remember reading this originally, but I love all the sierras scenery

Amazing your cancer has gone.  It seems like we’ve been making steady progress in treatments.  Congratulations

[d k]

That’s fantastic news, Casey!  Thanks for the update.

[jscott]

Wahoo!!

[Paul Wagner]

Terrific news, Casey!  So where are you headed next?

[Author]

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