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Since I posted in here. Well there has been a lot of water pass under the keel since I last posted. From what I see, I was last here in late March or early April, and then the roof caved in. One day I was thinkin photography and how I was going to get away for a shoot, even only for a few hours. Then I found myself running madly around the VA Hosp. in Portland OR for tests and more tests and getting scheduled for skin cancer operations, Glaucoma treatments and finding out that I had the BIG One.... Colon Cancer! Hell, I thought I was in Vegas and had hit the progressive jackpot machine and the payoffs just wouldn't stop, It seemed as if I were living in my car, driving to the hosp and back home daily and also taking care of my mom.. Luckily for me, I managed to get her setup with her pills in different containers that she couldn't mistake and she was able to have her meds and a great grandson to help her when I wasn't there. My doctors at the VA told me that I had better inform my family (we live in Tahiti) that the situation was serious, and there would not be a final diagnosis on treatments until after the Colon Cancer was operated on. My wife booked a flight to Oregon and arrived just before the operations began. Probably the best thing that could have happened as she could be there and take care of any problems if they developed. We decided, no matter what was the outcome, I would be returning home to my family as I had been away for 12 years to provide care for my mother and my family needed me for them. To make a long story short, I had over a meter of my colon removed, they found no cancer in the lymph nodes or prostate or liver or kidneys etc. I did not need a sac attached to me, and my lungs are clear of cancer, so far. I arrived home in Raiatea on 5 July, and have gained 8 kilos since I have been home. I arrived here weighing 110lbs, but never having weighed more than 145 lbs in my life I really didn't notice the difference other than my clothes didn't fit.. Anyway, I am back!
I feel a lot better and I am shooting again... Working on plans to make a 4 day sojourn to the top of Mt. Temehani and shoot from there in all conditions, gonna rough it and have lots of instant ramen etc. Water isn't a problem and it is pristine... Will shoot all the islands from there, landscapes of Raiatea, sunsets, sunrises, waterfalls, pools, you name it, I plan on shootin it... More on that as the time rolls around for doing it. Planning on using all the younguns in the family to mule hall and return my equipment, I am only gonna carry a staff and my D200 all the lenses and things will be watertite...
I started shooting when I came home, first I had a hard time even holiding the camera, but I shot the entire Heiva here in Uturoa, and two of the other villages on our island. Had a wonderful time and the music, singing, and dancing was beautiful beyond belief. I will post some photos of that here also...
I am just really happy to be back in here, and hope to possibly be a contributing member once again... Thanks for letting me ramble on....
Just this old Chief's 2 cents
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