Central Oregon Waldport, 100 miles North of Coos Bay.
I’ve learned what it’s like to be an inanimate object recently — specifically, a pinball.
I awoke in the middle of the night and discovered the right side of my body had gone to sleep. When I tried to stand, I was launched across the room, with power on only one side.
I made it remarkably far before crashing. There were smashed garbage cans and blood smeared on walls. I’m not sure how I catapulted so far through the house before landing in a clump, with a number of dents over my own body now too. So goes life, six months after becoming a Brain Cancer patient.
Interesting. Until recently this remained a physical illness. It’s been just the last month or two that I feel it affecting my brain as well. Simple computer tasks are harder. Getting my body to do what I ask it to do is more difficult. But again, nothing that thousands and thousands of Cancer patients don’t face every day. I wonder about other people out on the road that look sick. Are they doing the same thing? Are they trying to pack in as much life as they can? If so, good for them!
The Sooz and I are on the road again. We spent time with friends and family in Seattle and the San Juan Islands. As much fun as it is, I can’t help but feeling at times that it’s a farewell tour. I gotta get over that feeling.
The last time you heard from me, I was preparing for a big speech, following a surprising Society of Professional Journalist Award. The award allowed me to sort of design what I’d like to do for the rest of my life. One of the most important things for us is to help with what blindsided me, specifically Brain Cancer. Secondly, I’d like to continue to work on what’s been my life’s passion: conservation and The Ecolife Foundation. Third, working to improve journalism, the profession I love so much.
To accomplish our goals, we’re putting our efforts into ‘The Nancarrow Project’ and we hope you’ll help us when possible. We’ll tell you what’s going on as it happens. We’ll ask for your help as appropriate.
In the mean time I’m still plugging away. My gardening is now miniaturized into Bonsai. But my goals remain as large as they’ve always been.
Tomorrow we’re off to see the giant Redwoods in Southern Oregon. The Sooz will post some more pictures soon.
Thanks for staying close and for sharing your thoughts with us. You’re all so awesome.
Loren
The Nancarrow Project 
sending you another BIG HUG from South Carolina! keep enjoying your life every day!!!
God bless u Loren and ur family
Sent from my iPad
Hang in there Loren…you are amazing and a fighter!!!! Love that about you. God Bless, Ida
Thank you for sharing Loren. You write so beautifully and always inspire me. I’m happy you and Susie are traveling.You are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Can’t wait to see you back on the air Loren.
Hi Loren. Have missed your blog reports. Sorry to hear of your travels with the trash containers. Interesting trip to say the least. You make everything so interesting and bring us all into your lives. Keep up the good fight, we are all praying for you and your beautiful family. You are certainly in God’s country now, enjoy the trip and continue to keep us posted. Hugs. Jackie
Glad to hear u r on a road trip enjoying the beautiful countryside….. U r an inspiration… I am having a brain MRI on Thurs. for some symptoms I have been experiencing. Wishing u & your family the best.
Loren,
I moved from San Diego years ago while you were still on TV. I found your blog recently and I don'[t see a change in you. Maybe a little heavier, but the look, the humor, the love for people and the ecosystem, has not changed. I am glad for that!! Love your energy and smile. Prayers for you and your family for complete healing. God still does miracle 🙂
Sally Smiley (now) Cheyenne, WY
Thank-you, Loren, Suzie and Hannah for all of your posts. By sharing your story, you touch the core of what matters in life: Family, friends, adventure and living passionately, even in times of difficulty and uncertainty. Please know how much inspiration your posts give me to live a life that matters. The world is a better place because you are here. XO
My wife Amy and I were just up that way in July. You see, after pancreatic cancer, you think about your “bucket list” and the giant redwoods were on mine. I recommend Prairie Creek State Park for some of the very best groves. Bien Viajes ,Suzie and Loren.
I’d LOVE to contribute to your wonderful endeavors, Loren. It’s so admirable that you’re turning this time of hurt into positive change. Keep on keepin’ on…
I think this makes you a Pinball Wizard. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us. You are amazing and courageous and so very special to us. I think of you every day in my (new) garden. You have inspired so many great things! Keep on truckin’, Mr. N.
Love you Loren!!! Keep at it. You are in our prayers and thoughts and wish you and your wonderful family all the health and happiness humanly possible.
Sending caring vibes your way, Loren. You’ve picked a gorgeous place to vacation, and the smiles in your photos say it all about your positive attitude. Think about the idea of bonsai – it is a garden world in miniature, just as intricate as other gardens but on a scale that can pull you in like a kid with a dollhouse. Take good care and keep on enjoying what you love with your loving family and Susie at your side. (hugs) from Susi & Jose Torre-Bueno
Loren, keep doing what you are doing, carpe diem. Have you read The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche yet? It is my favorite all time book, highly recommend it. Take care Loren and enjoy every moment of your travels.
From from an admirer and friend from Florida…happy travels and tree hugging!
Loren, You still have your sense of humor. As they say laughter is good for your heart and soul. Don’t think of this trip as the last hurrah because it is not. You have plenty of things still on your to do list. I miss your garden tips. Take care of yourself and give Sooz a big hug and kiss! Your friend Josile
Oh Loren, what a story you have. You are bearhugging life and that is all you need to do! It is what we all should do but we just keep putting it off as there is just too much to do. We will get to this or that when we have more “time”. Time…tick tock, tick tock. I will honor your adventurous self by doing something this week, maybe today that I would have never done if not reading this story. Maybe something as simple as get myself to the ocean and take a dip. Thanks for the inspiration.
Keep on truckin.
Carpe Diem
When I saw this latest entry in my Inbox, I said out loud to myself, “Oh good, Loren’s back!” You are like an old friend to so many of us and I hope you can truly feel the love that shines through these posts while knowing there are dozens more for each one who jots a note to you here. A heartfelt thank you seems so trite, but there it is… a loving thank you.
Loren, God bless you & your family ! Sending you all lots of love & prayers XOXOXO
Love and hugs and keep on enjoying all you can with those you love and sharing with those of us or the perimeter. We think of you daily when I do anything in the garden or even think about a garden. You are a role model to thousands in many ways. Gardening, life and love are three.
Dawn
Loren, you look great. Handsome as ever. I’m glad to hear that you & Susie are traveling & seeing friends. That will be great memories for both of you. You & your family are in my thoughts & prayers everyday.
Much Love
Linda
So glad you are enjoying life.
Oh Loren, you look great. Still handsome as ever. I’m glad your getting to see friends & travel with Susie, these will be great memories for both of you. You & your family are always on my mind & in my prayers. Have a great time, cant wait to see the pictures.
Much Love
Linda
Loren, stop thinking ‘farewell tours.’ When my husband was very ill, the doctors at Sharp Grossmont said he will be a very lucky man if he lived for another 6 months. The 6 months turned out to be 11 more years and he tried to live life to the fullest much like what you are doing. So don’t pay attention to any thing that makes you think ‘this is it!’ And meantime, be nice to Suzie. This is a gentle reminder because sometimes, the ‘patient’ forgets that wives as caregivers are not ‘punching bags!’ We love and care for you but don’t forget about our feelings too. I am delighted that you are able to travel well, just be extra careful for the medications play trick on our bodies. Prayers and love go with you and as always, I wish you well! .☺
Loren, you’re in my old stompin’ grounds. When I was a kid growing up in Eugene, we had some friends who had a cottage just south of Waldport. We would go crabbing and clamming- for geoducks aka horse neck clams, in Alsea Bay. Some of the happiest times of my life. The coast was our second home, if you will. Did lots of camping. When you go thru’ Florence, stop for a meal at the Beachcomber in Old Town. My parents gave us a love of nature, and taught us to leave our campsites in in pristine condition. The Redwoods, on the 10 mile drive in No CA, is the most beautiful and peaceful place on earth! This is what I imagine heaven is like.
So sorry to hear you “fell down, went boom.” Hope your booboos heal quickly. I so admire your honesty about what you’re going thru’, and your humor in coping. You are an inspiration for us all.
Love and hugs, Jeanie
Right behind you Loren…Stage IV for me.
I too can hear the call of the open road!!!
So many places I have not seen…so much I wish to share with my 7 yr old.
Peace and Joy to you and Suzie
Thanks again for reporting on the People’s Town Hall Meeting in Escondido a while back…we still need a new Mayor, but that event got his attention for sure. Wouldn’t have without your reporting on the story.
God Bless Loren. Love reading your stories!
The “awesome” ones are you and your supportive family. Your tenacity to keep embracing Life is inspiring and everyone that reads your blog reflects on what they have–how grateful they should be–and how to BE a little more each day. Good/safe travels, my friend
Always thinking of you… You are in my prayers and so glad your living life!!
Have a wonderful adventure! Hugs shirley
Beautifully written… I’m touched by your sensitivity and candor. May you be blessed with safe travels, joy and comfort as you take in all the beauty that God has created. It’s awesome to see the memories you are making and how you are embracing this season in your life and sharing it with others. I’m sure your words and support is helping so many who are battling various conditions and of course those with brain cancer. Thank you for allowing all of us a glimpse into your journey. Your courage, strength and attitude are amazing!
So happy to read your post…you and Susie are always in our thoughts. When you return we can talk bonzai.
Hi Sooz and Loren, You guys look great! Safe Travels. Love and Prayers, Deb G.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey, Loren. Much love and positive healing thoughts to you and your loved ones. We have loved you for years.
Good to read your words again…..oh, and watch out for those trash cans. I heard they move around at night when we are sleeping!, crazy trash cans 😉 (glad you weren’t hurt too badly) well, you two enjoy your vacation with family and all the beautiful scenery that surrounds you!! M
GLAD to make a comment — while you are in MY “country” !! Enjoy the Coos Bay to the Redwoods, check out the ELK along the way, & even tho’ it is the SAME Pacific — the “southern” coast is pretty interesting !! Allison MAY prefer Tahoe, but her Mom loves ALL the Oregon coast !! Jeanne Savage
Your message gave me chills. But your posts are incredible. One day at a time is really all we have. So glad you and your beautiful wife are making new and memories that only you two will have. San Diego is praying for you 🙂
Hang in there Loren! We are counting on you our next mayor of San Diego!
Here Here!! Loren for Mayor!!!!!👍
I second the motion, for Mayor Loren
Ditto, dittere what everyone else is saying, has said and will surely continue to say to you! Sending your all the best wishes, always.
Loren. You and your family are absolutely amazing. Your honesty and insights are precious and priceless. Enjoy your journey as you take in the lovely scenery of life and friends. Marilyn Hyder
Loren, you wrote this in God’s country. As always, as a transplanted San Diegan, my heart is with you and your beloved wife and family, and countless friends, fans, etc Fran Perry.
So happy to hear form you! I believe that the Pacific Northwest and the No. Cal,,Oregon and Washington Coasts are among the most beautiful on earth. I am from Seattle and love my yearly visits home. With that said, enjoy your Oregon Adventures! The redwoods are amazing and the drive is spectacular 🙂 If you have a chance go and see the “haystacks” on the northern Oregon coast and the Tillamook cheese factory is also a fun thing to do. Your positive attitude will get you far. We will keep praying and are here to help in whatever Nancarrow Project needs. Love you guys!!!
Loren you are blessed that you can travel, I also have cancer mine is lung and breast, but are funds are small, we barely make it month to month, but I travel with you, and enjoy every minute, take care and enjoy for the both of us.
Thanks for sharing your great photos and for keeping in touch. We enjoy hearing about your journey. Enjoy your road trip!
The photos are amazing. The falling I am familiar with. My niece is a brain cancer survivor. One of her treatments was radiation, but they overdosed her young body and so now she lives with that poisoning. She was not supposed to survive past 5 years old… then past 10 years old… no one ever expected her to graduate from college, which she did this past May. She has difficulty talking, she is deaf in one ear, and blind in one eye. She walks like a drunken sailor. I have broken falls for her, have picked her up from a plunge that she had no control over… we laugh, we continue. I pray for the same sense of adventure for you. Also, remember all the sports stars who have their retirement and farewell tours… some go on for a couple seasons. Same with rock stars, some started their farewell tours years ago and they are still outperforming young performers… May your farewell tour last for at least the next decade… then you can start your retirement tour… DAF
It is awesome to see you blog again ~ one day at a time on this journey (my son is also a brain cancer warrior – almost done with chemo). Family and friends are the best therapy ~ thank you for bringing more awareness to this cancer (I hate that word) Take Care 🙂
thank you for your thoughts and sharing, its such an insight and appreciated by so many. Wishing you a LONG road to journey on and many happy memories and experiences, Love that you are out there Enjoying and Enriching us all
Ditto on the amazing comment. Love your goal driven nature, but try to relax and enjoy the crazy ride when you can. Cancer is not for sissies, and happily you’re tough enough to endure it and find the gift. XXOO, Robin and Roy
You, your Family and every person I have come in contact who is Fighting A Fight Inspire Me!
To learn more, be more aware, be more kind, more helpful and be more of what the people I love need me to be.
Cancer, Altzheimers, MD and many many others need to be fought until their death, not ours.
Keep Fighting the Fight! Stare “IT” down, Live Life and Laugh in “IT’S” Face! There is a Lot of support out here from people like me whom you may neve know.
Thanks Again!
Sharon
Great update, so glad to see you and Susie out and enjoying the beauty of nature, a great thing to do to turbo charge the healing process! Sending the Nancarrows lots of good vibes from the Marshall family!
Keep these wonderful posts coming Loren. Most of all, keep your amazing sense of wonder!!
Your amazing Loren. So sorry to hear of your latest incident, but so glad you are moving, doing what you love to do with your beautiful wife. So many are praying for you. Blessings, Beth Browne
Nice to see you smiling and enjoying Oregon. Now you see why i moved from the San Diego area last year to be closer to my two daughters and family in the Eugene area. Much calmer up here and more friendly people. Enjoy your trip and keep fighting like the warrior you are.