Fall Update – Let’s Take This Show on the Road

Do you remember that first Daily Dea post, way back in June, which ran under the heading “The Summer Adventure of One Strong Woman”? At that point, we were hurtling toward summer, Dea was hurtling toward lung surgery, we had no idea what was in store, but it felt like we were hurtling together. And so much has happened since then. For starters, Dea delivered on that whole “strong woman” thing, and you guys delivered on “together.” A bunch of good caring and healing went down, and then summer passed into the pages of the history books. The way seasons do.

As we all turn pages through autumn, the Perry clan has been buzzing through pages and chapters at a wild clip. And so I pledged to post a quick update on some of those developments.

First of all, in big/bold Perry fashion, the family rented out their B.I. house so that they could jump into winter plans with both feet. Ricky is back in school and buckled in for his home stretch at UW. Peter and Dea spent October in the toasty warm Crystal Springs home of very dear friends (pictured above), and right now they are both heading down to California for winter. As I write this Pete’s half way there in the Land Cruiser, and Dea is about to lap him as she flies down the coast tonight.

Their plan took shape with visions of warm sands, salty waves, and a bit of together time after a very long summer. While they were packing up, however, they learned that Dea’s got a new little tumor in a lower spinal bone. Of course, this has added some layers to the California plan, and so Dea jumped into action to adjust the itinerary. With the help of some dear friends, she quickly found a cancer treatment center in Santa Barbara, and she’s getting ready to spend the first part of winter navigating radiation therapy on this new lesion. Dea reports that the team at the Ridley Tree Cancer Center has made a really positive first impression as a bunch of focused, expert cancer specialists who have been remarkably welcoming and on the ball during their remote planning process. Treatments will start shortly after Dea hits the ground in SB, and she is steeling herself for a process that was memorably draining the last time around.

Looking back on a summer of remarkable connection, community, and healing Dea asked me to thank everyone for all of the love and support that you heaped on the Perry clan. Looking forward to the new chapter that is taking shape for winter, she asked me to pledge that she’ll be sending updates on this next leg of the journey as soon as she gets settled and oriented in her new California digs. Understood.

For now, sending love, strength, and wishes to you Perries for a safe journey to Santa Barbara. We’ll be waiting to hear how things come together on the ground down there. More to follow…