My Pancreatic Cancer Journal 5/3/2026 (Free Documentary)

Hey everybody—welcome back. (see my 10 Minute Doc at the bottom)It’s May 3rd, 2026. I’m three days out from my second chemo treatment… and today, I feel really good.But I’ll be honest with you—when that reminder popped up on my phone, I felt it. A little dread. Because I remember those first couple days after round one. Not unbearable—but not pleasant either. Like a long, punishing hangover that doesn’t quite know when to leave.And then, slowly… it did.By day five, I was back. Myself again.So now I know the terrain.Drink water. Eat. Keep the weight on. Stay moving. Stay in the game. That’s the philosophy from my team—my oncologist, my surgeon—and they’re not guessing. They’re preparing me. Because in a few weeks, when that scan comes, they want to see someone strong enough to operate on.And I plan on being that guy.Today helped.I was over at the local course—built on an old steel-era slate dump, a little resurrection story baked right into the land. Two and a half miles from my house. Blue sky. Spring air. The kind of day that reminds you the world is still working, even when parts of you are under repair.I made a tee time for tomorrow. Going solo—for now. My crew’s still in Florida.But if you’re listening and you’re nearby—come walk a few holes with me. I’ve got room.Now… let me take you somewhere else.About 25 years ago, I watched Bill Moyers sit down with Joseph Campbell on PBS. They were talking about Tibetan monks… about meaning, about discipline, about something deeper than the noise of daily life.And something in me lit up.That curiosity led me to the teachings of Tenzin Gyatso—and not long after, to an unexpected opportunity. The Pittsburgh Friends of Tibet brought His Holiness to town.At the time, I had a small video production studio—scrappy, early days, figuring it out as I went. But I saw an opening.So I created a job.I showed up with cameras. I volunteered. I documented.And that one decision opened a door that stretched halfway across the world.India. Tibet. China.Questions turned into journeys. Journeys turned into films.And along the way, I met people who changed me—including a young monk named Zewang Dorje.He came to my home with a group of Drikung Kagyu monks—dancers, teachers, spiritual athletes in a sense. We sat in my living room with a Rinpoche—imagine that—a kind of Tibetan bishop, right there among us.No stage. No ceremony. Just presence.Zewang Dorje became our connection—our man on the ground when we traveled abroad. Steady. Kind. Grounded in a way that makes you rethink what “strength” actually looks like.And today, I’m sharing a short documentary about him.Ten minutes.Free for everyone.Because right now, in this moment of my life, his spirit feels relevant again.So that’s where I am.Three days out.Feeling good. Thinking clearly. Walking forward.If you’re on this road too—keep going. Don’t let the weight of it take you under. There’s more strength in you than you think.And if you’re not—just know I’m doing fine.No doom and gloom.we’re going to make it.Watch the film.Share it if it moves you.Tell a friend.And tomorrow… maybe I’ll see you on the course.—CarlEnjoy the doc! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mindchimesmagazine.substack.com/subscribe