Bday #44: It’s all about Gratefulness, Accountability, and Celebration. Thank you to all for the birthday wishes! The following is an explanation for why my 44th birthday was the best birthday I have ever had. Allow me to start with the background for those that don’t already know. In April, I was diagnosed with stage one thyroid cancer. Fortunately, as I have come to understand, based on the following that my doctors have said: “If you are going to get cancer, thyroid cancer is the one to have“. The reason: it is VERY treatable, and mine appears to be no exception. It gives me great pleasure to announce that my five-month-long cancer treatment in which I endured two surgeries and a week-long radioactive treatment in which I spent seven days in quarantine from my wife and three children, has SUCCESSFULLY (and ironically) ended yesterday--on my birthday, with a clean, CANCER-FREE body scan! All of which simultaneously allowed me to be re-united with Anna & our three children--with a clean bill of health, and the hope of a non-cancerous future again! And there you have it, the reason why yesterdays birthday was my best birthday--ever. My illness has taught me to be EXTREMELY grateful. Grateful for the following things that I have been given, but have done nothing to deserve. I am extremely grateful for the love, support, and prayer of my AWESOME family and friends who have helped not only ME, but helped my entire family overcome the challenges that we have faced while battling my illness. I am not sure how, or if, I will ever be able to return their efforts, gestures, and sacrifices. I am very grateful to live where we have easy access to modern medicine, technology, and some of the best-equipped, and best-staffed hospitals that you can find anywhere. The doctors and nurses that cared for me were all amazing and compassionately committed to my needs. Exemplifying this was my E.N.T. specialist and surgeon for his diligence and expertise. Without his intuitiveness, the tests that he ordered, which detected my cancer, found my cancer in it’s earliest / most treatable stage. Otherwise my cancer would have gone undetected, would likely have continued to grow and spread, creating whatever other unforeseeable issues. How anyone could take for granted the hospitals that we have in our area is beyond my understanding. I am grateful to have learned how fragile my own life can be. Initially, when I was informed that I have cancer, my first thought, in a word, was fear. I never shared the following until now (not even with my wife) but I can recall thinking: “So this is it, this is how I am going to die”. I have always considered myself as being UNafraid of death, but this unwelcomed news was still just plain scary. As I have learned more about the specifics of my cancer, I now realize that there are definitely some things that I can do to improve my odds against any cancer re-occuring again, of which, and primarily the easiest but most important thing that I can do is this: Watching what, and how much, I eat. I have never felt more compelled to eat healthier. As many of you know, I really LOVE to eat and I really could use some help with self-control, so I am writing this so that I can be held ACCOUNTABLE for changing my eating habits. When I was diagnosed with the cancer, instead of asking “WHY ME?” I knew my thoughts had to focus on “How do I use this to show others the strength and the hope of my faith? Above all else, I consider my illness a BLESSING, because I understand that I will very likely have plenty of opportunities to use it to help others in any way I can. Understanding all of this can only / must be credited to my belief and faith in Jesus Christ! I can’t imagine how difficult this ordeal would likely have been, had I not been able to rely on the knowledge that I have gained while seeking / pursuing a relationship with Jesus--which in a nutshell, has taught me not only how to seek and live out God‘s will for my life while facing trials, but to do the same in all aspects of life--every single day. Thank you for taking the time to read this long post. I really do apologize for the long and intense read, but if you know me, this is just how I roll. Life has been challenging lately, and I guess this post is a natural reflection of that. When I decided to write this, my intents were mostly celebratory despite how this might sound. I debated for a long time whether or not I should share all of this, and whether or not it would be TMI, but I just figured that being honest, and sharing my heart can never be a bad thing. If you ever happen to see me and recall this post, please know that any high fives, fist bumps, hugs, and chest bumps (males only!) are all certainly welcome. Pity is not…I have no need or use for it…please, if you have something to offer / share, let’s try to keep things light and celebratory only. We certainly don’t need to give cancer, and any of it’s ill-fated stereotypes, more fuel than necessary.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 01:43:18 +0000