My son was a hockey player….so this always touches my heart.
Two weeks ago was the one year anniversary of my Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. I was given two months to live and advised to get my affairs in order. I did so.
But Dr. Showalter did tell me there were some very innovative drugs being used to treat prostatic bone cancer and basically said, “Let’s see what happens.”
Another words… he didn’t completely tell tell me to go home and die…at least for two months.
We talked about me taking my life more seriously and taking on a holistic approach to prayer, meditation, diet, and exercise.
I did.
And lo and behold I got better every day, every week, every month…and here I am a year later. My cup has runneth over. It truly has.
I never ask Dr. Showalter the awkward question of “How much time do you think I have left?” I never do that and I won’t wear a Cancer Survivor T-shirt either. It’s a very personal thing. But writing about it here on the blog help me because in reality I’m a somewhat soft spoken Libra of all things.
So now… other than using a cane to mitigate the fact I still haven’t had the right knee replacement surgery….. I pretty much am leading a normal life for a retired guy my age.
My monthly blood labs results have been excellent and my hemoglobin count has literally doubled since last March when I ‘almost’ allowed myself to be wheel-chaired through the front doors of the Integris Cancer Canter.
It’s been a journey. I’ll never be the same again. The way I view the world. The way I view other people. The ways in which I hoped I’ve increased my empathy and compassion towards others. Even if they voted for Donald Trump twice.
Yesterday….I took my chain saw and cut down a dead redbud tree out here at the mini-ranch in Deer Creek. A year ago…I literally didn’t have the strength to hold up the saw and pull the starting cord. I have another dead tree to take down later today….and then burn once the winds die down.
My wife came out and asked, ” You sure you should be doing this?”
I answered, ” Absolutely. Walk in the park.”
Spring is almost officially here in Oklahoma.
A song would be nice.
MJ