New Beginnings

First off, I do apologize to all of you who have been waiting for an update. I got sick a few weeks ago and I really got knocked off my feet.

Good news, I've only got two treatments left. Man, time has flown! I'm not complaining though, believe me. So, over the past few weeks, I got a nasty case of Strep Throat. It was awful!! I've never been so sick in all my life and there was a point where I really pretty much wanted to die. But, like a phoenix out of the ashes, I rose from what I thought was my demise and now I feel better than ever. Ive gained some of the 10 lbs. back that I lost while I was sick and am finally back in the gym after a hiatus for several weeks.

New beginnings.

The time has come, as I knew it would, where I start thinking about what I am going to do differently and how I will live my life going forward. At the beginning of all this, the oncologist told me there was nothing I did to cause this and that there is no way anyone could have predicted I would have developed lymphoma. Trust I wish I had a crystal ball that told me what the next five years would hold, but unfortunately, there is no mystic charm or clairvoyant whom I've met that has that power and I've looked!

I don't have any sage knowledge to bestow upon anyone, but I there are a few things I've learned over the past few months that I would like to share:

1. Don't ever take vitamins on an empty stomach, especially Zinc.
2. If you think you are gonna vomit, you probably are. Keep your toilet clean.
3. Positive thinking can get you through almost anything.
4. Other people's drama will always make you forget about your own.
5. Friends are a great distraction from the real world.
6. There is no disease or illness your friends won't find away to make jokes about, deal with it and laugh with them.
7. My mom and dad are the greatest parents in the world. I love you both more than words can express.
8. Chocolate is always the best prescription.
9. No matter what you are going through, there is always someone out there who has it worse than you. Grin and bare it!
10. None of us knows how long we are given on this planet, live your life to the fullest every day and embrace all that you have in this life.

So, as I sit here almost on the verge of losing it (I've been a bit emotional lately), I invite you to ask yourself, "What is really important to me?" If it's your family, your kids, your dog... Whatever it is, cherish it. Find happiness in whatever you can and express it every day of your life.

A few weeks after I was diagnosed with the "Big C", I had to go to Emory University for a few tests. As soon as I walked into the lobby of the Cancer Ward I glanced over and noticed a man in a wheelchair being pushed by what looked like his mother. The man appeared to be about 30-something, was completely bald and pale as a ghost. He was very week and seemingly hadn't seen the sun for some time. The lobby, that was outlined in glass, was the only window to the world the man had seen in some time. As we passed him, I thought about what the next 6 months would hold for me. Would I be bald? Would I be sickly and choleric? Lots of things flew through my mind and an overwhelming sense of fear and sadness came over me. I remember holding my mother's hand in the lobby and trying to fight back the tears welling up in my eyes. After what seemed like hours, I was finally called back to have the tests. I could not get the vision of that man out of my mind for weeks afterwards.

The reason I convey what I saw is because I think as humans we always think the absolute worst. We jump to conclusions so quickly and usually the outlook is overwhelmingly bad. My story is not over and I really don't know what the next two treatments will hold. All I do know is that I have been given a second chance and I intend on using that opportunity to live a life that is full of meaning and purpose. No more taking anything for granted and no more half-assed attempts at doing things. I am going to do all the things I have dreamed of doing and I am here to implore you to do the same with your life.

Take today as yor last day of living in the dark. Live in the light from here on out and challenge yourself to really live as if there is no tomorrow.

You never know what tomorrow holds for you.