I have received so many e-mails and Facebook messages from people touched by cancer, and it has been humbling. Each of those messages are very special as people are opening up their lives to me. I would be doing everyone a disservice if I didn't give honest updates of my progress, so here goes.
The big thing on my mind is my one-year anniversary. I was diagnosed with Leukemia on Father's Day last year, which was only days after my birthday.
I am very excited for my birthday this year. I am one of those people who usually feels their birthday is just another day and don't make a big deal out of it. This year, I am very lucky that the Tate family will be down to celebrate with me since they played such a huge role in my fight and recovery.
There were many times in the past year I didn't think I was going to get to see my next birthday or another Father's Day. But here I am trying to figure out how to celebrate and I guess you could say I have a second chance at life.
This year, I will be 40 years old, but the number doesn't phase me. I know some people freak out over that number but it's just another number to me. I have, however, been looking back at the last year of my life and it's truly been an amazing year.
In the past year, I have had the following happen:
- I was diagnosed with Leukemia.
- I was in a coma for three weeks.
- I was read my Last Rites in anticipation of my dying.
- I couldn't even move my hands when I awoke from the coma.
- I learned to walk again.
- I learned I had more friends than I ever knew about.
- I learned my family is stronger than I ever thought possible.
- I learned that by simply putting one foot in front of the other I could walk five miles, with that coming less than one year after I couldn't take a step.
But I am really thinking about going skydiving as my one-year gift to myself. I have always wanted to, but I have been way over the weight limit for the past 12 years. I am no longer over the limit, so maybe I'll do that.
More than that, I will sit back and reflect on the year and what a great journey it has been.
Would I change it?
Would I change the whole scenario?
Strangely, no, I wouldn't. Through all the bad, I have learned to see the good. I am alive and I now have a second chance at life. Many people that have been in my position don't get that.
Through all the anger, anxiety, pain, frustration and fear I realized something: I control if I will be happy or sad. There are some things none of us can control, but we do control how we feel.
I am going to choose to be happy. I could have very easily been six feet under the ground right now.
Now, for some reason, I want to jump out of a plane thousands of feet above the ground and check out the view.
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