Now that we’ve passed through to 2014, I think there’s no better time for me to say to each one of you, “Thanks. Many Thanks!” You have no idea how much your kind words, your simply showing up, has meant to me. It’s worth repeating. It’s a tonic. Your presence helped me face and vanquish demons.
Honestly, from my vantage
point today, my memories of the early cancer diagnosis days, still not quite
one year ago, are fading. But they will never be forgotten. The terror,
disbelief, and sadness that ruled those early days brought me an opportunity. It
wasn’t a matter of a good opportunity or a bad opportunity. It’s simply that I
had to face and accept a reality I didn’t ever want. And in doing so, I
suppose, I’ve grown. I don’t take living for granted.
My recovery continues to go
well. While I’m not splitting wood or rock climbing (I never did!), I’ve
steadily gained strength and confidence since the 4x rounds of chemo and my
operation on June 29th.
There’s no going back. The
only normal is the new normal. My original bladder is gone, replaced,
thankfully, by a neo bladder fashioned from a section of my small intestine.
Right now, there is no cancer in me.
Hooray!!
I’ve worked, and I’ve traveled extensively. No less important, I continue to make an inward facing
recovery. I’m unable to put this into a completely coherent sentence. Let’s
just say that the physical component of cancer isn’t everything. There’s much
to figure out emotionally and psychologically. Principally, the question has
become, “How do I want to live?” Not a bad question to keep alive.
I’ve got so much to be
grateful for, and you’ve all been a big part of this process. Let’s keep going.
Love,
Eddie
