Getting better everyday! I am making it through my week here in Taipei, Taiwan....first business trip since I have been back at work. Very happy to report, its business as usual. Well, except that I don't pig out at the awesome breakfast buffet each morning like I normally would since most of the food is still a bit difficult to eat. But that's a blessing in itself and actually lets my daily session in the gym contribute to progress and not just make up for my gluttony. :)
As is the case in so many parts of the world, it isn't safe to drink tap water here. I was thinking how lucky we Americans are to be one of the few places where we can safely drink from our faucets. For most in America, this is such a given that I don't think many even think about how blessed we are. We take it for granted...but it would be an unthinkable luxury for most around the world. (and most in the world still don't appreciate saliva like they should...but that's another story...).
And anyone watching TV or listening to any news program lately can't help but see the devastation resulting from the earthquake in Haiti. The tremendous death rates, homeless victims, newly orphaned....... but did you realize that we recently had a similar sized earthquake in Northern California and while there was damage and even some lost their lives, the numbers paled in comparison. Why? Well, mainly because we have such a superior infrastructure and construction methods and life safety measures to rely on.
Ok, but why are any one of us here versus being one of the many living (or dying) in Haiti? Or living in a land where its not safe to drink the tap water. Or protest the government. Or be a women and want equal treatment as a man..... how often do we really contemplate that it is only because God decided that this would be the hand we were dealt. We didn't earn it. We could have just as easily been "created" in a third world country and have no access to the endless blessings of our country. We don't deserve to be here any more than any of the people in Haiti....we are just very lucky that we are. Very blessed that we have it so easy. Don't get me wrong, there is absolutely no reason to feel guilty because we are blessed... but we certainly shouldn't feel entitled because it is truly just a gift that we are here. And we should be thankful for this gift each and every day.
ok, ok......there is one advantage to not being able to drink the tap water.....i have to drink more Guinness while I am here. Guinness in Taipei.......actually not a bad combination. :)
Have a great week everyone. And be thankful for the hand we have been dealt. No matter what the hand, it could easily be a lot worse and is for so many people. We are blessed.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Life Goes on.....
So sorry for the extended silence. I returned to work a few weeks ago and life has been pretty hectic.
I did have a follow up PET scan last week. This is the test I have been waiting for as it would truly indicate if the treatment was successful and my only focus would be on recovery. The results weren't as good as I would have hoped, but they still weren't bad. Could have been a lot worse actually. Basically, there are indications that something is still going on. It might just be residual inflammation from the treatment. It might be a few other things besides cancer. But it also could still be cancer. I have another PET scan in 2 months. If the "noise" they see is due to one of the various non-cancer causes, that next scan should be clear. My radiation Doc is very optimistic. My chemo doc is more cautious. I'm going with the radiation doc.
Its been great being back at work. I really enjoy what I do anyway, and just being in a normal environment is a constant reminder that things are getting better. So normal in fact that I am leaving on a business trip to Taiwan next week. Amazing how not all that long ago my goal was simply to try not to vomit.....or move if I didn't have to..... so blessed.
Looking back over the second half of 2009, and my treatment experience, which I do from time to time, I can't help but just feel so darn lucky with how it played out. I go back every month for a check up, something I will do for at least the next year and maybe two, and when I am there I am surrounded by folks at various points of their treatment journey. So many of them have been at it for several months and their light remains at the end of a very distant tunnel. Heck, my treatment and time spent away from work was only three and a half months in total! Yes, there were some very dark days during those months, but it was so short compared to so many others' experiences. And other than very limited saliva production which makes eating a bit more of a chore than I would prefer, I am relatively back to normal. Much lighter than before, but that isn't a bad thing. :) I'm in the gym and riding my bike and on my way to regain my beach body.... ok, that's a joke..... but I am getting there!!
You know, as simple as it sounds, I really believe we can always find a silver lining someplace. Nothing is ever as bad as we might think it is. And there is always a lesson to be learned, even if we have to look a while to find it. Happy or sad, optimistic or pessimistic, stressed or relaxed...it really all is simply a state of mind. And the state of mind we choose really is a personal choice. I think I chose happy, optimistic and relaxed..... at least until my next PET scan. Kidding, I have no fear.
Hope the start of your 2010 is going very well. This is going to be a great year. Its all in how you choose to think about it. :)
Talk soon.....
I did have a follow up PET scan last week. This is the test I have been waiting for as it would truly indicate if the treatment was successful and my only focus would be on recovery. The results weren't as good as I would have hoped, but they still weren't bad. Could have been a lot worse actually. Basically, there are indications that something is still going on. It might just be residual inflammation from the treatment. It might be a few other things besides cancer. But it also could still be cancer. I have another PET scan in 2 months. If the "noise" they see is due to one of the various non-cancer causes, that next scan should be clear. My radiation Doc is very optimistic. My chemo doc is more cautious. I'm going with the radiation doc.
Its been great being back at work. I really enjoy what I do anyway, and just being in a normal environment is a constant reminder that things are getting better. So normal in fact that I am leaving on a business trip to Taiwan next week. Amazing how not all that long ago my goal was simply to try not to vomit.....or move if I didn't have to..... so blessed.
Looking back over the second half of 2009, and my treatment experience, which I do from time to time, I can't help but just feel so darn lucky with how it played out. I go back every month for a check up, something I will do for at least the next year and maybe two, and when I am there I am surrounded by folks at various points of their treatment journey. So many of them have been at it for several months and their light remains at the end of a very distant tunnel. Heck, my treatment and time spent away from work was only three and a half months in total! Yes, there were some very dark days during those months, but it was so short compared to so many others' experiences. And other than very limited saliva production which makes eating a bit more of a chore than I would prefer, I am relatively back to normal. Much lighter than before, but that isn't a bad thing. :) I'm in the gym and riding my bike and on my way to regain my beach body.... ok, that's a joke..... but I am getting there!!
You know, as simple as it sounds, I really believe we can always find a silver lining someplace. Nothing is ever as bad as we might think it is. And there is always a lesson to be learned, even if we have to look a while to find it. Happy or sad, optimistic or pessimistic, stressed or relaxed...it really all is simply a state of mind. And the state of mind we choose really is a personal choice. I think I chose happy, optimistic and relaxed..... at least until my next PET scan. Kidding, I have no fear.
Hope the start of your 2010 is going very well. This is going to be a great year. Its all in how you choose to think about it. :)
Talk soon.....
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