Yes today is my birthday, of sorts anyway, as it was one year ago today when I became even more like my Dad as about 7 trillion of his stem cells were dropped into me in about 20 minutes at the Ottawa General Hospital. A much different process than my first Transplant, much less “fan fare”, and instead of entering a form of lock-down and Protective Isolation, I walked out of the hospital and slept at our apartment, where I was able to stay for quite a while before finally getting an infection and checking into the hospital.
A few days ago, I was remembering this time last year, and have been for the past week or so really. I remember the buckets of great emails I was getting from people all over the place wishing me well as I approached, had my Transplant and then began the Drive to 30 days. For some reason my second Cancer Challenge came with a collection of eye infections, and when they were around a couple of different times my eyes were so swollen that I couldn’t see for any length of time and getting in front of my computer was not an option at all. So during those days when I was receiving hundreds of messages a day I was unable to respond using my own hands, though I did write more than one group message with my eyes closed. But during this particular time I remember lying on my bed in Ottawa with my Mom and dictating as she typed messages for me, we must have responded to hundreds and hundreds of messages that way. Fun funny memory for me.
Usually I spend this day, my Transplant anniversary, planning a party as I’ve traditionally always had party on the day of my Transplant, however that isn’t happening tonight. It was in the plans but for some or many reasons I couldn’t get my head around it to plan, so perhaps I’ll work that into the plan later in the Fall. But I did make a distinct effort to keep today pretty relaxed and easy as far as my schedule was concerned, a day to “smell the flowers” so to speak. And I managed to keep that plan in tact, only had one commitment today, and as I suspected it was the kind of commitment that made my day.
I went to an assembly today to speak to a group of students about the idea of helping other people, and to celebrate their efforts to make a Positive impact. It was unlike most assemblies I’ve attended, either as a student or now in my role with RealTime Cancer, as this morning there were students from Kindergarten to grade 9 in attendance. Quite an age range, and there is something about that age range that contains an amazing energy. I’m not sure if I can accurately explain how I felt to be there today, but I can say that I am blessed to have been invited and I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my morning any other way.
It was a year ago on this day that I became that much more like my Dad, and on this day my new immune-system is one year old, and so far it’s been working very well, some rough patches but nothing too major and certainly nothing I can’t handle. The rest of my body seems to have gone in the opposite direction regarding age and performance, but I feel that as the days progress I’ll work my way to having a more “experienced” immune-system and a body that doesn’t look or perform as if it’s had as much “experience” as it has. What I call relaxed rebuilding has been flowing during the Spring and Summer and I’m thinking it’s near time for me to kick it up a few notches and get serious about my strength and energy.
Perhaps a reason for that heightened desire for strength and energy, or a heightened priority of the goal to increase them both is related to a trend that has begun to gain some momentum. It is a trend that relates very directly to my message to the students this morning, helping others who we know intimately or not at all. The trend, I feel, is related very directly to an awareness and acceptance of my efforts to share my experience, connect with young people and make a Positive impact. You see when I first started RealTime Cancer, and the education program we deliver in schools called the RealTime Cancer Challenge, not everyone was open to what I wanted to do. However, there were 3 Principals who gave me a shot and supported the program, that had no track record, and that may or may not have worked. But they gave me a shot, for which I am very grateful, and the program not only worked but it was an amazing success.
As awareness of my personal story and my efforts with RealTime Cancer has grown so has the acceptance of those efforts and desire to have me come and share my story with new audiences. I first noticed this trend when I began to ease back into work last Spring and I’m so pleased to say that the desire hasn’t died down after the summer break. RealTime Cancer has had great support from the “drop of the puck”, in both the education and business communities, and having an email group of over 2,000 people is no small feat. Many hands, hours, and $$’s went into all of our efforts in the past 2 1/2 years and the impact we have been able to make is a big team effort. So as I celebrate my first birthday, again, it’s a very good feeling, an amazing feeling in fact, to know that the acceptance of my vision is still growing and gaining momentum.
There’s lots of those amazing feelings going around today and lately, and that is a major reason why I’m feeling some increased strength and energy would be a nice item to put on my hit list. As with most things you can be sure I’ll keep you updated on my progress there.
For those not living in Newfoundland, we are on day 12 (I think) of a Doctors strike, and I wanted to quickly mention to you all that I have not been affected by the adjustments in the system. I have had 2 appointments cancelled and did make an extra one to get the drugs that I need but outside of that I’ve been fortunate, once again, not to have the need for the system.
Back soon I’m sure.
Always…
Live Life. Love Life.
Geoff
