I’ve always had a soft spot for the # 11, 4 is my favourite but 11 was always second place. Probably because as a little tyke I was very fortunate to meet Mark Messier, who wears 11 for those who aren’t hockey fans. Could also be that I was born in the 11th month, who knows, either way it’s always been a preference. And today it has another significance as I’m exactly 11months Post-Transplant today.
We all say “time flies”, and as I wrote a short while ago quoting my buddy Ferris – life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it -. It seems as though just the other day it was August and I looked at the calendar and said my first Transplant anniversary is 2 months away, as the official date is October 10th. Then Labour weekend happened and we’re into September and all of sudden that 1 year mark is just 5 weeks away. I had a real feeling of “time flying” when I realized that.
I’ve had such ups and downs in the past 4 years that it seems every month has at least one day in it when something very significant happened on my Journey, however I will say the Transplant day is different, as it’s the birthday of my immune-system.
Quick medical lesson… when you have an “allo” Transplant as I’ve had (twice) essentially what happens is your existing immune-system is wiped out, your ass is kicked, as a friend of mine put it “they bring you to the edge, and then they attempt to bring you back”. Bringing me back happens as they replace my immune-system with my Dad’s. So on October 10th last year I got a new immune-system, which means the immunity I had built, the memory my immune-system had, that was erased and I started from scratch, again.
Just a couple of weeks ago I started my immunization schedule, because I don’t have immune memory I need to have my immunizations again. I also did have the chicken pox when I was younger, doesn’t matter anymore. I have always felt that there is a big part of me that is a kid, and that certainly is the case for my immune-system.
I guess a major part of why I felt “time was flying” is directly connected to how I’m feeling. Because I’ve been able to do so much more than expected this summer, and last spring for that matter, I haven’t been smelling the roses as much, which is not a compliant. When you are in motion, you’re not still. (can’t make more sense than that can I?) What I mean is that I feel you need to make a more conscious effort to reflect and take in your surroundings when you are active. And when you are active, time does seem to flow quicker than when you are still.
I can’t say how much I value being still, reflecting and taking in my surroundings, had such a great weekend doing that, but to complement that I do love being able to be active, and I mean I love it. Getting back there as quickly as I have has come with an even greater joy of the simple things, of tackling Challenges, big and small, and continuing on this Journey.
11 months ago today, I was brought to the edge, and as I continue to work my way back I can say with great comfort that it’s pretty fantastic to be here.
Always…
Live Life. Love Life.
Geoff
