You have heard me talk about the blessing of being able to connect with so many of you on such a regular basis. It is quite something to be able to come to my computer, throw my thoughts and feelings on the screen and have all of you read, take them in and react. That “something” also brings with it great opportunity, and I choose to use that opportunity to do a bunch of things that all kind of evolve from sharing my perspective. Whether it’s what’s happening with me on a given day, health or other, or something that I want to talk about, I am blessed to have the opportunity to share that perspective with you.
This group is made up of a whole collection of people as best I can tell, there are Patients, Supporters of Patients, Healthcare Professionals, and those who have an interest to learn about a Patient’s Perspective. Some times I write with a specific message for a specific group of people, and that is today’s plan.
As a Patient I have a unique perspective on what happens when a person is diagnosed with Cancer. I know what it’s like to be the Patient, the person diagnosed. And while I was the one diagnosed, the Challenge affected all of those around me, in my personal and professional life. Everyone is affected at some level, everyone deals with the Challenge in their own way at their own level.
What I want you to know, those of you who aren’t the Patients, those of you who are the family and friends of the Patient, I want you to know how super important you are. If I had to make a list of things that have been most important to me in the past 3-4 years, or the past 26-27 for that matter, I couldn’t put them in a specific order, but I can tell you that the love and support from my family and friends has been as important as anything. The sacrifices my parents and family have made, the dramatic changes to their lives on a daily basis, my brother moving home, both of my parents moving to Toronto and Ottawa with me for my Transplants, the constant trek to my hospital rooms, the constant trek to my hospital rooms with food from the “outside”, and my small core of incredible friends who made/make the effort to call, write and visit so consistently to see how I am, how I really am. So many “little” things too numerous to mention… the efforts of those around me to show they care, to reach out and touch me inside or out, to listen to my hopes, fears, Challenges and triumphs… those things have made a real difference in my life. And I’m confident the out-pouring of Love I have received has been a major contributor to my efforts to share my Love with others.
I get asked often, by friends and family members of Patients “what do I say, what do I do”, and my best response is to come from your heart, it really isn’t what you say or do, but how you do it. The presence of caring compassionate people has made such an amazing difference in my life, to be on the receiving end of that Love is an exceptional gift.
I’m not sure if I say thank you enough so I thought I would say another one today… Thank you for being there with me, in-person or virtually, thank you for listening, touching, connecting and supporting me in my efforts to tackle these major Challenges I have had presented to me, I am blessed to have you along for the ride on this most incredible Journey.
Always…
Live Life. Love Life.
Geoff
