I have been so fortunate!
I'm beginning to hear stories about people who have been stricken with the disease, undergone a bone marrow transplant, and have had the disease reappear! For one woman, it was within the first 100 days! What can I say? At least I have made it through that period and beyond. What does my life hold in store for me? I don't know! But it currently appears that I am still holding true to the recovery plan.
That old question continues to resonate inside my head. Why me? I have done nothing to deserve the kind of treatment that I have experienced thus far. Am I grateful? You bet I am. Can I ever pay it back? No way! But I can try.
Tomorrow, as I said before, is the training to be a peer to peer leukemia support person and Sunday, of course, is the bone marrow drive. If at all possible, please stop by and get your name on the list. There is nothing to do but undergo a mouth swab. What could be easier?
Maybe that's why I'm supposed to be around - because I bug everybody about getting up and getting out and getting your name on the list. A minute of your time can give someone else a lifetime. What an investment! An investment whereby you have nothing to lose and everything to gain - not many of those exist these days!
Once again, I thank you all for your support. Now it's time to step up and support others as well.
Why me, indeed...
Bob
April 15, 2010 10:45 PM
Income tax day!
Thank God we have already submitted them and received our refund. Otherwise, it takes forever at the post office to mail it away as it seems like everyone waits until the last moment before getting them done.
Without having to do any taxes, I spent yesterday finishing up painting the living/dining room area - a totally unplanned task. But, the results look great and I'm glad that the time was spent doing it. I also made plans to ride up to Lebanon, New Hampshire, on Saturday with one of the trainers to take a course in how to serve as a peer to peer support counselor for others who are stricken with leukemia. I don't know how good I'll be at it - but some has to do it and if I can be of any help to anyone - it'll be worth the effort. My wife will take the training to serve as a peer to peer counselor for caregivers. Is this part of what my calling is to be? I don't know, but I'll give it a try.
Today was a quiet day. More docent training this morning and then a relaxing afternoon and choir tonight.
Tomorrow, it's off to the DMV to renew my drivers license, That should be fun!
A busy time, but a good type of busy...
Bob
Thank God we have already submitted them and received our refund. Otherwise, it takes forever at the post office to mail it away as it seems like everyone waits until the last moment before getting them done.
Without having to do any taxes, I spent yesterday finishing up painting the living/dining room area - a totally unplanned task. But, the results look great and I'm glad that the time was spent doing it. I also made plans to ride up to Lebanon, New Hampshire, on Saturday with one of the trainers to take a course in how to serve as a peer to peer support counselor for others who are stricken with leukemia. I don't know how good I'll be at it - but some has to do it and if I can be of any help to anyone - it'll be worth the effort. My wife will take the training to serve as a peer to peer counselor for caregivers. Is this part of what my calling is to be? I don't know, but I'll give it a try.
Today was a quiet day. More docent training this morning and then a relaxing afternoon and choir tonight.
Tomorrow, it's off to the DMV to renew my drivers license, That should be fun!
A busy time, but a good type of busy...
Bob
April 14, 2010 12:38 AM
A great connection!
Tonight we went out to dinner and met with friends that we had not seen in almost eleven years. Because of distance, we lost touch. But meeting them tonight, it was like we had always been together over those many years. Reconnecting with old friends is really a blessing. It was so nice to share what has gone on in our lives and to realize that we still had so much in common and that we had really missed them. To tell the truth, they really hadn't changed that much. I know that we certainly have.
The rest of the day was spent painting and then playing bridge as part of our bridge group. We happened to have some cards and we won. That is another enjoyable activity. Even though we basically see these people once a year, it is still nice to reconnect, have some laughs, play some cards, and just relax and enjoy life. Man, it is so nice to be able to say that.
A really great day...
Bob
Tonight we went out to dinner and met with friends that we had not seen in almost eleven years. Because of distance, we lost touch. But meeting them tonight, it was like we had always been together over those many years. Reconnecting with old friends is really a blessing. It was so nice to share what has gone on in our lives and to realize that we still had so much in common and that we had really missed them. To tell the truth, they really hadn't changed that much. I know that we certainly have.
The rest of the day was spent painting and then playing bridge as part of our bridge group. We happened to have some cards and we won. That is another enjoyable activity. Even though we basically see these people once a year, it is still nice to reconnect, have some laughs, play some cards, and just relax and enjoy life. Man, it is so nice to be able to say that.
A really great day...
Bob
April 12, 2010 8:45 PM
Boy am I lucky!
I just came home from my monthly leukemia support group. There was a new fellow there tonight who related his tale which is not too different from those told by many others. But, he did state that he was laid off from his job of 26 years after the required 12 week family leave period which has left him with no health insurance! As a result, his medical bills have been steadily increasing and with no income(other than unemploymeny insurance) they have now entered the 6 digit range. What a shame it is that this disease is about to bring him to financial ruin. Certainly all this financial stress cannot be aiding his recovery from the disease. I am so fortunate that I have not had to face this situation. It can be a struggle at times but nowhere near what he has to face.
Well, I finished the crown molding job. That's the good news. Unfortunately, in repainting the wall where the crown molding borders, the newly applied paint is lighter than that on the existing wall - especially the wall over our fireplace. So, guess what? I now have to repaint all the walls in my living room and dining room. Fortunately, I'm one of three people in the world who actually likes to paint so I have now taken that on as the next task. In the long run, it'll really spruce up the area.
When you go to these support meetings, they contually push conferences and events along with asking for volunteers to help in various areas. That's all fine. But, you could stop everything in your life by pursuing these activities. They seem to occur just about every weekend. I have decided that I will do what I can by tackling those activities that I feel will be most beneficial for me and that I am really interested in doing. My life may now be considered the "new normal", but "normal" is still a big part of it and I will do those things with family, friends, and others that I wish to do without feeling any regrets or sense of guilt because I haven't supported the latest cancer fund raiser, a survival conference, a celebratory event, etc.
In truth, my life has expanded and I find it very fulfilling - but I can't let it explode.
I'm not sure if this is what everyone wishes to hear from me, but it is my "new normal"...
Bob
I just came home from my monthly leukemia support group. There was a new fellow there tonight who related his tale which is not too different from those told by many others. But, he did state that he was laid off from his job of 26 years after the required 12 week family leave period which has left him with no health insurance! As a result, his medical bills have been steadily increasing and with no income(other than unemploymeny insurance) they have now entered the 6 digit range. What a shame it is that this disease is about to bring him to financial ruin. Certainly all this financial stress cannot be aiding his recovery from the disease. I am so fortunate that I have not had to face this situation. It can be a struggle at times but nowhere near what he has to face.
Well, I finished the crown molding job. That's the good news. Unfortunately, in repainting the wall where the crown molding borders, the newly applied paint is lighter than that on the existing wall - especially the wall over our fireplace. So, guess what? I now have to repaint all the walls in my living room and dining room. Fortunately, I'm one of three people in the world who actually likes to paint so I have now taken that on as the next task. In the long run, it'll really spruce up the area.
When you go to these support meetings, they contually push conferences and events along with asking for volunteers to help in various areas. That's all fine. But, you could stop everything in your life by pursuing these activities. They seem to occur just about every weekend. I have decided that I will do what I can by tackling those activities that I feel will be most beneficial for me and that I am really interested in doing. My life may now be considered the "new normal", but "normal" is still a big part of it and I will do those things with family, friends, and others that I wish to do without feeling any regrets or sense of guilt because I haven't supported the latest cancer fund raiser, a survival conference, a celebratory event, etc.
In truth, my life has expanded and I find it very fulfilling - but I can't let it explode.
I'm not sure if this is what everyone wishes to hear from me, but it is my "new normal"...
Bob
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