#4 - Feb. 2nd, 2024
Hello all.
Not a lot to update you with.
I was able to get snuck into see a cardiologist to get cardiac clearance.
This Tuesday I will see a NP to get Pre-Op clearance and then it’s clear sailing for surgery on Feb. 12th.
All in all I’m in pretty good spirits. Been having a little sore throat in the past few days but to be expected.
I’ve had good friends reach out to me.
I’ve got a wife that is so strong and supportive.
And I’ve got a relationship with my Higher Power that is walking me through all this.
When this whole thing started I called my sponsor full of fear and doubt.
One of the first things he said to me was that we didn’t know many things which I will be getting answers to as the Drs do more testing. Many of those questions have been answered. Now it’s time for action. One of the things that stands out in that initial conversation with my Sponsor is that he told me that through this journey, I should be continually asking God what I am supposed to be learning through this whole process.
I have thought about that many many times and will continue to hold that idea close to me along the way.
A few things I have learn up to now are
-Advocate for yourself. Speak up. Stand your ground and do not feel bad about standing up for yourself. However, this also needs to be done with love and kindness. I pushed the drs and nurses to get me referrals when needed. I called to set up my own appts instead of waiting for them to call me.
I apologized for being the pushy patient, but I also let them know I wasn’t planning on stopping.
- Go for it. Don’t wait for the time to be right.
If you want to accomplish something. Start now.
I’ve learned this. As soon as I get on the other side of this bump I plan to take more action on multiple things, big or small, to accomplish those things I have been static on in the past.
-Friends and family. I’ve realized how important those relationships are to me. Those friends that you haven’t talked to very much. The family events that I’ve not made time for. This life and the time we get is truly a precious gift. Be more proactive on putting effort into those that mean so much.
- Appreciate the struggle. If life was always sunshine and rainbows we would take it for granted. The struggles, the pains, the hardships, embrace them. Find a lesson in them. If we can appreciate the lows, it will allow us to appreciate the highs. Then, we are able to appreciate life all the time. I know I have more struggles ahead. But I will lean in, I will press on, and I will do my very best to love inside each moment. I know that for the struggle I am and will go through, there are many people that have it much worse than me.
Yes, I have cancer. But I am still blessed beyond what I deserve.
Those are a few things I have learned.
I will continue to look for those learning lessons along the way.
Love you all,
Dave
This definitely helped expedite the process.