September 16, 2017, at the age of 54, I was rushed to the hospital by one of my four sons.
Later that day, I underwent an emergency surgery to remove a large mass from the central nervous system in my spine.
I was satisfied with the surgery, having retained the feeling and use of my legs. The amazingly skilled surgeon in some ways was not so pleased.
Soon after I was told I had Non-Hodgkin’s Burkett’s Lymphoma, a rare and extremely aggressive form of cancer. I was given one hour to choose either to go home and get my affairs in order within two weeks, or to undergo a six-months protocol of an equally aggressive chemotherapy to fight the cancer.
I chose and I believe I chose well! That same day, I had many procedures and started chemo the next morning. I was given one job and that was to say alive!
I went for the job to live my life as fully as I could — this precious gift that I was honoured to be given for 54 years — and to teach my family how to live life by fighting this demon called cancer or by dying with dignity should that come to pass.
To do this required letting go of all responsibilities of the daily grind of life, and to stay positive and in the light of love, both giving and receiving.
The rest of the responsibility fell to the skilled healthcare professionals, their knowledge, dedication, and determination. My family and friends gave me and each other all the love and support they had. They stayed together, unified, as one strong team, had each others’s back, and shared together their pains, emotions, and concerns. Countless people were working on the same goal; to help me do my job with courage and conviction. It indeed took a village!
No one escapes unscathed into the beautiful new world. Nor did I, but I have this new life to live and what is more precious than that?
Seven years out and going strong and grateful.
More about my journey on YouTube, “My Dance With Cancer.”
