04/02/2018
Well Justine did it! She convinced me that there was enough demand to hear from me. I thank her for keeping this blog alive and at least some sort of record of events in our lives. I admit that I am not a blogger nor do a keep a good journal. So I guess there has been a number of things that have occurred to me, but I think Justine has touched on most of them. Anyhow, here it goes:
As I look back, it has been a little over 10 years since I met Justine in January 2008. By this time ten years ago, Kathy was making wedding plans. Justine and Kathy had just gone to Guatemala for their annual trip, and Justine had just received her first kiss. And Boy, it was a good one. HAHA! Well let's just say it was a little more OPEN-mouthed than expected. It happened just before she left for Guatamala. I'll tell you what... everybody on that trip knew about it:) It's fun to think about those days and how young we were.
A few years later in 2012 we were blessed with our daughter, Tayvia. It was an exciting time in our lives. I was working in commercial real estate and she was a dental assistant. We had enjoyed several years together traveling and having a good time and then it happened. A game-changer and the first serious challenge in our marriage. I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Not only was it cancer, but it was stage 3c (just before terminal state 4). Not a day goes that I am reminded of it in some way. I look in the mirror and see scars on my chest and on my head, I take pills to prevent head aches or seizures, and most of all I don't have any hair on my head exempt the mangy looking stubble that grows in white, but to sparse to grow it. My hearing has diminished which has created communication problems.
I know have painted a picture of despair and doom and gloom, but there have been many good experiences that have come from living through it all. There was really not any physical pain going though it, but definitely mental and emotional challenges. Recently I have started going to the gym with my brother early morning weekdays. I got a membership just before Thanksgiving 2017. Since then I have lost 25 lbs and in better shape than ever. Though I can't slam dunk a basketball, I can at least touch the rim. The doctors told me it would take two years at least after remission to feel as good as before. I have recovered all my strength and in some ways exceeded my pre-cancer strength physically. My balance has gotten better. I have had my eyes and ears corrected. So I feel I have finally recovered my confidence, which is huge for me.
My mindset has become much more positive, I don't feel so gloomy. I don't look at cancer as an excuse anymore for my shortcomings. I see now that it has helped in ways I didn't imagine. It has given me more love, more patience, more awareness, a better more positive attitude, more confidence, more gratitude for friends and family, and I daresay, peace.
For the first time since being diagnosed 5 years ago, I can feel good about saying "I am the man!". I know I just quickly skimmed over things ( I could seriously write a book on this), I appreciate all the support and thoughts from my audience.
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This is my little family on Palm Sunday. Tayvia has a lovely new dress
from Costco, I have a suit that I haven't fit into for a couple years (20+ lb
loss makes a difference), Landry supporting a polished look, and my beautiful
wife is as pretty as ever! I am blessed! |
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This is us in Beaver, UT. I love Beaver. We like to stop here whenever
we go by and visit the Cache Valley Cheese outlet for cheese and ice cream.
Notice Landry trying to steal my ice cream, that kid eats more than Tayvia
and almost as much as I do...just wait when he gets bigger...oh boy! |
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We visited the semi-new temple constructed in Cedar City. Its on top of a hill
for everyone to see. |
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| Weeping Rock at Zions |
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| Waiting for the bus at Zions |
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Tayvia riding Candy... such joy...after our visit to Zions, we visited
my cousin in Toquerville. This was obviously the highlight of her trip. |
