Right at the end of the work day today, a young guy came in to the shop for some computer repair. After getting started on his, or rather - his computer's, problem we started talking about other things, namely cancer. He mentioned that his dad had died two years ago from cancer, and my immediate response was "oh, I am sorry to hear that!" Now this is where this ties in to the things I have been thinking about this past week or so.... His response was to wave in the air and say that it's nothing to be sorry about, it just is life. He said they made the very best of his dad's last months and that when he died, he, the father, was happy and content. This young man realised at his age that death is a part of life and there is no need in being sorry about something that is going to happen to all of us. I am absolutely sure he mourned for his dad but thats not what I am talking about. He was not devastated - he was accepting of his dad's passing.
So I then asked him what he knew about becoming a marrow donor. He said he was already a blood donor and had heard that marrow donation was painful - very painful. Well, thanks mostly to Adrian, I was able to tell him just the opposite! It was a wonderful moment when he promised to sign up on the donor list next time he went to give blood! Here I got ONE person to do this and Adrian has probably got many THOUSANDS across the world to sign up for the donor list - Adrian, I sincerely hope you feel absolutely, incredibly, fantastically proud of yourself!
Here is a poster from the Anthony Nolan Trust in the UK with Adrian as the very handsome Poster Boy! Remember - that one extra person that signs up to the donor list could save someone precious in your life..... join the donor list, no matter where you are in the world. You could save a life and by saving a life, you will save a family, and a community.Just look at what Adrian's donor caused to happen........ :) If you cannot join for whatever reason, see if you can help someone else do so. The "Sudders' Campaign" will have a worldwide effect, which makes it a worldwide campaign in my eyes.
Make a difference - talk to just one more person about becoming a donor.
Religion is based on the life after death, which is apparently a wonderful place, yet its a tragedy when people go to this amazing place? It's a tragedy that all the worries and aches and pains, both emotional and physical, is left behind to go to a better place. Yet we call this a tragedy. Makes me think. I am not concerned about my dying at all. Besides the fact that its pointless to worry about it and that takes up time out of the time of living, its something that I totally accept for myself. The tragedy, I think, is in the pain of the living left behind to try to fill the space of someone who has moved on to the next stage..
Many people think that reading these blogs of people with cancer is depressing, but its quite the opposite for me. I get so much good from reading what others feel and write about. There is so much to learn about, so many things that I can and do apply in my life, in my dealing with my children and others too. I do find that at times I need to wait till the next day to read certain entries, or just later that day. I find that at times I must listen to my soul and just step back for a while. But they always draw me back. There is so much to learn. Just the other day I was listening to a fundraising drive on the radio and parents were calling in with their stories..... well, I had to turn it off after a while - even though I tuned back in after drying my eyes. I tend to get too emotional at times. Fortunately it does not stick around long, but I find the tears flowing, my chin wobbling and my throat closing up very easily these last two years.
It's not only limited to the sad stories - I howl just as easily at the happy stories, the smiling faces of success after some or other treatment or the kindness of a stranger.. Are these my 'old age hormones' kicking in or have I just become much more sensitive or silly? Maybe it's because I am actually listening to these stories now. Before cml came into our lives, cancer was something that happened to others and those fundraisers........... geez were they everywhere and surely not necessary! Oh Boy! Now I know... now I listen and now I feel so much more. I think I 'get it' now.
Oh - and here is a question that has been screaming around my mind lately...... If I was diagnosed today with a terminal illness, how would I live tomorrow differently? And then - if I did live my tomorrow differently, I need to think carefully about how I am living today! We all have a terminal illness - LIFE!
My aim is to make a positive difference in someone's life each and every day.......at least one! What's yours?
Love and light
and a big hug for you, Kay
Annie
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