Last thanksgiving was just nine days after my official diagnosis. Things were a bit crazy. All of the doctor appointments and radiation treatments and the whole newness of my having cancer. But here we are, a year later. I am doing great. I feel great. I really do have so many things to be thankful for. I figured why not list them off here. I am sure I may forget a few things, so for that, I apologize. Let’s give this a shot. This list is not in any particular order, ok, the first few items are in order, but after that, not so much. Here we go.
1. Mo & the boys – Mo has been absolutely amazing, especially when I needed her most, back when this whole cancer thing was brand new. Mo was my nurse, my chauffeur, my personal assistant, she was my rock! She is still great, but when I really needed it, she really stepped up and was there for me. I will never be able to say thank you enough for that. As far as today … what can I say? I love Mo and the boys more than anything in this world. Everything I do, I do for them. They are my EVERYTHING! I love them more than anything!
2. My mommasita – in the beginning, she was at every doctor appointment. Even today, she still comes to an occasional oncologist appointment – means the world to me! Thanks mommasita!
3. Friends & family – So very grateful for all of your love, support and prayers. Please keep it coming. I don’t think I could have done this without you all. You all are the BEST!
4. Targeted therapy – I am not sure of the exact timeline, but I just recently read that 5 years ago targeted therapies did not exist. So very grateful that my DNA Markers (aka Mutations) turned out to be EGFR. So grateful that I am doing a targeted therapy (a pill a day) and not doing chemotherapy. Cancer really is becoming a manageable disease and not a death sentence!
5. UCSD Cancer Center, Dr. Bazhenova, Jennifer and the whole team – What can I say? I have the best team behind me and that is for sure something to be VERY grateful for.
6. Tight butts – Sure they drive me nuts, but they are so worth mentioning and they are something definitely to be grateful for.
7. My job – So grateful that I have a job that allows me to work from home when needed. Early on, my side effects were a big-time challenge. So grateful I was able to work from home when needed.
8. My Los Lobos & Falcon Nation family – Yep, been a part of this Indian Guides program going in to my 9th year. This program has been magical for me and my boys … started off just me and Logan. Then it was the 3 of us. And now it is just me and Devon. Yes, I called it Indian Guides – we are supposed to be calling it Adventure Guides, to be PC. But this is my blog and being PC is not my thing. And to me, it has always been and will always be Indian Guides.
9. My No Fear family – I LOVE watching my boys play baseball. Logan has been playing for No Fear for 2 years. The friendships we have made with the other No Fear families truly is special. I really to think of them as family. I so LOVE watching the tournaments. I can’t wait for the next one.
10. Baseball – Yep, like previously stated. I love watching my boys play baseball. I also love coaching my boys play baseball. I just completed my last season of coaching Logan, but I still have years ahead of me of coaching Devon. Absolutely love it!
11. Online support groups – While there are things I can’t stand about Facebook, there are some very cool things about Facebook. One of them is online support groups. These are private groups. While I have not shared my cancer with the Facebook world, I am a member in a few online support groups. They are great, lots of great info is shared. While so much on the internet is scary and outdated … and just plain ol’ wrong … it is nice to have these online support groups to go to for info and support.
12. Boobs – Yep, grateful for boobs. I should not have to explain any further.
13. Legalization of marijuana in California – THC & CBD drops every night under my tongue before I go to bed. It is believed that THC kills cancer … not 100% sure if that is true, but between my targeted therapy and my taking THC, things are working. And for that, I am 100% grateful!
I am sure I am forgetting some things I am grateful for. Today has been a great day. I have been writing this blog here and there throughout the day. Now it is after 11:00pm and I am ready do my cannabis drops and head to bed. So with that, Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Please be very thankful for all you have and make sure those around you know how much you love them. Life sure can be a crazy roller coaster ride. And at times, one has no idea what lies around the corner. Thank you for all of your love and support and prayers … and as always, F’ Cancer!
Happy Thanksgiving Green Family. Thanks for sharing and I too share many of your items to be thankful for. Cheers to continued great days ahead.
Joel you are a great friend. You are so very strong . I am not sure if I could be that strong if I was in your shoes. The big thing you have is your sence of humor. Yes Butts and Boobs. That should be a name for a rock band. See you at practices or games. Gary