Onwards and Upwards No. 17
Hello my healing team,
I hope this update finds you well!!
Today, 20 May 2015 is National Myeloma Day. 🎉 Yay happy Myeloma Day friends!! The first text message I got this morning wishing me happy Myeloma Day put a smile on my face. The latter part of text even made me laugh………but I cannot share that due to the explicit language used which was understandably derogatory towards cancer. As I sit here, I am a little confused. Am I meant to mourn or celebrate Myeloma Day??
I guess I have good reason to do both. I can mourn as I think back of the challenges that my family and I have had to overcome, the pain and the anxiety we have endured, the uncertainty that comes with a cancer diagnosis. But whilst I can mourn and dwell, I don’t.
Lets be clear. I don’t think that I will throw a party to celebrate today. There will be no cake or candles. However, I will reflect on the positive aspects of my diagnosis, in particular the positive changes that I have made which include;
- I am now a lot kinder to my mind and my body.
- I work harder to live deliberately. I focus on what I want more of in my life, and strive to obtain or achieve it. No more plodding along.
- I appreciate my family more. Being with them is so important. I have made a conscience decision to be more present.
- I find that I can encourage and influence people. So I now direct this skill to helping others whether it be through raising money for charity, encouraging people to register for donating stem cells, or for encouraging others to inject more ‘wellness’ into their own lives.
So as you can see, there are positives that can come from being diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. So can I ask that you embrace these positives with me by making an appointment to donate blood and (at the same time) registering to be a stem cell donor. http://www.donateblood.com.au
Happy National Myeloma Day!!
Take care.
Geoff
