Change

Obama ran on "Change" as his platform in 2008, and the majority embraced it. The direction this country was going at the time was so misguided, the one thing many fear the most - change - was the the one thing they were willing to accept. I won't turn this into a political platform, as our current politicians haven't done anything to warrant my time, but it's interesting how people voted for change back in that election.

For the past 3 months, all I've known is change. Nothing resembles normal, ordinary, "same old, same old". Daily trips to City of Hope weren't in the plan before that. Managing my health was done by hopping on my bike, into my kayak or onto my skis, with only an annual visit to the doctor. Now, I'm subjected to being pricked, prodded, tested - all daily occurrences that are required as part of my treatment plan. But necessary in this battle, so a welcome change to my old normal.

During this time, I lost my sweet Mother after a long & rewarding life, I assumed the leadership position within our ski patrol, and now I bid farewell to my dear friend and colleague of 12 years, as he moves on to another opportunity and my responsibilities expand to manage the entire sales function at our company. If only cancer kept a calendar, it would understand that this is a really challenging time for me. Change is all around me and I could use a "timeout" from cancer right now! But I know that God never gives us more than we can handle, so clearly I've got this. Keep the timeout, I'll be good.

While change brings the unknown and usually a high level of anxiety with it, we really should embrace it. It also brings new, exciting experiences that add to our life memories, while molding our character and who we are. I have been very fortunate to this point and look forward to this next chapter. Bring on the change....I'm not max'ed out yet!