"It appears mid to late stage. I'm sorry. Would you like something to help you sleep?"
"You'll graduate at Christmas." (Gander, NL slang for flunking out of university.)
"They'll never return your call."
"Your injury is in the worst 10% I've seen. You'll have to start looking at hobbies that are not physically demanding."
"You're a Canadian so they think you know nothing about basketball. Hockey, yes but not basketball."
"You don't have the pre-requisites so you shouldn't take this class. It'll be tough for you to pass."
By the time lunch time hits tomorrow each one of us will encounter someone who will decide to cast doubt on something we plan to do, a thought we have or an idea we mention in passing. Don't think of it as doubt but as a challenge. There's nothing better than proving someone wrong no matter how innocent their intentions were. I love nothing more than someone telling me I can't do something or it's out of my league. Maybe I will be defeated but it's not a failure if you actually try. It's standing at the base of a mountain and turning around that is failure.
Each of the quotes from above are from teachers, friends, fellow coaches and doctors. I could have listened but I didn't and I won't. The great thing about being alive is facing these challenges and how we overcome them.
No Pre-requisites: I received an A. Thanks D.B.!
What's motivating me right now? The joy of being alive, of being with a family I love and wanting to get old with them, of being blessed with knowing and meeting so many special people, of little tiny things that I savor a little longer like friendly banter with the nurse who's trying to run an IV line.
Nurse: Do you have any allergies?
Me: Penicillin and country music. Especially guys like Keith Urban who seem a little...you know what.
Nurse: (Blank look)
Me: Penicillin.
Too Canadian: I was put in charge of defensive stations for camp coaches at Indiana
University during camp week 2 in 1995. Thanks R.F.!
The great thing about fighting cancer is the doubters are disappearing. I'm being surrounded by a medical team that is fighting for me, friends and strangers who are cheering me on. Every day I feel stronger and more confident. Am I going to win? No idea but it's going to be an awesome fight.
Injury: I started rock climbing and did a 300 foot multi-pitch climb within 4 years. Thanks
Doc L.!
The first two doctors to tell me I had cancer gave me nothing but hopelessness. I left expecting the third doctor to come in and ask if I had a nice black suit, no shoes required. However, that didn't happen he came in and threw me hope. There lies my problem with those who put down your ideas and plans and aspirations. No one has the right to take hope away. I told an intern a few weeks ago that same thing and repeated it in front of the other doctor. I told him after listening to him for five minutes I wanted to swallow a gun barrel. I haven't seen him in the clinic since. I don't know why but I don't really care. It's my life and right now you're in my way.
Returning my call: The assistant coach at Indiana University called back and became a
friend who had me down a couple of times. Thanks Norm!
My favorite players were those who were so determined that once the ball was tossed up they knew they were going to win and played like it until the buzzer went and the scoreboard told them different. They were fighters, winners. I've coached a few players who played great when they expected to win but against a tougher opponent they didn't try because they KNEW they were going to lose. They lost because they never tried. They gave up at the base of the mountain and walked away. I smile and say hi to you but I'll never see you anything but a quitter. Sorry.
Christmas Graduate: First semester was higher than my high school grades. Thanks
Mrs. R.!
Every time I walk into the chemo suites or the hospital I do it with a big smile on face and a few good one liners ready. I'm in control and charging at it. I actually enjoy each visit because every time I go there cancer is being fought and that's got to put a big shit eating grin on my chubby face.
Of course, I'm leaving out failures because I don't need to focus on failure when failure means death. The time it's not a failed course, an arthritic ankle or a red face. I'm climbing this mountain and never turning back. I'll either die on this mountain or plant my flag at the peak.
Inoperable & Sleeping Pills: To Be Continued...
"...see if we can give 'em a big old shit burger to eat." Lou Brown, Major League
#shitkickcancer
No comments:
Post a Comment