The Stolen Birthday

On November 2, 2012, I will celebrate my 62nd Birthday.  I don't think I will take this one lightly. As I scan the daily paper, I realize that not everyone reaches this number.  I remember classmates, friends and colleagues that passed away much too soon and realize that each day is a gift.

I stood at the Meadowbrook Mall on Saturday and watched as my granddaughter, Ali won 2nd Place in the County Science Fair.  I can't imagine not being there.  This week, we Skyped with my other granddaughter, Avery, as she scooped out a pumpkin.  It is inconceivable that I came close to being a memory at these events.

So many good things have happened as a result of my "emergency", that I can hardly regret that it happened.  Hundreds of calls, cards and encounters have made me realize how blessed I am.  I have shared my story dozens of times and have listened to stories of friends as they relate their own "emergencies" to me.  I've gained a newfound appreciation for the trials that others go through.

I'd like to say that this has inspired me to climb Mount Everest or take the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Mongolia, but I'd be lying.  I want to eat my confetti cake made by Granddaughter Ali and listen to an out of tune version of "Happy Birthday" surrounded by family and friends.

Each day, my "emergency" appears farther away in the rearview mirror of life.  Some incredible opportunities have opened up before me and I am excited as each day dawns.  I know that some day in the future the details of my experience will become a little vague and distant, but I don't ever want to forget the lessons that this has taught me.

I'm hoping for a great gift this birthday.  It has twenty four hours and I've realized that it is the best gift of all.

Best Medicine-My Dog, Jack!

I remember several years ago when an old fellow told me that if you get into politics and need a friend, "Get a dog!"  When our neighbor came home one day with a young dog that he had found with a piece of rope tied around his neck, I could hardly imagine how much my life would change.  Jack became a part of the family and began an incredible journey.  We named him after our neighbor, Shaun Jack.  He gave us some challenges and we worked through some training issues but he soon became comfortable in his adopted home.

While I have had dogs for most of my life, Jack reconnected me with a dog that I had as a young boy.  When I was about ten I had a dog named Junior and he was my constant companion.  Jack seemed to sense that he was sent to our home for a special purpose.  When I came home from the hospital after my embolism, Jack was my 'therapy' dog.  He was ready for anything.  If I was upstairs, he was there.  If I was in the yard, Jack was by my side.

I am probably too much of an optimist to admit that depression is a pretty common issue after a major health scare.  Facing your own mortality and an uncertain future can work on your mind when you are confined to your home recuperating.  I would admit that there were days when I wondered what the future would bring.

Jack seemed to sense this and became my psychologist.  On days when I just wanted to lay in bed, Jack would wag his tail and bark until I would get his leash.  When I was spending too much time thinking about how bad I had it, Jack would jump on the recliner and curl up at my feet.  He seems to understand the unique job that he has undertaken.

Its hard to put into words what Jack means to me, but I think he knows.

Good News!

Walking around with a large blood clot in your leg is not a comforting situation and I was anxiously awaiting  my doctor's appointment today at Ruby Hospital in Morgantown.  Fortunately, the news was good and I will now be jumping back on the road to recovery.  The blood clot is slowly being absorbed back into my body and should be significantly reduced in the next three months.  Hopefully this is a significant milepost on my journey back from my Pulmonary Embolism on September 6, 2012.

I would never pick this malady if given a choice but like many things in life, no one asked me.  I have experienced a wide variety of high-tech medical testing.  MRI's, CAT Scans, Ultrasounds, Blood tests and numerous other magical medical mystery tricks and tests.  I have seen more doctors in the past three months than I had seen in my previous sixty one years.

I have really learned to appreciate the dedication and commitment of today's medical professionals.  They are dealing with a constantly changing environment and yet they continue to engage you on a personal level at a critical time in your life.  I know that not everyone has a positive experience with today's medicine, but I have always tried to be an optimist.  Throughout the past several months of dealing with a serious medical condition, I can honestly say that I have not encountered one person who was less than professional or caring.

The drive to Morgantown today was stunning.  A fall day in West Virginia is a blessing and one that is enjoyed in almost every direction.  So, for now, I will enjoy my good news and start working on the next thirty or so years.  God Bless!

Lessons learned about life!

While I still have some medical issues to resolve, I was very happy to attend the Clarksburg City Council meeting tonight.  About a month ago, I was planning to attend the regular meeting of city council when I learned that I had a pulmonary embolism.  While Clarksburg City Council is sometimes a stressful experience, I can assure you that it beats the Intensive Care Unit at United Hospital Center.

Recovering from a major health scare is an interesting journey for someone who had never spent so much as a day in a hospital.  You start to think about the future and what is really important in your life.        You start to get an idea of what others have gone through over the years.  I have been so touched by the stories that I have heard from friends who have shared their experiences with me in the last week or two.

I think that the lesson learned is that everyone carries a suitcase full of issues that is generally personal and private.  They exist in the world as our friends and colleagues and very seldom do we know the personal struggles that they are going through.  So many people have come up to me and I have been overwhelmed by their experiences.  Heart problems, cancer, brain surgeries and other issues that I had no idea they were going through.  I can only think of how fortunate I have been and how much my eyes have been opened to the struggles of others.

Life is strange.  We put so much focus on illness and heartbreak and we forget the miracle that is our existence.  I could hardly argue with God if he decided to call me home or place some obstacles in my otherwise pleasant existence.  As I was laying in the hospital with a dozen machines hooked up to me, I couldn't get out of my head that I was no more deserving of my 61 healthy years than the day or two of illness.  Each day is a blessing and some of the obstacles may be only be a reminder of the value of these amazing days.

Have a great day tomorrow, it is a bigger blessing than you can possibly realize!