This past year started out a little bit different than most. I had been feeling tired, both psychically and emotionally over the past year. I had wondered if I was up for another busy year. I decided on a new diet program and workout regimen. As the year progressed all was going well, considering the down turn with the economy, lest me being a bit frugal and basically a tightwad, we all set our goals and got through the bland months of January, and February. I put aside most of my blogging and other social sights to focus on Taylor's schooling, becoming more involved and Sandi came home from work on January 31st to announce she was taking some time off for about six months. With family going on deployment this sounded like a good thing to do. My brother Brad moved in again with us and put together a short lived trucking company. He stayed with us until August when I guess we had had enough of each other. Liberals and Conservatives just don't mix some times. We enjoyed his stay and help. In June, we thought we were going to lose Mom. She spent weeks in the Hospital. We enjoyed visiting you everyday and bringing Krispy Creme donuts. Your a fighter and your doing well. Hope you live forever!
The next few months flew by and although my Brother in Law Steve had not yet returned from Afghanistan on his deployment with the Predators and Reaper's, by June first we were ready to take some time off and travel to Utah to the property and do some fishing. I had just days before gone in for my annual physical, with all the bells and whistles, blood draws etc., as it was refill time for my prescriptions due to inherited blood pressure issues and a script for my seemingly endless Bronchitis that was going around everywhere in Las Vegas. Uncharacteristically I had started snoring in my sleep and because my sister had sleep apnea issues it was suggested that I take a sleep test.
I have never snored before in my life and just attributed it to that past four stressful months and not the best of eating habits, a lot of hard work and again the economy. We met Richard up there with his hunting Dog and spent Memorial Day weekend fishing and looking at properties on Cedar mountain there at Panquitch lake. It was hot and sticky most of the day and I had been noticing other weird physical anomalies, but just attributed it to the last four months and was just happy to be with family again. On Sunday night, we all built a huge bonfire next to the barn on the property and decided to marsh the mellows as they say. It was early about 8:00 p.m. and I found myself falling asleep in my camping chair. After a long time of being call a wimp and other names I decided to call it a day and went inside to sleep. The others joined in later...
We got an early start back as Tuesday was Taylor's last day of school and was the following day. She was excited to go as it was also awards day. When she came home from school she had won just about every award she could including the School's second highest award. We are so proud of her... Taylor had just picked out where we were going to eat and celebrate when my cell phone rang. On the other end of the phone was my awesome Doctor of 10 years, a wonderful Christian lady who after divorcing her husband opened her own office and I went with her. She is spiritual and always says a prayer at the end of my appointments. She cured my four times a year Bronchitis problems in about 18 months years ago. The only problem was that never in all those years had she personally ever called me on my phone to talk. She asked how I was and how I felt. I told her crappy and chronically tired. I guess God had been wondering lately about my Humility issues and other vices and got together with JOB, an expert on things going bad for you, and decided they needed to give me a nudge. It was then my Doctor told me she had some good news and some bad news for me. Of course I asked for the bad news first and she told me I had been diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease and that I had had it for about two years now. The good news with proper and immediate care it could be cured although it would probably be with me for the rest of my life. Although I hadn't planned on winning any life living longevity awards anytime soon, any thoughts of making it to 70 or even 65 suddenly became a reality. ( But for now I'll have three Birthdays every year! November 10th, the Marine Corps Birthday, December 8th, the day the Doctors told me I was all brand new, and of course my regular Birthday a week later.)
The next few months everything in my life changed. It was Ladies vacation at the Condo in Vail, Co. this year. The doctors wouldn't let me go this time... Every priority I had changed and things I usually worried or dreaded about were not even an after thought. After two months of treatments I remembered laying in bed on night thinking back on Marine Corps Survival training and how I had hoped I would never ever have to endure anything like that again in my life. Apparently, God and JOB hadn't forgotten my words. It's been six months now, six months of having lifesaving poison dumped into my body and enduring pain, and feelings I wouldn't wish on my worst enemies. (well maybe one or two)...
Until now I have kept it private letting only those close to me know. One blessing is that my older sister who I have been estranged with for years and I have become close again, (except she is a dang lib and I'm a conservative.) We don't talk Church or politics anymore except for the occasional cheap shot when we feel the need.
My family and I have put our priorities in a better direction now. Each day is precious to us. We ended up with the most "Simple" but wonderful holidays this past few months. I enjoyed walking all over the countryside on Halloween dressed as "Hell Boy"... All the little kids would wait for me to go to the doors first if they were afraid, kind of their "protector" as it were. The same at Taylor's school Halloween night. It was fun but it took it's toll on me. Thanksgiving and Christmas were simple but very close family wise...
A difficult year, but one with more meaning in my life than any other. God has a plan for me and I spend most of my time trying to figure it out. As of this writing it's coming together. I've started a grassroots business in Survival and Food storage. I'm working on incorporating my doTerra membership into my company as well. Looks like I'll be doing a lot of traveling to Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah this year...
I would like to take the rest of this writing to thank so many loved ones and friends who have stood by me during this very difficult and trying time in my life. Although I look better than I have in years, I often don't feel it. It has been your love and strength, prayers and support that has helped me get through all this so far.
Good things are coming.
Thanks to my beautiful family, Sandi & Taylor, Carol, Richard and Lori, Steve and Lauren, My BIG sis, Linda, Brad, all my Marine buddies, (Semper FI) that know, Gunny Mcfadden (Bob) Lori T (your the best), Mark, Dave, Thanks so much, Matt & Carrie, Bishop Matt Cox, (your truly my brother, thanks for putting up with me) Brad Wild my friend who's information has meant all the difference with what I've gone through, for the Blessings, Gale my doTerra buddy, the love and to all of you who I have missed and forgot to put your name in here and for those of you in my past who continue to influence my life. (Mom, I'm sorry I can't tell you about this but you have been through enough this year without this and have already lost one child, no worries)
May God Bless all of you!!!
-Al
