Why write my cancer story ?
"The matter is difficult to put into words. For fear, such as you feel when you are brought face to face with your mortal end, nestles in your memory like a gangrene: it seeks to rot everything, even the words with which to speak of it. So you must fight hard to shine the light of words upon it. Because if you don't, you open yourself to further attacks of fear because you never truly fought the opponent who defeated you." from Life of Pi by Yann Martel
I am a 62 year old retired math teacher who always thought himself indestructible, much the way I felt when I was 18. My service record with over 650 unused sick days only reinforced my delusion.
All that has changed now. Though I no longer feel indestructible, I do feel something different. I feel that I am being re-created, Mike 2.0 . My connection with God is tangible, my faith is growing and my fear of the unknown has abated somewhat. Although cancer has invaded my body and sometimes my mind, it has not taken up residence in my heart or soul.
When I retired last year from a long teaching career, I never could have imagined that my real career was about to begin with the words…you’ve got cancer. But I’m getting way ahead of myself.
I was diagnosed with lymphoma on June 13th , 2011 at North York General Hospital. I am well into my chemo regime and realize that some of my experiences may be worth sharing. I am seeing the world with new eyes and am humbled to be able to share my cancer story with you.
What follows is a series of slices of my life that try to find the humanity behind the cancer struggle, stories that may warm your heart, make you laugh and hopefully bring you a bit closer to God.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal .
2 Corinthians 4:18
My thoughts go out to you, Mr. Daoust -- I can't help but call you that, despite the 27 years it's been since I sat in your Calculus class and we discussed, albeit briefly, Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle. I look forward to you sharing your journey with us.
ReplyDeleteMr Daoust, I always loved your anecdotes and stories in Calculus class of 2001. You taught me so much and have shaped where I am today, so it's no doubt that I too will look forward to reading your blog and sharing in your journey.
ReplyDeleteSo well written. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteAlex P