Let it be known, if it isn't already obvious, that I love a good analogy. Mine aren't always obvious (ergo not always effective), and mine tend to trend toward food analogies (need I say more?). But I find a well-crafted analogy to be equal parts artistry (presenting the proper parallel) and explanation (offering the essence of an idea from another perspective; for the purposes of better understanding or better relating) - in an effort to help the listener/reader put themselves in the situation and further grasp my point (not always glaringly apparent - like all of the preceding).
We've all just lived through the seasonal end of Daylight Savings Time (with the exception of my loyal followers in Arizona and Hawaii - my research shows that I do not have any fans in Guam, PR, USVI, etc.). I won't use this forum as a discussion of the history or debate of the ongoing merits (or not) of Daylight Savings Time, but I will exploit the moment for its analogous benefits.
Like "30-days has September . . . " or "stalagmites - ground / stalactites - ceiling" - the tried and true "Spring ahead / Fall back" is a great way to keep straight which way to set the clocks - at this time of the year when we wrestle our various timepieces back an hour. For me, this has taken on new significance as more than just a clever chronological mnemonic. Thanks for waiting - here comes the analogy part.
As we have talked about, there are many things in my life that will never be the same - as a result of my cancer diagnosis and treatment. But in some respects, now that the bulk of my therapy is behind me, I have been able to "turn back the clock" of sorts and start over. The obvious is my new immune system (as a result of the stem cell transplant), and of course the return of my hair (objectively I think there really is actually less white than before). But the less obvious, yet no less appreciated, is a return to certain aspects of my pre-diagnosis health. My hemoglobin recently clocked in at 11.8 (slowly creeping up from a low of 7.6); my back pain has disappeared (no more stress on my over-worked kidneys - taxed from expressing insanely high amounts of protein); and my stamina is improving every day (knocked off a 5+mile hike around Manasquan Reservoir this weekend with some of my posse, fomenting nary a huff nor a puff from any of us).
So though some things will understandably never be the same, I'm "turning the clock back" to a healthier time and gaining so much more than an extra hour of sleep.
