I generally steer clear of over-sharing about my family in our conversations. It's not that I am shy, embarrassed or guarded about my personal life. Nor is it in regard to any HIPAA regulations and such. It's mainly that I feel like I'm already pushing the bounds of reason by expecting anyone to be remotely interested in my health journey. So, bringing the kids and grandkids into the conversation only gets even more presumptuous (manipulative). However, the tactical success and out-of-this-world nachas factor of a recent family adventure/voyage, reminds me of the good fortune that I have in my life, and the even greater physical prosperity that I enjoy as a person living with cancer.
In no way can I put the challenges or jeopardy of my medical situation in the class of cancer folks who struggle to make it to or through every day. Nor can I even begin to compare my health journey to those much less fortunate than me. And to these all-too-many aforementioned unfortunate folks, I offer my heartfelt best wishes and healing vibes.
As we've discussed before, from my initial diagnosis, through my treatment period and even now during my life-long maintenance mode, I was never in any life-threatening peril that finally making it to this occasion was a once-regarded impossibility. And my health is under control such that this milestone is in no way a last-chance to have this pleasure. However, I feel that it is incumbent upon me to take the opportunity to acknowledge and offer my thanks for having this moment. Getting the chance to take a family vacation with my daughters, their husbands and now my amazing granddaughters, reminds me how fortuitous I have been as a cancer survivor, and how much lies ahead for me. An occasion like this . . . is why I feel so lucky.
