An Update. My Worst Day Ever!

About an hour or so ago, we arrived home from our Okanagan vacation and unpacked the van. Kaitlyn is recharging in her room, like all introverts need to do after being cooped up with family for a week. I snuck out and washed the van, then the truck – an hour to myself just washing vehicles…my way to get away from everyone and recharge.

 

Now I blog for a little more me time.

A year ago yesterday, I did the same thing. We had just gotten home from a family vacation, and I washed the van. Then I blogged.

Family traditions are a good thing. Our late August excursions have led to some serious memory making moments.

We bonded.

We played games.

We fished.

We held baby kangaroos.

We swam.

We ate burgers…a lot of burgers…

It was all good, except for this morning.

This morning, Meagan was stung by a wasp… just before we left, and this was, “My worst day ever!” she exclaimed! She asked, during the commute home, what my worst day ever was. Well, I thought about it.

Being stung by a wasp about 33 years ago was probably my worst day ever at that time of my life…

Let’s see.

Losing a job.

My dad dying.

Despression.

The day my PS2 stopped working.

Those things sucked, but my worst day happened exactly one year ago today.

Today is the 1 year anniversary of my cancer diagnosis. Stage 2C Seminoma. Unlike most other cancers that have 4 stages, Seminoma only has 3 stages. Technically this was a late stage diagnosis…Yes I was scared. Some of the Chemo days were terrible, and more difficult to bear, even the months of recovery were bad, but that first day was my most terrifying day, thus my worst day ever.

A lot has happened in the last year. I can’t even begin to process everything that has happened in the time between our last family vacation and this one.

While my “worst day ever” may have been exactly one year ago today, the past year has undoubtedly been the best year of my life.

I have learned that the Lord is faithful.

My wife is both strong and beautiful.

My family is my life.

My Church family is amazing.

 

 

I started a power washing business specializing in roof cleaning, that has, surprisingly been quite successful. I had wanted to start a power washing business years ago, but never thought that it would actually happen. I had planned on going to school full time. Yet here I am. A cancer survivor running his own business.

I currently have no clinical evidence of cancer, but my journey is not over, not by a long shot. I have years of tests and possibly more treatment if there is a recurrence. Despite all this, this year is one to celebrate.  Although, celebrating is dampened by the fact that today is also the birthday of someone we love, who is fighting her own battle with cancer.  We hope that you have a Happy Birthday Tania, despite your affliction. Remember the Lord is always with you and we are praying for you!

This year has been a roller coaster. If I have learned anything this year, it is that the Lord is faithful. He has strength for even this difficult journey. I have grown closer to Him over the past year, or rather he has drawn me nearer to himself. I have also experienced the communion of the saints like never before. It is a beautiful thing. You are all amazing and I love you all.

The second thing is that my wife is beautiful, inside and out. I did not really realize it, but I have taken her for granted for years. It is amazing how we just coast in the busyness of life, and it is amazing how the Lord will use a crisis like a cancer diagnosis to put things in proper focus. Husbands please take a minute, put down the tools, put down the work, the phone, the computer…and look at your wife.

Don’t wait for a crisis.

Really look at her.

Embrace her.

Kiss her.

Love her.

Oh and check your nuts.