Bernie Siegel & Winter Storms

National Weather Service today: Winter storm warning in effect for Southeast Texas, producing rain during the day, possible sleet tonight. All through high school I drove a stripped down 1948 Willis Jeep without sides, doors, or a roof. On rainy days I wore a poncho, but in hard rains I’d still get to school wet and would use the dryers in the gym to dry my clothes. I left today on my scooter wearing my overcoat, with raingear stored under my scooter seat. Bernie Siegel, in his book Faith, Hope & Healing said, “You make your own weather by focusing on sunny or cloudy skies.” Pay attention to your reflective focus today and choose joy to thrive! Faith, Hope & Healing - Bernie Siegel

MD Anderson Roberto Clemente, Jr. Meeting

I met with Roberto Clemente, Jr. last week and gave him a wellness coach tour of MD Anderson showing him the many faces of caring at our institution and he was impressed. He was 6 when his dad died (1972) in the plane crash delivering supplies to Nicaraguan earthquake survivors. Roberto carries on his father’s legacy of kindness and goodwill through the many projects he is involved in helping kids and adults. It’s easy to see how he has become an inspiration to many. As he drove off, I realized he had that stillness of spirit we see in people that live in the present, making the most out of each day, uncluttered by dwelling on past regrets or future fantasies. Where will you dwell today?

Steve McQueen Weekend

Last week, I sat in a waiting room with a woman whose cancer had spread to her brain. She had been a piano teacher and her hands were beautiful. After a few minutes she said what all with advanced cancer wish, “Why can’t I just live with my cancer?” then smiled and said, “Let’s not waste a day”. Her smiles and hug stayed with me all weekend as I rode my scooter around the back streets of Houston dreaming I was Steve McQueen in the movie the Great Escape and trying to catch up with my son who was running the marathon. At the end of Mary Oliver’s poem The Summer Day, she asks, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Houston Marathon - Life Booster

Yesterday, my 35 year old son who lost ~ 60 pounds last year completed the Houston marathon.  It was his first marathon since high school, and a PR of 4:10.  I drove him to the starting line at 5:30am, met him at mile 6, 18, 23, and the finish line.  His wife, kids, mom, and I were all marathon boosters showing up around the course, like thousands of others.  One family I kept running into called it a race within a race, where boosters are running around the course supporting their runners.  We all need “life boosters”; individuals that step up for us in challenging times.  No special skills required, just willingness to BE THERE for others.  Try it and see the difference you make in your life and the life of someone else. 

Fly Me to the Moon

I had a melody stuck in my head last night, “Fly me to the moon, Let me play among the stars, Let me see what spring is like, on Jupiter and Mars.”   We all have moments we want to run away from life.  About midnight one of our cats stretched out along my arm, rested his head on my wrist, and immediately went to sleep.  The warmth of his coat and his tiny heart beat on my wrist brought calmness and confidence; a blessing received through another’s touch.  We’ve all been there, we just sometimes lose our way, but a little love always brings us back.  Show someone you care today!

Lab & Radiology Results

I end my class yesterday with my favorite Pooh Bear scene, “you’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think”, and then headed to my appointment.  In the waiting room I meet a newly diagnosed patient and his wife from San Diego, you could see it in their eyes, I wanted to tell them, “You’re braver….”.  My doc has very intense caring eyes, and his clinics always run behind because he meticulously goes over reports, listens, and answers all your questions.  As a young man I was a top handball player, and loved the speed and intensity of the game.  My lab and radiology reports showed I’m down a point, and we need to move to another tactic, something I’m really good at, and with the support I get from many of you, I’m braver than I believe, stronger than I seem, and smarter than I think. 

Cancer Stories Shared

The three of us shared a bench in the CT scan area.  She talked about the 4th stage breast cancer in her bones and liver, but smiled as she talked about her husband’s love.  I was starting to talk about my cancer journey, but stopped and turned when the young man next to us apologized.  He was starting to cry, he had testicular cancer and it had spread to his lungs.  He wiped his eyes, smiled, and talked about how cancer had strengthened his family.  Minutes later their names were called and we all stood, held hands and wished each other the best.  Shared cancer stories have a way of weaving bonds of love and hope.  Her cancer bloomed love, his cancer brought a family closer together, and mine has empowered my message about the goodness of life, something you must never forget!