Hello Fellow Travelers!
Along this mysterious path that has been my post-cancer life lo, these many years (longer than The Civil War) I have encountered many obstacles and received many gifts. The best gift I received was the gift of life. I practice the "discipline of gratitude" - I interpret it as the following: I'm grateful just to be on the right side of the dirt, I'm grateful to still be alive! Everything else is secondary.
I have been working, rehabbing and doggedly pursuing something called "neuroplasticity" - the brain's ability to make new connections through damaged brain tissue.
It occurred to me recently that I've been approaching this recovery thing all wrong. What if this is as good as it's going to get? What if I relearn to walk only to trip over a cliff? Gritting my teeth and working even harder and depriving myself of every earthly comfort seems like a plan but is it?
I keep stretching and adding to a long list (and getting longer) of foods and beverages I no longer consume because they're bad for me! And I exercise constantly! As a result, I'm always really hungry. Why should I suffer?
Because with every trip to the gym, every gram of sugar I skip, I get a little closer to neuroplasticity. Every mile I pedal to nowhere on the bike, or walk on the treadmill makes me a little more flexible, a little more nimble, a little steadier, a little leaner.
I keep working out and writing. I know I'm getting stronger and lighter, I'm no longer motivated by the appearance of new muscles on my body or a small size in my closet. I'm now motivated to be smaller because it's easier for me to put on clothes. Weighing as little as I can is a priority now because the PS has to haul me around from time to time.
Every day is filled with new challenges, uneven flooring and cookies I can't eat.
I believe I'll walk again. Until that happens I'll "seize the day" and take a note from the Travelocity Garden Gnome: "Go and smell the roses!"
I'll make peace with wheelchairs and be grateful for the behind-level view that a wheelchair affords!
Hey, I'm being life-coached by a plaster yard decoration, I'll take inspiration wherever I can find it.
5 YEARS PEOPLE! Time is a wasting!
Any ideas are encouraged!
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| Star Wars C-3PO,BB8 & R2D2 They have absolutely nothing to do with brain tumors, I just like them! |
I have been working, rehabbing and doggedly pursuing something called "neuroplasticity" - the brain's ability to make new connections through damaged brain tissue.
It occurred to me recently that I've been approaching this recovery thing all wrong. What if this is as good as it's going to get? What if I relearn to walk only to trip over a cliff? Gritting my teeth and working even harder and depriving myself of every earthly comfort seems like a plan but is it?
I keep stretching and adding to a long list (and getting longer) of foods and beverages I no longer consume because they're bad for me! And I exercise constantly! As a result, I'm always really hungry. Why should I suffer?
Because with every trip to the gym, every gram of sugar I skip, I get a little closer to neuroplasticity. Every mile I pedal to nowhere on the bike, or walk on the treadmill makes me a little more flexible, a little more nimble, a little steadier, a little leaner.
I keep working out and writing. I know I'm getting stronger and lighter, I'm no longer motivated by the appearance of new muscles on my body or a small size in my closet. I'm now motivated to be smaller because it's easier for me to put on clothes. Weighing as little as I can is a priority now because the PS has to haul me around from time to time.
Every day is filled with new challenges, uneven flooring and cookies I can't eat.
I believe I'll walk again. Until that happens I'll "seize the day" and take a note from the Travelocity Garden Gnome: "Go and smell the roses!"
I'll make peace with wheelchairs and be grateful for the behind-level view that a wheelchair affords!
Hey, I'm being life-coached by a plaster yard decoration, I'll take inspiration wherever I can find it.
5 YEARS PEOPLE! Time is a wasting!
Any ideas are encouraged!
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