My One Year Bonus

April 25, 2008; today I am one year old.

It has been one long, interesting year since I had my prostate surgery in Halifax. I wasn't sure I would make it this long. I really wasn't sure what the monster would do or if the great Dr. R and Dr. B could be able to remove all of those nasty cells. But it looks like they did. I had the best doctors in the world!

But here I am and I feel very grateful this morning. I thanked God on my knees and thank God Max was beside me as I said those prayers.

Max was great last year. Without he, I would not be as in good shape as I am.

I also thanked God for all those folks that made contact with their God. It is a wonderful feeling to know people care about me. It is a humbling thought and I hope I can repay the favor.

I am also thankful to those who passed on; Jim C and Scott. The monster took them this past year but not before I was able to shed a tear for them while they were living.

God, thank you for the past year; it is a bonus. I hope I get another bonus year and that I can be of assistance to You and others.

Finally, thank you "A" for showing me yesterday that you still love me. It was cold and my feet were wet, but the view was excellent! It took me back many, many years.

The Big Decsions ...

Yesterday I received my appointment for my first official meeting with Dr. V at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre. That will be May 13 in the morning. Once again I am feeling a little strange about it all. A little fear and a sense of not having the same amount of care I received in Nova Scotia. The reason I say this, is that I called to see if there was any flexibility with the appointment schedule and there is none. My Dr. V is booked for months and she just arrived in Regina! So I couldn't change my schedule which is no big deal.

A friend of mine at my Sat @ 9 Meeting said that he doesn't make the Big Decisions anymore. He hasn't for a long time; those Big Decisions are left to God. I am so glad I heard that from Bill. He is so right. Since I sobered up and since I had to face the monster, those truly Big Decisions are not mine to make anymore. The sooner I accept that, the better my life will be.

Bill also said some wise words again last week. "Just because something happens, doesn't mean I have to do something"; most time I just have to listen, learn and move on.

Got to go to my morning meeting and work. I hope all my friends have a good day!

Gido

Saturday Morning Gratitude

I woke up this morning feeling a lot of gratitude. It is a nice feeling. It has almost been a year since my surgery. I really enjoy these moments of life!

P.S. Happy Birthday Leonard!

Is this the flu?

I must be adjusting to the Saskatchewan winter and spring. The reason I say this is because I seem to have a flu for about 3 weeks now. Body pain, stuffy nose and just feeling yucky most days. I am not complaining but this is just how it is.

I spent the past couple of days at a CGA conference in Regina and met some old friends and some new one. It was a nice treat to be involved with folks from across the country. I was especially happy to spend time with a very old friend of mine; MS. He has been a friend since the first time I landed in Nova Scotia in 1998.

Not much more to say today. Off to one of my meetings and then work.

Ciao

Goodbye Mr. Jim ...

This morning I found out that my good friend Jim C. in Nova Scotia pasted away from his monster, colorectal cancer. I will miss him.

When I found out about my monster last year, I called Jim to ask him if I could get together for coffee. It didn't take him more than a few minutes to call me back to arrange a meeting with me. His secret in life was helping others and he certainly helped me in 2007.

When I had my prostectomy on April 25 last year, when I woke from my surgery, the first person I seen was my "A". The second person I recognized was Jim. The third was Jim's wife. I was so touched that this business foe came to see me and wished me well. He earned tons of respect in my eyes and I think he earned that respect from many Nova Scotians.

I was this man just before I returned to Saskatchewan. The last time we said goodbye, in the parking lot of Tim Horton's on Portland St., we hugged. I am glad I did that.

Thank you Jim ... you made my decision today much easier. I need to sign a lot of estate papers with a laywer today. I wish it was with you.

I will see you again my friend.

Gido