Tags
achieve, animal, attitude, bone, cancer, desire, destiny, encouragement, energy, facebook, friends, given, help, hope, hospital, life, lire, love, loved, muscle, partner, raise awareness, relentless, silverback, stories, struggle, survived, together, transplant, travel, tvr, twitter
Good morning, still sick in the morning nearly 3 weeks after transplant ah well. Anyway BLT. what does that mean to you. Well for me 10 years ago it meant Bacon lettuce and tomatoe, it still does. I never quite got it though putting veg with bacon just seemed so wrong somehow. Lots of things changed that year, I met Andie, I used to ride a super bike. Namely a Kawasaki 900r ninja. Me n Andie went everywhere on it, I went everywhere on it. I was blissfully unaware of many things in life.. Dangers of riding, they didn’t compute, BLT I did not even know what that meant and that’s the truth. I think it was a city thing, because I had always put eggs with bacon.
I had been living life on the seat of my pants, I took this picture as I drove across the nulabor to remember what it looked and felt like. The awesomeness of nothing, the exspectancy of the unexpected. My Tango car with Whatsuuuuuup written on the back. My hair shaved as a mo hawk by an extremely old Barbar, and just going with it. That’s how it was back then, you never needed to plan anything because life was my own. Life was a daily exsperience, not a fight. I thought life was amazing and exspected everyday to be amazing.
Untill the day we moved here, and I started to live a very different life. A life where I became aware of what Cancer meant, what living with Cancer was to be like. Learning how others dealt with it. The first time I got it (Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) I treated it like it was nothing, although I got upset and found myself looking at people just carrying on with life. Like I had before, wondering how they would cope if it was them. How would they deal with this thing. It became our lives. It took over like, well erm.. Cancer.
Skipping blissfully over the ins and outs of treatment, I believed I would beat it. Never once was that in doubt, but the point is I never did. It remained with me, I never felt well even though I was told I was in remission. It never felt like it to me.
It was only after 3 years of so called remission I found out what BMT was to mean, how it would not only change me forever, but my mind set. My expectancy for life, the people that would remain. People you never would think turned their back, as had many so called life long friends previously. You learn who true friends are people like these people.
People that accept you for who you are, what you have become and what you will be. People like this are hard to find. People you holiday with and enjoy their company relaxed in the knowledge they will take the mickey out of you anyway. We don’t speak about it, it’s natural and excellent in many ways.. There are 4 millionaires in this picture. Because we are rich in life, rich in happiness. We are rich because we know what true friendship means.
Just like I now know what BMT means. I hope you never truly know what it means, but even though you may not have had one. Please respect anyone that’s had to face this in the life they have. Because you have to choose to face loosing your life to save it.
Enjoy what you have, because Bacon lettuce and tomatoe. Can so easily be BMT so live for today not what will or could be. It’s today that matters, and loving the people in it that matter.
Have a great day.
Mark
When you are fighting, it is good to have friends by your side, so I am adding my prayers and thoughts of peace and courage. Focus on the victory! Hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
God bless you x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Mark, thank you so much for following my blog because it led me directly to yours. I too look for inspiration where ever I might find it and I’m so thankful to have found it here. I’ve never been diagnosed with any type of cancer but I do understand loss and taking life for granted. You are an inspiration and I look forward to learning more about you and your journey, thank you for sharing. ~Steph
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for your encouraging words Steph. Really. Cancer opened up a world I chose to see. You either wither and die, or fight and open your eyes. I did and do the latter. Although today is a really bad day, I can still think with positivity. So I have been looking for new blogs in between long naps. I found you which meant you found me. I do hope you read my first blogs, one of which is BLT. Thanks for stopping by. -Fonz
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry to hear that today is a bad one for you. The fact that you can acknowledge it and still find some positivity is testimony to your courage. I most definitely will read your posts from the beginning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your one of the few people that have used the word ‘courage’ Steph. Only people that understand use that word. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
It’s always nice to look back to the happier times. Sorry to say I love BLT sandwiches, guess I am weird. lol Sorry it took cancer for you to realize how precious life is and who your true friends are. Truly hope today will be a better day for you Mark.
I hope you do not mind, but I have written a short story about you and Michael and posted links to your blogs on my blog. I think people need to realize many people are suffering and need support in this world.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What? Really? I will be right back I have to read it. ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cancer is such an insidious disease. I’m sorry it warmed its way into you. You’re right, we really shouldn’t take anything for granted. We must live every day of our lives. Such an inspiring piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, I really appreciate people that go out of their way to help someone to see positives in life. Cancer has taught me what life is, how kind people are, what really matters in life, and who my true friends are. Whilst being the most evil fight of my life. It’s our attitude to something that makes the difference. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I admire your spirit. Keep striving and inspiring. Prayers, love, and light.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Tosha… 😊
LikeLike
Reblogged this on fonzandcancer blogging daily to encourage. and commented:
One of my favourite blogs, this one. I just hope it’s meant for someone today…
LikeLike
I don’t know if you have seen this Mark, in my opinion this is one of the most moving videos I can recall, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhF-YfLAhw0
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, I guess you have a daughter. Thank you Jim. 👏
LikeLike
Reblogged this on pandyb.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Mark that has really made me think today. Life is tough which is why I am so glad that we have such wonderful partners. I am also so blessed to have such a wonderful Heavenly Father who cares so much for me.
I will take today as a fresh gift to seek to encourage others today. Thank you much. Dad
LikeLiked by 2 people
I believe God loves us through his people, as I know you do to dad. I hope you have a good day. Faith sends muddy paw prints.. X
LikeLiked by 2 people