Life is good. The alternative is probably not as great. This is a tenet by which I have always lived. Some days you feel it and other days you don't, but life is good. You can't teach nor preach happiness, you just have to be fortunate enough to have that as one of your traits. At this stage in my life I have so much for which to be grateful and thankful. Even when I had much less, I always had the foresight to know that life was good.
During the grueling years of medical school and residency, mired in debt and living on scant sleep, I found very little light during dark hours, but there was always the positive. I am going to be a physician. Shortly after finishing residency in 2004, with 3 healthy kids, a loving wife and a career blossoming, I got knocked down a peg. I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. There are many subtypes and at this point, 6 1/2 years later, I know that I will be around for years. However, during those first few minutes, hours, days, weeks, months I made a silent pact with G-d that I only shared with my life companion, Laura. I asked to be given the privilege to see each of my three boys become a Bar Mitzvah. When a Jewish child turns thirteen, according to Jewish Law, they become responsible for their actions and enter adulthood. A very important milestone for Jews and a point of pride for Jewish parents. The day is further marked by reading from the ancient scrolls, the Torah.
Just ten hours from now, I will see my youngest son enter adulthood in the tradition set forth years before and ratified by generations of Jews having followed the same prescribed rituals. I will have been blessed to see all 3 of my boys achieve this momentous achievement. I hope to be healthy and fortunate enough to see many more milestones. However, in the grand scheme of things, everyday after tomorrow will be bonus time for me. I must never forget the pact I forged during the days of self reflection and unknown. Everyday is a bonus from here on out. Maybe that's the way we should live everyday. Getting a miserable diagnosis sure puts everything into perspective and reminds us what is really important.
01.28.2011
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