The Unexpected
I’m sitting down to write this just a few days before Thanksgiving. Around this time of year, I always reflect on the people and things I am thankful for. But this year is different. Very different.
Back in June, I discovered I have breast cancer.
I’ve been undergoing chemotherapy ever since with my final treatment being the day before Thanksgiving.
How fitting.
Ever since I was told I would be undergoing chemo for nearly five months, my goal has been Thanksgiving. Never would I be so thrilled to see this holiday.
Now that the week is here, there is nothing anticlimactic about it. It is every bit as wonderful, freeing, and thrilling as I expected it to be.
This road of cancer hasn’t been a breeze. And I’m still in it. I have one big surgery just two days before Christmas, then another in the spring. I’ll also be placed on a hormone-blocking pill for the next five years.
But.
Cancer has also, strangely, been one of the best things that has ever happened to me. And this is why…
The Good Stuff
The day before I was told by the doctor that I had cancer, an overwhelming peace flooded my soul. That peace has never left me, not even for a moment. And just in case I needed reminding along the way, several friends and family members have spoken this same peace into my life at regular intervals.
Cancer has given me a different perspective. I’ve discovered that, pretty much, the only thing that matters is people.
I have also discovered such joy in the little things. ALL of the little things.
I chose at first to refrain from writing about my cancer in my blog. I felt it might not be the most professional image to portray, nor did I want colleagues or clients to shy away from collaborating with me or hiring me.
But I’ve obviously decided to out myself this week by writing about it. And it’s because of some of you that I decided to speak out.
It is, after all, Thanksgiving, and I have never been more thankful, more grateful to, well, be alive and thriving.
For most of you, this is the first you are hearing about my cancer diagnosis. But for the few of you who have learned about it before now, I am so grateful for you and the love you’ve shown me.
When I ventured into the world of private investigations, you all welcomed me with open arms. You mentored me, answered my questions, gave me pointers, encouraged me, and treated me as a respectable colleague. I felt so welcomed and lucky to be able to assert myself into such a tight nit group of solid people.
But the kindness several of you have shown me in these last many months of doctor’s appointments, chemo treatments, and life-altering decisions, it has overwhelmed me.
Thank You
So for these people, I am especially thankful this year:
Thank you Mauricio Vianna of Lake Washington Investigations for your steadfast support of me and New Hope Investigations. You have been my #1 fan from the start and I love you to pieces. You challenge me and sharpen me as a colleague and friend. Thank you for caring and checking on me regularly. And thank you for laughing with me and not shying away from using your humor on this cancer patient. You are one of a kind.
Thank you Brian Willingham of Diligentia Group for thinking of me during this year’s OSMOSIS conference that I wasn’t able to attend because of my chemo treatments. It meant a lot that you would send me a group photo of everyone, letting me know that you were missing me. And thanks for your emails of righteous indignation aimed at my cancer.
Speaking of OSMOSIS, a huge shout out to Brett Webber of Consilad for sending me all of your notes from the conference. This was hugely generous and thoughtful of you. And what valuable information I would have missed out on if it weren’t for you.
To Rob Douglas of Skopenow, the iPad you so generously bought me so that I can catch up on all the good movies and binge watch the best Netflix series as I’m recovering from my surgeries, you are awesome. An unexpected gift from a fantastic colleague and friend. Your kindness overwhelms me.
And even to those of you who are just learning about my cancer, you’ve been so good to me. I love what I do and I love the people I get to do it with.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. I hope your hearts can find gratitude, even in the hard stuff. May the hard stuff bring out the great stuff. It certainly has for me.