So it has been about 10 days since I have successfully completed my prescribed Chemo treatments and I continue to wake up every morning with positive thoughts in my head and a thankful smile on my face. 20 treatments of 3 types of chemo drugs and 4 consecutive months of morning sickness can sure wear on a Mexican. The most uncomfortable side-effect of the chemo treatments is the virtual loss of my hands. Moderate to severe neuropathy has progressively worsened with each post-chemo week. But amazingly both my body and spirit have found a way to appreciate in both strength and value.
I decided to hitch a ride with a long-time friend and associate back home to Austin. I figured I would let him worry about the road and I could just enjoy the ride. He is going for business but I plan on focusing more on pleasure and less on work while at home. On the way out of town we make a couple of pit stops, the first of which is a pet store. I want to pick up some live fish food for Lionel and the rest of the gang in the tank. It's imperative that Lionel's predatory skills stay sharp and it's clear he has a knack for hunting ghost shrimp. On our second stop we picked up some essentials for a Texas road trip; beef jerky and Flammin' Hot Limon Cheetos. Both of which contribute -26% of your daily nutritional value. A statistic that is not acceptable for this cancer curing consultant but junk-food is my delicacy.
Mexican Fish Food - Sea Monkeys, Ghost Shrimp, and my love-hate relationship with a junk-food snack!
Road trip to Austin - BMW twin-turbos, Beef Jerky and Cheetos fuel our journey.
It's been several weeks since I've been to Austin and I am excited to return. I'm very comfortable on the road and I realize that the act of traveling during this time in my life feels natural. A target can be both a noun and a verb and I know I will forever be a moving target, I can see it in the stars. But it is my current cancerous actions that have put me in between a bullet and a target.
My sister claims that she is a "realist", and I respect that. I on the other hand am a Dreamer. A true visionary of many things in my life. In fact, I literally reek with it, as it has been my fragrance of choice for the past 10 years. Just ask the women I am closest to, their memories of me seemingly triggered by the dreamy scent inspired by one of their favorite designers.
But who isn't a realist to an extent? We all have to be, its part of our nature. But here's the thing. Our perception is our reality and our reality is our perception. And this cancer has only made my visions more vivid, my ideas more audacious and my actions increasingly ambitious. I know that these are qualities necessary to be a great leader of my foundation and I feel so blessed to possess them. These changes are for the best, but sometimes it becomes painfully obvious that there are some around me that have not made the same changes in their lives, even some of my closest of familia. However, this cancer is bringing out the best in me. I plan on using these qualities to my fullest extent to further the lofty goals I envision for the cancer foundation founded in my name.
My mom taking the opportunity to take a picture in front of expensive stuff that's not ours.
It's nice to catch up with many of the good friends I have here. My network in Austin has always been strong and I enjoy watching it grow very quickly as word about MexicanArmstrong.org spreads organically. Remember, organic is synonymous with living. And I plan on living well and letting my life continue its wonderful process. So each day I embrace the growth of every new healthy cell and every new healing relationship initiated.
-Joel C. Diaz II
Mexican Armstrong
Thank-You for your donation!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment