See 'Ya Later Radiation

Today is the last day of radiation treatments. It's been a long month of treatments and I won't miss them one little bit.

The treatments only last for 5 minutes every day. But the effects are cumulative over the month's time. And by today, the last day of treatment, it leaves me worn, weary, and feeling like a truck has run over me.

There is a big bell in the lobby, just outside the treatment rooms. I believe on the last day of treatments they invite you to ring the heck out of the bell to celebrate. I don't believe I'll ring that bell, out of respect to all the other patients who are just starting, or in mid-stride, of their treatments. They need peace - not bells. I know.

But I'll be ringing that bell inside of me! This has been the toughest thing I've ever had to endure - and I'm someone who has had to have a kidney removed. I'd wish these past 30-days on no one.

But it's important to note that I am still very positive. And when I say positive, I'm not necessarily concerned with all the health issues, whether this cancer will go into remission or continue to grow. What God has in store for me I will accept, and all of those health issues are really things that I cannot control.

But I am positive and grateful, believe it or not, for all the experiences of the past few months, and all the opportunities it has provided me for growth and learning.

I used to get so caught up in work and my daily grind that I rarely stopped to really appreciate all the beautiful, yet simple, things around me. Something like cancer can really deconstruct your life and help you focus on all the beautiful, simple things that have always been around you, yet you were too "busy" to notice.

Every flower in our backyard is more colorful. Freckles the cat is even funnier stalking the squirrels from the back screen door. The blue jays are more vivid scouring our gutters for nest building materials.

The kindness of people is more appreciated and more recognized now. I've somehow now become a person who hugs other people. Can you believe that? Me of all people? Hugging? It's true.

There are a lot of people who may take the perspective of "Why me? It's not fair! How could I get cancer?" And I won't try to kid you, I've had my brief moments.

But really, the majority of the time, I do focus on how this has made me grow into a better person, a stronger person, a wiser person. As a friend of mine, who also has battled two separate primary cancers reminded me..."that that doesn't kill us will just make us stronger."

And it's true.

But then I AM just a big goofball.

See 'ya later radiation! Today is the last day of treatments. I WON'T miss 'ya.