Friday, July 15, 2011

Gone Fishing...dominating Life

The fight last summer was focused strictly on aggressive treatment to dominate Myeloma, but this summer it has turned to smallmouth bass. After 3 years of thinking about and taking on Myeloma with heavy treatment, and at times, a heavy heart, this summer feels like it is a rebirth of passions that are part of a thick core of who I am.


The cancer forced me to re-evaluate everything, specifically where I spend my time and energy, not banking on that I will have the next 30-40 years to figure out life. Through this process of reflection spent during chemo infusions up at B1 and two week hospital stays on 8A, I have discovered what I am good at, my strengths. That has been helpful, but I have been lacking an ability to simply enjoy life. Much of it has been centered on domination, and not vacation. Below is me at age 7 showing the recent fishing domination.


I had a breakthrough by spending over a week up north (northern Michigan for non-michiganders) with my family at a park that has been the relaxing vacation spot for the Brabbs' family all the way back to my great-grandfather who would take my grandfather up there when he was a boy. Here are some photos of my revisiting one of my passions...camping/fishing up north. I am thankful that my focus can now move towards dominating life by enjoying one of my greatest pleasures.

The big kids and me heading to get ice cream at the store.

Me catching crayfish underneath rocks up at the dam. We use them for bait.

Iris and me relaxing on my parent's pontoon as we go for a boat ride.

9 comments:

Kindred Spirit said...

How nice to see that life is good, thanks be to God! I'm still praying for you and your family. Happy fishing, happy summer.

Linda said...

Great to hear from you Phil...especially with pictures of you getting back to life as it once was. How awesome to resume a passion and traditional family vacation spot. so very happy for you!

Sandy said...

It is a joy to see you smiling and relaxing and that you are finding ways to dominate by relaxing!! Intending that these halcyon summer days are repeated for years to come, for the highest and best good of all concerned, so be it and so it is!!!

Jennifer said...

YIPPEE!!! From one wolverine to another....I'm so happy for you. Enjoy the summer, and those kiddos!

Jody said...

Love this post, so glad to see life is good! I'm really looking forward to getting on with my life and having a fun summer with my own kids next year!

Anonymous said...

I don't know who I missed this one - oh, yes I was on holiday. Looks like you had a great time. :D

Preferred Customer/ Janice said...

Phil, i have been away too and reading your fishing post gives me pleasure. I hope you are staying well, and the family is enjoying the relaxing summer.
I had a few relapses that radiation took care of, now I can relax. Take care!!!!

Natalia said...

I apologize for posting this on your blog, I just didn’t know how else to contact you! My name is Natalia and I’m the Community Coordinator for an online health community called WEGO Health (www.wegohealth.com). I came across your blog, Multiple Myeloma for Dummies, while doing some research into the online Blood Cancer community. I was so impressed with the great resource you have created for the greater Blood Cancer community.

Just wanted to drop you a quick note because we recently launched a new video platform called WEGOHealth.tv and are in the process of building a Blood Cancer Channel featuring the advice, information and wisdom of Health Activists like yourself. I think you would be an excellent addition to the channel and I would love to chat with you about possibly creating a video with us!

Please check out our site; http://tv.wegohealth.com/ and get back to me at your convenience if you have any interest.

I know this note is a little out of the blue and I understand if it’s not something you would be interested in, but I didn’t want you to miss out on the opportunity.

Thanks,

Natalia
Community Coordinator
WEGO Health
nataliaf@wegohealth.com

Preferred Customer/ Janice said...

Have been absent due to my own problems but glad you are hanging in and are so upbeat. May the force be with you all!!!