In many ways, I believe I am just like any of the billions of people existing on this planet.
I have reinvented myself frequently over my professional career. After I graduated from The Citadel, I was employed in the Marketing Department at the corporate headquarters of Wendy’s International, in Dublin, Ohio. From there I worked in hospital administration in Columbus, Ohio. After getting married, I became the Customer Service Manager for an academic publishing company in Santa Barbara, California. Subsequently, I was a police officer in Cincinnati, Ohio. Following a family move to Texas, I started my own school security consulting business and coached high school basketball in Houston. Each time I took on a new job, I had to develop new skills and faced different challenges. There was always a significant learning curve with each new position.
But my greatest challenge began in early 2012 when I was diagnosed with a rare form of melanoma that presented on the bottom of my foot. By the time the cancer was detected, it had metastasized to a lymph node in my groin. I was treated at the world-renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center. I had two surgeries to remove the cancer, and after I healed, I was put on a weekly injection of Interferon to help keep the disease at bay.
I took those weekly injections for four years and seven months before the Interferon became so toxic to my body that I ended up in the Intensive Care Unit with a body temperature of 108 degrees. Fortunately, expert medical care saved my life.
The Interferon gave me severe flu-like symptoms for two to three days every week after each injection. I lost fifty pounds during my therapy, was constantly nauseous, fatigued and chilled, my ability to taste food significantly diminished, and my body constantly ached. This misery went on for over 1,660 days.
One thing I learned during all my pain and suffering is that you have two choices. You can either succumb to the debilitating discomfort and misery, or you can learn to embrace it and use it to make you a stronger and better human being. I chose the latter.
Make no mistake, there were days I felt so poorly and was in so much agony, that I prayed to die. I just wanted out. Each day was a struggle to use my mind to override the apathy and distress my body was feeling.
I realize pain and discomfort can beat you to your knees and keep you there…if you let it. But I also came to understand that I could use my hurting and anguish to make me stronger and more resolute.
I was no better at dealing with pain and discomfort than the next person. But every day I found a way to survive and thrive, with the knowledge that I would need to do it again the following day.
I have written a book about my cancer journey, what I experienced existing in a “not-dying” state for almost five years, and what I learned during my trek across the cancer landscape.
Unfortunately, my cancer experience did not end with me conquering my disease. The melanoma that had plagued me for over six years returned, and my only treatment option was the amputation of most of my left foot.
But I refused to be a victim to this malignancy. I vowed to continue my fight. I knew the only way cancer could win is if I gave up or gave in to the disease, or it killed me.
I chose the title, Motivational Check, for a simple reason. When I was a recruit in the Cincinnati Police Academy, it was a phrase any of our classmates could shout if they needed motivation or support. The response from the class was to answer with a loud “84,” signifying our Recruit Class number and letting the person needing the encouragement know that we were all there for him or her.
This blog is my effort to convey what I learned from my ongoing battle with cancer and to encourage everyone who reads these posts that no matter what you are struggling with, you are not alone. We were all destined for greatness; however, you define that word.
If you are besieged with anything in your life, know there are people available, willing and able to help you. I understand what it is like to fight for your life. I hope the sayings, stories, and videos on this page will encourage and motivate you to fight on against whatever is hindering you. As long as you do not quit, you can never be defeated.
However, the responsibility for altering your life is entirely up to YOU. Whining, complaining, and blaming others for your plight, will not enhance your experience. Motivation alone will not cause you to progress. YOU have to want to make the change and commit to it every minute of every day. There are no days off when attempting to make significant and lasting improvements.
Just as fire strengthens metal and lifting weights until exhaustion grows muscle, use the pain and discomfort you are experiencing to make you a better and more determined individual. Keep fighting no matter how many setbacks you have or how bad you feel. Believe in yourself and know that one day there will be light at the end of your journey.
Motivational Check is here to support you, inspire you and help you in your struggle. Remember, YOU are never out of the fight, no matter how often you fail or how many obstacles you are facing. Stay positive and keep moving forward!
I have reinvented myself frequently over my professional career. After I graduated from The Citadel, I was employed in the Marketing Department at the corporate headquarters of Wendy’s International, in Dublin, Ohio. From there I worked in hospital administration in Columbus, Ohio. After getting married, I became the Customer Service Manager for an academic publishing company in Santa Barbara, California. Subsequently, I was a police officer in Cincinnati, Ohio. Following a family move to Texas, I started my own school security consulting business and coached high school basketball in Houston. Each time I took on a new job, I had to develop new skills and faced different challenges. There was always a significant learning curve with each new position.
But my greatest challenge began in early 2012 when I was diagnosed with a rare form of melanoma that presented on the bottom of my foot. By the time the cancer was detected, it had metastasized to a lymph node in my groin. I was treated at the world-renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center. I had two surgeries to remove the cancer, and after I healed, I was put on a weekly injection of Interferon to help keep the disease at bay.
I took those weekly injections for four years and seven months before the Interferon became so toxic to my body that I ended up in the Intensive Care Unit with a body temperature of 108 degrees. Fortunately, expert medical care saved my life.
The Interferon gave me severe flu-like symptoms for two to three days every week after each injection. I lost fifty pounds during my therapy, was constantly nauseous, fatigued and chilled, my ability to taste food significantly diminished, and my body constantly ached. This misery went on for over 1,660 days.
One thing I learned during all my pain and suffering is that you have two choices. You can either succumb to the debilitating discomfort and misery, or you can learn to embrace it and use it to make you a stronger and better human being. I chose the latter.
Make no mistake, there were days I felt so poorly and was in so much agony, that I prayed to die. I just wanted out. Each day was a struggle to use my mind to override the apathy and distress my body was feeling.
I realize pain and discomfort can beat you to your knees and keep you there…if you let it. But I also came to understand that I could use my hurting and anguish to make me stronger and more resolute.
I was no better at dealing with pain and discomfort than the next person. But every day I found a way to survive and thrive, with the knowledge that I would need to do it again the following day.
I have written a book about my cancer journey, what I experienced existing in a “not-dying” state for almost five years, and what I learned during my trek across the cancer landscape.
Unfortunately, my cancer experience did not end with me conquering my disease. The melanoma that had plagued me for over six years returned, and my only treatment option was the amputation of most of my left foot.
But I refused to be a victim to this malignancy. I vowed to continue my fight. I knew the only way cancer could win is if I gave up or gave in to the disease, or it killed me.
I chose the title, Motivational Check, for a simple reason. When I was a recruit in the Cincinnati Police Academy, it was a phrase any of our classmates could shout if they needed motivation or support. The response from the class was to answer with a loud “84,” signifying our Recruit Class number and letting the person needing the encouragement know that we were all there for him or her.
This blog is my effort to convey what I learned from my ongoing battle with cancer and to encourage everyone who reads these posts that no matter what you are struggling with, you are not alone. We were all destined for greatness; however, you define that word.
If you are besieged with anything in your life, know there are people available, willing and able to help you. I understand what it is like to fight for your life. I hope the sayings, stories, and videos on this page will encourage and motivate you to fight on against whatever is hindering you. As long as you do not quit, you can never be defeated.
However, the responsibility for altering your life is entirely up to YOU. Whining, complaining, and blaming others for your plight, will not enhance your experience. Motivation alone will not cause you to progress. YOU have to want to make the change and commit to it every minute of every day. There are no days off when attempting to make significant and lasting improvements.
Just as fire strengthens metal and lifting weights until exhaustion grows muscle, use the pain and discomfort you are experiencing to make you a better and more determined individual. Keep fighting no matter how many setbacks you have or how bad you feel. Believe in yourself and know that one day there will be light at the end of your journey.
Motivational Check is here to support you, inspire you and help you in your struggle. Remember, YOU are never out of the fight, no matter how often you fail or how many obstacles you are facing. Stay positive and keep moving forward!
