Living with cancer is just a new way of living. I mean it’s a new normal. Things you once did you don’t do any more or at least it’s been changed to some degree. I just do things differently now. Let me give you a few examples:

1. You think differently: Let’s face it when you have cancer you’re thinking totally changes and I’m not talking about memory issues when having treatment but just how you think in general. I can remember when I was first diagnosed with this disease, I began to think things like, ” How long do I have”? or “When will treatment start”? and so forth. Then you get on the internet and ask Dr. google and then you hate to see the answer (stay off google). Now after a few years my thinking has changed somewhat after understanding the type of cancer I have. I realize this cancer may not kill me, but I also know it’s not curable (humanly speaking). What kills you is the infection you may get because of your immune system is compromised. So, now I’m thinking things like, “If I have treatment then which one?” Can I eat a plant-based diet to the point where I don’t need treatment? “What can I do to reduce the size of my spleen?” This is just one aspect of my thinking with this disease.
2. You eat differently: Everyone who knows me understands how I feel about this. Nutrition is very important to me. It should have been years ago but for me living in the south you just grew up on pies, cakes and soda pops. (and I loved it) I just don’t eat much of that anymore unless on special occasions. I do everything I can to flood my body with fruits and vegetables now, that’s why I have researched on the internet for the best way to do that. Juice Plus was the answer for me, and I recommend this whole food plant-based nutrition product to everyone.
3. You work differently: I’ve worked at a hospital for nearly 13 yrs. I was working full-time for a long time then due to my health I soon went part time. My manager and supervisor have been good to me understanding that I can’t work like I used too. I mean the lifting, pulling, pushing and a lot of walking can wear me down. I know that working a long day can make me tired but my disease at times can make me feel fatigued/drained more than usual.
4. You socialize differently: I love to socialize and meet people. I just have to be more careful when I’m around people especially crowds. When there is a bigger crowd than normal, I get a little nervous and I start wearing a mask. I know how some people feel about mask, but I also understand those people don’t have cancer like I do either. Just understand I am immune compromised which means my immune system isn’t working very well and I have to get infusions to give it a boost.
5. You pray and worship differently: When I’m reading the Bible it means more to me now than it ever has. I have read and meditate on so many verses. One of my favorite verses that I meditate on every day is Psalm 30:2, ” O Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me”. I love that verse and many others. I also pray those verses every day. It’s nothing like praying scripture.

There is so much more I could say about living differently but when you have cancer, you have a new way of living. A new normal. God is so good! I am very grateful for all that He has done in my life. I’m so thankful to wake up every morning and see what God has planned for me.

It’s really hard to start writing your journey with cancer. I’ve been wanting to do it for a while but just didn’t have the courage to do it. I have cancer, which is hard to say, so yes, I said it. The big “C” word. Everyone who has it hates to say it but must come to grips with it just like I did or at least I think I have.
I have lymphoma or to be exact Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). It’s a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It progresses slowly, usually affecting older adults. (yes thats me, I’m old now). CLL may not cause symptoms for years, but when symptoms do occur, they may include swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, easy bruising and even an enlarged spleen.

I’ve had CLL for seven years now and symptoms have begun to show up within this past year. My blood work has been off to some degree, and I have swollen lymph nodes around my neck and under my arm pits. I also at times have felt fatigued/drained and it just seems like I can’t do a whole lot that particular day. I have also been diagnosed with an enlarged spleen which is part of this cancer as well.

It has also affected my immune system. I am what they consider immune compromised, so because of this I have infusions now about every twelve weeks (depending on blood work which I also have every 12 weeks). I have to be careful when I’m around people/crowds because if I get an infection it takes forever to get rid of it. They say this cancer may not kill you but the infection you get could.

I know that treatment could be around the corner. I’m praying I do not have treatment, but if I do, please understand it would not be chemotherapy. It would be various means of treatment like maybe taking a pill for life or an infusion for a year. No matter what, I pray that God’s will be done.

Living with cancer has changed my life completely. I have to frequent myself with doctors, watch what I eat, exercise, do selfcare in which I check myself frequently for any symptoms from this cancer.

I know God has this and know that He is in control. I seek Him every day for His guidance and will.

Thanks for all your Prayers! To God be the Glory!!

Stan

Over the past seventeen years God gave me four wake-up calls, but it took three before I finally woke up. Here are the three wake-up calls:

1. Diagnosed with pre-hypertension and pre-diabetes.

It was about 12 years ago I was diagnosed with pre-hypertension and pre-diabetes. I thought nothing of it and because of that did nothing about it. I just thought it was a part of life and this is what I thought life had delt me and I didn’t listen to the wake-up call.

2. My wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Ten years ago, my wife Martha was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. We were both in shock and really didn’t know how to deal with it. I didn’t know what to expect, no one to really talk to and just felt like we were the only ones going through this journey. I poured my life into taking care of my wife. To be honest I wish I knew back then what I know now that hopefully I could have helped her even more. I was so involved taking care of her that I forgot about taking care of me. I was tired, stressed out, had sleepless nights and had several anxiety attacks. If I just took care of me, I could have taken care of her even more. Again, I didn’t listen to the wake-up call.

3. I was diagnosed with Lymphoma.

It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with Cancer that it finally woke me up. I can remember my gut was hurting and finally went to doctor several times. I thought maybe I pulled a muscle of some kind. Then while my wife and I were at a Target store the doctor called and gave me the news that I had lymphoma. I was in shock and couldn’t believe it.

To make a long story short it was this diagnosis that made me want to take back my health. I began to search online until I finally came across Dr. Sears Wellness Institute. I thought this would be great to be a health coach so I could really take care of my health. Isn’t this amazing how God used this so I could help others also. I finally listened to the wake-up call.

I have never been so excited as to when I became a certified health coach. There were at least 4 reasons why I became a health coach:

1. I have a passion to live healthy.

As most of you know I had several wake-up calls before I decided that I was going to live healthy(also in another post). I wanted to understand what I was going through and what I needed to do daily. Soon I enrolled in the Dr. Sears Wellness institute. I felt that becoming a health coach would not only help me but others also. It took almost a year when I completed an intense program of becoming a master certified health coach. By doing this I have a better understanding of what I need to do for my own health and how I can help and encourage others on living a healthy lifestyle.

2. I have a passion to inspire others.

I love talking about health and I love sharing with others on how to live healthy. Every chance I get I share some health tip that I think would be beneficial to someone. I do this whether it be in person, on social media, my blog, presentations or other websites. I share because I care. I know no one is perfect because I’m sure not. I fail just as much as anybody when it comes to health, but my motto is and has always been ” One Simple change”! Just start somewhere even if it’s cutting back on something or beginning something new. The bottom line is that it’s all about mindset.

3. I have a passion to share my Journey.

I try to be very transparent. I want to share my failures as well as my successes when it comes to health. I feel if I can be open and honest with you then you will do the same with me.

4. I have a passion to come alongside you when I see that you are struggling with your health.

When I see others hurting, I hurt as well. I want to reach out and give you a hug if anything. I was diagnosed with cancer few years back and yes, I hate it! I hate living everyday knowing I have cancer, but I am not going to let cancer define me. I see so many who are struggling with all kinds of chronic diseases, and I do feel some of your pain as I live with it myself.

So that’s why I became a health coach. I want to inspire others to healthy living. I share the way I do because I care for you. Start living your best life now and begin to make one simple change to your health.

Most of you know I love to laugh and joke around. I’m pretty sure I got that from my dad. My Dad loved life and lived it to the fullest by making people laugh. Did you know that laughter is good for your health?

Health coach Chris Wark said, “Laughter is powerful medicine!” Laughter increases blood flow and oxygenation in your body, improves your mood, reduces stress, and boosts your immune system!

This study found that just watching stand-up comedy increases the activity of your natural killer cells, B cells, T cells and immunoglobulins. And some of these immune boosting effects last as long as 12 hours!

To be honest, you need to laugh every single day! Turn off the news, reality shows and prime time dramas and watch comedy. (The good clean family comedy).

I want to help you laugh more so I put together just a few resources of some good stand-up comedy, funny sitcoms and whatever else I might think of.

Right now, some of these can be watched free on YouTube, and on Netflix and other streaming devices if you are a subscriber, but the availability on those programs can change at any time.

Here is my list:

I Love Lucy
Beverly Hillbillies
Green Acres
Seinfeld
The Office
Golden Girls
Everybody Loves Raymond
Tim Hawkins (stand-up comedian)
Michael Jr. (stand-up comedian)
Chonda Pierce (stand-up comedian)
Sinbad Christian comedy
Jeff Allen (stand-up comedian)

This is a start! So Happy laughing!

As I have mentioned earlier in other posts I am now certified as a Master health Coach and now studying to be a cancer coach. Because of my own diagnosis with lymphoma my heart is to help those going thru the cancer journey. Here are some ways I can help.

1. I can assist the cancer patient through the shock of diagnosis
2. I can be available anytime during someone’s experience with cancer
3. I can help patients prepare for appointments with their oncologist, gain a better understanding of their diagnosis, and find ways to manage side effects
4. I also provide coaching to cancer survivor’s, caregivers (spouses, and adult child, etc…) and support parents and their children when cancer comes into their lives.
5. I can help those living with advanced cancer find hope, make plans, and do something meaningful.
6. I as a coach don’t give you the answers; I can help you find your answers and develop unique strategies that work for you and your life.
7. I mainly do coaching virtual but willing to work in person if need too.
8. I can help you develop a plan for nutrition and exercise
9. much, much more

These are just a few things I can do as a Cancer Coach. If need to know more or need further explanation of what I do as a cancer coach, then please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Living with Lymphoma has been tough because you never know from day to day what to expect but thank God everything has been good so far. I go to the oncologist every six months. I go to Waverly Oncology, which is one of the best in Raleigh, North Carolina. I really do love my oncologist and the people there, but I still have to admit I hate going there. I get nervous for no reason. My blood pressure goes up, so I guess it’s because it’s all about the big “C” word. Some say it’s the white coat syndrome which makes people feel the way I do. But to be honest, it just brings me down to reality that I really do have cancer.

My last visit was pretty good. Blood work looked good except for a few things that were either a little low or a little high, but it wasn’t anything to be alarmed about.

I am so thankful to God for each and every day he gives me. Because of this, I have committed my life to inspire and motivate people to live a healthy lifestyle thru promoting science-based supplements that I use and becoming a certified master health coach and soon to be a certified cancer coach.

I mentioned that for 2022 I’m taking back my health by making health my hobby. Why do I want to be healthy? Here’s at least 5 reasons why:

1. I want to live longer: Yes, I know that my life is in God’s hand. I know that my days are numbered and that God is in control. I still would like to live longer in good health and with a sound mind. There’s even evidence that links staying healthy with longer life.
2. I want to feel good and look good: As I mentioned earlier in a previous post that when I eat crappy I feel crappy. I don’t won’t to feel crappy. I found that leading a healthy lifestyle can also improve the appearance of your skin, teeth and nails and give you that certain glow that makes you look great!
3. I want to avoid heart problems and chronic diseases: I know I already have stage one lymphoma, but no more. That’s it! In addition of feeling better and looking good there is evidence that regular exercise and eating healthy can help reduce free radicals as well as promote the release of toxins associated with disease and infections. So a healthy lifestyle will help with high blood pressure, promote healthy cholesterol levels(i’m working on),reduce the risk of diabetes(remember I had pre-diabetes), and promotes good heart health!
4. I want to be a granddad(Pappy) as long as I can: I’m so thankful for my grandchild(Lilybug). I love being called, “Pappy”. I want to see her grow into a mature young lady one day. Maybe I can even be at her graduation. That would be a blessing!
5. I want to inspire others to live healthy: Many already know that I’m a people person. I love talking to people from all back grounds. I love sharing with them my lifestory and the many blessings that God has given me. To be honest, I would love to share with people and inspire them to live a healthy lifestyle. My passion is to work with cancer patients and share with them how to eat nutriciously. Having dealt with cancer personally and in the family it just fuels the passion that much more!

It’s hard to believe it’s already 2022. It’s even sounds funny just saying it. This year as well as any other new year bring with it new goals and new opportunities. Though I have many goals for this year here is just two of them.

1. Make Health My Hobby: As most of you may or may not know I’ve been dealing with a few health issues over the past few years. I’m tired of dealing with them!
   For instance I have been dealing with gut issues, borderline high blood pressure, pre-diabetes and the one I really hate is stage one Lymphoma. Over the last few years some of these have gotten better and the others I’m still working on. Thank God as I have been to doctors to find out that everything pretty much checks out really good but there is still some work to do.
   This year I’ve decided to change all that and take back my health! That’s why I have decided to Make Health my hobby this year! I have to be honest I haven’t eaten the greatest but I’m getting better. I’ve found out that if “I eat crappy then I feel crappy.” This is going to change in 2022!
2. Become A Certified Health Coach: I know it sounds crazy but I’m really doing this for myself. I want to understand Nutrition by means of what really can I eat and what not to eat. I want to have a Healthy Lifestyle. To be honest I want to live longer. If God allows I want to live as long as my Dad at 92. The only way I feel I can do this is to Live a healthy lifestyle, learn how to exercise more, have a good attitude about how living healthy and having good nutrition, that is, how I eat. While I’m on my journey I also want to inspire others on how to live healthy. I’m sure there will be ups and downs but I’m looking forward to a great year in 2022.