I knew that 2008 was going tobe a different year but in January I didn't realize just how much change was coming. I started out an Inman News Real Estate Connect in New York in January representing the MLS Board of Oklahoma City. The day I spent in the blogosphere showed me what Web 2.0 was all about with gaining my voice back as a Realtor with my blog, and joining groups on the social network sites. In February and April I traveled to Florida to finishmy last two courses for my CCIM Commercial Real Estate designation to move my investment real estate business into commercial to broaden our Oklahoma opportunities. In June we started to offer Tulsa properties to investors so 2008 was looking like the sun was breaking through the dark economic clouds. Then August changed everything.
A strange lump was pressing out of my neck and two biopsies didn't show what it was. Then after surgery the pathology report came in with a diagnosis of cancer. As an exceptionally healthy 60 year old, I was devastated with the news. I cried for two weeks without stopping, then I went to MD Anderson in Houston and life changed. MD Anderson is a place of healing where they don't use the word no, and design a protocol that treats the disease, and also pays attention to the whole body and spirit, as well as taking care of the care givers. I know have a new lease on life, and in January i go back for my six week check of which i am confident that I am cancer free.
At Christmas we should celebrate what we are grateful for. I am grateful for the increible support I had from family and friends during my cancer treatment. I amount of cards, emails and phone calls kept my spirits up and helped give me the courage to get through my treatment. Sometimes we forget the innate goodness in people in contrast to the greed and cruelty that exist and the media exploits as news. I am grateful for beong a Realtor. It is a joy everyday to help people gain a wonderful place to live, or build wealth through investments. It never bothers me that i don't have a paycheck every month because I have the opportunity to use my talents and gifts, and being in a profession where the buck stops with me. I am grateful for all of you who read this blog thinking that it has value, and i am grateful for all of you who trusted me this year and every year to help. Cancer has taught me a lot. Sometimes our learning is accelerated by adversity, and that certainly happened to me. I wish you all a Merry Christmas. As Americans I hope we all pull together next year to change our nation, and again be a beacon of hope to the world. The above picture is me ringing the bell for my last radiation treatment. May 2009 be a year when you can ring your own bell not for ending a cancer treatment, but a celebration that you all have a job, a family, and friends who care for you as you do for them. For me, that is the meaning of Christmas
Comments(0)