Who could have ever imagined where the journey would lead 33 years ago? My first battle with cancer was in 1986, so I was almost two years out from that when we got married in 1988. However, I was still worried about my cancer recurring. I knew the gamble Margaret was taking when she would express the vows, "in sickness and in health."
Thankfully, I went 15 years in relatively good health. Then in 2001, I was diagnosed with cancer a second time. I just hit the 20th anniversary of that surgery last week on October 16, 2021.
In 2003, I needed my mitral valve repaired due to damage from the chemotherapy in 1986. Open heart surgery happened on November 13, 2003.
I was in pretty good health again until about 2014. Since that time, I have now had four cardioversions, two heart ablations, and numerous other small procedures. However, since November of 2018 after my second ablation, I have been doing pretty well again. At least that was the case until my recent bout with COVID. Slowly, but surely, I am recovering from that experience as well.
Now, the coin has flipped. Margaret was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She has undergone surgery and is recuperating from that. As her body heals, we are preparing for the next phase of the journey. She will begin chemotherapy treatments in less than a week. I am hoping that they have made a lot of progress in chemotherapy treatments since I went through it 35 years ago.
As I reflect upon the journey, I realize that there have been many challenges over our 33 years of marriage. However, there have been some calm and peaceful times as well. I especially appreciate the memories of some of the places we have been. We have lived in numerous locations throughout the years. Although moving was a hassle each time, I am grateful for the unique experience that each locale had to offer.
We have been blessed with some awesome vacations too. An Alaskan cruise that we took around our 12th anniversary was nice. A couple of family vacations to the Caribbean created some wonderful memories. Our last vacation was a trip to the Grand Canyon after our son's high school graduation. That was a phenomenal experience, especially in the early morning hours before it got crowded. That was five years ago now. Wow! It is time for another vacation.
Once we both get healthy again, it will be time to climb out of the valley and onto the peaks. Happy Anniversary, Margaret. We are both still kicking, just not too high.
Thankfully, I went 15 years in relatively good health. Then in 2001, I was diagnosed with cancer a second time. I just hit the 20th anniversary of that surgery last week on October 16, 2021.
In 2003, I needed my mitral valve repaired due to damage from the chemotherapy in 1986. Open heart surgery happened on November 13, 2003.
I was in pretty good health again until about 2014. Since that time, I have now had four cardioversions, two heart ablations, and numerous other small procedures. However, since November of 2018 after my second ablation, I have been doing pretty well again. At least that was the case until my recent bout with COVID. Slowly, but surely, I am recovering from that experience as well.
Now, the coin has flipped. Margaret was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She has undergone surgery and is recuperating from that. As her body heals, we are preparing for the next phase of the journey. She will begin chemotherapy treatments in less than a week. I am hoping that they have made a lot of progress in chemotherapy treatments since I went through it 35 years ago.
As I reflect upon the journey, I realize that there have been many challenges over our 33 years of marriage. However, there have been some calm and peaceful times as well. I especially appreciate the memories of some of the places we have been. We have lived in numerous locations throughout the years. Although moving was a hassle each time, I am grateful for the unique experience that each locale had to offer.
We have been blessed with some awesome vacations too. An Alaskan cruise that we took around our 12th anniversary was nice. A couple of family vacations to the Caribbean created some wonderful memories. Our last vacation was a trip to the Grand Canyon after our son's high school graduation. That was a phenomenal experience, especially in the early morning hours before it got crowded. That was five years ago now. Wow! It is time for another vacation.
Once we both get healthy again, it will be time to climb out of the valley and onto the peaks. Happy Anniversary, Margaret. We are both still kicking, just not too high.
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