Mark Everett Kelly was diagnosed with Stage IV Rhabdomyosarcoma on 12/12/90.
This is the second week of blogging every Wednesday, so I am sincerely grateful for the ones who enjoy my posts and support me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Cancer survivors face many difficulties as they deal with the challenges treatment provides them. I didn't want to believe that any of those side effects because the thought of them was depressing and scary.
One thing facing the consequences of treatment leaves you with is losing your identity, or what you knew you did better than anything else.
I'm confident that those reading this blog entry already know that sports play a massive role in my life. At the time of my diagnosis, I intended to use my athletic talent to provide for me. I loved the challenge that sports provided me. I loved the excitement of preparing for a game, of practicing, of thinking about how to get better.
I can't explain the full extent of the emotional damage I experienced seeing what my body became during treatment. I know that it still affects me today. Many who know me say I have not dealt with the anger and pain of having that taken away.
I do think there is some validity to that observation. However, my biggest issue is creating a consistent form of income, so if there is some deeper issue going on, it'll have to wait!
While I was still young after I completed my treatment, the extent of damage that resulted from bed rest (leg muscles became atrophied), non-movement (suffered foot drop) combined with chemo, and radiation changed things forever.
I dreamed about playing basketball in high school again or college lying on my hospital bed. I dreamed about smelling the fresh-cut grass on a baseball field. However, I didn't think the God-given ability He blessed me with would ever not be there.
If you are dealing with a loss of this kind in your own life, please speak up. Don't allow that to sit and rot. There are ways you can improve the pain you experience. You can add another love in your life without replacing the significance of what you lost.
I will address more about this in my next blog and how my love for sports turned into a career (at least briefly) in my next post.
BACK ON SPORTS RADIO
I now do a sports radio show every Tuesday and Friday from 8-11 AM EST. You can find here https://worldwidesportsradio.com/ or by going to our facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/WWSRNRadio/?tn-str=k*F
WHERE TO FIND ME
I can always be reached by email (CKMagicSports@gmail or LivingAsACancerSurvivor@gmail). Please see the links below to follow me or contact me on social sites. I welcome (need) more followers and supporters. Please don't be shy about sharing your thoughts.
NEED SUPPORT?
Please reach out to me or anyone in the beautiful support groups on Facebook, Reddit, Tumblr, or other social sites.