A fellow employee where I work sent me the following. I share it as good advice and hope when it comes to his type or any type of sickness. Think long term folks, we are not invincible...so take care of yourselves and live a long life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please allow me to take a few moments of your time.
As another year has gone by, I feel it is time to once again speak up in regards to my bout with cancer some 28 years ago.
The story starts at a bowling alley of all places. I had a passion for this activity in my earlier years, bowling in multiple leagues several nights per week (not much else to do on the frozen tundra of Iowa in the winter months). On this particular evening as I released the ball I felt a pain in my groin but only passed it off as "a pinch".
I noticed some swelling over the next couple of days and as a result I made an appointment with my local physician. Little did I know at the time it was the single most important thing I could have done at that point in my first 33 years. The doctor immediately referred me to a urologist specialist, Marvin Jungling. During the first appointment the doctor looked me directly in the eye, after a short exam, and said "95% chance it is malignant and you have a 90% chance to survive because you came to see me".
I shall never forget those few words and the profound affect they had on me and my family. I was sent home to "prepare" over the weekend. On March 25, 1979 I went to surgery. The result was the removal of my right testicle; it was malignant as tested at the University Of Iowa Hospitals. I spent the next couple of days looking at the family as they came and went through blurry eyes brimming with tears at the thoughts of the possible outcome. I thought about my 4 children ages 11,8,4 & 3 and thinking what if I don’t get to see them grow up???
On the third day I said to the doctor that I would beat this thing or die trying. Marve looked at me and said; "you just beat it" the first step is the will power to fight. Over the next 8 days I started my recuperation only to find concern that the cancer could have spread to the lymph system. This put us back in surgery with what is referred to as a lumpectomy.
The doctor removed 31 lymph nodes in an 8 and one half hour surgery. The results were 3 nodes with some microscopic spots, not good news, but not as bad as your mind always thinks of. As a result after 17 days in the hospital, I went into a chemotherapy program as a precautionary procedure. I had five days of chemo the first week of the month; the plan was for this to last approximately a year.
At this point I have to say this was the low point of the whole experience. I was never so sick, or felt so helpless against a liquid that could just knock me down and render me almost helpless to the constant nausea that came along with the 15 minute IV drip.
A couple of months later a third exploratory surgery was performed on the right side. My first good news came in the form of a "no problems found". This truly signaled the turning of the corner in my quest to regain my health. First it was the "cat scan" at the 3 months, then 6 months followed by each year for the next five years. At the end of the 5 years a doctor down in Virginia looked at me and said I did not need to bother coming back for the tests anymore.
WHAT a relief, I did go back at the ten year point just for a sanity check.
Well it is now 28 years later, and I share this with all of you because; I made a promise to myself that if I could be spared I would continue to tell my story and provide any assistance I can to anyone who is going through this situation. Please, if you do not have yearly check ups and physicals make the appointment and do so starting today.
The single most important message is SELF DIAGNOSIS. If you are not familiar with how or where you should check, ask a doctor. The internet has some very good articles on how to perform these examinations, but I would ask that this be done in preparation for your visit to a physician.
I offer any assistance I can provide. If you are going through it, or know someone who maybe just needs an understanding person to talk to, do not hesitate to get them in touch with me. I will always make myself available. I want my experience and outcome to offer hope to those that may be facing some hard decisions.
Please feel free to distribute to any person or organization that can benefit from this message.
Thank you for your time
Bill Callen
EMC Corporation
Senior Manager / Symmetrix Technical Support, Level 2, US
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
Roll On Easier
I have spoken previously of a method that you can use to measure your life. It is called the Wheel Of Life and I was introduced to it by a friend of mine, Dean Sweetman. You can search the web and will likely find many sources that came from Buddhist traditions.
There are other forms both complicated and intriguing that you may find as well. The one taught to me is simple in form and in understanding. A wheel with six spokes that when perfectly round will allow your life to move easily. As an out of round wheel is hard to turn and slows you down, that particular part of your life needs to be worked on.
In previous articles I wrote of these spokes and I'm pleased that Dean is working this into a whole series. It is my hope that he creates a book so that he can offer it to others. But don't think it is a 'pump you up' motivational event full of heart pounding excitement. No, the idea is just a simple way for you to look at your life, to keep it in balance and to help you provide measurement of how well your life is going.
The great thing about it comes from self evaluation, measuring yourself in such a manner that honesty inside you must come forth. When you visually see the six spokes and connect the dots, the shape that takes form may be a football. Footballs when they bounce are unpredictable and never roll straight. A three-legged starfish shape may appear and three points do not roll all that well. Or even a flat-tire shape. You begin rolling but then hit the flat spot on the tire, you struggle again to get moving.
As you view the shape of your life, visually you can see what it is that slows you down each time. And when you do find a deficiency in your life, fix it now. If not, as you attempt to roll through life that area of the wheel will return.
As I'm writing this, don't envision me in a monks robe with candles spread about and chanting. It is a functional method that helps me honestly look at my life. It helps me to smooth out the rough edges and to expand my life.
Expand and improve your life, roll on easier.
There are other forms both complicated and intriguing that you may find as well. The one taught to me is simple in form and in understanding. A wheel with six spokes that when perfectly round will allow your life to move easily. As an out of round wheel is hard to turn and slows you down, that particular part of your life needs to be worked on.
In previous articles I wrote of these spokes and I'm pleased that Dean is working this into a whole series. It is my hope that he creates a book so that he can offer it to others. But don't think it is a 'pump you up' motivational event full of heart pounding excitement. No, the idea is just a simple way for you to look at your life, to keep it in balance and to help you provide measurement of how well your life is going.
The great thing about it comes from self evaluation, measuring yourself in such a manner that honesty inside you must come forth. When you visually see the six spokes and connect the dots, the shape that takes form may be a football. Footballs when they bounce are unpredictable and never roll straight. A three-legged starfish shape may appear and three points do not roll all that well. Or even a flat-tire shape. You begin rolling but then hit the flat spot on the tire, you struggle again to get moving.
As you view the shape of your life, visually you can see what it is that slows you down each time. And when you do find a deficiency in your life, fix it now. If not, as you attempt to roll through life that area of the wheel will return.
As I'm writing this, don't envision me in a monks robe with candles spread about and chanting. It is a functional method that helps me honestly look at my life. It helps me to smooth out the rough edges and to expand my life.
Expand and improve your life, roll on easier.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Goals: Tips On Achieving
Joy Browne writes a great article in Parade Magazine called How To Set Goals - And Reach Them. She offers a few ideas that you can use to reach a vision or dream. I have written previously and expressed to many others that you need to establish goals and when doing so, write them down.
There is nothing more powerful then looking at a piece of paper with a goal written upon it. That piece of paper can be a powerful voice to you every time you read it. I have heard others speak of placing these written items on the bedroom wall, the bathroom mirror, steering wheel of the car, as well as your computer terminal at work.
The tips Ms. Browne writes about are;
- Avoid New Year's-type resolutions
- Be Specific
- Think in steps
- Figure out your tactics
- Limit the number of goals
- Build on your skills
- Embrace change
Ms. Browne is a clinical psychologist and is well respected in her field. I suggest you read the article to learn more. I will talk more about goals and living your life with change. You can achieve things in life, you can achieve a great life. But it will take change, it will take movement by you. Grab the chance to move now.
There is nothing more powerful then looking at a piece of paper with a goal written upon it. That piece of paper can be a powerful voice to you every time you read it. I have heard others speak of placing these written items on the bedroom wall, the bathroom mirror, steering wheel of the car, as well as your computer terminal at work.
The tips Ms. Browne writes about are;
- Avoid New Year's-type resolutions
- Be Specific
- Think in steps
- Figure out your tactics
- Limit the number of goals
- Build on your skills
- Embrace change
Ms. Browne is a clinical psychologist and is well respected in her field. I suggest you read the article to learn more. I will talk more about goals and living your life with change. You can achieve things in life, you can achieve a great life. But it will take change, it will take movement by you. Grab the chance to move now.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Travel Safely
For those that do not travel a lot may not have some of the 'built-in sensors' as someone that travels quite a lot. Myself, most of the traveling has always employed various ways of making sure I'm safe. There is always the possibility of something happening, whether it be in your own country or when traveling abroad.
A recent article in Executive Travel Magazine, psychologist Terry Riley provides twelve travel tips. The tips talk about 'traveling overseas', yet I've always felt regardless of where you travel, it is always a good idea to be careful in unfamiliar locations.
So here are Mr. Riley's twelve tips. For more, find and read his books 'Travel Can Be Murder', 'C.H.A.R.M. School' and 'The Complete Travel Diet'.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
12. Don’t go.
Granted, this is really a ‘don’t travel’ tip, but it bears mentioning. If you genuinely feel that you could be in danger by traveling to your destination, don’t go. Applying some creativity may lead you to find another way to accomplish your business goal without having to make an in-person visit. It’s not worth risking your life to advance your career.
11. Know where to go and how to get there.
Before you leave home, contact a friend, colleague or government official who is familiar with your destination and can give you the skinny on how to get around. Study a map of the area to plot out your routes ahead of time, and take the map with you. (Important corollary to this tip: Know what places to avoid and how to circumvent them.)
10. Pack a “survival” kit.
My kit includes a small flashlight (in case of power failure), duct tape (to prevent smoke from entering a hotel room where I might have to await rescue from a fire) and, of course, a cell phone (that will work at my destination).
9. Get your rest, and avoid alcohol and other drugs.
Travelers who are confused, tired, drunk or doped up are easy prey. Combine any of these vulnerabilities and your chances of being victimized increase substantially.
8. Keep a low profile.
Affluent Americans and employees of American corporations are prime targets when traveling internationally. Don’t advertise your wealth, citizenship or company affiliation. Leave expensive jewelry at home, cover your identification and remove your company’s logos from your clothing and luggage.
7. Travel light, and keep moving.
Criminals prefer stationary and slow-moving targets—the expression is “sitting ducks”—so you want to be able to move smartly along your way. Carry only what you need in transit. If you have excess luggage or cumbersome items to transport, ship them in advance.
6. Make eye contact.
Develop a habit of looking around and making eye contact with others—especially those behind you. A strong deterrent to crime is the possibility of being caught. A criminal is way more likely to be caught if he knows he can be identified.
5. Stay with others.
Criminals prefer lone targets. There is safety in numbers, even if those numbers include strangers.
4. Protect your identity.
When you make reservations, use only your first initial and last name. Even if you’re a cautious traveler, few things will disarm you more than a stranger calling your name. While you are trying to figure out how you know the guy who called out to you, he may be figuring out how to snatch your goodies. And, if you are a woman, using only your first initial means advance notice of your gender is denied to anyone who may be lying in wait.
3. Trust your instincts.
Listen to your internal danger alert system, and act on its warnings. In most cases, it won’t let you down.
2. Never trust others to manage your safety.
You are ultimately responsible for your personal safety while traveling.
1. Never trust others to manage your safety.
This tip is so important it bears repeating: Only you are responsible for your safety -- no one else.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.” Clifton Fadiman
A recent article in Executive Travel Magazine, psychologist Terry Riley provides twelve travel tips. The tips talk about 'traveling overseas', yet I've always felt regardless of where you travel, it is always a good idea to be careful in unfamiliar locations.
So here are Mr. Riley's twelve tips. For more, find and read his books 'Travel Can Be Murder', 'C.H.A.R.M. School' and 'The Complete Travel Diet'.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
12. Don’t go.
Granted, this is really a ‘don’t travel’ tip, but it bears mentioning. If you genuinely feel that you could be in danger by traveling to your destination, don’t go. Applying some creativity may lead you to find another way to accomplish your business goal without having to make an in-person visit. It’s not worth risking your life to advance your career.
11. Know where to go and how to get there.
Before you leave home, contact a friend, colleague or government official who is familiar with your destination and can give you the skinny on how to get around. Study a map of the area to plot out your routes ahead of time, and take the map with you. (Important corollary to this tip: Know what places to avoid and how to circumvent them.)
10. Pack a “survival” kit.
My kit includes a small flashlight (in case of power failure), duct tape (to prevent smoke from entering a hotel room where I might have to await rescue from a fire) and, of course, a cell phone (that will work at my destination).
9. Get your rest, and avoid alcohol and other drugs.
Travelers who are confused, tired, drunk or doped up are easy prey. Combine any of these vulnerabilities and your chances of being victimized increase substantially.
8. Keep a low profile.
Affluent Americans and employees of American corporations are prime targets when traveling internationally. Don’t advertise your wealth, citizenship or company affiliation. Leave expensive jewelry at home, cover your identification and remove your company’s logos from your clothing and luggage.
7. Travel light, and keep moving.
Criminals prefer stationary and slow-moving targets—the expression is “sitting ducks”—so you want to be able to move smartly along your way. Carry only what you need in transit. If you have excess luggage or cumbersome items to transport, ship them in advance.
6. Make eye contact.
Develop a habit of looking around and making eye contact with others—especially those behind you. A strong deterrent to crime is the possibility of being caught. A criminal is way more likely to be caught if he knows he can be identified.
5. Stay with others.
Criminals prefer lone targets. There is safety in numbers, even if those numbers include strangers.
4. Protect your identity.
When you make reservations, use only your first initial and last name. Even if you’re a cautious traveler, few things will disarm you more than a stranger calling your name. While you are trying to figure out how you know the guy who called out to you, he may be figuring out how to snatch your goodies. And, if you are a woman, using only your first initial means advance notice of your gender is denied to anyone who may be lying in wait.
3. Trust your instincts.
Listen to your internal danger alert system, and act on its warnings. In most cases, it won’t let you down.
2. Never trust others to manage your safety.
You are ultimately responsible for your personal safety while traveling.
1. Never trust others to manage your safety.
This tip is so important it bears repeating: Only you are responsible for your safety -- no one else.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.” Clifton Fadiman
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