Life is for Living
I had no idea how close I was to the end due to congestive heart failure.
I was somewhat of a spiritual person before I got sick. I prayed, enjoyed my church community and even preached a few sermons. I felt close to God, even blessed. Emotionally, for decades, I struggled with depression and a variety of other negative self talk. Physically I was sore and tired, as well as getting sick a few times a year. I had a lower back that would go out and leave me in bed for a few days at a time. My knee ached and my foot was sore from plantar fasciitis.
All of that has changed.
Sure I have spent about $200,000 in medical procedures, surgeries and medication. I didn't stop praying and I had little or no results from therapy. What I did do was count calories and start exercising and running. I had a lot of obstacles, but I kept pressing on. I lost over 70 pounds and ran my first 5K after a year of C25K. 43 races later, I have even finished 2 marathons. (and wrote a book about it)
I haven't even had a cold in over 2 years (except running related dyhydration) and my medicated depression is gone.
I pray less because I am blessed more and I run more because my prayers were answered. Changing my lifestyle has made a big difference. Without overeating I have survived months of unemployment, 4 cancer diagnosis and related treatments and as disappointed as I am about it, separation.
My changes have made a difference in how I think, what I believe about me and probably who I am as a human.
I still have health challenges although most everything seems to be at bay for the moment. I still have to work, commute and be a dad, but I am also a runner and I need to run. I did not run the San Francisco Marathon in hopes of managing things at home this past July. However, I am running the Chicago Marathon in October. I trained for it, I planned for it and I can't wait to be there.
Whatever amount of days I have left in life, I am grateful for my wakeup call 3 years ago. I am grateful for the MFP community and I am thankful to God for allowing me to do something that matters to me. All my life I waited for God, for doctors and physicians, and for other professionals to help me feel better, look better and be free.
I found all that in running.
I am medication free, I hope I am cancer free and my heart disease is "like it never happened." I have life each day and I make the most of it. I don't sit around trying to fix anything, I plan to be with friends, eat healthy and fit in a run 6 days a week. the rest of my life will take care of itself.
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