It has been three years since my bone marrow transplant. As Dr. Pasquini said, "It's a marathon, not a sprint." No truer words were ever spoken.
At the age of 54, I had to leave my job as a teacher and athletic director of a large high school. Because of my compromised immune system and years of chemo, I was susceptible to any and all germs in the school. I loved my job. I loved being busy, working with kids, anything sports-related. I had been a varsity basketball coach before becoming an athletic director. I wasn't ready to retire. It took me a few years to get used to not having a place to go every day, not feeling productive or needed. I had been working since I was 14 years old. I hated being constantly tired.
After seven years of chemo and finding doctors who would eventually save my life, I was fortunate to find a donor who unselfishly donated his bone marrow. It has been a struggle since the transplant. Graft vs. host disease was constant, infections, weakness, and of course, constant fatigue. I knew I had gotten a miracle: I was alive. At the same time, I was tired of being tired. My graft vs. host disease is triggered by the sun. I no longer golf, which I love to do, and it limits so many things in life that bring me happiness.
After the third anniversary of my transplant, things started turning around. I noticed I had more energy, my need for naps lessened and I could stay up later at night. I was able to decrease some of the medications I was on. I began walking on the treadmill, walking our dog. As my health improved, my joy in life returned.
My wife and I were "mall walking" one day, and as she went into the cell phone store; I was approached by a man looking for retirees interested in returning to the workforce. We spoke for a few minutes, and he gave me his card. I talked to my wife, Nancy, about it. We agreed I should follow up and see what the job entailed. After meeting with him and finding out about the company, I decided to give it a try. So far, I have really enjoyed the job.
I like getting up and going to work. I like feeling productive. I don't even mind bringing home a paycheck. I work 28 hours a week, which is perfect for me. It makes me feel productive again. I feel like "me" again. Nancy likes seeing me happy going off to work, although I think she also might like finally having some time alone. She has taken care of me for so long, she now has the freedom and time to do things that make her happy. And when we meet at the end of the workday, we both have things to share about what happened during our days. It seems like life is back to "normal," and I am enjoying it more every day. I am one lucky guy!
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Have you settled into a new post-cancer life? What changed for you? Or are you still waiting for "normal"? Share your comments below.
