I was hoping to get to this point much sooner, but getting let go from my job earlier this year and then quitting my other job followed by unemployment for three months with no income whatsoever delayed me quite a bit.  Nonetheless, I am here and would like to self-indulge myself a little bit… (picture Brady reveling in the moment).

Now, the only debt I have left is my car and I think I would like to have that completely taken care of by the middle of this summer (which is, based on my original loan, only about a year early).

So, irony. During the past 2+ months since I got sick, I have realized that I have had many, many ironic things happen to me that I just have to laugh and chuckle at. I mentioned my girlfriend Rachael last time and I have to admit that being away from her has been a lot harder than I ever imagined. I was lucky enough to have her come over to Colorado and visit for a number of days at the end of January which was just fantastic in and of itself. We were able to visit Red Rock Amphitheatre one afternoon with my older sister and her family (which is where these pictures were taken thanks to my brother-in-law Bryan). 

I always laughed (in a good way, but also probably a little jealously too) at some of my friends when they started dating someone which finally progressed to where the phrase “falling in love” was used.  Being the logical type of person that I am, those words just didn’t make much sense to me.  Now, I completely understand.  Loveisn’t logical and was never intended to be that way.  That is what makes it, well, for a lack of better words, exciting.  So, I guess now I am laughing at myself and am not ashamed to admit it. I love you Rachael. (This isn’t even close to the first time she’s heard me say that.  I’m not that lame.)  Oh the irony.

On the same subject, in years past I’ve always dreaded Valentines Day and commonly referred to it as Singles Awareness Day instead.  Being single around this time of year and being reminded of it everywhere you look is a little depressing to say the least.  Now, the one time that I do have someone I can call my Valentine, she is ~600 miles away and I can only talk to her instead of being there with her.  Makes things difficult.  We were able to exchange gifts and I figured out how to get flowers delivered to her house while she was there.  I don’t post the picture to brag, but I think I did a pretty good job. Everyone does roses so I wanted to do something a little different and she really likes the color purple. Oh the irony.

Like I mentioned previously, I’ve finished my recovery from surgery and have now begun to get treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy at the same time.  The medications that are required for this and for my other symptoms have really been quite numerous and at the same time quite costly.  I have always been the type of person who would only take an aspirin to fight a headache if it was really bad.  Otherwise, I would just fight it and let the passing of time take care of everything else.  Now, I am taking ~16+ pills a day between morning and nighttime and all I have to say is wow.  I am super grateful for advanced medical science and also for the job / insurance that has continued to make this treatment possible.  The pictures I post below shows how much having medical insurance has saved me in just prescriptions alone for one month.  Oh, the irony.

These are just some of the many examples of irony in my life that I have come across during the past few weeks.  While there are many more, I am going to limit myself with these only and not try and give an example for each and every thought I’ve had. 

If all goes well and continues as planned, I should be back in Utah towards the beginning of April and will try and put my life there back together as quickly as possible.  Life is good.  Life is great.  Tender mercies are real.  An eternal understanding makes everything worthwhile.

Tomorrow I’ll be going to another doctor’s office to get some consultation there on a few options and that will be an interesting conversation to say the least.  I’ve been on a lot of medications that definitely take my energy away and make it that much more difficult to get out of bed.  Thanks to my mother who is taking some time off of work to be an impromtu “nurse” to make sure I actually eat.  She and the rest of the family is simply amazing.

I figure I might as well make mention of this because she has been a source of much happiness for me during this time.  I’m dating a girl from my singles ward back in Utah whom I met in November.  Her name is Rachael and we had only really been dating for a few weeks before my incident occurred.  I was a little concerned she might call it all off when I told her, but she in fact did not, which means so much to me.  The physical distance between us has definitely been hard, but I was able to see and spend some time with her when I went back to Utah right after Christmas to gather some belongings.  She may come out and spend some time with me soon, but that really depends on how things play out in the next week or so.  I’m keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed for that.

Many of you know that I am LDS and have a firm belief and even a knowledge of the reality of God.  This past Sunday at church I was able to speak briefly and leave my humble witness and testimony of that knowledge; let me try and repeat just a small portion of those words here.

I know that God the father lives.  I know that his son Jesus is the Christ.  I know that He is the redeemer and savior of the world and I am grateful for the knowledge.  I know the gospel and church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth and continues to be led by Him through a living prophet today.  I am grateful for that knowledge and the clarity it has brought to my life up until now.  It is because of this knowledge and my faith in Christ that I am able to sit and write these words the night before this actually posts with absolutely no fear in my heart or concern for what may come. 

I love my family and consider myself extremely blessed to have been born to such wonderful parents.  I have shared numerous experiences with my siblings that have meant so much to me and always will.  May each family member know that I love them individually and collectively. 

Finally, forgive the following cheesiness, but may I just say a few words to my you, my “beautiful.”  Thank you for being a part of my life these past three weeks and making them some of the best I have ever had.  I consider myself lucky to have had your smile and uplifting influence impact me in so many ways during that time.  And by the way, number three sucks.

I was recently on the job in Oakland, California when I ended up in the hospital for a unplanned event.  I’m doing okay and can still think, walk, talk, and etc.  I have however, flown back to Colorado to be with my family and will be here for a least the next few weeks.  I’m still trying to figure out the logistics of what is to happen next but I’m very optimistic about the future outcome.

I’m not seeking for pity, but if you want to know the more specific details of what I am talking about, you should know how to get a hold of me and I’d be willing to share them with you via email.  I appreciate all of the thoughts and concerns that have already been and will be given in my behalf.  I am also grateful for the many friendships I have developed over the years, even though I may not have been as diligent as I could have been in maintaining them as each of us have moved on with our individual lives.

Thank you all, and I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.