It could be worse....

You know a lot of times in life things just seem to come undone, seemingly finding a way to not work out like we hoped. Than steps in the cliche saying, "It could be worse.."; typically followed by something which most definitely would be worse.

To give an example I'll use myself. Weight has been an issue for me for well 23 of my 25 years on this earth. There was just a 2 year time period where I was happy about my weight...however sadly those two years are not presently occuring. I'm taking the steps now slowly toward changing my eating habits slowly and introducing working out slowly (I used to be addicted to it). The key is to move slowly and change my habits in life, if I do that I know in a year or so I'll be a lot closer to what I want to be weight wise. However, I still look in the mirror from time to time and feel depressed at the man in the mirror. I've let my self get flabby, no longer the guy you could look at and know instantly "He is athletic".

I however always try to snap myself back into reality. It could be worse you know! I could have had my roles switch with my brother Bryce...who sadly only live 6 hours. Or I could be alone in this world with no encouraging wife to help me on my journey. Or...well you get my drift; things seriously could always be worse no matter the situation you find yourself in.

That doesn't mean that some times in this life we're going to feel so far lost that it truly couldn't get worse...remember though that God will never leave you nor forsake you. It couldn't always get worse because He could decide to leave...and that my friends would be the worst of worsts.

So whether you find yourself in a small situation like my struggle with weight, or you're dealing with the loss of loved ones just keep on plugging forward. Ask Him for strength to take another step into each new day. Keep on keepin on folks.

I'm not normal but my blood is!!!

So last week I told you about my blood problem....well my second test results came back and (drumroll).............

I'M FINE!!!!!

For some reason the machine just didn't recognize my white blood cells the first time, but whoever the unlucky person was staring into a microscope for endless minutes counting my blood DID SEE THEM!!!

My doctor today joking said, "While you may not be normal, your white blood cell count is."

I've never been more happy to be classified as abnormal and completely laughed and smiled my way out of the doctor's office! So babe, I'm not going to die...well atleast not blood related anytime soon!

AND THAT MY FRIENDS IS THE BEST SILVER LINING I'VE EXPERIENCED IN QUITE SOME TIME!!!! PRAISE GOD!!

Leukemia anyone?

I know the title may sound like a bad attempt at a joke, but that's where I'm at right now. Waiting to find out if I in fact have one of the many different types of Leukemia. I've also been told it could be a simple blood problem or bone marrow problem not associated with the L word, but the fact it's possible scares the hell out of me. I found all this to be possible this Tuesday when I went in for a follow up doctor visit, which was I assumed would be a quick wam bam thank you mam and out. Well the discussion of the prior week's blood draw didn't have all good things.

First, very quickly, let me brag on the fact that I have great cholesterol, and the word amazing was even used for a couple of the findings...

...but sadly not everything was good. I had a low WBC (white blood cell) count, and this had been something I'd had the last couple times. The doctor last time said he wasn't sure if it was worth looking into last time, but with it being low again he was immediately concerned. I can still remember when he was going to through the various causes and Leukemia first came up...and I'll be honest I don't think I heard anything else that doctor said the rest of the time I was in his office.

Now he did say he doesn't believe I have it, but he also hates to not tell patients all possible options or reasons and then it comes to be. So, this is where I am now. Awaiting a second blood draw results, this time done at the hospital and counted by a technician not a computer (how much would that suck!). I'll know results next Wednesday, but until then I just have to sit and wait. Wait to learn if my life is about to change or if I go on as I was.

I will say though, and here comes the silver lining, when you're faced with something like this being possible....it brings an amazing amount of clarity to one's life. I now see that no big deal if it takes a year of trying to lose weight to succeed...atleast I'd have that year. All the things that I still let bug me...don't seem nearly as pivotal as they once did. I hate how at times it takes such terrible things or the threat of terrible things to actually make us appreciate this life we've been given.

You know whether I find out something is wrong or I'm just abnormally normal, I'm going to try to not forget to appreciate life. Try not to turn so cold to the world around me, the time given and the people placed in my life. Try not to get in so much of a routine I'm just spinning my tires, digging deeper and deeper ruts.

I refuse to ignore all the silver linings!!!