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Old Wed May 26, 2010, 05:22 PM
Neil Cuadra Neil Cuadra is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 2,553
This is a good question, Julie. We each learn about ourselves in our own ways, and while nobody can answer you better than you can yourself, it's good that you are reflecting on what it will all mean to you.

Diagnosis of a serious illness is a life-changing event that marks a transition point in our lives. So is the passing of a loved one, or a change in personal circumstances: moving, changing jobs, getting married/divorced, having children, starting/finishing school, etc. Change can be frightening but also a chance for a new start. That's especially true with transplants because of their risks and their ability to cure you, not to mention that getting marrow or stem cells from another person really is making you "somebody new."

My wife and I got something extremely important from her illness and transplant: an appreciation of what really matters in life.

Before, our life had been wrapped up in trivial details of daily life. What needs fixing around the house? Should we buy this or that? How can juggle all the things we have to do today?

Now, we know that those things were a lot less important than we thought. What matters is simple: enjoying being with each other and our families and friends, having our health, and doing things to improve ourselves and help others.

We came to realize that worrying about petty annoyances was a luxury! These days, when we find ourselves being frustrated because our store coupon expired or the car needs a repair, we laugh at ourselves and remember when just getting home from the hospital or reaching our next wedding anniversary was our goal.

Rather than simply be carried along by life, it's now clear to us that we should set good goals, enjoy what we do every day, appreciate the people we're with, and not let little frustrations bother us. It's unfortunate that it took a shock like bone marrow failure, and then recovery, to learn that.
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