Baldies' Blog began originally in the UK by a 26 year old journalist with a blood cancer on a mission to inform the world about bone marrow donation.

He has since died, and I took on the cause of making cancer care more transparent for everybody.

Cancer is a disease that will touch everybody through diagnosis or affiliation: 1 in 2 men will be diagnosed and 1 in 3 woman will hear those words, "You Have Cancer."

I invite you to read how I feel along my journey and
how I am continuing to live a full life alongside my Hodgkin's lymphoma, with me controlling my cancer, not my cancer controlling me.

I hope that "Baldies' Blog" will prepare you to handle whatever life sends you, but especially if it's the message, "You Have Cancer."

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Sunday, March 20, 2011

The Bucket List

I never thought I had a bucket list. I know people do. They have long, extensive ones that maybe they could accomplish if they were a millionaire. Events incked down like: travel to Bali or sky dive, learn to ride a motorcycle. There are even books dedicated to the idea: the writer of 1000 Thigs To Do Before You Die, killed himself trying to complete his list at 46 YO. I've tried to help people finish theirs before. I ran naked into the caribbean ocean at nighgt, but still no real urge for a final "to-do" list.  But I guess I do. Rip chording through the rainforest has crossed my mind, but why there when I can attach a chord in my backyard and do it everyday with my son. That sounds much more fun. Then there is the must-do bucket list. That's the bucket list that pops into my mind when I know I'm sick, and possibly one the verge of death, it's then I think of all the things I've yet to do and would like to. The list includes making a difference, revolutionizing health care so patients no longer have to fear they'll have their insurance dropped after years of paying in. That they can die peacefully, with dignity, accepting their diagnosis and feel every once of life possible, such as the fear, sadness, and anger that accompanies it. But that's not it either. I want more time with my family, to see how deeply I can fall in love with j, or how successful x will become. I want to know all the "what ifs" and see if mt life will play out like I dreamed. It hasn't so far. But maybe that's my purpose, not to get too attached to these distractions, maybe I'll rise above all the beauty and the consumerism and somehow, not care that my lungs are failing again at 28 yo, and be okay with meeting my maker earlier, getting to understand why the world is how it is, and hopefully, laugh at the joke. I'm fortunate I've lived my life,  according to my beliefs and morals, and now, I have no reason  to woerrY. I still need to give and get love and respect.
I never thought I had a bucket list. I know people do. They have long, extensive ones that maybe they could accomplish if they were a millionaire. Events incked down like: travel to Bali or sky dive, learn to ride a motorcycle. There are even books dedicated to the idea: the writer of 1000 Thigs To Do Before You Die, killed himself trying to complete his list at 46 YO. I've tried to help people finish theirs before. I ran naked into the caribbean ocean at nighgt, but still no real urge for a final "to-do" list.  But I guess I do. Rip chording through the rainforest has crossed my mind, but why there when I can attach a chord in my backyard and do it everyday with my son. That sounds much more fun. Then there is the must-do bucket list. That's the bucket list that pops into my mind when I know I'm sick, and possibly one the verge of death, it's then I think of all the things I've yet to do and would like to. The list includes making a difference, revolutionizing health care so patients no longer have to fear they'll have their insurance dropped after years of paying in. That they can die peacefully, with dignity, accepting their diagnosis and feel every once of life possible, such as the fear, sadness, and anger that accompanies it. But that's not it either. I want more time with my family, to see how deeply I can fall in love with j, or how successful x will become. I want to know all the "what ifs" and see if mt life will play out like I dreamed. It hasn't so far. But maybe that's my purpose, not to get too attached to these distractions, maybe I'll rise above all the beauty and the consumerism and somehow, not care that my lungs are failing again at 28 yo, and be okay with meeting my maker earlier, getting to understand why the world is how it is, and hopefully, laugh at the joke. I'm fortunate I've lived my life,  according to my beliefs and morals, and now, I have no reason  to woerrY. I still need to give and get love and respect.

3 comments:

Valerie said...

You're changing my life. After a weekend I filled with petty complaints about my life you have given me a dose of perspective.
The impact you are having on this world is more than you can possibly know. I'm talking about how you are living each day, not the sickness part.
I loves you babe.
xxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooooo

Anonymous said...

Well done Hillary ... you certainly put a different perspective on what's important.

You continue to amaze me girl.

It was great seeing you this weekend. Stay strong.

F

Anonymous said...

I know you've mentioned that you're Catholic in past posts. I'm not sure if you've done this already, but have you considered getting the Sacrament of the Sick? It is for anyone with a serious illness whose condition has worsened. I encourage you to take advantage of this beautiful opportunity for healing and grace. I did many times when I was going through treatment. I hope that you will too. Praying for you.

Isabelle