Beyond the Headlines

I have been feeling worse and worse as time goes on, and therefore I have been spending a lot of time on the couch watching TV. During that time, I have come to a conclusion.

Tune into any of the 24 hour news channels or evening news programs, and chances are you are going to hear bad news. Some one, some where, doing something bad. The headlines are filled with stories of war, murder, lying and cheating. If some one were to get all their information about the world solely from the news, chances are they would think that there are far more bad people in the world than good. I am here to tell you that is not the case. In fact, that would be far from the case.

One of the positive things that have come from my current health situation, is that I have been able to witness first hand, how great people can be. So many people have stepped up in so many ways and on so many levels. I feel so blessed to have so many of these great people in my life. Here is a small sample of just a few of the ways people have stepped up and amazed me.

We have a friend that lives in Ohio that we have known since college. Normally we talk every few weeks or so just to catch up on things. Ever since my diagnosis it seems like we hear from her almost every day. We talk on the phone much more frequently and email often. We can tell that she is concerned and worried about us. What she doesn't know is that each time she calls or emails and shows her support, it makes us stronger.

Friends from out of town who have sent my wife and I both items that will help make the hospital stay a little more comfortable.

Friends we have that when they heard I was being rushed to the hospital a few weeks ago, got there to support us so quick that they almost beat the ambulance to the hospital. All this despite one of them just getting back from an extended trip to Africa.

Friends who live near the hospital that have offered their house for my wife to refresh while we are staying in the hospital, and giving us locations of all the local restaurants.

Many friends and family who have flown down from Chicago since my diagnosis to spend some time with us and distract us from my condition.

Family members who call me everyday just to check and make sure I am OK.

Friends that made a quilt for me and so many others that wrote notes of encouragement on it.

More friends who dropped everything that they were doing to get to the hospital when I was in the ER to see how I was doing and support my wife.

A friend who seems to find every liver joke there is and send it to us in an email to help to keep us laughing.

The multiple people whose hearts are so large, that they have actually offered to donate half of their liver to me as part of a living donor transplant.

My entire small group at church whose never ending support keeps us staying positive.

And of course, my wife. She is by me every step of the way making each day worth living. Not only that, but despite all that we are going through, she still lead a group of 25 people volunteering at the Children's Cancer Center on Saturday, and spent Sunday afternoon shopping for Christmas gifts for other families who need a helping hand this holiday season.


These is just a few examples to show that there are good people doing good things in this world.

I feel so lucky to have all these people, and so many more, as part of my life.

Thank you to all of you. Everything that you have done for my wife and I have meant so much to us and are truly appreciated.