Where Do You Turn To When You're In Need?

What a crazy up and down day, mostly down.  Emotions ran the whole gambit and it was hard to stay positive and upbeat.  I'm thinking one of the few positives was that another batch of bills arrived from my hospital stay and insurance was still hanging in there with minimal out of pocket cost so far...  but there are many more bills to come.  Over $71,000 so far for less than a 2 week period.  Yikes.

The negative side was the mental and emotional toll my head is going through.  The anticipation of my reaction when chemotherapy begins next week; the inability to do some of the things I want to do; the loss of energy, and the internal emptiness I feel.  My support system continues to be there for me doing most of everything needed.  The outpouring of support is overwhelming.  It's my own mental state I constantly need to work on.

Who do you turn to, what do you do.  Here are some of my "go to" friends and mentors:

Kirk Weisler

Many years ago I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Kirk Weisler at my first HDI Conference.  A conference designed for IT (computer) support folks.  The conference was about to start and I could see from where I was sitting, there were several empty seats right in the front row, center stage.  I grabbed my co-worker and said, come on, we're going to sit right up front.  I learned years ago, you absorb more at conferences if you sit in the front row or in an end seat in an aisle a speaker is most likely to walk down during his or her presentation.  As we rushed to get to the seats, a speaker had already begun, I found reserved markers on the seats, but there was no turning back now, we sat in 2 of the 4 empty seats.  There was a sports jacket and briefcase on the chair next to me.  How embarrassing it was going to be if someone had already been sitting there.  

I had to add this picture, I found it via a
Google search for a good picture to include,
Laughed when I found one of me with Kirk.

Kirk, aka The Chief Morale Officer, was a surprise opening speaker at the conference and soon center stage teaching and entertaining everyone.  He was great.  When he was done with his bit, the conference MC continued with other speakers and trainers.  Kirk made his way to the chair next to me to claim his jacket and briefcase, and to make my acquaintance.  The beginning of a friendship that continues to this day.

Kirk is an amazing guy, author, guest speaker at events around the world, a great friend, and mentor to me.  He authors the blog/newsletter "Thought for the Day".  Most are short 2-3 minute stories to inspire you, provide food for thought, and subliminal messages to make a better you and me.

John O’Leary

John is another incredible person I met at a conference, who shared his story of overcoming incredible odds to be living today.  I sincerely encourage to go read his story and how his life was forever changed at age 9.  Better yet, watch a short YouTube video and listen to him tell it.  Live Inspirationally. John's book: "On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life" is an awesome resource.  Check it out.

Becca Levie

Becca and me at SFR 2014

I first met Becca online after I joined Scentsy in November 2010, then in person February 2011 at Scentsy Spring Sprint in Philadelphia.  I found out right away, she had a story to tell and it was amazing, and I mean amazing.  She is a leader in the Scentsy family, and I needed to know more about her and get inside her circle of friends.  One of the best things I've ever done.  Her story is worth hearing.  Her faith and willingness to share with you is touching. Becca always has the right words for me, the right scriptures to refer to, and is a wealth of knowledge, caring, and sharing.  Becca has a pretty decent number of videos on YouTube, many discussing various aspects of helping us be better Scentsy Independent Consultants, but many life lessons as well, like a chat about forgiveness.  Check her out!

Edited Update - in looking back over my post, I realized that one critical, very special person I meant to include, I left off.  She's not a world renown lecturer or published author, she is an amazing friend, former next door neighbor. I'm editing to ensure she gets the recognition I believe she deserves.  Compassionate, loving, inspiring, and always proving the right words.  Love ya Bernice!

Bernice Robertson
Bernice was my next door neighbor when I lived in Arizona.  A few years ago, I discovered her way with words. Her way to encourage, be positive, and to seemingly always know what to say.  I made a commitment to her years ago I have yet to follow through on, that's a public promise to her, it will happen.  To find her, you'd have to search Facebook (we need to get her to build an "Inspiration Account" or a blog to post her prose...  it's so worth reading.  Here's a couple partial samples:

if you find her on Facebook, tell her I sent you and enjoy her writings!

My library of inspirational, leadership, self-help books, some of which include:

1. The Big Moo by Seth by the Group of 33 (Seth Godin) - this is one of my best
2. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip and Dan Heath
3. Get Over Your Damn Self: The No-BS Blueprint to Building a Life-Changing Business by Romi Neustadt
4. Jesus Calling by Sarah Young - good 2-3 minute read per day, each day of the year
5. The Art of Possibilities: Transforming Professional and Personal Life by Rosamund Stone and Benjamin Zander 
6. The Dog Poop Initiative by Kirk Weisler
7. The Difference MakerL Making Your Attitude Your Greatest Asset by John Maxwell

          more to follow....

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Check out my Scentsy Web store at: http://DanGreeley.Scentsy.us
Want to join my amazing team of consultants?  http://bit.ly/JoinDan

Interesting in reading about my fight with cancer?
Read about it here: https://www.gofundme.com/dan-greeley039s-fight-against-cancer

Never, ever, forget how amazing you are and can be!

Brownies of a Different Sort

Six days before my chemo regiment is due to begin, I had a nice visit with my little sister.  Although she only lives a few hours away, life seemed to allow us to visit via chat.  Today was a nice change. Speaking of change, before she came down, we chatted about diet and desserts. Remember those midnight sundaes?  I guess they are out the window and I have to add new, “healthy” snacks.

Today’s change is that we made brownies that didn’t come out of a box.  In fact, when she pulled out a sweet potato and two avocados that would serve as the base for the brownies, I was thinking this was a change doomed to failure.  Picky eater I am, none of the ingredients a came off my list of liked foods. Nevertheless, I mixed it all together when she handed me the bowl, I thought I was there to sit and watch, I guess not.

My opinion, VERY chocolatey, okay, but just not a "box brownie".  More of a dark chocolate than a milk chocolate taste.  By the way, we also added walnuts.  Give them a try...

We cooked in a 9"x 9" square pan.  Greased the pan with coconut milk (there were some solid chunks in the can we used.  Cooked for at least 30-40 minutes at 325°, they were a bit sticky, and did I say, chocolately?

with my sister

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Check out my Scentsy Web store at: http://DanGreeley.Scentsy.us

Want to join my amazing team of consultants?  http://bit.ly/JoinDan

Interesting in reading about my fight with cancer?

Read about it here: https://www.gofundme.com/dan-greeley039s-fight-against-cancer

Never, ever, forget how amazing you are and can be!

How Much is Too Much Information?

When I entered this chapter of my life, I was not aware just how many people had, or have been touched, by cancer.  I’m beginning to realize the number is incredibly high.  The news you have cancer was horrific, even though I had already told myself and believed that was what I would be told. Devastated.  I just heard my death sentence.  I was not ready to meet my Heavenly Father, I had more to do.

How do I cope?  What do I do?  How do I stay focused and positive?  Simple - willpower, and the support of family and friends.  Bingo, I had a winner.  Today marks four weeks since I was given the devastating diagnosis.  Emotional highs and lows, but the highs were getting higher and the lows weren’t as low and the days passed.

Then came today, training day.  A day to meet at the Cancer Center infusion suites, meet the nurses that would administer my care, and hear about all the side effects, the realities of what I was about to go through, and face the harsh realities.  It was a tough day to say the least, and I haven’t even received a drop of my chemo cocktail yet, that begins next week.

So how have I been coping?  I’ve been writing about my ordeal.  I dream about how I can help after I beat this thing.  I share on Facebook and to a lesser extent Twitter.  I’ve wondered if it’s TMI (too much information).  After all, I’m finding so many friends and family that have gone through similar struggles and life-changing challenges, most of which I never knew about.  Did they not share?  Was I just too blind?  I still don't know which is the right answer.  What I do know is that writing is helping me cope. It’s my outlet.  Some may think it’s too personal, after all, they got through it without sharing publicly. I'm happy for them and support them in their gift.  This is mine, sharing and getting the word out about early screening and detection is what my challenge is all about.

So, TMI?  I don’t know and don’t mean to offend anyone, it helps me and is important to me.  Please support that, help me share, and help others screen early.  Being treatable is life-saving.

With sincere thanks.

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Check out my Scentsy Web store at: http://DanGreeley.Scentsy.us
Want to join my amazing team of consultants?  http://bit.ly/JoinDan

Interesting in reading about my fight with cancer?
Read about it here: https://www.gofundme.com/dan-greeley039s-fight-against-cancer

Never, ever, forget how amazing you are and can be!

I Never Liked Roller Coasters

I have barely begun the fight against cancer and I can tell you already it’s like me being on a physical and mental roller coaster, and I never liked roller coasters! Up one minute, down the next, and ready to nap after each emotional turn.

Do you ever get used to riding the roller coaster of life?  It seems to me, the way we do it is attitude, support from family and friends, and with belief and faith that God has this.  After all, we are living his plan.  I'm really, really trying to learn and live his plan for me.  A challenge for the mere mortal me, but because I #HaveBelief and #HaveFaith, and the support of so many people, it's an opportunity I can learn and grow from.   #HaveBelief  #HaveFaith                                                                           

From Jesus Calling...

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Check out my Scentsy Web store at: http://DanGreeley.Scentsy.us
Want to join my amazing team of consultants?  http://bit.ly/JoinDan

Interesting in reading about my fight with cancer?
Read about it here: https://www.gofundme.com/dan-greeley039s-fight-against-cancer

Never, ever, forget how amazing you are and can be!

Protecting Our Southern Borders

This post is not meant to be political in any sense of the word, it’s meant to be somewhat educational, said tongue in cheek.  While I understand TV shows are designed to sensationalize or focus on things that will create a large following and viewership, I tend to believe the video footage in the TV show Border Wars is on the ground footage of real events as they happened.

Further, I can sympathize with and try to understand the plight of many people like you and me in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and several other countries to our south.  Poverty, no work, no hope, and people try to get to the United States to make a better life for themselves and their families.  Having said that, we can not support the whole world.  We can show leadership, compassion, and care for people everywhere.  There has to be a balance though of protecting our own, taking care of our own, and helping others.  We have rules and laws that explain how we do that.  Occasionally, we need to revisit those laws and policies and make changes.  We still should come first and enforce following existing laws and policy.  End of the hint of a political perspective and get to the point of this post.

I mean absolutely no disrespect to the law abiding folks and perhaps, many of the folks this TV show focuses on, they are products of their environments.  That does not make for an open door policy.  

I encourage you to watch a few episodes of Border Wars on National Graphic TV to get a sense of what we as a country are up against.

I am Now Driven to Post

Since the creation of a GoFundMe page in support of my fight with cancer, I am now driven to post almost every day with updates on the journey right here in the For What's It's Worth blog.

I am in awe of the number of people that have reached out to me in the past few days. Distant family and friends, many I haven't heard from in a long time. It has given me pause and time to reflect on what would I do differently if I had a chance to do life over again? 

In one sense, I can only hope that I would do it better than I did in the past. I would most certainly be more focused on maintaining contact with those I love and cherish - both family and friends. Sure, we go separate ways as time goes by, but, I'm often saddened by the loss of relationships. Reach out to someone you have not spoken to in a long time and tell them you miss them, give them your love, and enjoy the memories. I received a card today, completely unexpectedly from a gal I went to high school with many, many years ago - I don't think I have talked to her since, but she (and others have too) took the time to reach out to me with a card, how nice it was... thanks Bev. 

I got out of the house again today (that's 2 days in a row now) for a couple of hours. I walked more than I have on over a month ... it felt good but wore me out. I came home to a 4-hour nap. 

I can't thank those of you that have dug deep to help financially, I really appreciate it and very touched by your generosity. I love you all and never forget, whatever you may be facing, #HaveBelief 

BTW - for those who knew or have asked, my Mom has also been released from the hospital in Florida and is doing well back home. Had a great conversation with her today ... praise God for looking over her too. 

Me and my mom, Feb 2018, Pace, FL