Day 40

Maybe it's because I am officially past the halfway mark.  In fact, tomorrow is wed, which will put me over the halfway mark of round 3.  I am looking at putting this week in the books asap and then it's on to the last cycle.  So today in chemo, I began to daydream.  Let me take you for a walk in the twisted mind of Gil.

My daydream started off with what Coke accounts I was going to win back when I get back to work.  When I went to the Langley Event Center, I was very impressed with what my team had done there.  I started thinking about changes at work and how to carry out efficiencies and bring up the market share on my side of the business. (Now while my boss and partner in crime at work might smirk at this daydream- the rest of you just think I'm nuts...please read on)

After the coke fantasy, my mind started wandering about what kind of foods I would eat after the treatment is over and I am given a clean bill of health.  Maybe that double filet at Macdonalds.  A ribeye steak at Outback Steakhouse.  Any kind of fried chicken I could get my hands on.  Not to mention hanging out with so many of you guys out there- whilst eating all this food.  (It's touring season, Justin Cho! You wit me?  You too Dave- Shanghai Breakfast, Noon and Dinner!)

After food, it was onto experiences.  Maybe New York in the fall with June.  Perhaps bring Rhys to Disneyland.  Go work for Coke in London 2012 ( Paul- please put in a good word with Wayne for me).

Then the daydream/fantasy became a reality check.  I have been blessed in this journey.  Blessed to have strengthened my relationships with family and friends.  Blessed to be able to tell everyone that I am handling this ordeal so well because of having a personal relationship with my saviour, Jesus Christ.  I am closer to June than ever before.  I love Rhys even more than I thought was humanly possible for a father to love their child.  Yet realizing that God loves me even more than that and he shows me that every day.  I began to think about how I am going to get involved in this fight against cancer.  Volunteering my time and resources to the cause.  Sharing my story and comfort to others around me that are or will be encountering this disease.

As you all know, I am a man that thrives under pressure and loves to multi-task.  As I take this time off to fight the cancer, I am also taking time off to rest my body and mind and soul.  I plan to come back leaner, faster, smarter (I know that may be a stretch), and braver.  My new perspective on life will allow to me make a bigger difference-  a bigger difference at work, at home, and in society.  I learned a few days ago that Coke donated over 7 million dollars US to the Japan Relief fund.  It made me proud to work for the company that his been so supportive in my time of need.  Everyone that has stepped in to do my job- to an understanding boss that wants me back-only when I'm ready.

I learned today in my bible devotion that God is bigger than I could ever hope or dream. So it's ok to dream big.  But I started small.  I have met dozens of fellow cancer patients and when I see them again, I tell them that they have been in my prayers.  I sometimes pray for them right there in the room.  I see that it brings some of their spirits up...small steps...will lead to bigger ones.