Tidying things up.
May 30, 2015
am on a mission to tidy up things and complete unfinished business. I am inspired by the book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying up by Marie Kondo of Japan. If you have ever been to Japan, the Japanese are the most tidiest, if not most efficient, people I know. I love Japan, especially sumo.
One noticeable thing about Japan is their small living condition. A living room used during the day functions as a bedroom at night. Tatami beds are put away after use and the area is tidy again. I remember a Japanese colleague visiting the US for work was blown away by the Marriott Residence Inn rooms we were given.
“Bo-san (gramatically incorrect in Japanese). They gave me a big room. My apartment is just the size of the kitchen” he said when we saw each other for breakfast. I thought it was funny. I was true but it was tidy.
So I find it ironic to read something on tidiness coming from a Japanese when Americans tend to have bigger houses therefore prone to clutter. To me the book was useful in further simplifying my life, a.k.a cleaning up my stuff so the wife will not have to deal with it when the time comes.
This is a difficult topic around the house and I am not one who shy away from discussing it. I am hopeful of finding a cure for my cancer at the same time I am realistic. I pray every morning for another day given, then I turn around and write instructions on how to settle things. That’s life living with cancer. We live in two worlds: the hopeful one and the real one. The real one is difficult to accept because I still, at times, ask “why”. I cannot fully understand this disease and yet it has taught me many things.
I am sure many have learned many things from me. I receive many encouragement and prayers which boost my spirits. I am grateful for them. Lately, I have been consulting doctors again regarding the recurrence of cancer to my liver, aside from the existing ones in my lungs. Each time I see a new doctor I have to relate my medical history. I started compiling all my medical records in a binder now I have a box filled with all my charts, bands, blood tests, scans, images, contacts, etc. Doctors get impress once they see my collection. They are tagged and highlighted. Then I tell them about my blog.
But that does not change things. The answer I seek is often not there and the decisions I am force to make does not get easier. Do I go for a cyberknife procedure to my liver or move on to the next clinical trial? There is always something to decide…and tidy up.
Running a 10 miler.
My happy place. Last May 23, I ran the Soldier Field 10 Miler in 2:22. I was happy I finished. Each time I finish a race it gives me confidence that I have somehow put one over my cancer. I finished with cancer growing in my lungs and now in my liver. Three more miles and that’s a half marathon. In fact I started looking for one and may just sign up on a whim.
Cheers.
P.S. Going to NY for business next week. I am on a “wash out” period to remove toxins from the previous trial before starting a new one: my third if ever.
Hi Bo, this post resonated with me so much. The dual existence: hope and preparation. I had (still have) a folder in my DropBox entitled “Useful things just in case”. It lists all sorts of things from WiFi unit password to Insurance policies. I bet you have the same.
After it was clear that I had stabilised, we started tidying. Medicines and medical paraphernalia went to a cancer charity here in Manila. We are now decluttering (aka tidying), partly through downsizing our living space by 50% but also through a desire to live more simply. A potential terminal illness teaches you that “things” don’t matter. You and the people in your life matter.
Stay strong!
Addendum. Linds read the same book!
Hello . Testing if I can comment this manner.
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Bobet do what you need to do to keep up the fight. And keep on running. The wind will always be at your back… Even if it sometimes feels that it isn’t. Abrazos fuertes my brother.
Hi Bo. There is a special meaning with the number sequence like 2:22…not sure how many others say this but here is what we think….It is a pretty rare occurrence to see all those numbers come up that way for just a minute in a day…2:22 or 10:10 or 4:44 …something like only 8 times during the day and 8 while you sleep (out of 1440 min) but if you happen to see them we think it is a sign from Jesus that your doing goodness and telling you everything is going to be Ok…he is with you at the very moment.
One example that I received was an email from my manager announcing her new twin baby girls and the email was time stamped 2:22 those are blessings indeed. Just like the one you received for running the race and staying strong…you are heading in the right direction so keep going strong bud.
Love
C&J
Hi, Chris. Thanks for your support. I did not think of the significance of the numbers, just glad I finished. Hello to Jamie.