This one's for NED...

Who is Ned and why is this one for him? I'm committed! By writing this down, I'm committed. NED = No Evidence of Disease. Best thing a cancer survivor can hear. I recently read that some people do some crazy rituals when they receive their NED news. Me...well, I guess this is crazy too. I decided that I wanted to do something for myself. I'm going to run a half marathon on June 23rd. Many of you know me and know that I'm not in great physical shape but I'm going to do it. I may have to walk some but I have to do it! If anyone is interested in joining me, it is the AF canyon half marathon. Proceeds benefit cancer patients that are in need of treatments but can't afford them. I was very fortunate to have great insurance during my fight, I can't imagine facing that challenge without insurance or a way to pay for the treatments.

NED may equal crazy old man trying to run a half marathon, but it might also mean another fighter beats cancer after receiving the treatments that he/she needs.

Miracles

In my brief time on this earth, I've witnessed many miracles. Some may consider these very fortunate events, but in my mind, they are miracles.

1. My Mom agreed to marry my Dad. Okay, this isn't a miracle but we used to tell my Dad that we chose Mom and she chose him. I love you Mom and Dad.

2. My Dad joined the military during the Vietnam War. He felt certain he would be drafted and so he joined. Everyone filled out a wish list of where they would like to go. While most people listed Hawaii, the Caribbean, and other tourist destinations, my Dad chose Japan as he went on his mission to Japan. Well, everyone in his unit went to Vietnam, except for one. Yep, you guessed it, my Dad was selected to go to Japan. They had a need and he spoke Japanese...Miracle!

3. When I was a toddler, I ran my toy motorcycle over a cliff. I'm sure I was hurt but I missed all of the jagged rocks and was relatively fine...Miracle!

4. When I was about 14, I got a piece of steak lodged in my throat. I couldn't breathe. I was fortunate that my Dad knew the Heimlich Maneuver. He performed it on me and it became dislodged. Maybe not a miracle but very glad my Dad knew what he was doing. Oh heck...it was a Miracle!

5. Graduation night in 1987, yes I'm old, my friend bought a new scooter. He brought it over to show me. I took it for a spin while my girlfriend, Michelle, watched. I started to show off and lost control of the scooter. I crashed and landed in between my neighbors decorative rocks in their park strip. Spent much of the night at the emergency room and got stitches in my head but fully recovered. Miracle!

6. Survived Bangkok traffic on my mission (I had to drive in it for about a year)...Miracle!

7. Had a dream about Michelle on my mission. I dreamt that she got divorced and we had another shot. She was married at the time. I felt terrible. It ended up coming to fruition...probably the biggest Miracle in my life.

8. The birth of each one of our kids. I mean, come on, how can you witness childbirth and not believe in miracles.

9. In 1999, I was involved in a very serious automobile accident. Neither of the two drivers were wearing a seat belt. I had two broken arms and I've previously discussed the other driver. Miracle!

10. My most recent experience with Cancer...I don't need to talk about it as I've spent the past year documenting it. Miracle!!!!!

I could go on and on but I think these rank as my top 10 (in chronological order).

Miracles continue to happen! I told our ward (church congregation) today that I have a testimony of prayer. So many prayers have been said on our behalf. Not saying that everyone that wasn't cured of cancer did not have their prayers answered or that I'm special, I just know how much the prayers helped us. Miracles...so grateful for miracles.