Always a chance of sunshine

by anwar.knight 16. May 2011 11:23

Wow time really does fly by. Sorry for not writing sooner, so much has happened since my last post. Charlie Sheen losing, rain, the Japan tragedy, rain, the election, rain and now an anniversary.

I sit here in my favourite corner of my couch, with a squishy pillow sandwiched behind my back, taking a deep breath. This past weekend, marked my one year anniversary of when I first began treatment. I have completed it many months ago, and feel almost normal. Wow there is a word I never thought would feel so good to say. I FEEL NORMAL!!

I was doing some gardening the other day, hauling top soil and topping up some the flower beds -- this will sound a little weird, but I remember taking a break while sitting on the door step and thinking -- how lucky I was to be able to do this. I mean a year ago, for a short period of time I thought, I may never really be able to garden again.

It simply wasn't a priority in the grand scheme of things, just getting up each morning was my mandate. Today is a new day, and believe it or not, there is not a single one that goes bye now that I’m not thankful for. I consciously acknowledge that each and every day. That’s when I got it, I mean I really understood about appreciating everyday, not just talking about the ol' cliché “you don’t know what you have until you have lost it”…but actually embracing it.

Adversity forces you to gain a new perspective on life, and it can in many ways be a blessing. Hope can and does sometimes happen.

It’s that new found knowledge that has put me into action. I have made a personal goal to be a catalyst of change when it comes to this disease.

In the coming weeks I will be launching a personal initiative that I really hope will make a difference for those who are newly diagnosed with cancer. It’s about people helping people and I am very excited about it. Look forward to telling you much more very soon.

Stay Tuned…..

When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."

~Author Unknown

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Comments (13) -

5/16/2011 1:47:34 PM #

WELL SAID ANWAR. I JUST NOW MADE MY 1 YEAR ON MAY 10TH OF MY SECOND ROUND OF CANCER. I WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED NOW WITH GLUCOMA IN MY EYES. BUT I WILL NEVER GIVE UP OR GIVE IN TO THESE TERRIBLE DISEASES UNTIL THE BIG GUY UPSTAIRS TELLS ME IT IS MY TURN.
GOD BLESS YOU FOR OVERCOMING YOUR CANCER AND CONTINUED ENJOYEMENT OF YOUR NEW LIFE YOU NOW LEAD.

CHRISTINE COOK | Reply

5/16/2011 1:54:13 PM #

Hi Anwar:

I was glad to see your latest post. I have been wondering how you are doing. On TV, you look healthy and happy and I was hoping that was the case. Now I know it is. Happy anniversary!!

Your positive attitude will have a strong influence on people dealing with all types of health issues, not just cancer.

May good health be yours for years to come.

Sandra Edwards | Reply

5/16/2011 2:00:35 PM #

So glad to know that everything is ok with you. I think I told you in one of my previous comments that you would look back on this episode of your life and that you would be happy and well again. I knew within my heart that it would be so. Live for today and never take anything for granted for tomorrow may never come! Take care - God bless you and your family. May you all live a long and happy life.

Jeanette MacIsaac | Reply

5/18/2011 12:00:42 PM #

HI Anwar

I am a 11 year suvirvor and sometimes it takes someone else to remind me of what is important in life. As the years go by, you may at times forget this important message. All the best to you and congrats.

Carol T | Reply

5/18/2011 1:53:44 PM #

so good to hear from you again it made my day God Bless can't wait to see what you have in mind to give back

LOIS | Reply

5/18/2011 3:31:21 PM #

Hello Anwar:
It's amazing how similar your feelings about cancer are to my brother-in-law's, Ken Janzen. He died of lung cancer, unfortunately, 3 and a half years ago, in January 2007. He kept a blog going about his thoughts and feelings for some 10 months, going through his struggle from March 2007 to Jan. 2008.

I've created a new blog reinstating some of Kenny's posts from that time. I've also compared your posts and feelings with what Kenny was going through. I find your posts worthwhile reading for an appreciation of what's really important in life. You might find my blog of his struggle an interesting comparison. I'm glad you made it through your struggle...and certainly, I wished and we all prayed that my brother-in-law would have made it through his struggle as well. But that isn't in the cards for everybody.

John Hartig

John Hartig | Reply

5/18/2011 4:46:38 PM #

Hey Anwar,
I love reading your blog.  You're an inspiration! Your quote made me teary, it's so true.  I've written to you before about my journey with Colon Cancer.  I'm happy to report that I'm cancer free, and I completed my chemo in March. I look forward to going back to work in September.

Life is precious! I enjoy each and everyday with family.  I feel truly blessed they found my cancer in time.   I get really emotional, June 9th is approaching. This was the day they discovered the mass in my colon.  I was 32 years old with a 5 year old.  This year has been a wirl wind, but in many ways this has made me a better person.

On June 17th, I'll be participating at the Relay for Life in Ottawa.  I look forward to walking the survivor lap!

I'm happy you're doint well! Keep doing what your doing, it's working.

Danielle

Danielle | Reply

5/22/2011 2:58:56 PM #

You truly are an inspiration Anwar. I look forward to seeing you as often as I can on CTV and I watch for your blogs and tweets. You look amazing and I am very happy for you that all is going well. As one of the previous posts commented, you are not only an inspiration for cancer patients and survivors but for anybody going through a tough time of any kind. Thanks for being so open and honest and for being someone that so many of us can look up to.

Lynne Riley | Reply

5/24/2011 9:05:13 PM #

Anwar:
I am so happy for you and want to say that you have been an inspiration to all of us throughout your ordeal regardless of what our personal struggles are. Reading your postings has reminded me to listen to the birds in the morning and take time to watch them at their feeder in my back yard and stop to look at my neighbour's flowers on my daily walk. Your love of live shines through the TV screen and cheers me every day that you deliver our weather - not to mention your terrific humour as you preform your stunts! Take care Anwar - and know you are in my prayers every day.
Lois

Lois | Reply

6/4/2011 12:12:09 PM #

Glad to see you are doing well
Ron

Ron Reyn | Reply

6/24/2011 2:50:01 PM #

Hi Anwar!
Long time no see! We've missed you on your blog, but we always keep watch for you on CTV! You look wonderful, and my Dad & I are so happy for you that you continue to feel better and stronger. I agree with your sentiments about appriciating the simple things in life, such as love and nature and the quiet beauty of the world around us, and how what doesn't beat us always makes us stronger. You continue to be an incredible inspiration and you are always a true gentleman, I admire your gentle care and concern for everyone around you, and your new perspective initiative only continues to illustrate your genuine heart for others. We are looking forward to hearing more about your idea - it sounds very exciting!

We continue to pray for your good health and safety, and many blessings and much love to you and your wife. God Bless. - Jenny

Jenny | Reply

7/20/2011 11:24:50 AM #

Yes, adversity does bring clarity.  You're thinking "woes is me, I have to walk to the store because my car is in the shop" and then you see someone in a wheelchair and you realize just how grateful you should be for being able to walk.  The simple things in life we take for granted every day. It's good to take a moment to count our blessings every day.

And our health is one of the biggest things we take for granted.  I know I do because when I am deathly ill in bed, I would give anything just to be "normal" again.  You know, the more I write to you, the more I realize I should start taking better care of myself before it's too late.  Funny, I won't allow my dog to eat junk and he gets the top-of-the-line raw meat (no dog food for this boy), so I guess I should do the same for me.  Maybe I'll do that detox diet after all!  You see, your journey and your blog has inspired me to try making some changes in my own life!  That, in itself, is a real miracle.  My mom is not a believer yet, though.

Onto your final blog and I'll be up-to-date ...

Lisa and mom

Lisa | Reply

7/20/2011 5:39:40 PM #

Congratulations on this special anniversary. Wishing you a lifetime of good health and a positive attitude.

Always a chance of sunshine

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