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Thanksgiving
From Jim "The Pin Man"
Different things
come to mind for different people. Some envision family and friends gathered
around a tremendous meal with all the fixin’s. Some prefer to spend the day in
quiet reflection of the many things to be thankful for. Some
prefer to work and be around those not able to be at home sharing the day with
family.
For me, this particular Thanksgiving represents a time of gratitude for a year
of unbelievable happenings. If you will allow me a few moments, I would like to
share my thoughts on this subject.
Over two years ago, I had some discomfort in my body and I felt something was
wrong. Through several doctors and two hospital visits, I was assured that I was
okay and that perhaps I simply needed to modify my diet to eat in a more
nutritionally balanced manner. My diet did, of course, consist of McDonald's,
Popeye's, and Pizza Hut. If I ate at home, that meant opening a jar of peanut
butter and grabbing a spoon. Eating, for me, was always on the run. So when I
was told I simply had indigestion, it seemed very plausible.
The truth, however, turned out to be that I have stomach cancer. I found this
out in October 2000. At this time, I was given up to three months to live. A
month later, I went to visit a friend (Dan) in Maine who had just gone through
surgery and was having his own major physical complications. I was really there
to support him and not to mention my situation. As we spoke over a period of
days though, I decided that it would be better to let him know my situation and
to face the realization I would probably never see him again. As I am a very
private person, just letting someone know was a big deal to me. He said if there
was anything he could do, to please let him know.
When I got back on November 23rd, I got a call from my friend with some
information he had researched online and some suggestions for what might help. I
look back on this date as the day my life truly changed. Since that day, we have
spoken on the telephone virtually every single day, exchanged numerous e-mails,
and made more than a dozen trips back and forth. As I chose a non-traditional
path (no chemo or radiation), we began exploring and experimenting with an
entirely new diet and finding out about supplements and so many different
holistic possibilities. He stood by my side as the cancer progressed into my
esophogus, intestines, liver, and kidneys. He has joined in the celebration of
watching this cancer regress back out of my kidneys, intestines, and liver.
Never did I imagine that one person could have such a huge impact.
During this time, I have continued to work and be as “normal “ (what on Earth
does that mean in the ‘pin world’) as possible. As word got out about my
illness, an amazing thing happened. I have been shown such wonderful support and
caring from literally thousands of people from all areas of the world. The many
pin enthusiasts I have had the great pleasure of meeting over the past two and
one-half years have been supportive, kind, and so phenomenally encouraging. I
have seen many days when I wasn’t sure I could make it to the end of. Those are
the times that the support from Dan, my fellow cohorts from work, and my pin
friends enabled me to go on.
I am also extremely fortunate that I work for a company which has been
supportive beyond belief and with fellow cast members who have been there for me
every step of the way. I wish everyone could have the opportunity to work in an
environment such as mine.
While it has indeed been a year filled with learnings about the human body, the
real lessons learned are much deeper. First and foremost, I have seen the power
of what one person can do to change the life of another. I have learned even
more about what it is to be a true friend than I have about what it takes to
survive the ordeal of cancer. Thank you Dan. I have seen what the power of
gentle support can do to encourage positivity and the belief that I can beat
cancer. Thank you to all of you for your verbal support, written support, and
many prayers.
I do not believe in coincidence. I believe everything happens for a purpose and
that we have the ability to learn from each person we encounter. It is not a
coincidence that Dan and I have been there to help each other on our journeys.
It is not a coincidence that I became the “pin man” and have met so many people
who have made such a difference.
Thanksgiving should not be considered a “day” as much as a continuous state of
being. I hope you are all giving thanks for what you have and even for the
things which may not seem so positive right now. You never know what direction
life’s surprises will take you. I have cancer and am fighting to beat it.
Despite the pain and uncertainty which comes with that statement, this past year
has been the most rewarding of my life. I see myself as being on a daily quest
to make myself a better person---more caring, compassionate, flexible, and
willing to take a moment for those in need.
Thank you to each and every one of you for your support. Thank you also simply
for the daily happening of pin trading. The fun and enjoyment you have brought
into my life has lifted my spirits so many times. In essence, you have helped
continue my life.
Jim "The Pin Man"