Jack Tempchin
Performed by the Eagles
I have a confession to make. Since I was 8 or so I have loved baseball. Growing up we listened to the Denver Bears, a triple A minor league team for the White Sox. I remember listening to the radio from my mom's or my Grandmas sitting on the porch and enjoying the great games of summer.
When we moved to Seattle, one of my favorite thing's was that they had a major league baseball team. When the kids were 4 or 5, we would pack up a little dinner, take a thermos of coffee and we could get to see Gaylord Perry, or Bo Jackson, Ken Griffey Sr., and Ken Griffey Jr, Harold Raines, all Major league players for under 20 bucks we would be immersed in true , real Major League players. The memories of playing catch, talking baseball, and spending exceptional time as a family together is a great part of the foundation that is our family.
One of my favorite new vernaculars, is ... Journeyman player. This word explains that, if you are a hard worker, not a superstar, not a key player, you are a journeyman player. The very definition is a hard worker who brings his lunch box and works hard to complete his job.
I respect that. I respect that because I relate to that. I have been a journeyman electrician for 39 years. I show up, I do the best I can, and I try to take work seriously and I will work with as much as I have possible to make peoples lives better, happier, and to feel complete at the end of the day. I live in a world full of Journeymen workers. Plumbers, painters, carpenters, chocolatiers, nurses, stereo installers, housekeepers, landscapers, bus drivers, police officers, stay at home moms, and caregivers. We get up, we pack it up, and even when we are tired, worn, broke, and beat back, we get in the next day to persevere the battle. Here's a respect to all who work, fight, and enjoy every day.
I have known I have had Glioblastoma Multiforme for 20 months. The original shock, the education about cancer, the times spent with staples,the months of chemo, radiation, the infusions, the blood draws, and my now 8 trips to Duke university, I feel that I have earned Journeyman status in GBM. It is a tiring, but honorable badge of commitment to fighting with everything I have to get more time.
Getting accepted at Duke University for a clinical trial is an honor. I am blessed to try to attain a victory against a very certain deadly disease. I am willing to bring my lunch, do whatever I can, to get a while longer in this life. Thank God, Duke gives me hope.
We will see in another couple of months, if the Inflammation goes down and the tumor disappears
.If it does, we have saved some more valuable time.If it doesn't, my Dr. and friend, Vlahovick, comforts me and says "she has a plan".I take large comfort in that.
For those of you have been recently diagnosed, I am so sorry for you. It's hard to be diagnosed with this treacherous disease. For those who support us, thank you! My eyes have opened to see the blessing that our caring circle of people are. you all make my life, my thoughts, your caring, I lay down at night and smile. Life is a gentle blessing showing the kindness and Love that gives us the strength to continue to fight, even when we are worn and tired.
Keep positive thought's. My head feels relatively good. If you need to talk, I am pretty Journeyman
as a Cancer fighter! Let me know if you have questions, and I'll try to help you through the roller coaster of GBM.
