Although it was late afternoon, I had to lay down in bed because I was exhausted. 

A few hours earlier, I learned the results of the scans (CT and PET), biopsies, X-rays, and other medical procedures, that I have had since last October.

I was worried that cancer I had previously fought in 2009 had returned and was now in my lungs and stomach. 

I wanted to let everyone know the results.

Still, I did not want to announce it on Facebook or other social media platforms because some of my closest friends are not on Facebook, and I did not want them to hear about it from someone who had learned the news on social media. 

I decided to phone my closest friends, but my voice was getting very difficult to understand, so I only called a few of them before realizing I needed to use another method of communicating my important update/message. 

So, I decided to send a group chat message to a select group of Facebook friends – using Messenger – even though I had recently announced that I would not be using Messenger anymore. 

I hate instant messaging because it can lead to impulsively expressing negative thoughts and feelings. There is truth to the famous phrase: Say it, forget it. Write it, regret it!

I also hate Facebook for the same reason.

However, as most of my loyal readers know, I am not a technical genius.

I still have not learned how to use Windows 10 or my cell phone camera. 

Danny, you are going on and on – what did the doctor say?

Patience, Spanky, patience. It is probably why your wife gave you the nickname ‘The thirty-second kid.’

Anyway – now where was I?

Oh, yeah – I went on Facebook to access the Messenger app to create a group of select Facebook friends – to send the results.

I wanted them to know before announcing the results to the rest of the world.

I chose about half of the names and then realized that I had formed a group for making video calls!

I quickly exited the program and decided against using Messenger.

Suddenly, my laptop began emitting a lady’s voice – but I could not hear her very well because I was listening to music.

I quickly turned off the music and answered the lady.

Hello?

Yes, hello, Danny!

I can hardly hear you – who are you? I asked.

It’s Donna! Just a minute until I pull my car over to speak to you.

I know several Donnas, but I recognized her voice.

It was my gal pal, Donna Mitchell, the nurse I adopted as my daughter, at the cancer center where I volunteered after my cancer treatments.

I asked her why she was calling me and learned that I was speaking to her on the dreaded Messenger app!

Donna, I am so sorry. I was trying to send a group chat messenger to a select group of close Facebook friends, to give the results from Dr. Karvat, my oncologist.

There was a brief pause, and then, I explained the test results to Donna.

The news was good – Dr. Karvat informed me that I was cancer-free!

Donna then screamed her delight at the news, which made me feel so loved.

We hugged on the phone and said goodbye.

I then returned to Messenger and deleted the group room I had created a few minutes earlier.

Instead, I sent an email to my closest friends and family.

Here is what I wrote:

Hi folks!

I wanted you to know before I post anything on social media – but Dr. Karvat, my oncologist and friend, told me that my stomach and lungs, and throat are all cancer-free! There is still a problem with my voice, though, and he has now referred me to a speech pathologist.  

So, it is excellent news, and I wanted to thank each of you for your thoughts, support, and prayers. I know I don’t deserve so much attention, but I love my friends and this group of great friends.

Think that I might have a glass of wine now.

Good night, we’ll talk soon.

Hugs, Danny 

********

Today, I am starting a new chapter in my life.

And now I want to tell you, my readers – throughout the world – the news.

Many of you are people I have never met but who read my stories – and have prayed for me.

I love each and every one of you, too!

I am living the dream and look forward to writing more chapters in this public journal of my loves, fears, cancer, and tears.

By the way, here is a photo of Dr. Karvat and me that was taken a few years ago.

He was one of the many medical staff at the Fraser Valley Cancer Center, in Surrey, BC, who saved my life and I love him like a brother.

Never give up! Living with cancer is not a life sentence but giving up on living is!

Danny

UPDATE: Friday, February 11th – 11:20 PM

Thank you for all of the texts, emails, and comments on social media.

Your thoughts and prayers are what helped get me through this challenge and I love each and every one of you.

Also, I signed a contract today, to renew the commercial for Solgar Vitamins I was in last year, for another year and received double the fee amount of the previous contract!

So, I have been overwhelmed by everything and have spent almost the entire day in bed with Holly Golightly.

And that is when I got a call from Norm (the southern one) Colon, my buddy from Fairhaven, Washington.

Norm is a few years older than me and he looks about twenty years older than his gorgeous wife Gina!

But Norm is also a cancer warrior and one of the bravest men I have ever known.

I met him at one of the Northwest Tulip Trekkers Club’s walks that I attended south of the border, in Blaine, Washington, a few years ago.

During the walk, and standing directly under the Peace Arch Portal – where Canada and the United States meet, we all stood for several group photos (everyone with a camera wanted to take a picture), I introduced myself to Norm, who was standing next to me.

We chatted for a few minutes and I learned that he had been fighting cancer himself, and he had not been to a club walk in over a year.

So, cancer and walking brought us together – just as cancer and volunteering brought the northern Norm and me together.

And although we have not seen each other since the pandemic closed the border, we have stayed in touch by email and one or two phone calls.

But something happened at the end of our conversation today.

Norm told me that he loved me, as he said goodbye.

And that is when the sky began to cry.

Friends, love, and health are things that money cannot buy.

Oh, and by the way – for all of you guys that will be watching the Super Bowl on Sunday, don’t forget that Valentine’s Day is the next day.

So, on Saturday, while you are out stocking up on snacks and refreshments for the game – be sure to pick up some red roses and an expensive Valentine’s Day card (not the ones from the dollar store), for your wife or partner.

Warning: forgetting her on Valentine’s Day is going to make your Super Bowl hangover feel much worse! ~ Danny

Dedicated to Dr. Karvat

I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart.

Hugs,

Danny

Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):

It’s been a long time coming since I’ve seen your face
I’ve been everywhere and back trying to replace
Everything that I had till my feet went numb
Praying like a fool that’s been on the run
Heart’s still beating, but it’s not working
It’s like a million-dollar phone that you just can’t ring
I reached out trying to love, but I feel nothing
Yeah, my heart is numb

But with you, I feel again
Yeah, with you, I can feel again (yeah)
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh… (feel again)

I’m feeling better ever since you know me
I was a lonely soul, but that’s the old me

A long time coming since I’ve seen your face
I’ve been everywhere and back trying to replace
Everything that I broke till my feet went numb
Praying like a fool who just shot a gun
Heart still beating, but it’s not working
It’s like a hundred thousand voices that just can’t sing
I reached out trying to love, but I feel nothing
Oh, my heart is numb

But with you, I feel again
Yeah, with you, I can feel again (yeah)

But with you (I’m feeling better ever since you know me)
I feel again (I was a lonely soul, but that’s the old me)
Yeah, with you (I’m feeling better ever since you know me)
I can feel again (I was a lonely soul)
(Woo-hoo)
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh…

I’m feeling better ever since you know me
I was a lonely soul, but that’s the old me
I’m feeling better ever since you know me
I was a lonely soul, but that’s the old me
I’m feeling better ever since you know me
I was a lonely soul, but that’s the old me

I’m feeling better ever since you know me
I was a lonely soul, but that’s the old me
A little wiser now from what you’ve shown me
Yea, I feel again, feel again (ooh)

Songwriters: Brown Andrew John / Kutzle Brent Michael / Tedder Ryan B / Zancanella Noel
Feel Again lyrics © Midnite Miracle Music, Butterfoot, Acornman Music, Songs Of Patriot Games,
Sony/ATV Pop Music Publishing