I never really considered the phrase "the best day of my life" I didn't give it much credit but now I do.
Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, are the best days of my life.
Let me tell you why;
While I was deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom I developed debilitating headaches. I NEVER had headaches not to mention, blurred vision, fall into near fetal position, headaches.
I spoke to my medic about it and he attributed it to stress but he referred me to my unit's PA and he also attributed it to stress.
So I agreed with them, hell it WAS stressful, so I just dealt with them and carried on.
I re-deployed at the end of March, with headaches and all and figured that when the stress of combat and deployment was over the headaches would go away. I was wrong, in fact they got worse.
A month and half later I came down with the flu so I made an appointment with my PA to get some medication and while I was in there with him I, rather sheepishly, informed him that I still had the headaches. He said they were probably Migranes but he would put me in for a CAT Scan " to rule out anythin nasty."
So I went and immediatly they put contrast in me and performed another MRI. What the found was a huge Tumor on my left frontal lobe, right where my headaches were.
I was then transfered right away to the Chief of Nuerology where he told me that I had a large tumor in my brain and that it was consistent with a malignat shape ( "fingers" spreading onto the surronding areas of my brain)
I was immediatly refered to St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville for surgery.
My wife and I were very scared although I kept my calm for her sake just as much as for mine.
My mother came out to Nashville to support me and my wife. My mother and I had not gotten along for quite some time so it was a bit of a shock to me, but she was there for me when I needed it the most and all past wrongs were put aside and forgiven. It was a new begining for my mother and I.
One day my father, whom I had never really known ( he left us when I was three months old) found out my situation and came to see me! I always thought that IF I ever saw him I would be conflicted 50-50 with the desire to hit him, or cry.
My wife came into the room and said that he was on the way. My stomach dropped. I stood up and he came around the corner. It was the first time I had seen him in nearly 23 years. The instant I saw my father any desire I had to hit him melted away with my tears. We hugged for a long time, both to overwhelmed to even speak. He also stayed with me, along with my mother, my great wife, and my NCOIC SFC Stone, for the operation which was slated to be 6 hours long.
We were informed all about brain surgery, the risks of death ( very considerable) permanant brain damage and on.
I requested and recieved the Last Rites. I was ready.
The surgery begain. I found out later that what was normally supposed to be a six hour procedure lasted close to nine hours.
Because my tumor was so large and had been in place for so long it actually shifted my brain to the right and so there was an inordinate amount of swelling and bleeding.
Its to much for me to get into further detail but I pulled thorough the operation and my family and I are dealing with my mental defencies as best we can.
What I took away from this is a new begining with my estranged mother, and my absent father which are going well to this day.
My wife stood by me and still is.
I thank the Lord for every day I have now and I appreciate the small things more than I ever imagined I would.
My sons birthday, my youngest sons first steps and words. and now a new one on the way.
Truely every day is the best day of my life. Im alive.