Wednesday 27 August 2008

What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?

This question was raised twice today and it got me thinking about risk taking and how risk can lead to growth and even excellence....

We are in the middle of the largest risk I personally can imagine. Yet Eric is doing great. He's doing great because many people before him were willing to take the risk of a bone marrow transplant. His doctor was willing to take the risk of performing bone marrow transplants 30 YEARS AGO. His donor took the risk of joining the bone marrow registry and then undergoing surgery to donate bone marrow for a stranger.

In my line of work, risk management is a daily routine. While a first reaction risk is often negative, many many risks have positive, even exciting outcomes because the risk is understood and managed. And where would our world be if we were all afraid to do what seems risky or impossible? I thank all who have faced a fear, taken a risk, designed strategies for risk management and learned how to make the impossible... possible.

From Wikipedia...

Arete (Greek: ἀρετή; pronounced /ˈærəteɪ/ in English), in its basic sense, means "goodness", "excellence" or "virtue" of any kind. In its earliest appearance in Greek, this notion of excellence was bound up with the notion of the fulfillment of purpose or function; the act of living up to one's full potential.

I firmly believe that this transplant, and its accompanying risk, gives Eric the opportunity to live up to his full potential.

I enjoyed this video - hope you do too...





Eric's Blood Counts Today

WBC 0.7
Hgb 106
Platelets 47

Hgb and Platelets have stayed stable without transfusions since Sunday! Yeah
!!!!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful, inspired and inspiring post, Kathy! It must feel good to have some of that risk behind you guys now. Here's to healthier and healthier marrow and sustained NED! -Nora

Veronica said...

Kathy - the decisions you and Eric have had to make must have been the scariest ones most people will never face......and you have made the decision to fight tooth and nail for Eric's healthy future....of that you should be so proud of yourselves.

It's wonderful to watch Eric's journey progressing so well........thinking of you all.........Vx

B. said...

Dearest Kathy,

I just wanted to say how inspiring your post is, along with you and Eric :)

And I love the question. Because I don't think enough people take time enough to think about this. To see how precious time really is. To understand, life -- and what REALLY is out there.

Here's to you and your boy, having NED for years, inspiring others, and putting fear aside to do it all, and more.

Sending all my love
to you and E -

<3 B