I recently started writing a post for this blog (uhg), but it quickly turned into an entry more appropriate for the other. So I'm back now to attempt to get the Kevin's Kidney version of the same post written here with less emphasis on the theme that was prevalent in that post.
Begin:
I've had ten years of health issues, not all related to my kidney disease but culminating in my transplant in October. For years I have dreamed of how I'm going to do things differently if and when I get beyond these health issues. And while I still have kidney disease, I have at least a short window of about five years and possibly ten or more years to live a relatively normal life.
With that in mind I intend to create and achieve certain goals during these "good years" because I couldn't during the last decade and I know eventually I most likely won't have this chance ever again. One big example includes the desire to visit Iceland, hopefully for a few weeks, not just a couple of days. Affording that kind of trip is a problem in itself but I'll cross that bridge when I build it.
It's been a little shy of five months since my transplant and I've fallen into some old habits. Specifically at work and admittedly on the weekends. At work I've been putting in too many hours and I find myself burnt out by Friday and then follow through with a lazy weekend in front of the television. Granted, the winter has made it difficult to get out and do much. It's been colder than usual through the early winter and snowier than usual through the late winter. So I can give myself a bit of a break. But still... the work thing doesn't seem like it's going to end any time soon, so I anticipate many more weeks of long hours.
I don't have any ideas about how to fix this beyond the obvious of looking for a new job, but new jobs come with complications too. Then again they often come with great benefits that I might not currently enjoy through my current job.
But what about my weekends? How long can I blame the winter? How long can I blame long hours at work? At some point I have to own that with all of the great writing on television and access to so much television, especially since we added Roku to the mix that I'm a willing participant in sitting on my couch. And all of this television is binge-able so if I watch episode one and it's really good, why not watch episode two... and then three and what the heck I'm into it now, let's just keep going. Then Sunday mid-day rolls around and I watch the final moments of a great season begun yesterday morning as I wipe away tears or smile and think wow... that was awesome. Then I do my laundry, make some dinner, watch some television and go to bed. Where's the exercise? Where's the fun thing that I could be doing instead of watching? Where's the visiting with friends or family?
I've got to break these habits. I'm already setting myself up for throwing away what will possibly be the last five good years of my life. And while the onus is on me to make some effort, the guilt trips are on you. Yes that's right, you have to take some ownership here as well. Not all of you, but at least the percentage of you with whom I have a close enough relationship that you need to force me into getting off my arse and spending some time doing something with you. Even just an hour on a Saturday or a Sunday. don't let me say no unless I have another plan that doesn't include watching my television.
Please. I implore you. Don't let me mess up this opportunity at a better life. Fishing season will be here soon and I'll be out there fishing almost every weekend if I can, but that doesn't have to mean that I should come home from fishing and turn on my television. I could take a quick nap and then meet you for a beer or lunch or a game of disc golf. You don't play disc golf? I'll teach you. Its easy and it's free. Help me to live a little. Help break me of these old habits.
There you have it. A call to action. If you do your part, I'll do mine.
Comments
Post a Comment