An amazing story...

Well, I have to say that this story has touched me and reinforced my belief in how fortunate I am. I am so touched that I had to share it. It is truly a testament to what we can do for ourselves and for others.

2nd Lt. Matt Blount

An honorable finish: Second Lt. Matthew Blount loses battle with cancer: A long illness claimed the life of 2nd Lt. Matt Blount Saturday. The Jacksonville man, diagnosed with cancer, had fought long to become a commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve, whi...

I am impressed with his ability to stay in school and ROTC. I decided to put school off until my adventure was over, and I am glad I did. Between being sick and chemo brain, I know I would not have been able to finish school. I also did not want to put my body and mind through any more undue stress than I needed too. I can’t imagine doing what he did.

I feel so lucky. My dealings with cancer have gone as well as it ever could have. I will be done with this soon, and I will be able to move forward in my life. I have some things I want to do and are working on accomplishing. I have already planned on attending a workshop at the end of summer to help me work on issues I see in myself that I want to improve. I have a plan to improve my health and hopefully keep myself from ever having to go through this again. I am going to the local theater to find out how I can become involved in doing productions and hopefully one day maybe doing a little role myself. I plan on taking full advantage of this summer by taking trips long and short and spending time with those who are most important to me. I will go back to nursing school in the fall with a plan to keep my stress levels down as much as possible.

I want to live and be happy. My situation is such that I am able to do that. I owe it to myself, Alan, and my family. I could have easily been in the same situation as Matt Blount, but I was one of the lucky ones. I have a second chance at life. I feel even more now than ever that it is time to do all the things I always wanted to.