Do the Next Thing

Some people have heard my story of battling Leukemia and these facts: 2010 initial treatment, 2011 re-lapse and bone marrow transplant, 2015 comes back a 3rd time in the form of a brain tumor. 160 total nights in a hospital, 55 blood transfusions, countless chemo treatments, and chemo in my spinal fluid that washed through my brain. Even as I write these facts, it seems a bit overwhelming. In fact, it’s hard to believe these facts are about ME. As friends, colleagues, and classmates process these facts, I’ve heard a few of them say something like…Man, you must be incredibly resilient.

When I hear people say this, I have to say that I don’t see myself as resilient—it’s inflated esteem for what I went through. I hated every treatment, medical procedure, and hitting bottom after chemo. I hated going back to the hospital every time it came back, knowing there were weeks and months of recovery ahead. To be honest, I wanted to run away…I wanted out!

All of this made me look at the definition of Resilience. Merriam-Webster defines it as: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.

I guess that is an acceptable definition. Yes, I did recover from all that I faced, and I’m grateful to be alive. I would not say I “adjusted easily” though.

So, when I look back, the theme that seems to define my journey is this: Just Do the Next Thing. I got that theme from an early conversation with one of my doctors. I was trying to take in all that was ahead of me, what each test would involve, how long it would take me to recover, what would happen after that, and after that, etc. Then he said something like…Just take each day and each procedure as they come. Everyone’s situation is unique. You are not a stat. Your recovery will likely be very different than the next patient.

After that conversation, I then started focusing on just taking on the next thing. Not trying to take on what would happen over the next weeks and months. Just get through it. Just Do the Next Thing. And it has become the definition of “resilience” that works for me. I think back to my days at the Air Force Academy as a cadet. That first summer of basic cadet training. It could be overwhelming to think how any of us were going to make it through six weeks of the intense training and challenges ahead. And I remember a big build up to each obstacle course, like the Assault Course. The fear and anxiety could be crippling. I remember thinking this…I just need to get through this course. Thousands have come before me to do this and thousands will come after me.

This approach seems appropriate for the COVID-19 crisis we are experiencing now. It can be normal to try and take on what the next weeks and months will be like. What sacrifices will have to be made. The “pain” of extreme changes to our lifestyle during this season. Those thoughts can be overwhelming, and we might wonder how we will get to the other side of this season. In that context, I’m reminded of this verse from Philippians:

I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back (Philippians 3:14, The Message).

And I’m reminded of this encouragement from Jeremiah to be planted, to have deep roots in times of crisis:

But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers—Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season (Jeremiah 17: 7-8, The Message).

You don’t have to be overwhelmed, to figure out what every future day, week, or month will look like. Just try this: Do the Next Thing and keep moving. You will get to the other side.

Amazed by His Love,

Terence