By David McBride

Rearview Mirror

It has been nearly 20 years since I was diagnosed with a serious, life threatening type of throat cancer. The doctor advised surgery at once, and after a seven-and-a-half  hour operation informed us that he did not get the primary cancer, as it was most likely in the roof of my mouth or in a sinus cavity, thus inoperable.

He advised radiation treatments at once, otherwise I could expect only about nine months to a year to live. As soon as I felt stronger I started the radiation treatments. For 46 days, not counting weekends, I drove to Memphis and had a radiation treatment then drove home, stopping along the way to rest and throw up

I have never been so sick, or felt so bad as during these treatments. Every morning I would think “I just can not do this again.” I had to force my self to get up during this time, and without the help and support of my wife who encouraged me and helped me every day I could not have done it. I asked the Lord every day to forgive me for not being sympathetic enough during the time my wife had morning sickness when pregnant with our four children. For the first time I really understood the meaning of the words morning sickness.

After finishing up the radiation treatments, I was a wreck. I had always been a big, strong man.  I rather fancied myself an athlete. I had played all kinds of sports, through school and played basketball, tennis, then racquetball right up till my 60’s.

Now I was a mere shadow of my former self. I had lost 75 pounds and was thin and weak. I had trouble walking up a flight of stairs, and tying my shoes was a chore that left me winded. Here I was in the prime of life,  63 years old, and weak as a kitten. My clothes hung on me like I was a scarecrow. I had to do something. I could not live like this.

I have always enjoyed working out in a gym,  so I joined the local gym and started an exercise program.  I hate running and only walk when a vehicle is not available, so my gym work consists of free weights and machines that force you to push and pull against your muscles (or lack thereof),.

Riding a stationary bike, or walking on a treadmill is just not my idea of working out, so I hit the machines, starting with about 15 to 20 minutes of mild lifting and pushing and pulling. Every other day, as my strength began to return, I could see and feel results (muscles have a memory). If you ever had muscles they will return with work.  I then started every day workouts, adding weights and mass till I knew I was on the road to recovery, increasing my time to 30 minutes a day.

I still go the gym at least five and sometimes six days a week, putting in at least 30 minutes of hard work,  bringing on a sweat and forcing my lungs to breathe deep. I feel good and stay trim, and I still wear the same size pants I have worn for the past 10 or 12 years.  The doctor says just keep doing what you are doing, and no trace of the cancer has reared its ugly head since then.

In going to the gym these past years I have seen many people come and go, some fat, some thin, some old, some young, but I have noticed a disturbing trend. Many overweight people join the gym and try so hard to work away the fat, but all the exercise is useless if you do not alter your eating habits. You can work out four hours a day, ride a stationary bike for four hours, walk a treadmill all day, but until you realize, that bread, rice,  potatoes, chips, cookies, etc. are you enemy (carbs ) all this exercise is to no avail,.

You will only become a very fat strong person.