{"id":5221,"date":"2025-03-15T05:00:58","date_gmt":"2025-03-15T09:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/?p=5221"},"modified":"2025-03-15T06:09:38","modified_gmt":"2025-03-15T10:09:38","slug":"edition-40-my-health-results-not-good","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/edition-40-my-health-results-not-good\/","title":{"rendered":"Edition #40 <br> My Health Results:\u00a0Not Good\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5221\" class=\"elementor elementor-5221\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-24cc7654 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"24cc7654\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9e47234\" data-id=\"9e47234\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-644c5505 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"644c5505\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73770496 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"73770496\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-default-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5223\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-default-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-default-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-default.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e995a30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5e995a30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Edition #40 <br> My Health Results:\u00a0Not Good\u2026<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1819c030 elementor-align-center elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"1819c030\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-8d55559 elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>15\/03\/2025<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8425af7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"8425af7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35f3e704 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"35f3e704\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYesterday has been quite an emotional day for me, which was probably due to a multitude of factors: my long day of travel, being pretty jet lagged from coming back to the North American Eastern Time zone after living in Tangier for 16 weeks, and up to receiving my hospital results, which weren\u2019t good, not good at all. I could have written bad, very bad, but while I\u2019m cynical, I\u2019m nonetheless an optimist\u2026 So it couldn\u2019t fit both purposes, I suppose \ud83d\ude09\n<br><br>\nI was at Dulles Airport in Washington when the not-so-good news came in. I was sitting at the Turkish Airlines lounge waiting for my connecting flight to Roanoke, Virginia, and when I had a clearer understanding of what was truly going on health-wise, it made me want to take a flight to Istanbul for a few days right away, just to process everything, even if I knew it wouldn\u2019t change anything. But it feels like having to deal with any type of bad news appears slightly easier when done in some kind of inspiring environment\u2026 Something like \u201cHey, Alex, sorry you\u2019re dying, but take a look at the incredible majesty of the Hagia Sophia mosque, isn\u2019t it amazing?\u201d type of vibe\u2026 It adds some flair and swagger to the dramatic aspect of it all, right?!\n<br><br>\nAfter I came back to my senses, thanks to seeing the price for a last-minute ticket to a Middle Eastern country (I might be in very bad physical shape, but I\u2019m not crazy \u2014 still), I came to realize that, because I was expecting the worst, the bad results looked like somewhat of a good outcome after all\u2026 I know, I know, it\u2019s a classic example of a full-blown denial. But in my case, I would rather say that it\u2019s more about compartmentalization than anything else. And if I&#8217;m not going to pretend that I\u2019m in some enlightened motion of \u201cacceptance through let go,\u201d I can affirm that I\u2019m not into any self-pitying fatalism or anything. I\u2019m not. I\u2019m just too pragmatic to feel sorry about myself. It is what it is, and I can\u2019t do much about it all anyway\u2026 Except live to the fullest.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63001de2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"63001de2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-airplane-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5228\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-airplane-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-airplane-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-airplane.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e066c12 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e066c12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThat being said, I don\u2019t want to leave you worried in any way, and, even if I don&#8217;t really know how to explain or summarize the full extent of what is currently happening with my health (at least without the risk of getting lost in a plethora of medical terms, which understanding \u2014 and their subsequent real implications \u2014 somewhat eludes me completely as I\u2019m writing this), it\u2019s highly important for me to honor the affection and benevolence that you have always so vividly expressed towards me by trying to verbalize what\u2019s going on and to give as close an explanation as it\u2019s been explained to me by my specialists.\n<br><br>\nTo begin with, the doctors have noticed that my aorta is dilating at a worrying rate and that the pulmonary artery is narrowing itself with the same level of concern.\n<br><br>\nThey have also noticed that the pulmonary valve graft (the one I received from a donor) is deteriorating alarmingly faster than expected, which is very serious since it could potentially lead to additional invasive surgeries if the situation does not stabilize &#8220;naturally&#8221;.\n<br><br>\nFurthermore, based on the episodes of severe dizziness I experienced in Tangier, which seemed to be the result of intense heart palpitations erupting without any logical reason, they observed the appearance of irregular heartbeats, which seemed to be the result of some kind of post-operation arrhythmia, a situation that could lead to fatal cardiac arrest if not properly managed, so I will have to undergo more specific tests by another group of specialists to understand what is really going on and what treatment might be necessary once the correct diagnosis is made. I laughed to myself after hearing that part of the results, as\u00a0I remembered the string of specialists who all told me, &#8220;You&#8217;ll see, Alex, you will realize that you never felt better in your life than after your operation. You will run a marathon!\u201d Well, I feel like I am running out of time more than anything else right now (that&#8217;s a good wordplay\u2026 running a marathon, running out of time&#8230; Don&#8217;t you think?!)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b367379 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5b367379\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-test-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5232\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-test-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-test-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-test.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d3a45a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5d3a45a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cAnd the good news?\u201d you might be wondering\u2026 Well, the massive headaches, neck pain, and high-pitched sounds I had are not the result of me slowly dying, nor even a tinnitus problem, but the direct result of an ear infection that took longer to resolve itself due to my body simultaneously fighting on several problematic fronts. It should heal on its own at some point. Great, no one can die from an ear infection! Well, at least, I don&#8217;t think so\u2026 Can we? I honestly thought that my brain was melting or something. But no, it\u2019s not\u2026 Awesome! And I can\u2019t blame my new, weird, and dark sense of humor for that either \u2014 that part is all on me! There you go, having a bad ear infection is a \u201cpoint\u201d in the good news column!\n<br>\n<br>\nAnother positive aspect of my tests came from the fact that I\u2019ve been granted permission to start exercising with a light intensity level, on a treadmill\u2026 I know, the combination of terms like &#8220;light&#8221; and &#8220;intensity&#8221; doesn&#8217;t make much sense to me either, but hey, I&#8217;m not a doctor, and neither are you, right? It\u2019s cool nonetheless. Plus, I received the ok to work on my muscle\u00a0tone by lifting a maximum of 2 to 5 pounds&#8230; \u201cEven my iPad weighs more than that, doc!\u201d is what I thought, \u201cOh wow! 2-pound weight training\u2026Great news!\u201d is what I said.\n<br>\n<br>\nI was imagining myself during the next summer Olympics, on the field, loudly cheered on and uplifted by the frenzy of the crowd. Close your eyes, you\u2019ll hear it as well. Do it, enjoy the amazement of the situation\u2026 The crowd is ecstatic. People are crying. Others are fainting (without the fear of dying if they do). Then the voice of the announcer suddenly resonates through the speaker\u2026 The crowd gets even louder. You barely hear the public announcement: \u201cAnd now, after establishing a new world record, the 2-pound weightlifting gold medalist is, from Canada\u2026 ALEX! HENRY! FOSTER!!! Oh, my good Lord\u2026 Ladies and gentlemen, we all witnessed history in the making. What an improbable achievement! Again, history was made here today, my friends, and like any major event, we will remember where we were when it happened!\u201d\n<br><br>\nPeople in the crowd are jumping around, hugging each other, prompting wars to end, and fair economic justice is established for everyone because of this phenomenal accomplishment. Oh, I\u2019m crying now&#8230; No. I\u2019m NOT crying. You can open your eyes now, the magic is gone. It\u2019s truly only lifting between 2 and 5 pounds to start \u2014 to start. I might eventually go up to 10 pounds\u2026 a dream come true! And I can hear the crowd once more\u2026! Ok ok, I won\u2019t go there again.\n<br><br>\nMore seriously, even though it\u2019s really only 2 to 5 pounds, I was very happy about it, because exercise has always been an important part of my lifestyle before I got sick, and it&#8217;s a \u201cpresent\u201d that I can celebrate thanks to the 10k steps I integrated into my life routine about a year ago. A daily commitment took place around this, and ultimately became an outstanding blessing, one that I could only faithfully invest in thanks to Jeff, Miss Isabel, Ben, Sef, Stephanie, and my manager Jennie, who joined me through that recovery venture, a support so vibrant that it gave life to our walking group called \u201cThe Knights of the Lost Steps\u201d. And, as you know me, it has to become something creative, community-based, and seriously engaging. It includes a set of rules to follow and consequences for those who don\u2019t do their daily 10k steps. Funny and real, but that&#8217;s for another journal entry or publication, I guess!\n<br>\n<br>\nAdditionally, I can also go back to my usual body weight. The danger of my system not being strong enough to sustain all the side effects from the meds seems to be moderated now\u2026 which is nice, because I miss some of my favorite pre-surgery clothing! My faithful and comforting friends gummies, candies, and chips might not be too happy about that part\u2026 \u201cI\u2019ll miss you as well, buddies, I\u2019ll always cherish the 2 years we spent together and all the deliciously bad calories you offered me so faithfully. Let&#8217;s spend one last evening together, let\u2019s go crazy for old times\u2019 sake before we say goodbye. And I promise you, no matter what I may experience with my new accomplices Broccoli, Cauliflower and Cabbage, I\u2019ll never forget the amazing sweet and savory journey we shared together\u201d. Let\u2019s see how that split goes\u2026 And when my clothes fit me again! That&#8217;s a 3rd point for the good news column (even if avoiding gummies doesn\u2019t look too good as news!)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b8400b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b8400b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-candies-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5244\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-candies-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-candies-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-candies-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-candies-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-candies.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e0a486d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3e0a486d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSo I think it sums up most of the results I received. I\u2019m still waiting for my blood test results to determine if my exhaustion is caused by anemia, thyroid issues, mononucleosis, or none of the above. \u201cHere are more pills for you, Alex\u201d is a potential conclusion\u2026 There\u2019s always more pills involved at one point or the other.\n<br><br>\nI\u2019m glad there\u2019s no need for a medication change yet. It took me a whole year to finally find the proper dosage, so I don\u2019t want to go down that road ever again. Trust me, there\u2019s a reason pharmaceutical enterprises offer money for people to test their new products. No need for me to do so for free, I\u2019m already glowing in the dark enough as it is. I\u2019ll pass\u2026 At least until I undergo further testing upon my return to Montreal. That conclusion will help me decide the course of action I\u2019ll have to take after\u2026\n<br><br>\nAnd the final overview is:\n<br><br>\n3 points under the category of life-threatening bad news against 3 points for cosmetic not-too-important issues type of news. Oh, and the real horrific outcomes associated with the loss of my friend Gummies. So, we have a tie. It&#8217;s not the end of the world, I can even hear Jeff trying to explain that a tie is a good score \u2014 for soccer fans. But seriously, how could a tie be a win, I\u2019m not totally sure\u2026 Again, I&#8217;m not totally into soccer either, so&#8230;\u00a0I&#8217;ll take &#8220;good&#8221;!\n<br><br>\nThat being said, as I shared with you <a href=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/edition-39-hospital-and-specialists-day\/\">in my previous journal<\/a>, while I\u2019m being undeniably lucid and most definitely clear-headed about my situation, I am nonetheless very positive and highly enthusiastic about my current second chance at life. In fact, what deeply hurts is knowing that my friends and loved ones are extremely worried about me. I hate that. But like I\u2019m telling them, life is a gift and mine comes with the incredible blessing of being able to commune with countless fabulous people from all over the world. Talk about being blessed!\n<br><br>\nWhy would I be down, uneasy, or apprehensive?! My existence is already beyond purposeful and meaningfully grandiose. I know it may sound pretentious, but I had the utmost benediction to know that I have experienced a totally singular type of life, and it\u2019s the one I have chosen to live. How could I be bitter or even filled with regret? I mean, it&#8217;s not even over yet, and I intend to fight for every additional inch of light I can rip from the hands of death itself&#8230; I never felt more alive than now.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bc31d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4bc31d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"819\" src=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_summertour2024_20240727_eosr_01_live_0509-Enhanced-NR-1024x819.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5248\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_summertour2024_20240727_eosr_01_live_0509-Enhanced-NR-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_summertour2024_20240727_eosr_01_live_0509-Enhanced-NR-300x240.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_summertour2024_20240727_eosr_01_live_0509-Enhanced-NR-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_summertour2024_20240727_eosr_01_live_0509-Enhanced-NR-1536x1229.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_summertour2024_20240727_eosr_01_live_0509-Enhanced-NR.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3034e80e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3034e80e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThat&#8217;s why I can say that I couldn&#8217;t have wished for more. I know it sounds like a final assessment, but it\u2019s not the final one. Let\u2019s say it\u2019s the third quarter report! And I\u2019m at peace. Of course I would have liked different outcomes at times; an extra second to avoid making a wrong decision or an ultimate opportunity to make amends with people I could have disappointed. We all wish we could go back, but I don&#8217;t want to risk changing what I presently live, who I presently am, and\u00a0I won\u2019t stop cultivating the colorful and bright perspective of the merciful cheers I have the chance to embody and share with others every single day, nor will I lose myself in any elusive, depressive darkness\u2026\u00a0\n<br><br>\nTime is now\u2026 always has been. For me and for all of you. And it has nothing to do with illness or bad luck. There is no right or wrong, only the commitment to go on and to enjoy the magnificence of what we tend to overlook as we let our sorrowful self fade away a little more with every regret or remorse. The best antidote to despair? Living! The best medicine for failure? Being intentional!\u00a0\n<br><br>\nWe are all a miracle in our own rights and forms. Life is real, no matter how disillusioned we could be or how heartbroken we are. Life is real. Which, again, to me, deserves a celebration. That\u2019s how I decide to see it all, regardless of my personal situation. And after years feeling like I was just existing while being\u00a0fully healthy, I\u2019m grateful, even if I\u2019m sick, to be entirely engaged in \u201cbeing\u201d. To \u201cbe\u201d in the now.\n<br><br>\nThank you again my dear brothers, sisters, friends and loved ones for your messages following my previous\u00a0journal entry. Your concerns, even if I don\u2019t want to be an additional source of worries in your life, always profoundly touch my heart and soul. I\u2019m doing just fine. I&#8217;m in good medical hands. And my main cardiologist is nothing but a phenomenal gift.\u00a0\n<br><br>\nOn top\u00a0of that, I\u00a0have wonderful projects I can\u2019t wait to commune with you. Others are already blooming in my spirit and I\u2019m eagerly disposed to discover more elements awaiting me in the invisible. That&#8217;s the choice I make every day, no matter the circumstances.\n<br><br>\nTake care, my precious friends, and make sure to do if only a tiny little thing to embrace life today!\n<br><br>\nMuch love,<br>\nYour brother and friend<br>\nAlex \u00a0\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-753683af elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"753683af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-nightview-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5236\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-nightview-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-nightview-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-nightview.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e4ac384 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6e4ac384\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPS: I\u2019m (ironically) writing to you knowing that the whole plumbing system has exploded at my Virginian home, flooding and destroying everything in its way. I guess that story is also for another journal entry or publication post.\n<br><br>\n\nI\u2019ll let you know how it\u00a0went. I&#8217;m simply too happy at the idea of seeing my pup Leonard right now. He&#8217;s a living reminder\u00a0that my life is indeed beautiful\u00a0no matter what!!!\n<br><br>\n\nLooks like there\u2019s a whole lot of things for me to write about in the near future\u2026!\u00a0LIFE!!!\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7573f3a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7573f3a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-leolou-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5240\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-leolou-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-leolou-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/ahf_journal040-leolou.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2ee500e9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2ee500e9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6403ffba\" data-id=\"6403ffba\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f9fd95e elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4f9fd95e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1ffd6c3c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1ffd6c3c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7a9027a1\" data-id=\"7a9027a1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47689bac elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-153 elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"47689bac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-xl\" href=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/ask-a-question\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Ask a Question<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yesterday has been quite an emotional day for me, which was probably due to a multitude of factors: my long &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"Edition #40  My Health Results:\u00a0Not Good\u2026\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/edition-40-my-health-results-not-good\/#more-5221\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Edition #40 <br \/> My Health Results:\u00a0Not Good\u2026<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5223,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-from-a-stranger-to-another","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50","no-featured-image-padding"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5221","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5221"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5221\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5262,"href":"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5221\/revisions\/5262"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5221"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alexhenryfoster.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}