They Call Me Galvez

11/22/09 University of California at Berkeley Lecture and Book Signing Question and Answer session

For the next two weeks I am flying solo!  I hope I don’t do anything crazy!  My mom is heading back to Michigan for a month.  My dad can’t come out till mid February.  I guess I get the whole place to myself for almost three weeks!  I treasure these times because I rarely get any alone time.  I really appreciate all the help my parents have given me, but there comes a time when you have to let go.  At times I feel like I am in high school again.  NO JOKE!  Can’t drive, “Eric clean your room”, “Where are you going,”  “Who are you going with”, etc…  I’m still not used to having so many reigns on me.  I moved out to San Diego 6 years ago because I wanted to start my own life.  My life plan took a dramatic detour, but I’m moving forward.  I just have a little more “baggage”.  I will admit it, I got a little lost trying to find the right path. But I think I have a map now. I told someone once, that my life took a detour and it would have been nice to have a doctor/GPS to get me back on track, but I guess I’m just exploring and enjoying the sites.  I lost a few things on the way, but I’ve also gained a lot.  That BRAIN TUMOR took away all hobbies, my job, some of my friends, BUT IT WILL NEVER TAKE AWAY MY FREEDOM!  HAHAHA!

I feel like I am working much harder than I was as a physical therapist. I have to deal with: my own physical rehab, learning correct operational procedures in the corporate environment, re-learning to driving with physical impairments, writing, organizing my book tour for 2010, establishing my own independence, organizing events for mAss Kickers Foundation, finalizing a budget for mAss Kickers Foundation, finalizing a budget for myself, promoting myself/book, promoting mAss Kickers Foundation, and completing the necessary paperwork for tax exemption status for mAss Kickers Foundation. I worry about money because I have a mortgage to pay, graduate student loans to pay, healthcare expenses, home owner’s association dues, and credit card bills. I am getting by, but I cannot decrease my personal debt/loans.  I also need to maintain (fees and continuing education) professional licenses/certifications for physical therapy and my CSCS. Having one of my parents with me definitely helped financially, but at the same time I lose the independence I enjoyed as a young adult. I do understand that my parents worry about me, but I think I can manage living on my own.  I feel like I’m not able to efficiently progress with cautious eyes watching over me.   Financially, I’m starting to question if I can maintain the same lifestyle pre-surgery and still stay content. Just needed to get that off my chest. I’ll figure something out.

Tumors took the first punch. It’s our turn to punch back. Awareness is only the first step.

A lot of people have been touched by tumors… WE CAN ALL DO SOMETHING TO SPREAD AWARENESS! PLEASE pass it on for yourself or someone you love.

TUMORS SUCK! -young adult survivors AND our loved ones.

The holidays were different this year.  For the first time I actually flew back to Michigan on Christmas Eve.  I would get to experience real “holiday” travel at a busy airport.  Crying babies, grumpy passengers, crowded planes… surprisingly, none of it bothered me.  Things don’t bother me as much as they used to. ( I had successful brain surgery on one of the most dangerous areas to have a brain tumor… and I’m still alive to talk about it!  You think I’m going to sweat minor inconveniences or details!)  It takes a lot to get me upset!  I’m by no means an unemotional robot now.  I was not looking forward to the subzero temperatures or coming home to my parent’s old house with no bed for me (that is a completely different story).  However, I was excited to see all my family and friends back home.  I got to see many family members that are scattered all over the country, friends from college, and friends from grad school.  I didn’t come home for Christmas last year, so this year had special meaning.  Much has happened in the past year, that I’ve kind of lost track of the people closest to me.

Part of me didn’t recognize the place that I used to call home.  My room… now storage.  The people I used to hangout with… married with kids.  The schools I used to attend… look completely different with new buildings or construction.  Things change for a reason.  Nothing ever stays the same.  I realized that things need to change for progress to occur.  While I am making my way back, I have to pave a new path both personally and professionally.  My life took a dramatic detour when I was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  I have accomplished a lot in the past 4 years.  Writing a book, winning awards, traveling the country, starting an organization, and now officially starting a nonprofit.  I have challenged myself to do many things outside of my comfort zone and still plan on accomplishing a lot more!  I continually test my limits.  I think that this is how a have been able to accomplish so much so fast.  I am still very reluctant to call the tumor a “blessing in disguise”.  I think of it as an “awakening”.  I’m doing things I never dreamed I would do.  Personally, my life is still on pause.  It’s kinda like I’m waking up from a crazy dream but its 4 years later.  It has been difficult watching my friends move on with their lives: starting families, pursuing their dream jobs, and living the life I’ve always wanted for myself.

A new year always brings a new sense of hope.  That hope is just a mirage unless a plan is developed to take steps towards realizing that hope. Hope has always been there for me, but the plan needs some work. I’m still formulating my “plan” for 2010.  Once I get that figured out, look out!  Stay Tuned!