Six months. Half a year. It seems like an eternity, yet also like it was yesterday. The fateful day, July 23, 2021, at 5:30am when I walked into Advocate Masonic Hospital in Chicago to report for my life-saving osteomyelitis surgery. Nothing could have prepared me for the journey that was to come.
This journey has been, and still is, a massive test… of strength, resilience, character, compassion, and more. There have been so many lessons along the way. Many of these lessons I’m still painfully learning, while doing my best to approach them with grace and compassion.
Six months ago I wasn’t sure if I would survive, but here I am.
There’s honestly so much to process from all that I’ve been through over the past half year. I’m sure I’ll continue to process, learn, and grow from these experiences for the rest of my life.
I’m forever grateful for the continued love and support from so many people. I’m positive that I would not have been able to survive the past six months without all of you and without all the things I’ve been through in my life giving me the strength and resilience to fight.
In a lot of ways, I’m still struggling. Each day presents itself with numerous battles. Some of them I win. Some of them I lose. Some are draws. That’s ok. I’m showing up, and I’m doing the best I can. I’m trying to find peace within the struggle.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned throughout my life is that every rough season has a purpose. Choose to see it as preparation rather than punishment. I’m preparing to change the world in bigger ways than I ever could before this dark chapter.
Thank you all for following along my journey, and for the continued love and support.
Much love,
Eric