Making a Way in the Wilderness

I normally don't post in quick succession, but I wanted to let you all know that this happened!  My O2 saturation levels have improved to the point that I'm only using my portable when I walk outside (to/from campus and for exercise). However, I've been very frustrated that I can't do anything more strenuous than walking. Being a runner and athlete is a core part of my identity. From the time I began running in spring 1989 until the day before I landed in the ICU last summer, the only times I didn't do 4-6 days/week of intense cardio were a trip to Morocco in 2000 and 2 trips to Ghana in the 2010s. I ran 25-30 miles/week for 6 months in San Salvador in 1993, at a time when the only other people I saw running were male football/soccer players. During my 8 months in rural El Salvador in 2001, running involved doing figure-8's around 2 soccer fields with long grass hand-cut with machetes. At one end were a horse or cow or two, pigs, chickens, a pack of stray dogs--...

I'm no better than your average person at knowing what to say when someone shares that they have a life-threatening illness or have experienced some tragedy or other Hard Thing. But I do know what not to say: nothing.  Recently I emailed some people to let them know about my cancer diagnosis and health travails. In one case it was a group of parents that didn't yet know. A few people emailed back. The rest never said anything in writing or later when I saw them in person. I also emailed a health provider I haven't seen for several years with a non-cancer-related question and shared my news. He helpfully responded to my question, but didn't say a word about my diagnosis. This surprised me because he is a great listener and a compassionate person. In both cases, I was left scratching my head and, if I'm honest, feeling hurt. Someone tells you they have cancer, and you say...nothing? Since my diagnosis, I've regretted that I didn't reach out more to friends who...