My one year re-birthday.

It's June 13th.

At 10am one year ago I was on the tenth floor of the UCLA hospital having just finished a week of intensive chemotherapy that brought my blood count close to zero. At 10am the medical team performed a stem cell transplant. They call it "Day Zero" - the day you are literally "reborn" from a cellular level.

Today is my "rebirthday". My cells are one year old.

It's been quite a year. I was back exercising about a month after the transplant (I was discharged one week after the transplant which at the time was the fastest recovery in UCLA history). I still have a hard time with energy levels -- and the struggle back to fitness has been challenging most of the time. Am not complaining though, it is an enormous privilege to be able to even exercise at all after my diagnosis. It can get depressing at times, but only for a second -- as the alternative is much worse :)

As Lance Armstrong says:

"I take nothing for granted now. I only have good days and great days"

I can relate completely. For me, the glass will always be half full from now on.

Thank you all for joining me on my journey over the last year. It had it's ups and downs and it was challenging and gruelling at times for me. But I never stopped smiling.

Two months ago I launched www.liftSTRONG.com. To date we have raised close to $50K for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Thanks for your support but we need to raise more! Make sure your friends know about the site.

Thanks again for your support. I'm off to sit outside and watch the sun rise.

--
AC
www.alwyncosgrove.com
PS - In honor of my personal celebration -- I'm picking up the tab for all shipping charges on any products ordered from my store for the next 24 hours. That's right - FREE worldwide shipping on all orders from now until 10am June 14th.