Softball is the Best Medicine

I went 2-2 on Tuesday night with a double and single down the left field line. My performance was inconsequential because playing softball each week really is the best medicine right now and offers me an invaluable break. For those of us in this fight, we think about cancer every day. Some days get more attention than others and unfortunately, the past two weeks have garnered a lot of attention and energy. Playing softball, however, grants me an hour or two during the work week where I don’t have to think about cancer or anything cancer related.

My team is awesome and I’ve already established great friendships. The wonderful thing about playing softball is that I stumbled onto the team through one of Meghan’s friends. They know nothing about me or the situation. Hanging out with them provides me with a gift and freedom that can’t be described. To them, I’m just softball Dan who runs slow around the bases and nothing else.

I must admit, I am a little slower these days (and I can’t wait for my buddies to comment saying I’ve always been slow). I’m sure half of it is due to my old age of 26, but I’m sure half of it is due to the cancer. I don’t necessarily mean the cancer itself, but I’ll admit that I’ve lost a bit of lung capacity from all the treatments and radiation over the past 3 years. Anyways, I’m wondering what my teammates will think if they knew. I’m sure they will apologize for calling me slow, but they have no idea the gift they have given me over the past 5-6 weeks.

In a comment, my sister wrote, “Although you have cancer, cancer doesn't have you -- you still live life to the fullest and shouldn't stop doing so.” I couldn’t agree more…

P.S. Check out NBC at 8pm tonight and watch “The Greatest American Dog.” I would also like to give a shout out to my sister’s dog Chaucer who is not just an 80 lb boxer but also a 2 yr cancer survivor. After we find a the answer to lung cancer, I think dogs should be next on the list.

-Cesar Waeger