November 26, 2018

Sometimes it is hard to believe its been a year.  Zoey and I spent Monday in Canmore watching the sunrise and hiking Heing's walk.  I continue to work on my startup, advocating for lung cancer and changes to our healthcare. I spent the first few months of the year visiting friends and family across the country and having a bit of an adventure too. I was driving to Steinbach, MB when the transmission broke down on Heing's protege near Swift Current, SK...that is the middle of nowhere! I was able to drive to my friends parents house in Moose Jaw (Thanks SS). Sadly, I gave the car to the auto wreckers. That car was a vehicle for great memories. I spent the Fall, attending or presenting at healthcare conferences including the World conference on Lung Cancer. I met others going through the same experience. I felt connected, they understood.

 Here's some life lessons that have meaning for me. The full list is here: blog

Life is short. Live like you mean it.

Chasing After The Highest Paid Position is Pointless. Service to Others Is The Highest Calling

Take A Sabbatical. Rediscover the Real You.

Ignore the Naysayers. Its Your Life to Live.

See Each Setback as a Gift.

Don’t Compare Yourself To Others.

Meditate on Your Mortality.

Mentorship is Absolutely Essential to Make the World A Better Place. Become a Mentor.

 Sunrise in Canmore, AB

Celebration of Life, April 28/29 2018

Dear friends and family:

Last weekend we made space to celebrate Heing’s time with us. Spring did arrive in Calgary and we had a great walk in Canmore on Saturday. We walked along the Bow river, a path Heing , Zoey and I often did. Family in Windsor and Michigan went on a walk in her honour too.

On Sunday we had a gathering at a friends place. Her paintings, “Heing made” cards, photos and crochet items made for littles were were on display. Food was an assortment of dishes from around the world to reflect her love to travel.  Thank you all for making this happen celebration beautiful.

I read one of Heing’s last journal entries:

..I know that someday I will see you all again, when it's time. Reassure them that I lived a full life. I am who I am because of my family, you and my friends. Thank you to infinity and beyond. I will be watching over you all.

The celebration moves me and others closure to closure. Her preference was a celebration of life and to welcome everyone.  One of her wishes was to contribute to lung cancer research through the Glans-Look Lung Cancer research program in Calgary; Lung Cancer Canada or a charity of your choice.  Friends and family raised $4,223 toward the Glans-Look lung cancer program. The research focuses on precision-oncology and targeted drugs. Of the four lines of treatments, the two targeted drugs worked the best for Heing. It allowed us to travel, gave her energy to be with friends and enjoy what most important to her in life. I am honoured to speak at the Glans-Look research Day next week on a caregiver perspective to precision-oncology.

Friends and I will continue her calling to raise awareness of lung cancer and the need for research. Melissa, Sidd, Chris and I are cycling for The Ride to Conquer Cancer, a 200km, 2day cycle. Our team: Hanging onto Hope is in memory of Heing. My training starts tomorrow :)


With love and gratitude,
Shaneel

  

Mountain view from our walk

Some of the family and friends on the walk in Calgary

Family on a walk in celebration

Louie and Brother

HT made her presence around the wold. See the red dots.

  

 

Quotes of inspiration on World Cancer day, February 4th, 2018

For those who have cancer, caring for someone with cancer or know someone with cancer, I like to give you H's inspirational quotes. May these quotes make you present and fill your heart with gratitude.

“Find what it is you want to do, and do it. Always trust yourself” (Coffee & Kung Fu)

“Every life is shaped by unforeseen incidents and chance encounters”

(David Eskerly , The Lost Evening)

“The use of time is fate”

(David Eskerly)

“When you worry, you’re wishing for things you don’t want”

“Somewhere I read of a study that identified not optimism or happiness or serenity or sociability as physiological traits most predictive of longevity; but a more homespun one, conscientiousness”

(David Eskerly) 

“The nearness of death exalts life”

(Italian saying as per Marilyn Brant)

“In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrows”

(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

“The scars I have remind me that I am a survivor”

(Heing Taing)