A few days into the new year I started feeling really run down....sore throat, body aches, fatigue, etc. I was getting ample rest and taking care of myself, but sometimes there's just no amount of Airborne that can stop you from getting sick, especially when you have a compromised immune system. I started running a 102+ degree fever and it lasted for seven days. Aside from when I was battling cancer in 2006, I've never been sick for more than a couple of days. While bedridden and thinking about the countless activities I was missing out on, I also managed to acquire a raging sinus infection, putting me out for another solid week. Midway through my sickness, just after I broke my fever and my blood stopped boiling, I went to OWC hoping to get a good ride in, as I hadn't been able to wakeboard for over a week. I was certain I'd be able to ride despite being sick. (As a do'er, and someone who goes weeks without turning the TV on, not being able to be active was killing me and my spirits. Adding to my anxiety, I had planned to spend the month of January filming and gathering footage for a couple of wakeboard edits I wanted to put out sometime in February - those plans have changed.) I did a handful of laps and had to stop. It was possibly the worst ride I've ever had. I couldn't do anything. Just holding the rope was difficult. I was stunned, humbled, and, honestly, really embarrassed. Frustrated and being as stubborn as I am, I tried to ride through it but finally knew I had to stop. My body was tired and just too weak. Having cancer and being on treatment, it's a little harder for me to fight off bugs and my body requires extra rest. I ended up sitting on shore and just watching. It was a beautiful day, after all. I cried a little too.
There are times when I feel like I'm invincible and could battle my way through any challenge I'm faced with, but oftentimes what's even harder than battling through something is knowing when to call it and let the problem heal - you gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em. Coming hot off of such a great, fun-filled trip back home (see previous post), getting this sick hit me really hard... But it's checks and balances that keep life in balance, so sometimes you've just got to sit back and eat humble pie. Who says you can't have your pie and eat it too?
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