How It's Going and What I'm Currently Up To
Hey everyone! I just wanted to share a little update on how my recovery from colon cancer is going, along with some insights into what I've been up to lately, how life is treating me, and any other random thoughts that pop into my head.
Cancer Update
I’m happy to say that I’m cancer-free now. I had my ileostomy reversed back in March of last year. Things aren’t quite back to how they used to be, and they might never be, but I’m definitely feeling better overall. I still experience some "stomach issues" that make me a bit anxious about being away from home for too long. While my symptoms have improved a lot since March, I’ve been told that this is likely the best I can expect. But honestly, I’m not complaining at all; I’d much rather handle these side effects than face what could come from a cancer diagnosis.
Getting diagnosed with cancer completely changed my perspective on life. I used to grind through twelve-hour workdays nearly every day, but I've mostly stepped back from that. Sure, there are still times when I have to put in some late hours, but I'm really focusing on achieving a healthier work-life balance now. I still love what I do and aim to make an impact and advance in my career, but it's no longer the top priority for me.
General Update
I've been feeling pretty worn out for the last year and a half, likely due to the cancer and all the surgeries I've been through, but it's time for me to start moving again. I've made the decision to hit the gym once more. Cardio isn't really my thing, so I'm planning to focus on weight training instead. I used to follow the StrongLifts 5x5 program and I'm excited to dive back into that since I saw some solid progress with it. The toughest part about going to the gym is actually establishing the habit—not the lifting itself, but getting up early and making it a regular thing. It might take a few weeks, but I'm determined to find my rhythm again... fingers crossed!
Work has definitely been tough lately. I've been stuck on this massive project for nearly two years now, which was originally supposed to take up only about a quarter of my time. Instead, it’s consumed way more than that, making me feel like I’m falling short in other areas of my job. Even though others assure me that I’m doing fine, I tend to be my own worst critic. On top of that, the current job market is rough, with layoffs happening and my company pushing for a return to the office, which adds to my stress. While the RTO plan shouldn’t directly affect me since I can’t go back to the office for medical reasons, it’s definitely putting pressure on my team. They’ve grown used to working from home for almost five years now, and while a few are excited about the idea of being in an office, many are not. I’m trying to encourage my team to keep an open mind about the RTO plan and not dismiss it outright before we see how it plays out. That’s really all I can do.
Random Thoughts
I'm really thrilled that the Detroit Tigers made it to the playoffs last season, and I can't wait to see what unfolds with the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons. On the flip side, I'm pretty bummed about how the Detroit Lions' season wrapped up, but I'm super optimistic about what lies ahead. The team is just a few key players and some injury recoveries away from not only reaching the Super Bowl but actually taking home the trophy. Honestly, this year's Super Bowl doesn't get me hyped at all. I'm over the Chiefs, and the Eagles aren't really my thing either. I’ll cheer for Darius Slay, but as for CJGJ, he can take a hike. The Lions have a bright future ahead, and I'm curious to see how they approach the draft and free agency. Myles Garrett could be a great addition to bolster the defense, but I worry about what we’d have to give up to snag him. As for Cooper Kupp, he could be a solid fit alongside St. Brown and Jamo, but I’m questioning the cost and whether we really need him.
Video games are a major passion of mine, but I haven't found anything that really grabs my interest lately. I'm looking forward to the Switch 2, though I'm a bit worried about the direction game prices are taking. I prefer collecting physical copies over digital ones, except when it comes to PC games. I get that the prices for physical games have been pretty stable for a while, but the buzz about $100 games is definitely raising some red flags for me. That's a big leap from the usual $60. I'm hoping to find some games that really resonate with me soon. I'm particularly excited about Wolverine, especially if it plays like Spider-Man, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and Spider-Man 2.
I'm wrapping up my updates for now, but I'm aiming to share more often. If you're interested, check out my other blogs too! I write about technology leadership over at https://mullins.io, and I'm also planning to share my gym journey at https://eninem.io.