My Olympics With Multiple Myeloma

I can't believe that it is more than seven years since I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

As I stand in front of the full-length mirror, my gaze shifts between my reflection's steady smile and the harsh reality of my physical limitations. Due to five fractures in my lower spine, my vertebrae curve like a humpback whale. I cannot help but feel a twinge of sadness as I take in my six inches of lost height.

Simple tasks like bending, twisting and lifting have become daily struggles — a constant reminder of my body's fragility. But amidst these moments of despair, I choose to focus on the small victories: being able to walk independently and climb stairs without assistance. These are blessings that should not be taken for granted. Although my body may limit me, my determination continues to push me forward on this journey.

I understand deeply that my mind is genuinely the sturdy backbone of my indomitable spirit. I always like the visualization that my spine is like the Eiffel Tower, standing upright with beauty and strength. I must vigilantly keep my restless, chattering monkey mind focused on all my daily accomplishments — no matter how mundane they seem. These include walking to the farmers' market or Whole Foods for grocery shopping with my SUV rollator, standing at the kitchen counter chopping and prepping for our delicious meals, washing dishes or doing laundry, and joyfully visiting friends and family. Each task is a victory to be savored, no matter how big or small. These simple acts of living become profound when viewed through the lens of gratitude and mindfulness.

The spectacle of the Olympics is truly awe-inspiring, a dazzling display of human potential and physical perfection. As I watch, I can't help but marvel at the chiseled physiques of the athletes, their lean, muscular bodies honed to perfection through years of rigorous training. Though I find myself inevitably comparing my imperfect form to these ideals of fitness, I am deeply moved by the personal stories of competitors like Simone Biles, with her gravity-defying gymnastics; Léon Marchand, slicing through the water with dolphin-like grace and whose fluid strokes propel him to victory. Their backstories of perseverance remind me that the mind is as crucial as the body in achieving greatness. The mental fortitude required to push oneself to the absolute limit is the secret ingredient in realizing one's dreams.

On a different note, witnessing Céline Dion's powerful performance atop the iconic Eiffel Tower was breathtaking. Her crystalline voice soared over Paris, a poignant reminder of her unparalleled talent. The emotional impact of her song was magnified tenfold by the knowledge of her battle with stiff-person syndrome. This rare and debilitating neurological condition had silenced her remarkable voice for several years. As she stood there, framed against the City of Light, her courage in the face of adversity shone even brighter than the glittering tower beneath her feet.

Despite the aches and pains that riddle their bodies, determined athletes focus on one thing: winning.

For me, I find solace in the quiet strength of each day's competition schedule. Each month or year is a major hurdle to my body's perseverance, such as taking my first shower after a year and a half, being able to walk up and down stairs to my third-floor sanctuary across the street after three years and going to my physical therapy sessions by myself after seven years.

My treatments are like running the marathon — healing elixirs coursing through my veins, the whirring sound of MRI machines echoing in my ears, and the sharp prick of acupuncture needles finding their targets along meridian lines.

I practice qigong weekly to support my body's strength and vitality further. The slow, fluid movements ground me as I breathe deeply, feeling the life force energy through every limb. On Wednesdays, I have my singing sessions—the vibrations resonate within my very bones, uplifting my spirit and reminding me that healing can also come from joy.

Despite the constant fatigue and discomfort, including the need to take frequent naps to rest my inner core muscles and consent to the effects of postherpetic neuralgia from shingles, I continue to push through each day. My wife has been my unwavering support and source of strength, inspiring me to keep moving forward with determination. We do the relay race of getting our car from the garage for my Mt. Sinai appointments, cooking via Zoom with our niece in Switzerland and passing the baton of cooking various healthy meals. Food is medicine. I take pride in making meals that nourish me, filling my plate with vibrant colors: fresh organic colorful vegetables of green broccoli, black shitake mushrooms, orange carrots, white crispy water chestnuts and delicate fillets of wild-caught salmon glistening under a squeeze of lemon over a bed of fragrant jasmine rice.

Despite longing for a more toned and athletic physique, I've realized that embracing the present moment is just as vital as any fitness goal. Every moment reminds me to savor each intricate detail of life — its nuances, joys, sadness and tribulations. I proudly carry the lavender banner with the letters MM bearing the sign of Multiple Myeloma and the Miracle Man.

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