Life can change in an instant, and my journey over the past 4,757 days has been a testament to that truth. From being a man, a professional, and a friend, I was suddenly thrust into a battle against brain cancer that forever altered the course of my existence. The path was grueling, filled with chemotherapy, radiation, seizures, migraines, and an array of mental health challenges that seemed insurmountable.

Enduring 50 brain MRIs, each with bated breath, I finally received the news I longed for: all was clear. Yet, amidst these triumphant milestones, I found myself consumed by an internal fire of anguish. The battle with mental health proved to be a fiercer adversary than cancer itself. The calendar reads August 10, 2010—the last time I worked—and that single date has become the origin of my sorrow.

Amidst the torrent of medications, 15-20 pills a day, I became a parent to three children, a role I cherish deeply. However, the weight of not being able to provide them my full self, exacerbated by a fractured marriage, has left me feeling utterly weakened. My daily routine—preparing breakfast, ferrying kids to school, ensuring they come home to a warm meal—was meant to be comforting, but the yearning for a traditional job, a Monday-to-Friday routine, tugs at my heart.

My beloved, a strong woman who has shouldered immense sacrifices, bears a calloused spirit and cries for respite. I yearn to return to work, to relieve her, to provide the support she so deserves. Escaping the depths of my despair requires daily grinding, a determination to pull myself from this abyss. I refuse to surrender, for I know that securing employment is not just about finding a job; it’s about rediscovering my confidence and reclaiming my identity.

Looking forward to the next 13 years, I see a tapestry woven with surprises, challenges, sorrow, and, eventually, laughter. The road ahead will undoubtedly be strewn with landmines, but I am resolved to navigate them with the resilience I’ve honed. With each step towards self-discovery and professional resurgence, I inch closer to the moment when I can discontinue the mental prescriptions that have been a constant companion.

As I raise my glass to the years that lie ahead, I raise it not just to the struggle, but to the determination that refuses to bow to adversity. Through the trials, the darkness, and the tears, I am determined to rise from these ashes, to carve a life imbued with purpose, fulfillment, and the unwavering will to give my beloved the respite she deserves.