Tag: seal

Ode to US Navy SEAL on Dialysis

This is the last in a series of blog posts in which the US Navy’s SEAL Community’s various creeds, ethos, and codes were used as inspiration for those on Dialysis. I personally draw on their inspirational grit daily in my own dialysis life. It is my guiding light that others may also profit. See the video/ode below. Attribution: I was aided by ChatGPT4, Grammarly, and Pictory.AI in the authorship of the video.

Wavebreaker Johnson: Never Ring the Bell!

Once upon a time, in a small coastal town in California, there lived a man with a spirit as fierce as the sea. His name was Mark “Wavebreaker” Johnson, a 100% disabled US Navy SEAL who had faced the harshest battles and emerged as a living testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Despite the challenges that life had thrown at him, Mark lived by the SEAL credo and code, which served as a guiding light through his darkest hours. He was a man of incredible strength and determination, and even though his body had been ravaged by war, his heart and soul remained indomitable.

Mark’s days were spent in solitude at his quaint seaside cottage, where he tended to his peritoneal dialysis treatments with the same precision and discipline as he had once wielded in the field. He relied on the strict regimen to keep him alive, but it was the memories of his brothers-in-arms and the SEAL code that truly sustained him.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Mark would often sit on his porch, gazing out at the vast ocean before him. The waves that crashed against the shore were a reminder of the power and fury of the sea, a force that had shaped him into the man he was today. He would recite the SEAL credo under his breath, allowing the words to wash over him like the tide: “I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity.”

In the small coastal town, Mark was known as a humble and unassuming man, always ready to lend a hand to those in need. His neighbors respected him not only for his service to the country but also for his genuine kindness and willingness to help others without seeking anything in return.

One day, while Mark was walking along the shoreline, he encountered a young boy named Timmy who was struggling to carry a large piece of driftwood back to his home. Mark could see the determination in the boy’s eyes, and it reminded him of the fierce spirit that had carried him through his own hardships.

Without hesitation, Mark approached Timmy and offered his assistance. Together, they carried the driftwood to the boy’s home, and Mark shared stories of his time as a Navy SEAL, emphasizing the importance of the SEAL credo and code. Timmy listened intently, his eyes filled with admiration and curiosity.

As the weeks turned into months, Mark and Timmy grew closer. They spent their days exploring the beach, collecting shells, and discussing life. Mark taught Timmy the values of honor, loyalty, and perseverance, and in turn, Timmy reminded Mark that even in the face of adversity, one could find joy and purpose.

Through their friendship, Mark found a renewed sense of purpose and meaning in his life. Although his body remained weakened, his spirit remained unbroken. Mark knew that his days on this earth were limited, but he continued to live each day with the unwavering determination and courage that had defined him as a Navy SEAL.

The years passed, and Mark’s health continued to decline. Yet, even as his body betrayed him, his spirit remained strong, and his friendship with Timmy grew. Eventually, Mark passed away, leaving a legacy of courage, strength, and unwavering determination.

Timmy, forever changed by Mark’s wisdom and friendship, honored his memory by joining the Navy and eventually becoming a SEAL. As he embarked on his journey, he carried the lessons he had learned from Mark with him, determined to uphold the SEAL credo and code as a tribute to the man who had taught him so much.

Ultimately, Mark “Wavebreaker” Johnson’s story is one of courage, resilience, and the power of friendship. His life had been shaped by the unforgiving forces of the ocean and the battles he had fought, but it was his humble nature and unwavering spirit that defined him. The SEAL credo and code served as his compass through the stormy seas of life, guiding him toward the light of hope even when the waves threatened to engulf him.

As the years went by, Timmy grew into a strong and courageous Navy SEAL. He carried the memory of Mark with him on every mission, drawing strength from the wisdom and lessons his friend had imparted to him. Through Timmy, Mark’s legacy lived on, and his spirit continued to inspire a new generation of warriors who embodied the values of the SEAL credo and code.

The small coastal town never forgot Mark “Wavebreaker” Johnson, the humble hero who had once walked their shores. In his honor, a monument was erected by the beach, depicting Mark’s determined gaze, forever looking out at the ocean that had shaped him.

In the hearts of those who knew him and in the actions of those he inspired, Mark’s memory lives on, a testament to the indomitable spirit of a true Navy SEAL. His story serves as a reminder that even when life’s storms batter the shores of one’s soul, it is possible to rise above, persevere, and find meaning in the face of adversity.

And so, the legacy of Mark “Wavebreaker” Johnson continues, etched into the sands of time like the waves that had shaped him, a humble hero whose spirit and determination would never be forgotten.

The TAKEAWAY from this story for us on Dialysis is NEVER RING THE BELL!!

Attribution: This story was written with encouragement from ChatGPT4, guidance by Grammarly, and insights from me. The lead picture is of a US Navy SEAL surfing on a submarine. He got into lots of trouble for this “feat.”

Aspects of Dialysis Success

There is much more to being a successful Dialysis patient, parent and/or partner than finishing nightly dialysis. Those of us on Dialysis tend to get wrapped up in ourselves, in the process of dialysis, in its needs and yes, confining and conflicting requirements. We forget that there are people out there who are normal, or at least they should be, who are having other life’s experiences that float their boats.

We sometimes overlook the fact that Dialysis is but one, an important one, but just one aspect of our lives. As a diabetic, I must keep a high level of diabetic control. Yesterday I visited with my eye doctor for a diabetic retinopathy exam. Do this once a year. I’m fine. No change. We have to keep a steady pull on all aspects of our life. We have to start every day with the USNavy Seal’s credo, and make our beds.

The neatest thing that took place at our N. Texas home yesterday was that the Egyptian Goose that laid eggs in the guttering over our master bedroom roof coached her six little ducklings down off the roof and she went quacking, along with her male mate, across the street, through the ditch, and off into the golf course to seek water.

Life does go on, even if you are are Dialysis……. Live it, own it.