A Positive Update: Strength, Gratitude, and Hope
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With Christmas and the New Year approaching, I want to take a moment to share an update on my situation and express my deepest gratitude. It has been truly heartwarming to receive so many messages, letters, personal videos, gifts, and calls from all around the world. Fighting cancer is a challenging journey, but your incredible support has made it so much easier—thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Here’s the good news: according to my medical team, the chemo and immunotherapy are showing positive results in my bloodwork. Personally, I’m grateful to have more good days than bad ones. Due to my low immunity, I’ve had to isolate myself at home, but with the unwavering support of my amazing wife and wonderful son, I can fully focus on tackling this illness.
I firmly believe in the power of a positive fighting spirit to make the most of life’s toughest moments. To keep myself motivated, I’ve set meaningful goals to maintain a sharp mind and learn positive lessons from this journey. While I can’t plan workshops for 2025, I’m using this time to finally finish my ACT! online courses that have been waiting in the wings. I’ve also updated my onlineshop, detectiondogshop.com, adding not only new products but also inspiring blogs. On top of that, I’ve been devouring books I’ve always wanted to read—keeping my mind active and my spirit strong.
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned from this experience is the importance of relationships. It’s about inclusion, expressing emotions, sharing what others mean to you, and helping one another grow in every aspect of life. Each morning when I open my eyes, I’m thankful for another day—a bonus day. And I owe so much of this gratitude to all of you who’ve shown me love and support.
For those who sent messages I couldn’t respond to, please know they meant the world to me. At the time, I was too unwell, and it was overwhelming—but your words lifted my spirit when I needed it most.
The photo I’m sharing with you today was taken at the hospital. It’s not the most flattering picture—I’ve lost all my hair and 11 kilos—but the smile you see is real. It’s a reflection of the incredible strength I feel from this community. From this point forward, I won’t focus on my illness in these updates. Instead, I’ll channel my energy into contributing to the K9 community through my blogs, products, and answers to your questions. This work gives me energy and a sense of purpose, which fuels my fight.
I wish you all a joyful Christmas filled with love and connection. Let’s make 2025 the year of triumph and hope—when I’ll share the best news yet: that I’ve beaten this challenge, together with my medical team.
Finally, tell your loved ones you love them—every day. Life is precious, and those words matter more than you can imagine.
With love, gratitude, and hope,
Simon