My Cancer Journey: Adventures in Reluctant Exploration

There are a lot of lessons that cancer teaches you.
 
I’d be lying if I said I knew what even half of those lessons are, but I know for sure that you find a new perspective on experiences. As in, you begin to evaluate all the experiences you haven’t had in your life and resolve that you will say yes to every new (legal) opportunity that presents itself to you. At least, that's been one of my lessons.
 
Which is how I found myself clumsily 'oofing my way onto the back of a horse named Godiva at a small ranch in Puerto Rico last month.  Sheila was next to me, comfortably astride a horse named Whiskey as I face-planted apologetically into Godiva’s neck and struggled to get myself upright.  
 
“You said you wanted more experiences,” Sheila reminded me, patting Whiskey's neck and looking like she trotted straight out of a Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman episode.
 
I won’t tell you what I said in return…
 
When I said I wanted more experiences I was thinking along the lines of attending opening day for the Pittsburgh Pirates and less about awkwardly bouncing my way through along a sandy beach, whisper -screaming at Godiva the horse to please not drop me.  
 
I like horses just fine – from a distance, watching a Western or maybe feeding them carrots and petting their nose.
 
While I’m on the ground.
 
What I’m not particularly fond of is being on anything that isn’t my feet. This includes but is not limited to, skis, snowboards, skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, horses and I’m going to guess bucking electronic bulls in the heart of Texas, which I have no plans to try.
 
Unless someone invites me to get on one. Then, based on this new unwritten rule I've made for myself, I'll be forced by nothing other than my own stubborn idiocy, to say yes.
 
Sigh.
 
Half-way through the ride, our guide, who did casual things like empty sand out of his shoes and check his phone while riding a horse (while I white knuckled the horn on Godiva's saddle), stopped and had us get off of our horses. He proceeded to crack a coconut, and offered us each a drink.
 
I like coconuts about as much as I like riding horses, so I initially passed.
 
“I thought you were saying yes to new experiences,” the guide said, winking at Sheila.
 
“Oh for….ugh. Ok, yes. Yes, let me drink out of a hairy brown nut,” I said, regretting every part of sharing my pact about new experiences with Sheila. Who was gleefully sharing it with complete strangers.
 
But I have to say….
 
For those of you who have ever had a real coconut, it tastes surprisingly.... not like coconut. I don’t know how else to say it. It actually tasted…
 
Good? Refreshing?

Which made me momentarily glad that I was shamed into said yes to a new experience.

That momentary joy was short lived, as I nearly dumped off of the other side of my horse while getting back on.

Cheers to trying new things.....I think.