Sometimes the journey we’re on isn’t just about the road in front of us.
Sometimes it’s about what’s happening inside our own bodies.
As Carolyn and I begin this new chapter of life, taking Browns Life on the road and embracing a different pace of living, I recently found myself facing something I didn’t quite expect: a diagnosis of Polycythemia.
What Is Polycythemia?
Polycythemia is a condition where the body has an increased number of red blood cells circulating in the bloodstream. When red blood cell levels rise too high, the blood can become thicker than normal, which may slow circulation and cause symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, headaches, or brain fog. Doctors often monitor hematocrit levels to track the condition and may recommend treatments like therapeutic phlebotomy to help keep the blood flowing normally.
Now before anyone panics, let me say something important. This is not Polycythemia Vera, the bone marrow disease many people have heard about. In my case, it simply means my blood has too many red blood cells, which can make the blood thicker than it should be.
Still, hearing that something in your body isn’t quite right has a way of making you pause.
And sometimes that pause is exactly what you need.
The Road Was Supposed to Slow Us Down
One of the reasons Carolyn and I chose this lifestyle was to slow life down.
For years life has been full of responsibilities, stress, grief, and seasons that tested us in ways we never imagined. Somewhere along the way we realized something simple:
Life moves fast enough on its own.
You don’t have to help it along.
So the plan was simple.
Travel a little.
Work remotely.
Meet new people.
Sit by more campfires.
Drink coffee while watching the sun rise instead of while rushing out the door.
But sometimes life throws something into the journey that reminds you the road isn’t just about scenery.
Sometimes it’s about health.
The Strange Reality of a Diagnosis
When the doctor first started explaining the blood work, I’ll be honest — my mind immediately went to worst-case scenarios.
Anyone who has experienced loss or buried friends understands that feeling. When you’ve walked through enough hard things in life, your brain has a habit of jumping ahead to dark places.
But as more testing happened, things became clearer.
The issue wasn’t cancer.
The issue was simply that my body was producing or holding onto more red blood cells than it should.
That thicker blood can cause symptoms like:
- fatigue
- dizziness
- headaches
- brain fog
Sometimes people don’t even realize anything is wrong until blood work reveals it.
In my case, the doctors are simply working to figure out why the numbers are elevated and how best to manage it.
Sometimes the treatment is as simple as therapeutic phlebotomy — which is just a medical way of saying they remove some blood so the rest flows better.
Not exactly glamorous.
But it works.
A Reminder That We’re Not Invincible
I think most of us spend a good portion of our lives believing we’re tougher than we really are.
Especially men.
We power through pain.
Ignore warning signs.
Push harder when we probably should slow down.
Somewhere along the way we convince ourselves that strength means never stopping.
But sometimes strength looks like something different.
Sometimes strength looks like paying attention.
Listening to your body.
Going to the doctor even when you don’t want to.
Admitting that you’re human.
For someone like me — someone who tends to live life like a warrior in armor — that’s not always the easiest lesson.
But it might be one of the most important.
The Journey Doesn’t Stop
The interesting thing about this whole situation is that it happened right as Carolyn and I are stepping into this new chapter of life.
Taking Browns Life on the road.
Sharing the stories that unfold along the way.
And honestly, this is just another part of the story.
Life doesn’t pause because something unexpected shows up.
It simply becomes part of the journey.
Some days that journey will involve beautiful mountain views, small-town diners, and long conversations around a campfire.
Other days it may involve blood tests, doctor visits, and learning more about how the body works than I ever expected.
But that’s life.
And life is still a gift.
Faith on the Road
One thing this experience reminds me of is how much control we actually have over life.
Which, if we’re honest, is not nearly as much as we think.
Faith has always been the anchor through seasons of uncertainty, loss, and rebuilding. And it remains that anchor now.
Scripture reminds us:
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
— Isaiah 41:10