What a wonderful day this is! A day I've been looking forward to for 3.5 months! My first day back at work -- and coworkers and viewers made it even more memorable with the way I was welcomed back. I have never experienced such an outpouring of love and consideration and encouragement as I have this morning -- and throughout the past 16 weeks.

Champion cyclist Lance Armstrong has said that having cancer was the best thing that ever happened to him. I can understand what he means. I have a new appreciation and understanding of what it means to support one another -- both as the receiver and the giver.

I had some apprehension about returning to the glaring lights and unblinking eye of live television. After all, I don't look like I did four months ago, and I've lost some strength. But my friends here at 10News made it feel effortless, and so many of you wrote or called to say the hair (or lack thereof) didn't matter, that before the first commercial break I felt as if I hadn't been gone at all.

I am reminded of what a reporter named Drew Silvern wrote before he died of cancer seven years ago. Drew chronicled his losing battle in an incredible series of reports for the San Diego Union-Tribune. He said, "When you feel as though the worst thing that can happen to you is happening, it becomes time to give as much as possible to the people around you and to accept, even demand, as much as they are willing to offer in return." I learned this summer to do the latter. I'm learning daily to do the former.

The Bible puts it another way: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the Law of Christ."

In my case, it took a life-threatening illness to teach me that truth. In your case, I hope it's something much less challenging.

May I add one more personal note? I found out last week that I am being honored by the San Diego Press Club (my colleagues in all of the news media) with the Drew Silvern Award. It is given annually in Drew's name "for courageously reporting in a manner such that their personal or professional lives are affected." I can't tell you how honored I am -- nor how glad I am that I'll be able to accept the award in person at the Press Club dinner next month.

-Bill