There are 206 steps leading up to the street at the F-line subway stop I fre­quent­ly use in New York City. Nine or ten stories deep below the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. That’s one of the things I learned in the year since I started treat­ment for multiple myeloma.

Back on January 30, 2013 I walked up those steps on my way to my first chemo treatment, and I made a vow: I’m going to walk up all of …