A thought for the day

Hi Hal

I guess then that there are a lot of things that can change a person life, cancer is just one of many avenues to the interruption.

son of hal said:

Howdy, Hondo
Yep, that's how I see it at least. Cancer is a mere interuption. Don't get me wrong, I'm not glad I have cancer in the least, but...
Since cancer, I'm in the best health of my adult life.
Since cancer, I appreciate simple things and people more.
Since cancer, I don't procrastinate nearly as much as I used to.
Since cancer, I realize how many people care about me.
Since cancer, I have a greater appreciation for the value of a dollar.
Since cancer, I am better prepared to face my own mortality.
These are just a few of the changes this "interruption" has brought into my life. These being described in an optimistic "glass half full" view on life. The other way to look at it would be...
Since cancer, I've given up everything that tastes sooo good just because it's bad for me.
Since cancer, I notice things more and how people act and it annoys me.
Since cancer, I realize I may not have much time left so I have to rush everything.
Since cancer, people treat me differently, they probably feel sorry for me, I hate pity.
Since cancer, I am broke so I can't buy the things I used to.
Since cancer, I think about my death alot and get depressed.
You see, it's the same changes but it's the way we perceive them that makes the difference. I prefer the "glass half full"..... And to view cancer as an Interruption...

Very well said

That is a great outlook on life my friend, it done knot make us worse but better people. A person can use the bad things in life to continue to go down hill or stop and look at the blessing it might have giving to appreciate life altogether.

I hope you don’t mind if I share this on Head & Neck or better if you would post it.

Thanks again my friend
Hondo

I really get the role cancer
I really get the role cancer is playing in life for me and the benefits on a spiritual and personal level have been enormous. I constantly feel deep gratitude and feel as though I am dissolving and merging with what is. So while I feel this way most of the time there are moments when I become acutely aware and conscious of the stark contrast of how I was before and now. The feeling is a loss of innocence in a way, having to see the world more as it really is and letting go of some of my dreams, expectations and hope. None of which is bad just I feel very very sad. It is a bitter sweet journey. Sometimes I yearn for those other days, where I had my head in the clouds and planned out the second half of my life (I was 43 when diagnosed) in mild oblivion to the realities of the world. I had always been 'lucky' and came out on top however with cancer there is no top or bottom to come out on, it is living with it.

Also there are those moments when I see my body in a different light and become again become acutely aware of the disfigurement breast cancer has created. I never dream, I would be cut open and sewn back in the way that I have, again the naivety I lived with. I know we are more than our bodies and I have experienced this even more since my diagnosis and the recent loss of 3 friends to cancer. However I can't help at moments be stunned by the sight of my own body and how common place it feels to have doctors prod and poke me in ways I again I could not imagine before, to endure pain and discomfort as if it a normal part of life.

I feel things now, that I have not felt before and cannot describe, perhaps a mix of sadness and gratitiude and something in between, a soulfulness and vulnerability as look out on this world in a new way.

Yes, cancer can be a blessing, can be a curse and can be something in between and there is no doubt I cannot go back to the life I had before or be the person I was before cancer. Too much has changed.

sea60 said:

Totally agree
Cancer pushed me to make changes for the better.

Not meeee!
I would prefer to win the lottery....... CANCER sucks

mariam_11_09 said:

I really get the role cancer
I really get the role cancer is playing in life for me and the benefits on a spiritual and personal level have been enormous. I constantly feel deep gratitude and feel as though I am dissolving and merging with what is. So while I feel this way most of the time there are moments when I become acutely aware and conscious of the stark contrast of how I was before and now. The feeling is a loss of innocence in a way, having to see the world more as it really is and letting go of some of my dreams, expectations and hope. None of which is bad just I feel very very sad. It is a bitter sweet journey. Sometimes I yearn for those other days, where I had my head in the clouds and planned out the second half of my life (I was 43 when diagnosed) in mild oblivion to the realities of the world. I had always been 'lucky' and came out on top however with cancer there is no top or bottom to come out on, it is living with it.

Also there are those moments when I see my body in a different light and become again become acutely aware of the disfigurement breast cancer has created. I never dream, I would be cut open and sewn back in the way that I have, again the naivety I lived with. I know we are more than our bodies and I have experienced this even more since my diagnosis and the recent loss of 3 friends to cancer. However I can't help at moments be stunned by the sight of my own body and how common place it feels to have doctors prod and poke me in ways I again I could not imagine before, to endure pain and discomfort as if it a normal part of life.

I feel things now, that I have not felt before and cannot describe, perhaps a mix of sadness and gratitiude and something in between, a soulfulness and vulnerability as look out on this world in a new way.

Yes, cancer can be a blessing, can be a curse and can be something in between and there is no doubt I cannot go back to the life I had before or be the person I was before cancer. Too much has changed.

Bitter sweet journey indeed
Cancer was one interruption I could have done without in my life, for sure.