Life after Cancer

Hello. I was still in high school when I went through my cancer, so school was enough to distract, I guess. My experience with survivorship is to be open to anyone that has questions about your journey. Reach out to friends and family to spend time with them, stay with your hobbies. You aren’t the same person as when you went in, but accepting what you’ve been through and seeing this a second chance, be true to yourself and enjoy life. Not to distract, feel the feels, talk about them, seek counseling even, but to live life.

Well, I have developed the attitude that I do not want to go back to my former life. Why is that? Looking forward from my former life was....cancer. Rather, I chose to pick up the pieces, realize that just as I am not a teenager or even middle-aged anymore, I seek peace within my limitations. I believe that each day, regardless of what it contains, is a blessing. On good days, I wish for more hours, and on bad, give thanks that they are no more than 24 hours.

In a life process which makes far more sense in retrospect, I was spiritually prepared even before cancer. I chose old-fashioned faith. I was prepared to exit this life, but when I made that decision, my life was mysteriously and miraculously given back to me. Since 2008, four cancers: One lymphoma three times, another twice, a marrow cancer once, a skin cancer once, and a stem-cell transplant. So far.

It is a matter of perspective.

Sorry to hear this. It is a life-changer. However, the way I see it is: I do not want to go back, as the "pre-cancer me" had cancer in its future. I will take what I now have and move forward. I went places, met people, had experiences, had opportunities, and witnessed human goodness that I would never have seen without cancer. I participated in four clinical trials which helped to introduce new and more effective therapies that future generations will benefit from. Viewed from that aspect, cancer became a blessing. i am now much more aware of the gift of life and more grateful for something as simple as waking up. Having a cup of coffee, of loving family and of being loved. Remembering those who did not survive, thinking of the many who are worse off than I am helps me to put it into perspective. Nothing is guaranteed, our expectations may be seldom realized, but if we take stock of what we still possess, we are not faring as badly as we might think. Some advice or counsel from a friend, loved one or even a professional might also help - we need to get outside of ourselves to experience the fullness of recovery.

Thank you so much for sharing was just diagnosed on 11/28/23 and still in shock /denial this made me cry 😢 but also give me hope .