I was diagnosed with Colon Cancer that had already moved to my liver and was Stage 4. I wasn’t told at the time but the outward limit of my live expectancy was two years and a few months. That was in February 2003. Needless to say their expectation was off by a significant degree.
Every Cancer is different as is every patient. They CANNOT predict how you will do with your little speed bump called Cancer. I decided from day one, that I would not beat this problem. My cancer is terminal and unless I’m hit by a bus or something like that. I will die of it. But, that doesn’t mean I will die tomorrow! I am a fighter and I don’t give up. I just turned 65 this past February and I still go to work every day. I work as a full time Project Manager for over 35 Legacy projects in a Large Telecommunications Company in Middletown, NJ. I get three days of Chemotherapy every three weeks and I will as long as I live.
That is the Key! “As Long as I live.” I plan on living my life as best as I can for as long as I can. Every Morning when I get out of bad and put my feet on the floor and the floor is colder than my feet, I know I haven’t reached room temperature yet and it is going to be a glorious day! As we used to say in Viet Nam “Heaven’s not ready for me yet and the Devil is afraid of me.
Your biggest weapon in your upcoming battles is your spirit. You need to look at this old fart and tell yourself that the biggest factor in survival for this difficulty is you. I am a volunteer Counselor for the American Cancer Institute in trying to help folks through the initial shock of the Diagnosis. I won’t con you. There will be good and bad days ahead. Will it be easy? Hell no! Will it be worth it? Hell yes! There is so much more to tell you. It’s important for you to know that you are not alone in your battles. There are a lot of us out here ready to talk to you if you want to. My prayers are with you and your family. If you or any of your family needs to chat, write back
Tom
PS: a new twist that really sucks is that the cancer has started a slow movement into my lungs. I still plan on being around for some time though.
God Bless, My friend!
Wonderful, inspirational post. I’ll think of you when I pray for Petruchio, and pray for you too, Tom. God bless.