tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32309235.post115582761865701117..comments2023-08-07T03:39:00.560-04:00Comments on Life Changing Cancer: Cancer: Call it enemy, or call it friend?Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15597668719819089422noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32309235.post-1156310746080413392006-08-23T01:25:00.000-04:002006-08-23T01:25:00.000-04:00Lynne-Whoaaaa! Just because the doctor gives you ...Lynne-<BR/>Whoaaaa! Just because the doctor gives you a pessimistic prognosis does not mean it will happen that way. On August 6 of 2005 I had my gall bladder removed and after the surgery my surgeon told my wife (and later me) that I should get my affairs in order as soon as possible because I had gall bladder cancer and it was unlikely that I would live 6 months. I have had surgery, radiation, and three different chemo drugs, some of which have been helpful, some debilitating, but I am still alive, stronger, heavier, and more certain that internet statistics that are two or more years out of date do a big disservice to people like us. Please write me at woodyb@cox.net and I will share more with you.<BR/>The newest member of your support group, Woody BeckmanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32309235.post-1156086748097764892006-08-20T11:12:00.000-04:002006-08-20T11:12:00.000-04:00I have lived the experience that you are facing fr...I have lived the experience that you are facing from the other side. I was the spouse of a terminally ill diagnosis of my loved one. acceptence is one factor, which by the way is a spiratual thing. <BR/><BR/>There were so many factors including family, money, care givers, fear of what you don't know, and fear of what you do. <BR/><BR/>In the end you must lead, and face the journey head on. Do what you can not to burdon others while accepting their love and affection, as well as sincerely felt help. <BR/><BR/>If you look only forward, and live the words spoken by Abe Linclon, "you are as happy as you make up your mind to be", the journey will be less burdensome to all. Love those who love you and allow them show their concern in any way they want as long as it remains positive to you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32309235.post-1156078961955943992006-08-20T09:02:00.000-04:002006-08-20T09:02:00.000-04:00I, too, have always felt uncomfortable with the ba...I, too, have always felt uncomfortable with the battle metaphor: conquering the unseen enemy and all. Longevity is a natural desire, of course, for most of us, but I believe there is a bigger picture, beyond our em-body-ment here on earth. Letting go doesn't have to mean giving up. Making peace with the cancer doesn't mean that you like it, that you resign yourself to death. Being fully awake and alive to the experience is what seems to me to be key. As the Borg say (Star Trek), "Resistance is futile," but I mean this in a Buddhist way, not as a surrender to defeat (there's the old battle image again). It's not a question of winning or losing. Death comes to all of us; dying doesn't make a "loser" out of any of us, which, it seems to me, is the natural - and illogical - extension of the whole metaphor. Letting go of our desires, being fully present with each moment that is, awakening to experience - these are the lessons that felt most important to me as I journeyed with and through cancer. It's humbling, opening up to this ultimate lack of control. We control those things we can in the meantime, throw up our arms and scream with sheer terror and delight!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com