If you haven't figured it out by now, life to me is a matter of perspective (take it Noah Webster: a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view). Under this definition, it is up to me to shape my attitude and define my point of view toward any and all things in my life related to my cancer.
From the moment of first hearing the diagnosis, to the process of therapy and my ongoing treatment regimen, to my lifetime cancer commitment - I have had to absorb and process this new reality. Through the comprehensive and compassionate counsel that I have received from my Onc team, and the osmosis of understanding of the malady and its parameters that I have gained over the past 6+ years, I have come to grips with what this is and what it means long term.
To that end, one of the ways that I am able to wrap my brain around the totality of what is the disease and its impact, is to think of it as: I've experienced the worst, now everything else is manageable. It's analogous to passing a test or conquering a new workout/exercise, and realizing that other similar challenges that come along for me can be handled (using this experience as a threshold of acceptance, perseverance and tolerance). Don't get me wrong, what I have is not the "worst" thing medically that could happen to someone. There are numerous types and subtypes of cancer, and many of them are much more cruel and debilitating than my Multiple Myeloma. And in the grand scheme of things that could go wrong in an average person's life, honestly this has a place on the "list" - but not at the top (or technically the bottom).
I would describe myself as having led a fairly charmed life up to now. Yes, I have had my share of frustrating and disappointing life moments, but net-net I would say that I'm at least 51% ahead in the Game of Life that we all must play. I hope my "game" has many more periods to go, but for now at least, I'm going to live as if the worst of it is behind me and the rest of it (best of it?) lies ahead - and I'll take it as it comes.
