Its all about attitude

I think your attitude going into something greatly affects the outcome, particularly your enjoyment. Its no different with cancer. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was very upset/depressed/stressed for some time. Then I decided since I was lucky enough to have cancer twice, I need to make the best of it.

I have many cancer friends, some in person, some on line, and they range from stage 0 to late stage IV with the end in sight, and are anywhere between just diagnosed to 25 years out (I never seem to meet anyone who is 30 years out from a diagnosis like me but maybe I was precocious or something.) Their attitudes range from 'I don't even think about it' to 'I'm doomed'.

I think I went through a phase of partial 'I'm doomed' for a bit but then got past it with the help of support groups and therapy. Now I think if I got lucky a third time (and its third time is a charm, not three strikes you're out), I might experience a short term of 'I'm doomed' but would not let myself dwell on it.

Cancer doesn't deserve to suck all the life out of me. Cancer people can have fun and, in fact, deserve to have more fun than just about anyone else. Cancer isn't worthy of anything but disdain. Its not worth hating and its not worth dreading because it is not worthy of any wasted effort on your part.

I have to say I am lucky enough to have cancer because I can't think of it any other way. I can't let it take over my life. I can't let it suck me down into a cloud of despair. I have to go through life looking for four leaf clovers, lucky pennies, and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Maybe cancer made me an optimist.