I No Longer Think About Cancer Every Day

I haven’t thought about cancer for a while.

I share this with those in the thick of the cancer experience as a morsel of hope. I recovered from a second acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis received in January 2020. I underwent a bone marrow transplant June 5^ththat same year. It took a good year for me to convalesce and salvage the old ‘Mary vitality’. 

Once I was able to move out of my brother and sister-in-law’s home, I found a pleasurable and adequately challenging job. One could say that my life returned to normal, but I take umbrage with that saying. My life was never normal, and I imagine everyone detours from easy-going routines with both catastrophic and magnificent interruptions.

I used to focus on my cancer recovery and on helping other cancer patients all day every day. Once I felt strong again, I continued to volunteer and donate to help those with active cancer journeys.

Now, my routine permits for occasional volunteer work, but work consumes most of my time. For the most part, I enjoy a predictable and customary schedule. I wake up, enjoy coffee, work hard, be kind, appreciate nourishment, watch some TV, laugh with family and friends, read a book, write on my days off, and turn off the light when my eyelids get heavy. Given that I had cancer and recovered, I am fulgent – shining brightly through this routine.

I’m never insouciant; everything matters to me more after having experienced cancer.

Recently, I got into an auto accident. Someone rammed into my car and just barely missed the part of my automobile that could have killed me. I’ve been dealing with insurance and medical practitioners. Everything is working out smoothly, and thankfully no one was seriously hurt. I continue to survive.

My mother is aging, and experiences depression. My thoughts are now with her, and with my sister, the tireless caregiver. I focus on them and am grateful that my cancer is not part of their world right.

Life is expensive, and I’m working on building my portfolio so I can retire in this decade. I did not have the luxury of planning for my retirement while I had cancer.

I had some fantastic sales at work. Some people do buy high horology timepieces that cost over $100,000! I’m not one of them, but I am appreciative of my clients who are able, as they contribute to the livelihoods of people from all around the globe.

All sorts of little things flutter into my life that both distract me from thoughts of cancer and give me hope for my future.

When I was lying in the hospital bed during my bone marrow transplant, I often felt sick, sad, and depressed. I sometimes had a lift in spirits when visitors came by, or when I drew something funny or beautiful, or when I received promising medical results. But I never imagined that someday I wouldn’t think about cancer daily.

That time has arrived.

This diatribe is meant to lift the spirits of those currently suffering with cancer and associated harsh treatments. Be pervasive in your recovery: your meliorism can be contagious even when change feels slow. Keep breathing, eating, praying, sleeping, and being kind to yourself. Down the road you may find yourself where I am now. Living a fulfilling and unnormal life.

This piece reflects the author’s personal experience and perspective. For medical advice, please consult your health care provider.

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