I’d rather not have stage 4 bowel cancer, it’s a bit of a drag!
I’ve accepted that I’ve got a ‘limited shelf life’, that I probably won’t live as long as if I didn’t have the disease.
I’ve accepted that I’m going to be on chemo for the rest of my life, along with the side effects, as I know it’s helping keep things under control.
I’ve accepted that I’m going to need occasional surgery to keep on top of things too.
I’m not angry about having this disease, I’d just rather not have it!
However, I feel I have to acknowledge that some parts of my life are actually much better than before I was diagnosed. So maybe there’s a bit of a positive to having this?
- My relationships with close friends and family are now better than at any point in my life. I now let people in much more readily, and in return they do the same. I’m much richer in terms or friendships than ever!
- My outlook on life is completely refreshed. Before I was sort of drifting along, a bit lost in working etc. Now I really enjoy life, I’m still doing some work but only a few days a week. The rest of my time is truly fulfilling helping with the charity and Strive for Five, and spending loads of time with friends and family, I’m always visiting or being visited.
- I don’t let cancer define me, but I do use my experience to try to help others, and that’s incredibly fulfilling. The work I do is relatively small but it’s so rewarding to know that I do help a few people.
- The world has opened up to me! This may seem odd as many people would expect cancer and chemo to limit my travel, quite the opposite. I’ve been all over the world since being diagnosed, travelling with friends and to visit friends. I’m now planning my next trip and it’s where my bucket list came from – it’s time for a safari!