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| Really Beating Back Cancer |
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| North FL Cancer Survivors |
Unfortunately,
cancer is ubiquitous. At a basketball game last night (both JV & V Boys trounced their opponents, but then we have always been a BB school), I learned of 3 more students having cancer between 2 teams, and of a recent student's passing. Of all the many heartbreaking things we face in life, the ones that wrench my heart most are things that happens to those most unprotected from harm: the very young and old, and animals. Trouble sleeping, yes. And questions without answers. Most haunting, almost a Holocaust syndrome,
why did
I live. Rhetorical.
Why someone like me, older, having a life well-lived behind me.
Why are my students afflicted, undergo treatment, and sometimes not make it while I thrive. And the answer I always find is God's Will. His timetable, not mine.
Image via WikipediaMy newest
PET Scan brought interesting news. Unless it was read incorrectly, some of my cancer "burned itself out." I had not known that was possible without treatment of any kind, but there you have it. Since my cancer is a blood cancer, it can travel, but it did not. At least not yet. So I find myself pondering the
why word again. Or perhaps how. It's the
how I want to explore. What have I done that may/might contribute to this phenomenon.
Other than fate, luck, God, karma, or just meant to be, I took a good look at how I live. Here's what I found, and I'm not promoting it, just trying to identify what might have made a difference.
- I eat almost no red meat. Instead, I consume fish, some chicken.
- Love vegetables, especially the calciferous ones, and fresh fruit.
- Drink 1 cup of coffee in AM, then switch to tea w/lemon. A regimen of years. Drink lots of water.
- Work hard and am very busy. I live on a farm, raise llamas, and learn and teach with high school students.
- Take long walks with llamas and our puppy.
- Find peace, contentment, balance, and grounding with farmlife.
- Live organically, both with products and perspective.
- I don't think of myself as someone who has cancer. I'm too busy to have cancer.
- Pray. Never underestimate the power of prayer.
- Research, read, take control of your cancer, treatment, options. Explore possibilities.
Other than that, I just keep living. Too much to do otherwise, and no percentage in the alternative. I give much credit to a very supportive husband who takes a
whatever is needed approach. And I must say I am an avid reader and researcher of cancer, and speak/write openly about it--and for me--that's extremely healthy. I love to cook and do so from scratch, using healthy ingredients. But mostly, I am happy. I have a totally positive outlook and embrace living, my life, my cancer, and my future.
