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Eighteen years ago, a doctor sat me down in a little
room and said, "It looks like you have six months to live." When
a doctor tells you that, it's very difficult to say, "Oh no, I just
bought four new tires. I'd like to wear those out first, if I could."
Lucky for me, I beat the odds on the often ravenous
skin cancer, melanoma. What did I learn? First of all, there is
no security-not in your life, job, health, or relationships. Today
I work at creating my own security. Each day I put my feet on the
floor and say, "Oh boy, I get another one!"
I've also learned that I must pick up the pace
in my life. The clock continues to tick and I must use every second
to its fullest. When a doctor tells you that you have six months
to live, you do not go out and enroll in a six-month time management
course.
I also learned that people with cancer can easily
get in the "pits." Even now, staying out of the "pits" is a full-time
job for me some days. I know that I get myself in, and therefore
I must get myself out. I hope myself by cleaning out my frustrations,
finding other things to do when I feel a "down" time coming on,
and complimenting myself rather than tearing myself down. Jack Parr
once said, "Life is full of obstacles. I happen to be the biggest
one for me." I'm a good person. If I don't believe it, no one else
will.
When I was diagnosed 22 years ago, my youngest
son who was 7 asked me what I was feeling about my life thus far.
I realized "no regrets." Today I believe the same thing! |
