A Little More Than a Week

Its been a little more than a week since treatments are done. We are about to embark on a new presidential administration. The new year is still newly started, and I started to work again last week (albeit on a part time basis). This is truly a chance for new beginnings. I have a new challenge in front of me now, the challenge of transformation from patient to survivor. Some of the challenges include: gaining weight (I'm sure to evoke much sympathy with this one!); the challenge of getting back to some sort of normalcy; the emotional challenge of which I've heard so much about from other cancer survivors; and challenges that I don't even know about yet. I relish these challenges and look forward to meeting them head on. They are the mark of a survivor, something I'm quite proud of, and yet realize how fragile that statement is. I look forward to a course I've signed up for which is geared towards cancer survivors. I look forward to more time with my kids, something this disease has robbed from me. I look forward to getting back to physical activity as my strength comes back. I look forward to the future!

With all this looking forward to the future, I must recognize that I have some friends (near and dear, and those that I have never actually met but are still close, and some others that fall between these extremes) that are still going through their own fight with cancer. I look forward to supporting them in words and in deeds to help them get to the cancer survivor status. I wish them everything in the world to come through their cancer adventures successfully to make it to survivor status.

So after a little more than a week of survivor status, I have to say that things are going fairly well so far and that my spirits are high. As usual the bottom line is... Life is Good.

Take care all.

Treatments Are DONE!!!

Finished with treatments!

No more chemo, no more radiation, no more assaults on my body, nor my psyche, nor my constitution. As if it were choreographed, even the weather seemed to be determined to make this a good day for me. The folks at the radiation center were very gracious and seemed very happy for me. Hugs were given all around with congratulatory sentiments given to me. I have to say that they were all great throughout my time there. The nurses, doctors, techs, and administrators were incredibly helpful and very kind. I could not have asked for better. These are very special people!

Anyway, here's another picture of the latest celebration of the completion of treatment. Joy & Mustaffa were my main radiation techs, and they were fantastic, and of course, there's the radiation machine behind us. Now its also behind me as another part of my cancer adventure. Pretty cool stuff. So now I'm a cancer survivor! Life is better than good!

Only One Left

For those keeping count, I only have one more radiation treatment to go! Yippee!!!

The radiation techs told me that tomorrow is my graduation day. It is in so many ways. It is also a time for new beginnings. The greatest of which (and from what I here one of the more challenging ones) is the transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor (wow that sounds good!). There are a few more things that need to get done: more doctor appointments; removal of the access port in my chest; removal of the blood filter in my leg; and completion of Caumaden. But I look at those things as the "mop up" things that need to get done. Otherwise, I'll be done!

Life is good!!!!

The Stockdale Paradox

For those keeping count, only 4 more radiation treatments. If the radiation machine does not go down, I'll be done on Thursday. Thanks for all the "chicken soup!" My motivation is back.

My buddy Dave-o came by the other day and said that he figured out the attitude I've shown during my cancer adventure. He declared it as the Stockdale Paradox. Here's how it is described:

Admiral James Stockdale was shot down in Viet Nam and imprisoned in the "Hanoi Hilton" for almost eight years. He was also its highest-ranking officer. How did he survive while others did not? "Retain faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties." He adds, however, what distinguishes his position from simple "optimism" - and formulates what has become known as the Stockdale Paradox: "and confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be."
This is the critical difference which guards against the endless disappointment that optimism’s carrots' evasiveness create - until, maybe, the reward in the end. On the other hand, an ability to continue making realistic assessments of one's current life situation measures and apportions one’s energies and reserves to better face each challenge as it comes, thus positioning one with a stronger chance to prevail.
- Fred Devett, Dec. 31, 2002

So basically, it is not optimism alone, but rather an attitude which assesses my situation while looking toward what my desired end result should be. Then setting out to accomplish the end result with a positive yet realistic attitude. Indeed I have tried to go through this adventure with integrity, courage and openness as well as a positive attitude. I have tried to use these traits as a way of taking and keeping control of a trying situation. I truly believe that these traits and a positive attitude have carried me through a great deal of what I have endured (with the help of a great many caring people). That and the advice Toby gave me of "Take one event at a time." So as the treatments are winding down in number, all I can say is that the "Stockdale Paradox" seems to have helped, and it is something I can carry through to many other parts of my life. It seems pretty cool to me that there is actually a formal name and explanation of the attitude I've tried to use/employ through this adventure. Hopefully, this might help others too!

Remember ... Life is Good!