The Good Life

Cancer is the lemon in life ~ ~ you create the lemonade

As crazy as it sounds, there have been some good things, some benefits for my life that have appeared because I have cancer. I’ve been thinking about them lately and decided to share.

-I’m usually invited to the party. I feel very included in the social world and that’s a wonderful feeling.

-I get lots of “I love you’s”. People I care about have realized the importance of telling me that they care.  And I feel the same and share too. Such a simple thing, but it takes an impending loss for all of us to realize letting people know you love them is too often overlooked.

-I’m allowed to fart!  Pancreatic cancer is a digestive disorder so there are all sorts of indelicate body reactions. This disease is not for the faint of bowel sounds. So, I can go for a walk with my husband and toot merrily along, sometimes with the sounds of a marching band following us for the whole block. Such a relief it is!

-I can take naps!  It’s a sweet afternoon ~ with a siesta!

-I have slowed down enough to actually smell the flowers in my garden. Since I can’t promise my ability to follow through on commitments that evolve over time, I have avoided all kinds of committee work that would have sent me back to living in the fast lane. I loved being busy, but I have learned the joys of slow.

-I prioritize taking care of myself. To quote a friend with whom I explored life after retirement: my job now is taking care of my health. So massages, yoga, afternoon walks come before errands and chores.

-I don’t have to diet; gaining or maintaining weight is the plan now. Yes, I try to stick to my clean food diet, but hey ~ what’s the point of denying myself those simple pleasures of treats?

-A few people actually cheer when I walk into Zumba.