Living with cancer as a chronic illness, Series 1
“‘CANCER’ IS A WORD, not a sentence.” So many of us associate cancer with impending death, but this is just not the case anymore. Numerous people are living many years with Stage 4 or advanced cancer. With the progress of clinical trials and immunotherapy treatment, cancer patients are living longer in spite of an end-stage diagnosis. How does one live with cancer as a chronic illness? Let’s ask the people who are doing it.
This is the first in a series of interviews conducted with local cancer patients:
MT was initially diagnosed in 2011 and in 2014 found out that the cancer had metastasized, which identified her as Stage 4. When asked how she adjusted to a Stage 4 diagnosis, she explains that she is a person who does a lot of research and wants as much information as possible. “I always assumed that my cancer would return, so in some ways I spent three years preparing for it. I got as healthy as I possibly could, ate well, exercised, and lived my life as fully as possible so that when I was re-diagnosed I was ready.”
What helps you live with cancer as a chronic illness?
“This is a difficult question. I think in many ways I got lucky because my personality type is well suited to dealing with this. I am a person who does not believe that everything happens for a reason nor that there is a higher power controlling the cancer cells in my body. I believe in science and that I have cancer because of genetic, environmental, or other undiscovered causes. I do not believe in sickness as a punishment. My cancer is, in some ways, no different than someone who catches a cold. It just is. It is now a part of me and a part of my life. I have had treatments in one form or another every three weeks for the last six years. Keeping myself alive is a daily task, and I embrace the challenge of it and the joys of still being here. I know that even when terrible things happen in my life, that in a matter of weeks, I will be given a different perspective. This enables me to accept life as it is and look for the moments of peace and joy that occur every day.”
What advice would you give to others?
“Every person has their own way of coping with a cancer diagnosis— some people just want to be taken care of and only know what they need to know. I am not that person. My advice is, first and foremost, do not stop moving or living. Regardless of what stage you are diagnosed at, find things that you love and enjoy them. Find reasons every day to embrace your existence. Good books, good food, good wine, travel...whatever you need to do to keep that spark alive inside of you regardless of what’s going on around you. My second piece of advice is to take control of your life and your treatment. If you are not capable, then find someone who will fight for you and include this person in every decision.”
Jean Schoen is the founder and president of Cancer Connection of Northwest Ohio, Inc. (419-725-1100).
