I never worried about getting older or my life ending. When I was young I expected to live a long and infinite life; why should I pay for life insurance? I always expected I would have plenty of time to have a family, build my career, enjoy retirement, etc. Even though I worked in healthcare and witnessed daily people getting sick and dying before their time; I figured I was exempt. Then I one day had the pleasure of my oncologist, Dr. Geetha Kamath come to my office at the hospital and tell me when I was 26; “you have cancer – Hodgkin’s Disease.” Completely out of the blue – no family history, no symptoms, I had just graduated from Notre Dame and Duke, became a hospital COO, got married – everything was going in the right direction. Instantaneously, my life horizons went from infinitely far away to under my nose. Cold water, the slap in the face – whatever – my attitude about time changed overnight. I was forced into focusing on today rather than postponing tomorrow. Without expecting it, the closer horizons highlighted the importance of people in my life, Diane, my sons and family, my friends, employees, and neighbors. Ultimately, I became a better person both at home and at work in appreciating people more and things less. In addition, getting cancer forced me to understand that horizons are real, so I appreciate every moment I am here. There are drawbacks – I don’t have patience for drama or mindless bullshit. In addition, I have to know what time it is at all times; my clock is clicking for Christ sake. Whether you expect it or not good things will come out of your journey; you’ll see they are closer than you knew.
Closer Horizons
Thank you for a great read, my family and myself included have had many run with cancer. Im currently 3 yrs cancer free and get a pet scan February 10th to see if all is ok. Im confident itll be positive because i dont let myself believe otherwise
Tim, thanks for reading and commenting. Congratulations on your own journey! Best for 2023! Pete
So true. Getting the diagnosis of cancer, like serious cancer, brings the horizon much closer. And scarier.
Like you, having every type of skin cancer over the years it just got to be normal to go to the dermatologist to get a least two and even a half dozen chunks of skin taken.
Even after losing a piece of the nose and then a large piece of the cheek, it seemed like you just had to deal with it and know that headshot photo would need a little touch up.
But then you get a diagnosis of prostate cancer, one you hear about so many men dying from, it gets serious.
So as scary as it is, you have to go into fight mode. Do what ever is necessary to be there for your family, by being honest with them first, then getting a plan. Get the best cancer team you can, search for the options, then make a treatment decision that both you and your wife agree on. Do know you will rely on your spouse during this time and forward like never before.
With prostate cancer you likely have a lifetime of 6-12 months checks where your anxiety can rise, but hopefully not your PSA levels.
In the meantime it seems appropriate to just attack every day with a full throttle.
Don’t put off things till next year just because you can. Get it done soon and it opens next year for other adventures.
I have chosen to share my cancer story with less than a handful up till now.
Not sure if that is good or bad. But sharing likely brings more support than keeping it private.
To all that have or are fighting the battle of a lifetime, stay strong and looking forward.
And to Pete, our Irish Cockroach, thanks for all the past memories, and for fighting for all our future memories
David,
Thanks for your comments and insight. You definitely have a survivor attitude.
Best,
Pete