I've used the word "dying" from time to time, usually when I'm frustrated or in a lot of pain. But the truth is that I'm living with cancer not dying from it, not yet anyway.
Every single day I get out of bed and live my life. Sure the way I live has changed since Feb 2020 but, regardless of the challenges, there is still love, happiness and life in every single day and so much to be grateful for.
On Friday I shovelled gravel on the driveway with Pete. We laughed together about how knackered we felt after just an hour of physical exertion, and we did as little as possible on Saturday to compensate, but all of that counts as living. And living well. Today I shopped and stocked the fridge and pantry for the week after menu planning last night. Winning!!
Every single day I achieve something, even if it's just getting out of bed, cooking a meal or making a phone call. Living needn't be all grand gestures and high achievement. There's joy to be found in the simplest things like a kiss goodnight or a conversation over a cup of coffee early in the morning, a warm pup curled up in your lap or an unexpected message from a friend. Living slowly is still living.
One day, when I can no longer get out of bed or care for myself, I may use the phrase "dying from cancer", but that day my friends is not today!! May that day be in the far FAR distant future, or better still may a cure be found before I get there!!
