Everyone around us has been impacted by cancer in some way, shape or form. Cancer is a topic that does not get pushed to the side or is not discussed at least once a day. If you go to just about any store, you are bound to see something with the pink breast cancer ribbon on it. Some other places may encourage you to not use a bag or offer to round your total so they will donate the remaining cents to breast cancer research.
People in all parts of the world are being diagnosed with cancer every day because this disease does not discriminate. Young children, mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and co-workers are all living with this illness.
However, cancer is just a word, not a sentence.
Cancer does not define who the person is. The person is still as human as they were the moment that they were born. Cancer is all about fighting. Some people keep fighting until their last breath. This illness pushes most people to acknowledge strengths and weaknesses they never knew existed. Some people live without telling people they have cancer and try not to highlight it in any way.
People have lost many of their loved ones to this awful illness. There are patients who try endless amounts of treatment, drugs and spiritual practices.
Cancer puts life into perspective. You only have one life to live; you never know when your last day on earth is going to be. Life is so short and there are only so many hours in a day. Living your life like there is no tomorrow is the life to live. Laugh as much as possible, even if you don't think someone's joke is even remotely funny. People watch in the car for 5 more minutes, you never know what is going to happen next. There are an endless amount of possibilities. Maybe even put on your favorite outfit and make-up if you are feeling low or down about life. The simple things in life bring the most joy.
Before I was impacted by cancer, I lived a life surrounded by worry and fear. My life was extremely planned out ... OK it still is a tad. I did not put my life into perspective. That one visit at the doctors office could change everything. Once my life was fully impacted by someone close having cancer, they made me realize that life is what you make it. Do the little things that make you smile or giggle.
