Thursday, August 14, 2014

74 and Counting—Slowly

Another pretty good Year!


In my world, counting, walking, eating, and everything else is done slowly these days. Eleven years ago this month I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It was just a few days after my 63rd birthday. That was not my favorite birthday.

I’ve always tried to be an active and upbeat kind of guy (mostly) and had figured I’d probably live forever. But when I got my PC diagnosis my first thought was, “Gotta be a mistake,” and then, “I’m gonna die!” It wasn’t a mistake and I didn’t die. I have since adopted a more moderate approach to life. 

Of the many, many people living with incurable cancer of any kind, I am definitely in the luckiest group. The reality is that year by year my cancer has continued to grow gradually. The treatments and many different meds have significantly slowed the process but not without a smorgasbord of not-so-great side effects. But slow is good and I may still live forever.

I’ve lived longer and better than I thought I might. So instead of worrying about the few things that aren’t perfect, I’ll keep on as usual. My body and, more or less, my mind work well enough for me to travel, visit friends and family, work on the farm, read books, and write stuff like this. No complaints, no regrets (well, maybe a few), and I’m still waiting, along with many of you, for that elusive breakthrough cancer cure. Happy Birthday to Me.

axman