Do you want to live? I feel, fundamentally, it is the most important question you need to ask yourself when you have cancer. It takes some deep thought though and probably some intuitive feeling.
Most people will say, “duh”, of course I want to live. The answer to the question is more complex, though. I’ve certainly come across people who say they are ready to die, but actually want to live, and also people who say they want to live, but would rather die.
If you say “no”, maybe you have had a long, happy life and feel like you accomplished what you wanted to. Maybe another person could just be tired of it all and this is your ticket out of here.
You need to have a conversation with your inner self and see why it’s “no” to make sure it’s the right choice. No judgement from me, but you may receive some from family members, which is why you need to actually KNOW.
There are usually not any take backs if you decide you’re done. Your body will usually comply within a short amount of time. This why it’s so important to be at peace with a decision like this.
If you say “yes”, and most people will, what does “yes” actually mean? For most people facing cancer, especially those with cancers without a cure, you are in for the challenge of your life.
Does “yes” mean, I want to live as long as I can eat burgers, pizza, alcohol, fast food, soda and sugary treats?
Does “yes” mean, I want to live as long as I can sit around looking at my phone or TV for most of the day?
Do “yes” mean, I want to live as long as the chemo, radiation, surgery take care of it and I keep living my life the way I’m living?
Does “yes” mean I will cut out the toxic nature of my lifestyle, products and people?
Do I want to live if I can no longer walk? Do I want to live if I’m missing some body part that affects other things in my body?
Does “yes” mean, I will do what ever it takes to keep living?
You need to identify the things in your life to KNOW why you want to live. You have to hold onto those things to be able to overcome the things that decrease your odds of living.
Would I rather be at many of my children’s birthday parties, or would I rather be eating the cake at a few? (A bit of a silly example, sugar is a much more complicated topic that deserves its own post. Eating a bit of cake a few times a year probably won’t hurt).
It takes willpower, sometimes a significant amount, to overcome doing what is easy, to do what increases your odds.
Cancer was not caused by accident. Cancer is an immensely complicated condition which was caused by numerous things thrown into your pot and mixed together, and it’s different for everyone.
If the 5-year survival rate for a cancer is 40%, would you rather be on the side of the 40% that is living or the 60% that passed away?
Certainly, there are no guarantees. I do believe though, with the right diet, exercise, detoxing of your body, mind and home, everyone can at the very least increase their health and lifespan.
I chose to live. I chose to do whatever I could do to increase my odds. I wanted to defy the odds. I wanted to be on the percentage side of the people who are still alive.
Sometimes when I have a spare moment, a scenario will run in my head of x, y, or z happening to me. I ask myself if I still want to live if x, y or z happen to me. For the most part, the answer is “yes”.
When I’m having a rough day or a rough time of things (usually around treatment), I remember why I want to live, and I repeat to myself: I want to live, I want to live.
I chose to live. I chose to surround myself with life. I chose love and happiness. My choices matter.
What do you choose to do with what time you have, whether that is short or long? What is important to you?
Do you want to live?
