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Lessons to help you win your fight with cancer

Sun, 03/29/2009 - 8:08am — Clint

 The medical staff was not encouraging.  "He has three months to live," they told my family.  After an emergency operation at midnight, the doctor told my wife, "I have never seen such a large tumor.  Even if he lives, he may never get out of a wheel chair."  But I beat those odds, and now, five years later,  I walk three miles a day.  The lessons I learned can help you win your fight with cancer. 

 

            The tears have finally stopped so I can now tell this story of cancer and paralysis of my legs. For the past three years, tears would fill my eyes each time I tried to write it. Tears of relief; tears of joy; and tears of thankfulness for all of the great people who helped me on my recovery. My daughter Ruth finally convinced me I could tell it now, not by urging me to write, but just by recounting with me the beautiful three years since my operation and recovery. 
            Those three years since my cancer operation included three new grandchildren to add to the first three, all living nearby and growing up to be beautiful little kids. It included me learning how to walk again after my doctors were afraid I would not be able to. Most of all it included me appreciating more than ever how great it is to be living, and how great it is to have caring family and friends. 
My survival taught me great lessons about life and about myself. I got through the cancer and nearly three years of rehab by listening to and following some great advice. Hopefully the lessons I learned can help someone else get through their own ordeal. 
            I am convinced I have had a happy ending to my difficulties due mainly to the love and care of my wife and guardian angel Mary Anne. For every hour I spent in rehab she spent an hour fighting doctors, insurance, and everyone else who presented a hurdle to our recovery. 
            Also, I will always be thankful to my neighbor Charlene who recognized the danger long before any doctors did. Her growing concern and eventual alarm started the process of treatment and recovery within hours of it being too late.
            On reflection, the last three years, with all their difficulties, were three great years. I made it through them. I shared many happy times with friends and family. There was a chance I might have missed it all. I just keep saying I am lucky, and it’s great to be alive.
 
Clint
 
To obtain an electronic copy of the full book, send a $9.95 check to: Clint Seward, 42 Washington Drive, Acton, MA 01720.  A PDF version will be sent to your email address.  Paper copies will be available separately at a later date, to be scheduled.