surviving cancer 101: lesson 6

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There is a time for being ahead,
a time for being behind;
a time for being in motion,
a time for being at rest;
a time for being vigorous,
a time for being exhausted;
a time for being safe,
a time for being in danger.

The Master sees things as they are,
without trying to control them.
She lets them go their own way,
and resides at the center of the circle.


from the Tao de Ching by Lao-Tzu, Stephen Mitchell translation


6. know your options.


If "no" is your only option, open your ears and listen for others.

I was told 3 years ago, I had one "option", a pill that had little chance of working - other than to possibly control metastases to the brain. At the time, my cancer was like a teenager, running wild and this was the only option that my current oncologist had available to him.  We decided the time for us was to be in motion - the onus was on us to find out where our other options were. 

Our research led us to one of the premiere cancer research and treatment facilities in the world, M.D. Anderson. They had lots of options for me then, and still do. They may not ultimately be able to cure me but I am certain they will exhaust every possibility.  They have given me much more time than I would otherwise have had, they’ve given doctors, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, everyone more time to find the solution that will fix me and others.

Having options means not giving up. Not letting the crab grab all my energy and get stronger while I weaken.  A doctor who has options for me and is unwilling to ever say that's it, no more options, means that I can relax.  There is still time for being in motion, being at rest, being exhausted, and so on - they've given me that luxury.

I know I can't control the outcome, but I have found my peace in letting things take their course, knowing that when one treatment avenue closes, my doctor has more options available.  The windshield's big, rear view mirror small.