| Abstract |
When I heard the gut-wrenching words 'very rare cancer' and 'one in a
million' used to describe a type of cancer I had never heard of, it felt
as if all the breath had been sucked out of my lungs. I was immediately
launched into a place I'd never dreamed I would be. Like most people
dealing with life-threatening illness, the immediate, blood-draining fear
can be enormous, and the accompanying 'what-ifs' overwhelming. I gave The
Fear time to do its thing, and then used it to motivate me and push me
forward to do research, to gain knowledge, and to hopefully make
appropriate choices for the unwelcome challenges, obstacles, and burdens
that were directly in my path. I was determined not to let fear or
anything else consume me or stop me from taking my life back. Instead, I
chose to accept them as a necessary part of the long, painful journey I
faced.
Cancer caused me to look at life differently, to see the bigger picture;
to realize that life is often full of maze-like paths, filled with twists,
turns, and detours which can often complicate and change our lives in an
instant. I discovered that even when hurdles are harsh, when our plight
seems unbearable, when we are exhausted and think we can't endure much
more; we can consciously seize upon our hardships as opportunities for
self-examination and growth. They can become a time to reflect on and
appreciate the simple things which we have been blessed with. And it's
those positives that give us strength and can help us through whatever
challenges life presents. I realized we all have the ability to regain
control and fight to help ourselves through whatever lies ahead.
Confronting Chordoma Cancer focuses on the power of the human spirit and
hope.
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