“Cancer is a part of our life, but it’s not our whole life.”

Someone I follow on LinkedIn recently post this. For space, I’ve edited his posting.

‘This past December I was diagnosed with stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma. In layman’s terms, incurable cancer. Six months later and 40 lbs. lighter my pet scan shows no sign of active cancer!’ While they will never say I am “cured”, this is the best possible news my wife and I could receive. As a father of three young children, the thought of leaving them behind at such a young age was terrifying.’

‘Cancer is no fun. It is scary. Treatment is taxing and the outcomes are uncertain. None of us know how long we have left on earth, but what I do know is I am blessed!’

So far almost 12,000 people have viewed this post. Almost 1100 people have commented.

Here are just a few:

·???????‘Being a survivor, of a brain tumor I’d love to talk. I’m in the rehab state also, I’d love to hear what keeps you motivated.’

·???????‘Your optimism and attitude is fantastic. I'm happy that you got good news for you and your family.’

·???????‘I have been in pathology for 37 years and have seen a lot of cancer (squamous, adenocarcinoma, small cell, transitional, melanoma...). You and your family went through a lot of anxiety, pain fear, and finally, a little bit of relief.’

·???????‘You and I are in a similar place, so wanted to go on and follow you…I am also stage 4.. metastatic.’

·???????‘I have endured 11 surgeries (7 on my back)…This is such good news - I am sending nothing but prayers and blessings to you and your family!’

·???????‘In 2016-2017, I fought bilateral Cancer; had to go through an operation and then chemo for a year. I cannot say enough good things about the team that led me through that fight.’

·???????‘In 2018 I was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic CRC. I had Mets to my liver and lymph nodes. I was told it was inoperable. and I would be on treatment the rest of my life. Chemo almost killed me and then they finally got approved for Keytruda. I started Keytruda in Feb 2019 within 4 treatments it was killing the cancerous tumors. I did have it come back in 2020 however I did radiation and have been NED since.’

·???????‘My neighbor has leukemia and has 4 small children…I cried when I saw him walking around and playing with his children…Only 31 years.

·???????‘My grandson is in his 2nd year of Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia therapy and doing phenomenally well’

·???????‘My 31-year-old niece recently finished her chemo treatment and surgery for breast cancer. Her life, as well as the rest of our familiy lives, have changed and in many ways for the better.’

·???????‘Today, a short while ago I was told that my pet scan for squamous cell carcinoma of the throat has come back clean. No evidence of disease. It had gone away and come back and [with] more chemo it is gone once again.

·???????‘As a fellow Cancer Survivor myself, I empathize with this journey all too well. On my journey, I’ve connected with so many people all over the world to discuss their journey’s, helping others navigate their journey, and also helping family’s understand.’

·???????‘I have 4 types of cancer. So far I have survived them all. 1st one diagnosed July 1965.’

·???????‘AL Amyloidosis stage 4. A few months later without a diagnosis, I wouldn’t be here. I’m still really sick but still here to enjoy the gift that is life and watching my kids grow up. In remission and my oncologist thinks I’ll be around for a while.’

·???????‘I was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in late February. I had 3 chemo treatments and wound up in the hospital after all 3. The last time 6 weeks ago I was sent home on hospice and only given a few days to live. There was a ton of people praying for me and guess what? I'm still here and feeling better every day so much so I've been working full days all week. My oncologist told me Tuesday she was surprised by my progress and that I don't allow crisis to get me down.’

·???????‘…reading your post brought back a host of memories. In 1998 I was Diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I was told I had six months left without treatment and 30% chance of recovery with. After 18 months of treatment, one relapse, numerous lumber punctures, a stem cell transplant and Radiotherapy I was finally rid of it. What I regret most of all is not documenting my experience, not sharing the way I handled it and never using my experience to help others. So my friend share, share, share and celebrate it. Its special.’

As an Insurance advisor providing Life Insurance, Critical Illness protection, and Employee Benefits solutions. I have been brushed by this. This is what I wrote, about a friend a couple of years ago.

Bright. Smart. Intelligent. Funny. Warm. Caring.

After a very short battle with Cancer, she passed away last week. She was and her parents are, far more than clients; they’re friends.

One can talk about the fragility of life. Ask, the unanswerable…why? This one? This one makes no sense to me whatsoever. She was 28 years old. What a damn shame.

My Real-Life Motivation.

Several years ago, at the age of 33, my best friend Rob was diagnosed with liver, lung, and lymph node cancer. He had a successful career and a wonderful family. Because of this illness and the fact that he didn’t have any insurance he lost everything. At the end, he and his family were living in the basement of his grandmother’s home. All of them living off her meager CPP and OAS. I watched it happen and was powerless to do anything about it.

I promised myself that I would do everything I could to help others so they wouldn’t find themselves in a similar situation. The best solution I found was through Insurance.

From that day, I knew this was my calling. Every day my goal is to help at least one person not be in the position that Rob was in.?