Mental attitude and acceptance is the only way.

 neil5234 ,  you are absolutely right.  Having a cancer diagnosis also gives you time to think about things that matter most to you and to say and do things that you otherwise might have put off.  Keep positive and live for the day!  David

Hello neil5234 

Yes as we say in the North West Alwayshope's a proper "good egg".

It took me about 12 months to realise that this bastard wasn't going away and although I am on a "Curative Pathway" (my favourite phrase) I was going to live my life as I wanted too. I had 10 days in hospital and having never been an "inmate" it opened my eyes to death and near death.

I am aware of my own journey and diagnosis but I am master of it and it doesn't rule me (apart from appointments) so one of my mantra's now is "One life - live it".

All I can say to you is you have the right attitude and to quote Doris Day - "Que Sera Sera"

Thanks for your great post - great to see you around.

Best wishes - Brian.

My own experience confirms your thoughts. 

When first diagnosed I have begun to believe that i was already depressed. I have mentioned this before. 

I had the usual outburst of worry and panic which slowly eased until i finally meet the oncologist and had a plan. 

I like plans, especially when they appear to be in my favour.

The thing is, the depression appears to have gone. I can see there is more sunlight in the world. 

There are still flurries of worry - like when, as at the moment, between hormone injections doing their thing to prepare for radiotherapy, I keep thinking that there must be something I should be doing. 

There isn't, but that's how it feels. 

Nonetheless, I feel good, and am plowing on. 

Also enjoying life.

Have a good life, today and all the days. 

Thanks for your kind words Neil but I am only one of a team of friends on here who try and help wherever we can because we all remember what it is like when that first diagnosis is given. We have all had our fair share of tears and still get wobbles along the way. We celebrate successes and support others who are going through a rough time. I hope that you will stick with us because you will see that a good sense of humour helps. We have a post 'No specific topic' which is for anyone who wants to let the forum know what they are getting up to - the latest is Sidsmum (Gina) talking about zip wiring, another one has just had a surfing lesson as a birthday present at 77. There is plenty of living to do as we live with cancer, we are not dying of it.

Millibob said:

I am aware of my own journey and diagnosis but I am master of it and it doesn't rule me

Love this poem - Maya Angelou! 

wow, what a poem

I am probably bringing coals to Newcastle here, but this poem was the favourite of Nelson Mandela.

A film was made of his struggle, and was, naturally, called Invictus.

Nelson Mandela was payed by Morgan Freeman, an actor who I have a great deal of time for.

Morgan Freeman has read the poem many times.

I quite like this one:

https://youtu.be/SAa6qdBN7Z0?si=zmhEcpveiXnfyOge

If you like the poem this might be quite a nice reading.

I went to Joburg on assisted passage as a 21 year old newly qualified electrician in 1975. all paid for by SA government, on arrival the hotel we were staying at had a bench outside WHITES ONLY, 

Oops, got muddled up with ‘Still I rise’ by Maya Angelou - her poem is equally inspiring if anyone is interested.