1.0 The Cancer Warrior

1. The Cancer Warrior “The difference between living and dying becomes a very thin line, when the doctor asks the question, do you want to be revived? These words come from my 32 hour bleed out and life saving surgery. Bryan L. This mini e-book has been started, deleted and restarted three times. Its a tough one to write from a personal experience point of view, since I am still in my Cancer-BPH war with more surgeries to go. (as of 10/8/24) The quotes and stories that are written here have kept me going when I didn’t want to, as some of us are faced with. Whether you are just starting your journey, in mid stream, have a clean bill of health or your days are coming to an end – This mini e-book is for you. Bryan L. In process – The Cancer Warrior “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and twice as beautiful as you'd ever imagined.” AA Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh My friends will tell me how strong I am. And I think to myself if I were strong I'd handle things better. My advice is, take the complete and smile.

2. Prepare For War “Feed your faith, and your fears will starve to death.” Unknown Henry the V said this to his troops before they went into battle. He knew that not everyone could come back. It takes courage, guts, stamina, grit to endure surgery after surgery and test after test. I calculated one day that I had either a test of some sort, surgery, procedure every month for the last 42 months. With the four surgeries in a 17 month period. If I had known 43 months ago what I’d have to go through to remain in game of life I would of graciously said no. Cancer is it’s own “steal, kill and destroy” war, add in BPH disease and the cost of staying in game triples. Everyone who had dealt with cancer understands there is a cost and who can ever be prepared for the cancer war? Days of beam me up Jesus, one more test, one more day of feeling like shit (pardon my french) but there is no way to sugarcoat cancer or any other disease. The fight is today and if you wake up tomorrow, the fight is today. About the quote “Feed your faith, and your fears will starve to death.” I can say keeping the faith and building it are two completely different concepts. Some people are great at maintaining their faith with current results, while others vault ahead of the suffering curve by building their faith ahead of the doctors words next words ”PREPARE”. In the following story, I hope you get a strong mindset and faith by the impossible happening.

3. The Battle Between David and Goliath (From 1 Sam 17) “Never be ashamed of a scar. It simply means you were stronger than whatever tried to hurt you.” Unknown Think over this battle as it relates to your cancer and what wisdom can you gain from Davids viewpoint. 1. The Battle Ground Davids Group camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelite's another, with the valley between them. In this battle, location did not matter except from an intimidation factor. This battle was about face to face confrontation. In business we have person to person issues, location issues, financial issues, planning issues and a host of other issues. The point is the battleground can be of the mind. 2. The Match-Up A champion named Goliath stood 9+ feet tall and was outfitted with the latest in warfare technology. David was the youngest of 9, a Shepard boy with stones and sling. Would you take on competition who out massed you and out technologied you? 3. The Wager Part One Goliath said, Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us. In Business would you take on that kind of challenge – winner takes all?

4. 4. The Wager Part Two The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him (Goliath). He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel. What will it take for you to compete against the competition? 5. Davids Preparation David chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. Are you will to do the unusual to beat the competition? 6. Goliath’s Preparation Goliath kept coming closer to David. He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” Bragging rights do not always work. 7. Davids Mindset David said to Goliath, this day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” Never underestimate the mindset of an in-significant looking business professional. 8. The Battle is On As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face-down on the ground. Know the right tool for the job. 9. Victory Dance So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. Maybe just maybe your business plan has the power to win against the mighty. Just because the competition looks bigger, stronger and more competent does not give the victory. Shepard Boy 1, plus he gets the spoils of war. Giant 0, and his team loses everything.

5. One Day At A Time Victories “God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.” Unknown “One day at a time, one step at a time. Do what you can, do your best. Let God handle the rest.” Michelle Jones This section has been a challenge. Instead of looking way ahead I started concentrating on “One Day At A Time Victories”. What can I do today to get even a little bit of exercise? My view of what exercise was in the past verse what exercise had to become today had to change. My foundation for self care has become walk up and down the stairs 10 times. Walk around the block. Eat one good meal today no matter how sick it makes me feel.

6. Every day came down to cutting back on a big long list in order to achieve a few high quality life style activities. Being consistent on those few activities have carried me on the days I wanted to quit. Get the support you need, even if its just bouncing ideas off your friends, family and health care people. I’ve had to remind myself “I will not concede” and keep my basic wellness plan in front of me everyday, even if it was half of my usual activities. Victory comes to those who will not give into the Bastard. Even on days when life sucks. Fight For Your Right To Be Here “Seeds of faith are always within us; sometimes it takes a crisis to nourish and encourage their growth.” Susan Taylor Some people have had to make tough decisions with their cancer. To do Chemo or not, choose alternative medicines or like my dad did, he choose the path of suicide. That’s a really bad option for those left behind like the spouse and kids. My oldest brother choose alternative medicine. He past away because he did not start his healing road as quickly as his doctor recommended. One thing with cancer or any other life threatening disease are the myriad of choices that have to be made and not all choices work out, especially if we delay in making hard choices. When you are exhausted and you want to quit, remember you are not alone in this vicious battle.

7. You Are Not Alone “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” Ps 23.4a The valley can be a lonely place. When we have lost the perspective of others being around us and the valley mentally becomes our home, all we are doing is making our mental and emotion life tougher than it has to be. Do whatever you have to do to keep a healthy perspective. Cancer is only one chapter in your histories story of success. Consider this. From Pastor Clint Wood. “I find myself in an unbearable place! This is not how I imagined my life would be. I feel like I’m in the desert. I feel stuck and don’t know what to do.” Jesus see’s you and knows your battle. He had His own life battle. Whether you feel it or not, He is with you. “Cancer is a word, not a sentence.” John Diamond

8. According to Your Ability “Metron – a unit of either length of volume”. Whether I have a lot or little my Metron is to be faithful with it. Matt. 25.17 says, “Faithful is who you are”. How ever long you can endure the race, that is your Metron. I measure each day as a Metron. Who did I talk to – Metron. I walked around the block – Metron. I ate two small meals today – Metron. I had a small amount of success at my medical providers – Metron. When you start adding up all the small Metrons, your endurance becomes longer because you are spending more time concentrating on living.

9. Great faith must be fed. Whatever we build upon will grow. James 1.6 talks about being “Tossed”. The Disciples had the option of believing the storm would take their lives or they could trust Jesus in the storm. The half glass full concept has prevented Jesus from doing things. Mark 6.6 says, “It takes great faith to move beyond where we are”. Mark 4.37says, “Calm in us when the storm is raging”. I’ve had many days of raging storms and decided to let Jesus get me through today. If you stay with the same viewpoint, you will continue to get the results. If you don’t like the results, change your viewpoint. Seven Life Concepts to Consider (From the Battle of David and Goliath). 1. David did not know he could loose. 2. David fought with uncommon weapons. 3. David was not afraid of the enemy. 4. David knew the reward of victory. 5. David prepared to kill the enemy. 6. Never underestimate the mindset of an insignificant looking person. 7. David had only one thought in mind - Victory. With Respect to all Cancer Warriors, Bryan L. - One of many Cancer Warriors On LinkedIn Support this Cancer Warrior