3.0 The Cancer Warrior Aftermath

1. From The Cancer Warrior “When the Tornado Stops the Damage Becomes Clear.” Bryan L. I was not expecting Aftermath 3.0. But after adding Soft Pillows and Butterflies to 2.0 I got thinking about how much Cancer and BPH Disease has personally cost me. There are times when a cancer warrior goes from storm to storm but wants some calm where they can rest for a bit and evaluate the damages. This is where the financial costs come in from many different aspects. As the battle rages on the Aftermath will continue to add up to unbearable prices financially, mentally and emotionally. Some times difficult choice are made and the results are, what they are. Bryan L. Waiting for Resolve – The Cancer Warrior aftermath /ăf′tər-măth″/ noun A consequence, especially of a disaster or misfortune. A period of time following a disastrous event. A second growth or crop in the same season, as of grass after mowing. Aftermath always leaves a result – good – bad – indifferent. The questions becomes, what can you live with?

2. Winner Takes All “I Don’t Know What Will Be Left, “If Anything”. Bryan L. While I’m still here we will continue talking about the hard stuff that cancer and BPH bring into the lives of many. If the Cancer Warrior topics are to aggressive for you go find your soft pillows and butterflies. Back in 2.0 we talked about becoming an all-terrain warrior. At this point in the wait cycle for more medical stuff coming up every week, reminding myself to power up seems like just one more thing to do. There are moments I’d just rather tap out and call it a day. This is where the Cancer Warrior has to power up, suck it up and remember this is just one chapter in the book of life. Some days are just hard. Sleep a lot, eat little and focus is translucent. As the Apostle Paul said we don't always get what we want. 2 Corinthians 12:8- 10 NLV. Paul speaking, I asked the Lord three times to take it away from me. He answered me, “I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.” When you are having a bad hair day. Remember you are not alone. (My pony tail went away, because my hair became dry and brittle.)

3. The follow quotes are keeping me going today. Joseph Campbell said, “You have to be willing to give up the life you planned, and instead, greet the life that is waiting for you.” Real Estate Portfolio gone. Foods gone, pureed food in. Energy gone. “When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds, and diamonds are made under pressure.” Peter Marshall “Today will never come again. Be a blessing. Be a friend. Encourage someone. Take time to care. Let your words heal, and not wound.” Unknown Psalms 46.1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” On sick days I'll take all the help I can get. “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 Sonia Ricotta said, “Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.” Personally I don't know if I will make it through or not. Today we are here. “When I was given a short time to live, I was told by one of my kids, ‘Mom, you’re a fighter! Let’s do this!”’ Shared by Mary Bollinger Appelhanz Shared by Bobbie Harrington Henry, “A complete stranger overheard a conversation between the pharmacist and myself the day that we received My husband’s diagnosis of an aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma. As I prepared to leave, this gentleman apologized for listening to us, but felt like he needed to share these words: ‘My wife & I were where you are a year ago. Please remember to never give up HOPE!’ We never forgot those words from a complete stranger and are forever thankful.” Thank you! “Cancer is a marathon, you can’t look at the finish line. You take it moment by moment, sometimes breath by breath, other times step by step.” Shared by Sarah Betz Bucciero Amen to this. “Plan for the worst, hope for the best and live for the moment!” Shared by Tiffany Smith

4. Another Test? Just Some Thoughts How Much is to Much? By my latest calculations of all my medical tests, procedures, and surgeries I am one appointment every two weeks over the last 42 months. I’m not sure which one is harder to tolerate. The physical beat down of test after test or the mental war of how long can I keep this up. OR the emotional with-drawl from people because you don’t want to talk about “it”. Coping with limiting beliefs. “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” John Wooden, basketball player and coach Nobody said this was going to be easy. “If you don’t sacrifice for what you want, what you want becomes the sacrifice.” Unknown Don’t focus on how you’ll fail: focus on how you’ll win. “Forget all the reasons it won’t work and believe the one reason that it will.” Unknown Go again: one more time. “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison Keep going! “If you are going through hell, keep going.” Winston Churchill “Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” Harriet Beecher Stowe, author

5. Fishing and Fatigue “If you think the price of organic food is expensive, have you priced cancer lately.” Joel Salatin At this point I’d rather be fishing on some quiet lake ministering to the fish that my stove top is a better place to live than in the lake. When you feel like yuck and life looks empty outside if the grueling medical schedule remember the fish or that quiet place you enjoy like the ocean. Take time to enjoy something. A cup of hot coffee. Pet your cat or dog. Read a book, but get your mind off your medical life for just a little bit. Personally I hate fatigue as much as the Cancer and BPH Disease. I never knew what cancer tired was like. It sucks and you quickly realize how tough you have to get to withstand its onslaught of unthinkable days. Changes upon changes upon changes have been made to accommodate a body that has decided food is an enemy. The body sends us messages that something isn’t right. The question is do we listen. I am at the point where a liquid diet is becoming my way of living. Pea Protein shakes with fruits and veggies three times a day and pureed veggie soup two times a day. Then I wait and see how those ingredients go down. After that I started looking at my medical options. Alternative has risen to the top and traditional medicine is only used when necessary. Organic food changes, PT, massage therapy, acupuncture and only recommended supplements to target specific health issues. “Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't, recognize as food.” Michael Pollan

6. Under Financed ______________________ Financed “The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth, if you lost all your money.” Anonymous I can write volumes here. Cancer or any other disease can eat you out of house and home, literally and figurative. No one thinks about getting sick until they are and when the expenses that keep coming in that insurance does not pay, the grim reaping of finance comes to take all it can get. The Grief If you had spent two years building a real estate investment portfolio of over 110 properties, planning every step and looking forward to doubling it in the next year, and that’s all you had to look forward to, due to divorce and then it is taken away. Whatever trips your wire to be successful in and the B_st_rd comes to steal your plans would you be nonchalant about it? Next, the income you need to stay afloat goes away. Would you be nonchalant about that too? Then the car you need to get to doctor appointments is on the verge of being repo’d. Oh and you haven’t paid utilities bills in two years because you can’t afford to. One more thing. Every day looks the same no matter how great an effort you make. The point is most of us only see the cancer warrior on the surface, but have no idea what is going on, on the inside. The easy thing would be that something would work out so there wouldn’t be any under financed, but cancer does not care and on may days life doesn’t care no matter how well you plan. Grief is like a layer cake, the farther down you cut the deeper you get. “If I were a rock I could just let this wash over me.” Bryan L.

7. Final Thoughts “Aftermath 3.0 has two finish lines. One finish line is where survivors become victors and extend their life. The other finish line is where family and friends get that call.” Bryan L. When you are exhausted and you want to quit, remember you are not alone in this vicious battle. With Respect to all Cancer Warriors, Bryan L. - One of many Cancer Warriors On LinkedIn Support this Cancer Warrior