SURVIVAL RATES

Around 70 out of every 100 people (around 70%) survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis. almost 65 out of every 100 people (almost 65%) survive their cancer for 10 years or more after they are diagnosed.  SOURCE:  Cancer Research UK

I am in my 13th year of treatment for non-Hodgkin's "B" Cell Lymphoma and in my 7th year of treatment for Metastatic Melanoma (which basically means it has come back).  My Lymphoma started out slow growing then became more aggressive; whereas, my Melanoma started out as what was believed to be a wart on the bottom of my left foot and was surgically removed with clean margins and no future treatment because of its tiny size.

My Melanoma returned like a BAT OUT OF HELL in my groin area where it was impossible to surgically remove because of its extensiveness.

Melanoma moved to my neck but when it was surgically removed it was DEAD...

I have never really considered my survival odds until I decided to look them up for this posting.  I live each day, maybe not to its fullest, but I live the day nonetheless doing what I want, not necessarily what I need to do; however, my wife has a list of chores

and I make an exception for her.

I sleep as long as I want to

I drink as much coffee as I want to

I eat healthy because I want to

I exercise now because I want to and my fatigue is minimal

I shave when I want to

I comb my hair when I want to

I write blog posts when I want to

I write poetry when I feel so moved

AND...  while I don't pray to my God everyday or even occasionally ask for HIS guidance, I am ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED that my life is in HIS hands and that I have become that which HE wanted me to become and will live as long as HE wants me to live and will do whatever it is that HE wants me to do...