Vienna Beckons Again

“If you start to take Vienna – take Vienna!!”

Napoleon Bonaparte – on keeping focused on a goal, applying overwhelming force, and not getting distracted.

 

Download the book here

Please check out my formal journal at CURE Magazine, a world wide publication found in every oncologist's office. I also encourage you to read this post: How My Cancer Might Save Your Life. It's a quick read, and if you pay close attention, you'll be a different person afterwards. 100% guaranteed, or triple your money back.


June 22, 2016 - Another Day That Will Live In Infamy

I've been reading a lot of Kipling lately. I never served in the military, and I've never been in combat, but like many people I fight my own individual battles in my personal war with cancer, and like the theme of this blog shows, I take much wisdom from the horrors of humankind's wars. A quote I'm taking quite a bit of inspiration from:

"If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your turn long after they are gone, and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the will which says to them: 'Hold on!'" (From the poem "If", Kipling, 1910. I recommend you read it, the first stanza is famous, but the meat is in the later portions).

I've spent this week in communication with my family and many of my friends, but frankly, am overwhelmed with the task. I am truly blessed with a circle of hundreds of people whom I care about, who care about me, and have supported me throughout my long and often frustrating tenure as a cancer patient.

I've decided it's time to go public with my latest news. Last year's transplant, which hundreds of you followed here and also on my Cure blog, failed to provide a durable response. Meaning the lymphoma is back. It gives me great pain, in fact, emotional agony, at the way this will affect you all. All cancer patients will tell you that the worst part of cancer, including the whole sucky treatment and life threatening aspects, is the huge and dreadful impact on our loved ones.

I've written about this before, talking about the different rhythms in life. I'm learning about the rhythms of cancer. The first Diagnosis Day was horrible. The shock and whirlwind of activity lasted for weeks. I fought it for 17 months, then had a great 5 years in remission. The second D Day took less time to move into the next mental phase, and I knew the ropes of getting back into treatment. After 3 years in that battle, I had a fantastic year of health and hope. This time, within a few hours, I had myself into "angry and aggressive fighting mode" in about 3 hours. I still am subject to random waves of outspoken cursing, and one minute long pity parties, but mostly it's back to business. 

Details of my treatments and progress will be posted another day. This is enough news for one day.

My dear cancer family and supporters: know this. I will conduct this third campaign with the same enthusiasm, vigor, joy, and spirit as I have the last two times. And by now, we know, gentle readers, you're there if we need you, and be assured we'll ask for help when necessary.

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your turn long after they are gone, and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/r/rudyardkip101657.html