It’s been three years since I wrote a publish known as, “Completely Unclear,” the place I shared about my expertise making an attempt to determine life after most cancers.
On the time, I used to be studying how one can exist in the actual world, after I had managed to stabilize my well being after 5 years in fixed survival mode. I’d been identified with osteosarcoma at 30 years outdated, which unfold from my proper leg to each lungs and my left hip. It escalated to stage 4 with a lower than 10% survival price.
I used to be thrilled to have pulled off a miracle; nonetheless, the aftermath was difficult to navigate as effectively. Nonetheless, in my thirties, all my buddies had moved on to profitable careers, had youngsters, purchased good houses… And I used to be dwelling on incapacity, looking for my manner once more.
As a sort A character, I thrive off the sensation of productiveness and figuring out I’m working in direction of a objective. Nevertheless, I simply couldn’t work out the proper outlet to channel that vitality. In that weblog publish, I capped off my ideas with the conclusion that the very best I might supply myself was to belief the method and be comfy with the concept that I used to be unclear… completely unclear.
Now in 2024, I can fortunately report that my path has come collectively higher than I ever might have imagined. Since that authentic publish, I formally overcame the five-year survival price. My spouse and I’ve additionally moved throughout the nation from New York to Northern California. And as extra folks going through most cancers have reached out asking for extra particulars on how I turned my well being round (be happy to shoot me a word at steve@othercword.com), I began serving to others by sharing my expertise in a extra structured teaching program.
On prime of all that, the most important change has been that my spouse and I ultimately revisited the dialog of getting a toddler. We’d each gone by means of a lot trauma that we didn’t even know if it will be doable. However we determined to provide it a try to pursued IVF. And miraculously, we had a wholesome, lovely child lady earlier this yr.
I’ll admit, as thrilling as the concept of being a mum or dad was, I had some actual issues. The uncertainty of most cancers nonetheless looms within the background (I don’t count on that to ever fade solely), and I fearful in regards to the obligations a new child would require. Much less sleep, much less time to maintain up with my holistic regimens and protocols…
However similar to within the publish, “Completely Unclear,” I leaned on the concept of trusting the universe to help me, information me and assist me determine all of it out, in the future at a time.
Being a brand new dad and transferring throughout the nation to a brand-new space hasn’t been simple. I’ve had setbacks, I’ve had breakdowns… however similar to throughout therapy, I do my greatest to make the proper adjustment and hold transferring ahead. And I’m actually pleased with how I’ve grown.
Talking of trusting the universe, that’s one of many hardest elements about life after most cancers. I’ve endured 5 recurrences and 7 surgical procedures over time. For some time, it felt like excellent news wasn’t doable. However fortunately, these previous few years have proven one other, extra supportive aspect. Now one in all my largest areas of focus is to maintain reminding myself, “It will get to be this good, and it will get to maintain getting higher and higher.”
There’ll little doubt be ups and downs, however I’m sticking to the components that’s gotten me right here: one good choice at a time, in the future at a time. All through all of it, that’s one factor that’s all the time been completely clear.
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