What would I do if I were diagnosed with cancer? This is a question that I have thought about since November 21, 1998 when my father lost his battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I assume that the immediate response for most Americans would be fear, but for myself, I would choose a different tactic. I have never been the type of person who gives up. I don’t quit and I am very competitive by nature. To me, cancer would be an obstacle, not a death sentence. We live in the United States of America. This is the land of opportunity. A cancer diagnosis would mean that I need to search the country for the best doctors, scientists and researchers who are working at fighting this potentially deadly disease every day. A diagnosis would mean that life would change, not end. I believe in the power of the mind and positive thinking. I believe that a person’s attitude shapes their day. I would maintain a positive attitude, lightly colored with humor, and journey across the country to discover methods of treatment that would prolong my life and eventually lead to a cure. I know the devastating effects that a cancer diagnosis brings to a family. I lived it firsthand. As part of my treatment I would speak with people I meet on my travels, hold workshops and develop a fundraiser for those who are affected by cancer. To me, treatment doesn’t necessarily mean medicine or chemotherapy. In writing this I am reminded of a dream I once had; a dream that involved me writing a book. My book would be of my life; my life after cancer. I would document my days as if I were writing a journal. I would record conversations with other survivors or family members who have been affected by the disease so that I may go back to them later and turn them into paper. The book would be about a journey; the journey from diagnosis to treatment to life. All proceeds of the book would go to research; research for alternative ways to fight cancer and live a better life. Many days I think of my father. I wonder about the decisions he made after his diagnosis. I was away at college most of his fight, but one thing that I remember was his attitude. He was positive. He didn’t give up. He fought until the end. I would take his positivity and show the world that there isn’t just one outcome from a cancer diagnosis. I would prove to the world that there isn’t just one outcome from a cancer diagnosis.
By: Coulter, Bridget
