James “Rhio” O’Connor’s story just goes to show that nothing is impossible no matter what the circumstance may be. Even though doctors diagnosed him with cancer and told him that he only had a year to live, he wound up living more than six years after that. Instead of sulking to himself and living in gloom, Rhio went out and researched his diagnosis. He talked to many doctors, researchers as well as patients and learned different therapies, side effects, and theories his type of cancer had. Overall, with the help of therapy and his belief in something greater than himself, Rhio was able to outlive the cancer. I feel as though if I were ever faced with the same diagnosis as Rhio, I would definitely have the same determination and perseverance as he did to help treat myself so that I could outlive the cancer. Ultimately I would have faith that the cancer would clear up all together.
God forbid, if I were told by doctors that I had cancer and that I only had a certain time frame to live, I would not just take their word for it. I would first go to other doctors to get second, third, fourth and fifth opinions to make sure that the diagnosis is accurate. If in that case they all said the same thing, then I would go into deep prayer and ask God to help keep me because it is likely to be one of the most challenging times of my life. Just because doctors may say that I have a deadly disease doesn’t mean that it’s the end of the world either. If other people diagnosed with the disease lived through it, then why can’t I do the same? If I have strong enough faith that I will become cancer-free, than I know it will come to pass.
I believe that God helps those who help themselves. In order to beat the cancer I would need to help myself by researching and educating myself on the type of cancer I may have, just as Rhio did. Whether it is breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or even “mesothelioma”, I would need to consult various researchers in order to find out how it may affect my body and the different stages I would have to go through (www.survivingmesothelioma.com). Looking into the number of survivor cases and speaking to other cancer survivors may be helpful as well. Just to know that other people have gone through the same thing that I am going through will be extremely encouraging. They might even be able to give me insight to certain treatments that worked best for them.
If I were put into the same situation as Rhio, I would also look for the best possible forms of treatment for my type of cancer. I would try to focus on treatments that are within an affordable price, but I wouldn’t limit myself to only those types of treatments. I would look at treatments that have been known to work in the past such as chemo, radiation, and surgery even if they had little to offer me because I wouldn’t want to put any limitations on anything that has the ability of treating the cancer. I would look at alternative treatments that are fairly new equally to treatments that are more traditional. Newer forms of treatment such as non-electromedicine treatments, DMSO, and ultraviolet light therapy may be more potent than an older form of treatment and as a result may turn out being more effective.
I believe that God puts trials in our life to make us stronger so if I were faced with some form of cancer, I know that that would be a huge obstacle in my life that I have no choice but to overcome. With dedication, strong will power, and by looking to God for continual guidance, I know that whatever cancer I am diagnosed with I will not only outlive, but overcome altogether. Also through strenuous research of treatments, therapies, and by talking to cancer survivors, I will be able to effectively treat the cancer. I am aware that the process may not be an easy one. Treatment may be extremely painful and my body may have to go through changes that I have never seen before. The whole process may last anywhere from a couple of months too numerous years. No matter how rough the battle may be, I have to endure through it all like a good soldier. Even if the doctors say I only have a certain amount of time to live just like they told Rhio, I know that all things are possible to those who believe and that one day I will be healed.
By: White, Jade
