Kenneth’s Cancer Journey
Discover one man’s journey with cancer, finding meaning in life, and his inspiring drive to write. Kenneth unearthed the power of resilience and hope.
30 Stories in 30 Days™ // April 2023
In 2001, I had been riding the crest of a strong real estate market in NYC, when I was diagnosed with a desmoid tumor in my left cheek. Following a round of radiation and a successful outcome, I decided to retire from business a year later to do the things that mattered most to me.
Since my early retirement, I have been circling the globe with my camera equipment and filling almost 100 legal pads with my writing. However, I was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 in the same general area and started radiation therapy. Despite my almost quarterly visits to a highly regarded dentist, I continued to experience bleeding, worsening trismus, and overall deterioration in that area of my mouth due to radiation.
By the time I went to see a head and neck surgeon specializing in treating cancer, the cancer was too deep and extensive for him to operate on without first undergoing chemo. I was surprised to learn how far my cancer had spread, but I had been living with the possibility of a recurrence since 2001 and did not feel too discouraged when hearing this. The surgeon was pleased with the results of chemotherapy, and decided to operate.
How we deal with the hand that is dealt to us is ultimately the meaning of life.
I underwent 4 surgeries over 18 months, but my surgeon’s team kept me as comfortable as possible. The toughest thing for me was the feeling of total helplessness while staying in the ICU units, and the feeling of dependency on others while recovering.
I felt saddest when I thought about the possibility of not seeing my children grow older and not seeing my grandchildren grow to maturity. But it was unfinished business that kept me going. My writing would have to see the light of day. In an effort to hold my first book in my hands and flip through its pages before my first surgery, I forced myself to self-publish it.
My writing became the voice that guides my pen.
Though I was thrilled with its positive reviews, I was determined not to be a one book wonder. I worked on my follow-up novel, not yet released, while undergoing my next three surgeries. During that time, I was mostly unable to speak, but my writing became the voice that guides my pen.
Thanks to the head and neck surgeon that cared for me, I am cancer-free at the moment. I often think that being blessed with good doctors is as important as being blessed with good health. If it wasn’t for my doctor, I wouldn’t be here writing this.
I am simply happy to be alive and find fulfillment elsewhere.
We must take what life offers us, and life has left me with a fertile brain and a wonderful and loving wife and family. I barely miss the food that I will never again eat, or the strong speaking voice that has escaped me. Instead of dwelling on the things I can no longer experience in the same way, I am simply happy to be alive and find fulfillment elsewhere. For example, happiness is looking forward to completing my new book My Life Belongs To Me, which I just started. Contrary to the title, this book is actually not an autobiography!
How we deal with the hand that is dealt to us is ultimately the meaning of life. I have believed this since I, as a young psychology major, first became familiar with the writing of Victor Frankl. Frankl would have told you that it’s not what we expect of life, but what life expects of us.
I am prouder of myself now than ever. So, yes, if the search for meaning is the force that drives us, we can even find meaning in how we deal with sickness. Please try to keep this message with you, and I wish everyone going through a similar journey as mine good luck.
Interested in Sharing Your Cancer Journey?
For someone recently diagnosed with cancer, reading the stories of other caregivers and survivors can inspire.
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