The Hero Inside Every Cancer Survivor

One of the things I think about is the future. All cancer patients know we have two futures: One where things go well, and one where they don't.

BY Kevin Berry

PUBLISHED September 03, 2018

Kevin Berry is an 13-year mantle cell lymphoma survivor, in his third remission. He works on Human Spaceflight programs, is a freelance writer and editor, and supports newly diagnosed patients through his ministry, Taking Vienna. He lives in Central Florida with his wife and adult children.

Throughout my 13 years of fighting mantle cell lymphoma, I've had spent lots of time waiting: short-term waiting, while lying on a scan or radiation table; medium-term waiting, those long hours between appointments at the big box cancer megaplex or doing time in hospital beds; long-term waiting, for remissions to come, or remissions to fail. During the waiting times I read, I nap, I stare blankly at the ceiling. Often, though, I just think.

One of the things I think about is the future. All cancer patients know we have two futures: One where things go well, and one where they don't. The good kind are in our heads during the happy days with family and friends, or when treatments are going well. The other kind happen late at night, or when the pain, side effects and prognosis are tearing the hope from our souls.

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