Sometimes all we can do it put one foot in front of the other to keep going.
PUBLISHED July 12, 2019
Jane has earned three advanced degrees and had several fulfilling careers as a librarian, rehabilitation counselor and college teacher. Presently she does freelance writing. Her articles include the subjects of hearing loss and deafness, service dogs and struggling with cancer. She has been a cancer survivor since 2010.
She has myelodysplastic syndrome, which is rare, and would love to communicate with others who have MDS.
Recently I was lucky enough to be featured in a newspaper article highlighting my books and telling about my journey with first hearing loss and then cancer. The reporter, unknown to me, interviewed a wonderful friend of mine who is a fellow cancer survivor. My friend said that I was a role model because day by day I “put one foot in front of the other.” As I read this, I realized that all of us survivors do this. And to do this is not only helpful with battling cancer, but also with life.She has myelodysplastic syndrome, which is rare, and would love to communicate with others who have MDS.
Years ago when I was working on my doctorate, I was told that most people do not get their Ph.D. because of the dissertation. I completed most of my course work in a year, but I kept putting off the important research project required and had problems getting started. I was told by a wise professor that. “You are not writing the great American novel. Just start writing something.” I finally did, and after many hard months of working days and writing nights and weekends, I finally accomplished my goal of being “Doctor Jane.”
This was an important lesson 20 years later during my cancer journey. After eight years of chemo, I am temporarily off any type of treatment except for taking Procrit shots. I was told by the Cleveland Clinic that they could be effective for about a year. Then there are two new possible treatments for my unique type of cancer. One is an oral chemo, while the other would make me so sick I would need to be hospitalized while on it.
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