They don't mention this in the instructional pamphlet, but cancer really does give you absurd and unexpected little victories once you're into your own personal 'overtime'.
For me, I'm 2 years past my use-by, and hoping for at least another fifteen (age 47 with 3 young kids).
Right now, a plumber is removing the toilet from my house, replacing it with a new one.
The old thing was a porcelan veteran, having seated 50 years worth of bums. He was probably installed back in the late 60s or early 70s, when the house was built. A silent tear is drizzling down my face as I think of his honourable service and wish him well in his retirement.
BUT .. our relationship was not always collegial. Thanks to cancer, I have many times found myself kneeling before him, vomitting - pain, blood, all the worst things you could associate with a toilet. Further, chemotherapy can commonly induce constipation - for me it most certainly did. Sometimes I'd be sitting on my old friend and it would feel like my bottom is being shredded, like I was trying to poo out a house brick. More pain, blood, bad associations.
And now he's gone, currently being replaced with a shiny new model.
So ... I beat my toilet. It's a victory. I was on the ropes for a while there, but I outlived my toilet.
Now, my eyes shift sideways to the microwave.
I have cancer. I have hopes of outliving my appliances.
I hope you do too ! Never give up hope.
