Probable vs. Possible

Instead of saying “it’s possible I will be alive in a year”, it is better for me to approach it as – “it is probable I will be here for Mother’s Day”. Take my probability in small steps.

Our words carry power

What a difference one little word can make. Probable. I hadn’t thought of it. Thank you to my doctor for pointing this small word out to me. It is probable I will be here for Mum Festival this year; a local festival that is a big family reunion every year.

Don't minimize my cancer

Through many conversations and a lot of reading, I have learned it is normal for me to feel minimized when people say, “We are all dying”. Yes. We are ALL dying. I may not make it home from the doctor’s office because of a car accident – BUT I wouldn’t have seen it coming (until the last minute). It just happens.

Yes. We are all dying. It is a part of life.

My cancer has given me a gift

In some ways, having cancer is a blessing. “How on earth can I see this as a blessing?”, you ask? Well, most people don’t know how or when they are going to die. What my blessing is? I know I have cancer. I know it is spread throughout my body. I know there is no cure. I also know there is no targeted therapy for my NSCLC KRAS mutation. (YET!)

Using my story and voice for good

The gift I have with my diagnosis? I have an opportunity to make it a priority to tell anyone and everyone in my life what they mean to me and what they have meant to me. I have an opportunity to re-prioritize my life. I have an opportunity to make amends where needed. I have an opportunity to let my love shine without restrain.

I have the opportunity to ask you to do the same.

How has your lung cancer diagnosis shifted your thinking about life? Tell us how your outlook has changed and what philosophies guide you by sharing your story with the LungCancer.net community.

Editor’s Note: We are extremely saddened to say that on May 7, 2021, Ronda Beaty passed away. Ronda’s advocacy efforts and writings continue to reach many. She will be deeply missed.