Life after cancer: What is your outlook on life?

Hi everyone, I was hoping to start a constructive conversation on the "aftermath" of cancer. I was diagnosed with lung cancer a few years ago and I went through chemo and radation.

My question is simple but I would like to know if anyone feels the same. I try to see life as a gift, every day I try to enjoy every moment, live my dreams to the fullest and try to be happy but sometimes I feel very alone because most of the people I meet complain about their lives while they are healthy or don't take care of themselves. Does our experience of cancer change the way we look at life? Does anyone else sometimes feel the guilt of still being here when other people have left us? I don't know if I am expressing myself well on what I feel but I'm interested in sharing and listening.

Hi @suzzie!‍, thank you for opening this discussion. I think experiencing something like cancer can definitely shift our perspectives on life. Let me tag some other members who can possibly share their thoughts with you!

Hello all, how are you today? What do you think? Has going through cancer changed your perspective our outlook on life at all? Can you relate to the feelings suzzie! describes?
@BensNN‍ @Bahara‍ @BarbaraH‍ @Justsuieq‍ @Ruby1958‍ @Danni1‍ @Hdgal2021‍ @HelenaZen‍ @Geneva3p‍ @DerbinskyY‍ @Alferrier01‍ @chelle031107‍ @JeanetteF4‍ @didaho69‍ @rrose123‍ @dj7777‍ @Cancerfree2112‍ @jamesanunn‍ 

Feel free to share your thoughts here!

Take care,
Courtney

How do you deal with the daily things in life after cancer? It's possible with things a little different then before but it is possible! How do you accept the "NEW YOU"? ITs harder then you think!

I had 2 of my closest and longest friends die within 6 months of each other. Shortly after it was confirmed that I had lung cancer. Both my friends were younger than me. I never feel guilty about me still being here and them passing. I am grateful for the time I have and never forget that no matter how bad it gets it could always be worse. I am still able to see and hug my grandchildren and all the other wonderful things that come with being alive. The first time I was diagnosed I took it pretty hard but I know now I have to take it as it comes and not let the cancer dictate how I live my life. 

Thanks for asking.  Some days are harder than others, of course days that are harder correspond directly to the amount of pain I am in.  Then, there is fear, fear of dying.  I try to put that one out of my head and just take in one day, one minute.  I am getting back into some old hobbies, like crochet and beading, that helps.  Just anything to do that leaves me with a feeling of accomplishment is good, even cooking. 

Yes, getting back to old hobbies is what I am trying to do as well.  Its better than sleeping away my what's left of my life. Thanks for reminding me!