Not ME Cancer

William S. Laird

Description

You don't have to fall apart when given a cancer diagnosis. This book intimately details the mindset needed to not only survive, but thrive!

Not ME Cancer is a book by a cancer survivor detailing his journey to survival using the most aggressive cancer treatments and surgical procedures from a physical, mental, and spiritual perspective. The disclosure of a cancer diagnosis often arrives unexpectedly, catching individuals off guard. Within the pages of this literary work, the author shares their distinctive attributes that have propelled them into the category of cancer survivors, defying statistical projections. This profound testament delves profoundly into the realm of conquering the most formidable cancer treatments and intricate surgical procedures, offering insights from physical, mental, and spiritual perspectives.

At its core, this book serves as an emblem of hope, emanating from literature by cancer survivors and literature elucidating the potential of positivity. Its objective is to inspire courage among readers who have grappled with the specter of cancer. Through the portrayal of personal tenacity and the real-life accounts of actual trials and triumphs, it endeavors to instill hope and inspiration in those whose lives have been impacted by the ravages of the disease.

In instances where medical professionals assert that conventional norms are being defied, the resounding message echoes in harmony with the narrative woven within these pages. The narrative counters the notion that a cancer diagnosis inevitably leads to death. This book, in its intimate exposition, unfurls the intricacies of cultivating the right mindset, enduring the physical demands, and fostering the vital spiritual interconnectedness needed not only for survival, but for flourishing amidst adversity.

Drawing themes from literature by a cancer survivor and encompassing the potential of positivity, this book encapsulates the essence of resilience in the face of life's most daunting trials.

Sujets

• Santé et bien-être
• Santé du quotidien
• Santé au quotidien
• Santé au quotidien
• Cancer
• Motivation
• Survivor
• Spirituality
• Self-help

Informations

• Publié par: Archway Publishing
• Date de parution: 08 septembre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781665729222
• Langue: English

Extrait

NOT ME CANCER



WILLIAM S. LAIRD











Copyright © 2022 William S. Laird.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.



Archway Publishing
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.archwaypublishing.com
844-669-3957

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-6657-2921-5 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6657-2992-5 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-6657-2922-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022916096



Archway Publishing rev. date: 11/03/2022



Contents
Preface

Destination: Michigan
“You Have Cancer”
Surgical Results and Recovery
Post-Operative in Michigan
The Long Ride Home
Facing the Reality of Cancer
The Waiting Game
Expect the Unexpected
Preparing for Battle
Removing the Cancer
A Day at a Time
Signs of Hope
Helping Others
Life Goes On
Each Day Is a Gift
Life Moves Quickly
The Next Steps
Pushing Through
The Challenge Continues
Understanding the Situation
A Different Direction
Here We Go!
Getting Through Rough Waters
Hug Your Angels
The CT Scan Results
A Slight Delay
Continuing On with Treatments
The Final Treatments
The Long Wait
The Status of Friends
My Life Moves Forward
The Spirit of the Survivor



Preface
I really never had any intention of writing a book in my lifetime but I felt there was important messaging that I could offer in the hopes of helping others. Using my own story, I offer a testimony of surviving a tough cancer battle, though the same principles can be used for other life troubles when your own survival is at risk.
Each one of us starts our life with no real understanding of the direction it may take, or of the challenges that may present themselves along our way. As for me, the challenges were presented very early in life, which in some way may have helped prepare me for the difficulties ahead. At a year and eight months of age, I became the victim of an automobile hit-and-run. This devastating event left me hospitalized for over six months, recovering from broken bones, scarring, and the amputation of my right thumb. I did not realize it at the time, but this experience taught me how to mentally condition and physically fight for my life as I would need to do later. The experience as a young high energy boy being restrained with traction and casts was difficult. Even as a child I kept my sights on when I would be out of these constraints and able to get back to playing with others. I would have to overcome being different than others now too as I lost my thumb, and would need to stay mentally tough against the sometimes-cruel words children would use around me. All of this helped build my character very early in life.
This book is not meant in any way to be self-promotion but rather a resource for others who may be preparing for their own cancer (or other) military campaign. Through my sixty years of life I have experienced much and have gained enough wisdom on the subject of cancer to give some perspective on survival to others. Now it should be noted that I am not a medical expert. I do understand that each cancer fight is unique to the individual, and there is not a one-size-fits-all prescription for recovery. I have learned much through my own cancer journey and about others with equal cancer challenges.
I have learned through experience that the will of the human spirit, the drive to live, one’s state of mind, and the power of prayer can all be powerful factors that can impact the outcome of our own survival. I have also learned that the forces coming from around us through family, friends, co-workers, and others can affect our state of mind depending upon how we let these things influence us. I have experienced difficult surgical recovery and side effects of radiation and chemotherapy, all of which can take their toll on the cancer patient. Each cancer patient is affected differently by the communications, treatments, surgical recovery, and physical and mental tolls that each may experience. There are the ones who are heavily impacted by devastating news and the input surrounding them. There are some who must have the encouragement and the building of hope by others. There are others who can persevere through the most difficult times, whether physical or mental, and be optimistic about the future despite the cancer challenge that may exist.
Lastly, I have learned from a personal perspective that your own cancer challenge affects others deeply, causing worry and depression, physical side effects, financial burdens, and future uncertainty. It is easy to overlook the impact on others when you are in the midst of your own storms. Be aware of all of those around you who also struggle, even though you are the cancer patient.
My hopes are to connect to those who also have had the devastating news of a cancer diagnosis and to share my thoughts, personal experiences, and testimony for survival in hopes that I will have an impact on the survival of others. If successful in helping even some to survive the cancer journey, then all of my efforts here will have been well worth the experiences I have had and the time it has taken to put this book together for others.
William S. Laird



Destination: Michigan
W e had prepared for this day for months, the long trip to the upper part of the beautiful state of Michigan. Victoria and I had worked together to build a wheelchair and single-person lift for her aging parents. This unique equipment had been thought out well so that its operation was simple and, most of all, safe for these two wonderful people who had been restricted from jointly traveling from their home.
Charlotte and Ronald were both in their eighties. They had enjoyed a lifetime of love, worldwide travel, and five children who were now settled in different near and far locations. Previously, Charlotte had suffered a stroke, and this had restricted most of her time to a wheelchair. The determination of both of Victoria’s parents to be self-sufficient was truly admirable, but as the aging process continued, it created limitations on Ronald’s ability with a wheel chair to physically manipulate the door and stairway to the outside of their home. This made it impossible for them to get to appointments and to do things together beyond their home. Something had to be done, so Victoria and I decided to come up with a solution for them.
We researched the various options we had for base lifts that could be modified for our intended purpose. It did not take too long to find an electric 2,500-pound scissor lift, which had a collapsed low-profile height, proper lift height, and a workable footprint that could be used in her parents’ garage’s stairway location. It was not long before we had the scissor lift delivered, and we undertook the next steps of converting this equipment to a wheelchair and single-person lift that we would feel comfortable leaving behind for her father to operate.
The designing of this equipment was in line with my skills as a material handling solutions provider for manufacturing companies. The same things would apply as with any manufacturer’s solution, meeting the objectives for operation while maintaining safety for operators. I designed the upper part of the lift with an extruded aluminum framing for both sides and aluminum-framed entry doors on both ends. The framing would be covered with clear polycarbonate that would protect her parents from any moving parts or pinch points while in operation.
At first it seemed that the design would be simple, but as I thought through the operation, it became more complex. Charlotte in the wheelchair would always enter the lift equipment first, with Ronald coming on behind and with the responsibility for the lift operation. Door interlocks were considered so that it would not operate if either door was not closed properly. We also had to consider cable-operated door openers so that Ronald could open the lift door on the opposite side of where he would be standing on the lift. On top of all the mechanical and electrical considerations, we additionally had to consider labeling, or providing visual reminders, for every part of the equipment and for its operation for those moments when early stages of dementia impact memory. After thinking it all through, we felt as good about the lift solution