Last Friday I had my annual appointment with my consultant at the hospital where I had my initial surgery. It's strange to think that 6 years ago I was in hospital recovering from that surgery. Six years!
I have been immensely fortunate that I have been clear of cancer for the last 4 years.
Chatting to my consultant he said that they would continue to have a CT Scan every year for the next few years. Ordinarily he would discharge me from his clinic but because my cancer spread to my liver and lungs he thought it wise to monitor me for a while. I was so relieved to her this news.
Then he went onto say that given where I had been 4 years ago I had done amazingly well. This was unexpected so i asked him why? Because only 10% of people normally survive for the period of time that you have following your prognosis. I was astounded!
I vowed ages ago that I would pay no attention to statistics for survival as I believed that everyone is different and statistics are just too general. I have never compared my recovery or illness with anyone else. I am so relieved that I did not as imagine how the last 4 years would have been if I had known what my survival percentage was!
So never compare yourself to others as you are you and not that someone else! You have no idea what their life or journey is all about.
RSS Feed
