Here is the latest quote on the easel in the hallway at Princess Margaret Hospital. I look forward to these quotes every time I come here:

"She who knows others is wise; She who knows herself is enlightened."   Lao-Tzu

Well I have certainly become more enlightened during this whole "journey." I have heard many people say they learned a lot as they battled cancer and I have thought long and hard about what wisdom I may have gained through this experience.  I know I have learned to draw on an inner strength I wasn't even aware that I had. I have learned to ask for help and accept it. (Not easy for me, my silly pride usually gets in the way).  Most importantly I have learned that challenges can be overcome with incredible friends and family supporting you.  I am recently divorced (I have never mentioned this before) yet I know I am not alone.  I am a very lucky person.

Cancer has reminded me to savour the exquisite joy in the simplest things - my children's laughter, the sound of the waves on the beach, the pattern on a monarch butterfly's wings.  These are just a few examples of some of my favourite things that we all love but we are often too busy to truly appreciate.

I just left my oncologist's office; I'm a bit disappointed because the tumour hasn't shrunk any further since my last check-up three weeks ago.  However it is still half of its original size so I am confident the treatment is working.  My sixth and final chemo is this Thursday. I can't wait to get it over with!!!  I feel like I have almost reached the top of the mountain but I am running out of breath. I want this over so I can live my life again - free of cancer - wiser, stronger and hopefully even more "enlightened."

Cynthia