The Upside of Cancer
Friday, April 29, 2011
By: Jim Payton

As a two-time survivor, I wanted to share my story, and was fortunate enough to recently have it published in the KW Record

It's amazing how quickly things can change.
Six months ago, I was putting my name forward to be part of The Record's community editorial board, eager for a chance to rant and rave about the things that drive me nuts on a daily basis. And then, in mid-January, I was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer.
We all know someone who has, or has already had, cancer. Here are a couple of statistic, courtesy of the cancer.ca website :
Based on 2009 incidence rates, 40per cent of Canadian women and 45 per cent of men will develop cancer during their lifetimes.
An estimated one out of every four Canadians are expected to die from cancer.
Now the statistics are certainly compelling and scary. But I'd like to tell you about the other side of cancer ... the part you don't see in the statistics.
So, here, I present to you: The Upside of Cancer
Cancer is a nasty illness, no argument. But it has its positive aspects, too. Here are a few points to keep in mind.
I used to get up in the morning and immediately head to the shower to help eliminate my "bed-head" before heading out to work. But nowadays, that's not an issue. Thanks to chemotherapy, I have no hair to worry about. There are really lots of plusses to this -- no money spent on hair products; no barber or hairstylist costs; and no worries about grey hair.
I used to think a lot of my peers were going for the "bare-metal" look on top because their hair was falling out, but now I see it was just a matter of convenience.
I can get away with wearing a hat almost anywhere. My son is a bit of a Leafs fan (sorry), and he gave me a hat to wear with their logo on it. Now you tell me who’s going to tell the guy with cancer he can't wear a hat to keep his head warm?
Before the cancer took hold, I weighed in at a hefty 215 pounds. Then, compliments of the cancer symptoms and the necessary chemo (with its accompanying nausea), I lost about 34 pounds, and it seems my body has now settled in happily at about 187 all within the space of about eight weeks. Sorry South Beach, but I don't think you could offer the same.
A get-out-of-work free pass. Not that I ever used this, but I have heard from others that people at work are far more forgiving of delays and oversights, because they are being accommodating. Again, I personally have never tried this, but I heard it happens... Apparently, the same thing applies for work at home. My boys aren't too happy with this knowledge in my hands; they're now the ones doing the work I'm not doing.
Yes, there's definitely a cost to buying new clothes, but I can at least get something that was made in this millennium. And I no longer need to use my belt as a girdle.
Now some might read this and be shocked at the light-hearted way I'm talking about cancer, but as a two-time survivor (well, I'm working on number two), I think I've earned the right. One thing that I have learned through these experiences is that the attitude you have affects the results you experience, just as in other areas of life. If that message helps one person dealing with cancer, I will be proud of this article.
In closing, may I just say a huge thank you to the amazing staff and volunteers at the Grand River Cancer Centre. They are amazing people doing an incredibly tough job with both compassion and professionalism. My attitude about my cancer has certainly been enhanced by the great heart they bring to what is most certainly a scary experience.
(http://bit.ly/jPlymg)