I recently read Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search For Meaning”. Frankl’s core message is that humans can make it through just about anything if they can hold a vision of the future in their mind 

It’s been 5 months since I was told I have Multiple Myeloma, a cancer with no cure. I’m now a few days away from a stem cell transplant, which I’m doing so I can have a longer, healthier remission. The doctors say that remission is all about getting back to living and doing the things that bring us joy. That’s a beautiful thing, and what makes the difficulty of the transplant worth going through.

The information on thriving through cancer treatments tells us that during the hardest days, if we can focus on the life we’ll live during remission, we will get through the treatments stronger, better, happier, and we will thrive. I absolutely believe in the power of positivity and vision to heal.

I just have one problem; despite all my efforts, I have been unable to envision my life during remission.  

I have felt positive and hopeful and have been generally successful at being cheerful through the treatments of the past five months. This is possible because of my hope in the promises of Eternal Life. I can see myself there, experiencing a fulness of joy with my family. I can even envision my time in the Spirit World, where I will get to be with my loved ones who have passed away and spend my time before resurrection sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people who want to understand it. I feel certain about all this, despite knowing relatively little about both of these places.

But what about the time in between now and immortality? I should be able to see that very clearly. Yet for five months, I have been unable to. I have felt like I’m looking into deep fog; nothing seemed clear about life in remission. It’s been frustrating and a bit worrying: I’ve wondered if it was a message (one I didn’t want to hear).

Last week it finally changed. I could see myself, after the transplant, spending time with my children and grandchildren, being physically active, being able to serve, maybe travelling again, working hard (instead of endless puttering), even getting up early each day, which only happens lately when I have a morning doctor appointment. It’s a beautiful thing. And I’m sure I know what made it possible.

Last week, for the first time in seven months, I had a week of feeling healthy. Nine strong days in a row! Even with having a bone marrow biopsy and knee aspiration at the beginning of the week, I felt good! I woke up each day ready to tackle the world. That is how I have felt for most of my life. I felt like myself again and had a wonderful week. And with one week of “normal”, I could envision my life during remission, ready to tackle the world each day. I’m so excited for it.