Second Chances

Since being diagnosed with cancer six years ago, my life has been a wild and unpredictable ride. I have heard from friends, family and even hospital staff that the life I am living at 30 years old is unfathomable. Many of them have expressed to me that if they didn't know me, they wouldn't believe my story. I don't blame them. This is not the life I expected to live for the past six years. Unfortunately, there isn't much I can do to change my situation. I wake up everyday with cancer and I go to bed each night with cancer. There are many moments that I feel I am past my breaking point. I feel I could shatter and crumble at anytime. I am asking all of you to help me. Don't let me fall again. Don't let my remains be swept away. I am not yet ready to lay down and die. I ask each of you to give me strength when I am weak. Give me courage when I am afraid. Please give me the hope for a second chance at life. Sometimes we all need a second chance because life wasn't quite ready for us the first time around.

I believe that life is an opportunity, we all deserve to benefit from. Life is beauty, and we should all admire it. Life is a dream, only if we choose to realize it. Life is a challenge, instead of giving into it we must meet it. Life is a duty, and we all have the right to complete it. Life is a game, we all get to choose how we play it. Life is a promise, never forget to fulfill it. Life is sorrow, we all must overcome it. Life is a song, don't ever be afraid to sing it out loud. Life is a struggle, learn to accept it and make it work in your favor. Life is tragedy, at some point we all must confront it. Life is an adventure, dare to jump into it without looking back. Life is luck, some of it is luck we make, other times it is luck that we happily stumble upon. Life is much too precious, do anything and everything not to destroy it. Life is a gift, fight for it!

I hope that one day I will get a second chance. A chance at a life free of cancer and free of so many daily challenges. Life will never be easy, or stress free, but I would be elated if I could stay away from hospitals for an extended period of time. 

If I were given the opportunity for a second chance at life, or a "do over" I would embrace every possibility at a blissful and successful life.

The one thing that will remain constant in my life, with or without cancer is my drive to make everyday worth living. Each morning I tell myself to let my smile change the world, and to never let the world take the smile off my face. Smiles are contagious and an effortless way to brighten even the darkest of days. 

No one can ever guarantee everyday will be cheerful and bright, but no one can ever take away your spirit and spunk. Always allow yourself to feel each and every emotion that enters your mind, but do not dwell in the negative moments. Life is perpetually evolving. Things will get better with time. 

I am going to sound terribly cliché here, so please forgive me. Always remember that "This too shall pass". 

Live the life you want to live. Don't let anyone dictate who your are or whom you will become. Only you can live your "Best Life". Welcome the good experiences along with the bad. Both will make us stronger, wiser, and happier people. That is what we all strive for, right? Give yourself as many second chances you need to live your "happily ever after"!