On Surviving Cancer

There is a cruel myth about surviving cancer. 

In this myth, when medical treatment is successful, the story ends. 

Having survived cancer, 

we pick up our lives where they were interrupted and carry on-- 

with increased gratitude for the simple acts of daily life and the clarity of purpose

 that only a brush with death affords. 

In this myth, cancer is a blessing in disguise.

 關於癌症存活 有一個殘酷的迷思。 

開完刀做完化療、故事結束。

 做為癌症存活者 我們恢復正常生活繼續過日子 

心懷感恩而且更知福惜福 因為大難不死必有後福 

在這個迷思裡 癌症是因禍得福。

 Though the myth has some truth,

 it is cruel because it is impossible to live. 

The real story does not end "happily ever after." 

Instead, we live in limbo:

 after cancer we know that we are on uncertain ground. 

 這個迷思確實有一點道里 但是卻殘酷 

因為我們並不是從此過著幸福快樂的日子 

而是活在無間道 

罹癌之後 

人生從此無常 

 In the beginning, we think that limbo is only as large as our cancer: 

Will I live or will I die from this disease?

 Then we get the lightening bolt. 

Limbo is the borderland where we will live for the rest of our lives. 

Although we cannot control our fate, 

we must do more than wait. 

We are responsible for how we live in whatever time we have, 

and whenever time is up, we will face our death again. 

That is the awesome, awful truth of limbo. 

 一開始， 癌症佔據一切 我可以活下去還是會死掉？ 

然後如晴天霹靂 我們意識到：

從此墜入無間道 命運無法掌握，

 除了等待之餘 也要為自己的餘生負起責任 

總有一天，還是得面對死亡 這就是令人敬畏的真相。 

 ~Dancing in Limbo, Glenna Halvorson-Boyd & Lisa K. Hunter