Bob Linden, a patient at the Block Center, has written a couple of wonderful blogs that uniquely capture his inspirational perspective. We are grateful to be able to share his latest addition to his series, “Defying the Odds”.
Written by Bob Linden
In the 20 months since I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer, I’ve met and talked with a number of people in the cancer world… Many people find it hard to believe that I’m sick, despite the fact that I’ve had 33 rounds of chemotherapy, two surgeries, and a colostomy for 13 months, lost 45 pounds and had a bout with shingles. Many of you have had worse and I admire your strength and courage. Because of the type of program I’m receiving at the Block Center for Integrative Treatment, my quality of life has been remarkable and I’m living life to the fullest. Now, I’ve been described as an independent, strong, focused, and determined, intense and at times a cantankerous human being. I think I can honestly say that I’ve never met a challenge that I could not overcome. Many people say that my fight with cancer is just a natural instinct for me and my success is just because I am the way I am. I totally disagree with that theory. I feel that everyone has the ability to find an inner strength that can see them through even the worst situation. I can prove that we are not all born with this and that the child is not necessarily the father of the man.
Until I was about 20 years old, I would never have been described as strong, focused, determined and willing to accept any challenge. As a child I was introverted, lacked the ability to believe in myself and I was afraid to try anything. I was a bit of a rebel as hard as that sounds, the kids constantly challenged me to fights. I guess I walked to the beat of a different drummer. I got in trouble in school because I was defiant to authority all of which led me to go deeper into myself which ultimately affected my grades. In high school I was classified as the ultimate underachiever. At the tender age of 16, the studies dean told me I would never amount to anything. I got into college by the skin of my teeth, and proceeded to be thrown out in three semesters. Now comes the critical time of my life, I knew if I proceeded down this path I had chosen so far, I was headed for disaster. I was drafted by the Army and knew I was ultimately headed for Vietnam. It was at this point I had to make a decision, change my life for the better or God knows where or how I would end up. Here’s the point: Inside of me was an inner strength that I didn’t even know I had, but I needed to reach the precipice in order to find it and bring it to the forefront. It was at that point in my life, at the age of 20, that I decided I wasn’t going to be the same person. I willed myself to believe that anything that anyone threw at me I would overcome. I would become successful; I would believe in myself and believe I had the strength to do anything I set my mind to do. I could never give in or waiver from my conviction.
So from that time in my life, there’s never been a challenge I didn’t believe I could overcome. Whether it be in my personal life, my business life, social or athletic events, I never believed I could be defeated and with a lot of help from a lot of people and the grace of God, I’ve been fairly successful. Until the age of 60, life was very good and I was ready to go into cruise mode. Then came cancer and I had to find more inner strength than ever.
Now, when it comes to cancer, I believe no matter whom you are and what you have or have not accomplished in your life, you have the ability to win this battle. But you must get your mental state in proper order; you must face this head on, and realize that cancer cannot stop you from being who you are and from defining your life.
It is amazing what ordinary people can accomplish when they mentally prepare themselves. This is the inner strength of which I speak — strength which can overcome all obstacles, strength that separates every human being. There are many examples of this type of strength. Ordinary people become soldiers, go to war and survive because they have to find a way to overcome the dire situations they face. People come from poor socio-economic backgrounds to successful careers by overcoming enormous obstacles. People with physical needs find a way to function very well in society. All find inner strength because they have to make a choice between success and failure. They make a choice between ordinary and extraordinary.
I believe cancer cells know what we’re thinking. I believe they can feel our weakness and that is when they strike hard. By keeping ourselves strong, mentally and physically, we can beat cancer at its own game. I believe when cancer knows it’s up against a stronger opponent, it succumbs to the treatments we are getting, therefore giving us an upper hand. Once you’ve found your inner strength you will be surprised at the things you can accomplish. Always remember, it’s never too late to change. Or maybe you only have to improve.
This is very important, you need to challenge yourself, as the stakes are very high. Don’t let cancer defeat you; you are too important to too many people. There are too many moments in the future for you to share. There are too many lives for you to touch. Above all, you owe it to yourself because every life is precious and special.
Ordinary people do extraordinary things all the time. Now is your time to be extraordinary.
Thank you for this important message, Bob, and right when I needed it most 🙂
My husband and I live in a tiny island in the north of Venezuela called Margarita Island. We lost everything during the financial crisis in The States and decided to retire early and take it easy! Moving to Venezuela has been a veritable nightmare. After three years of intense and unimaginable stress, my husband developed colon cancer very silently (no indications of anything wrong) and by the time he had emergency surgery supposedly done to explore a possible intestinal obstruction, he had already metastized to the liver. I appreciate this article so much! Doing research, in an effort to help us cope together, I introduced him to Tai Chi and QiGong and have been doing research on the proper food he should eat. Here oncologists tell us he can eat everything and somehow that seems to be so counterlogical for me. Also, I got my first level Reiki degree and have been giving him Reiki every morning. I thank-you for your article from the bottom of my heart. I will read it to him. He is an extraordinary fellow with very positive attitude. Sometimes I think all these therapies are more for my coping than his. Godspeed!