MY CANCER ADVENTURE
Episode 11
“Am I Cured?”
Confirmation bias – the tendency to find evidence that supports or confirms one’s beliefs, expectations, notions, points-of-view, etc. This bias can be positive or negative, constructive or destructive.
Self-fulfilling prophecy – a statement or mindset that modifies or alters behaviors and actions, to become true. Self-fulfilling prophecies can also be positive or negative, constructive of destructive.
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During the follow-up visit with my surgeon, I asked him, “When people ask if I’m cured, what should I say?”
He replied, “probably.”
The likelihood of being cancer-free after my surgery is very, very high, but it can’t be determined with absolute certainty … yet.
I will have a PSA test twice yearly for five years.
At the beginning of this adventure, I made a prophecy: “somehow this will make me a better person.” I could have just as easily predicted that my life would be miserable, and I suppose I could have created that outcome as well.
In the mean time, I am feeling quite good and except for a couple of ‘plumbing’ issues (which will resolve in time), functioning normally.
I am fortunate. This is my chosen “confirmation bias” – created and nurtured over 30 years of consciously choosing optimism over pessimism. Though I was not always successful, the long-term positive outlook eventually became my brain’s default setting.
Good thing.
I could see myself as an “unlucky” person to have had cancer … or a “lucky” person to have caught it early enough, before it spread beyond the prostate.
When you decide to see yourself as a fortunate, blessed, “lucky” person … you will find evidence everywhere! This may take some practice, but it’s definitely worth it – especially during challenging times. Easiest way? Once a day, write down five things that make you feel grateful.
This will probably be the last chapter in “My Cancer Adventure” series for a while. If there are any significant updates, I will keep you, my valued friends and readers, in the loop.
And speaking of valued friends and readers … I am so very grateful for your kind and generous support. Your prayers and positive thoughts mean the world to me. Most of all, my wife Lynne gets the lion’s share of the credit for the relative smoothness of this “adventure.” Our five-year wedding anniversary is next month – truly the very best five years of my life.
Much love,
Jerry
PS: I have created a new workshop and keynote speech for businesses, organizations and events – WAYS TO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE ADVERSITY: What To Do When Things Don’t Exactly Go Your Way. If you’re interested, send me an e-mail – posgroup@aol.com
Thanks, and very best wishes to you and yours!
JerryPosner's Blog 
Bravo . . . . ! ❤
Thank you, Jerry for keeping us up to date with this adventure. Positive thoughts, always. Eileen
ps. Happy 5th anniversary to you and Lynne!
September 11, 2011… an auspicious date (don’t you think)… that was the date I got the phone call from Mass General that my pathology report came back from my melanoma surgery. My sentinel lymph node was negative for metastatic melanoma and all the margins were contained in the wide excision of the lesion. Yeah !!! I’ve been going back to Mass General every three months for the past year, My one year appointment is September 21. Then I go every six months. Am I cured? Did one cell or more get through and are working undetected somewhere else? Who knows? Am I a cancer survivor? It remains to be seen. In the meantime, I just live my life.
Thank you for your series on your cancer story. I hope to be able to attend your lecture on adversity someday. Happy Anniversary.
Pat – thank you for connecting and sharing. Very much appreciated!
This is “typical Jerry”: STRONG, positive, inquiring, out-reaching. Quite frankly, you were unbeatable to begin with. Now, teamed up with Lynn, well…What is BEYOND unbeatable?! You draw positive energy your way, because you are consistently sending it forth to others. Thank you for sharing your story, Jerry. You have made a bigger difference than you will ever know.
Anne – many thanks for your very kind comments!
Dear Jeriluh,
Oh my gosh & golly gee
seems safe to say, you’re cancer-FREE!!
Keep carrying on, for the world to see
cause you’re important to us all – especially me!!
With the usual dose of love & gratitude for your existence…k.
Jerry,
Thanks for being so open about sharing your “adventure”. I am very glad to hear that you are doing well, and that the prognosis is very positive.
A voice from the past,
Don
Hi Jerry,
Many thanks for the update, and congratulations.
Best,
Paul
I’m so happy that you are “probably” cured! What a wonderful outlook you have had through this experience and while we all have challenges in life, to be able to look at them positively certainly creates the best outcome possible! You are truly a kind and gentle man who deserves a long and healthy life. All my best, my friend!
Luanne