Staying motivated in a long cancer treatment process is not like going on the family vacation and enduring the long ride to your vacation destination as your motivation dwindles because the car ride lasts longer than your motivational spirit. But once you've reach your vacation destination, the long journey seems tolerable and is forgotten as your motivation and excitement about arriving return.
I was fortunate that my cancer treatment only lasted 13 months. But 13 months can seem like eternity when every day is filled with enduring the numerous side effects treatment doles out, the pain and discomfort from the treatment itself, be it from chemo, radiation and surgery. The nauseousness, dehydration, diarrhea, constipation, flu-like symptoms and all the other treatment related discomforts and aggravations the treatment process bestows on you, doesn't lend itself to staying motivated over a long duration of treatment.
To stay motivated during treatment requires work and the ability to identify motivating factors ( little things that help you keep your attitude and avoid depression). These can be as simple as: finishing the last treatment for the week and enjoying the week end; having a day when the nauseousness is more tolerable; being told your blood work results are improving; carrying a few songs in your head that you feel have personal meaning and help you stay motivated.
During my treatment I carried several songs in my head that always seemed to percolate up. These were: "It's a Great Day to be Alive" by Travis Tritt; "Center Field" by John Fogerty; "Shape I'm In" by The Arc Angels; and "How Sweet It Is" by James Taylor. I recently heard a great song that just came out and I would have included in that list. I recommend you consider carrying it around in your head. The song is by Reba McEntire, titled " Livin' Ain't Killed Me Yet ". The following are the words to the song I thought I would share with you. The song is a Country Rock fast beat song you can enjoy and most cancer patients should relate to.
"Living Ain't Killed Me Yet"
Life will throw you a curve ball
Back against a brick wall
Push you right up to the edge
It'll hit you from your blind side
Kick you in the backside
Barely even break a sweat
It's a roll with the punches
Funny little life we lead
Oh, but I'm in it for the long haul
Win, lose or draw, y'all
It won't get the best of me
Cause I been down to the wire
With my feet to the fire
But this livin' ain't killed me yet
Well I been tested and tried
But I still got some fight
No, this livin' ain't killed me,
Livin' ain't killed me yet
I won't let a couple mistakes
Wrong turns that I've made
Be a noose around my neck
Hurt will hurt if you let it
Unless you just forget it
Shake it off, and say what's next
It's an up down, spin around
crazy kinda world we're in, oh yeah
But I'm in it for the long haul, win, lose or draw
Might fall, but I'll get up again
Cause I been down to the wire
With my feet to the wire
But this livin' ain't killed me yet
Well I been tested and tried
But I still got some fight
No, this livin' ain't killed me,
Livin' ain't killed me yet
Oh, I'm in it for the long haul
Win, lose or draw
As long as I've got air to breathe
Ah, it won't get the best of me!
Cause I been down to the wire
With my feet to the fire
But this livin' ain't killed me yet
I been tested and tried
But I still got some fight
No, this livin' ain't killed me,
Livin' ain't killed me,
livin' ain't killed me oh oh oh yet
Nawww yet.
Push you right up to the edge
It'll hit you from your blind side
Kick you in the backside
Barely even break a sweat
It's a roll with the punches
Funny little life we lead
Oh, but I'm in it for the long haul
Win, lose or draw, y'all
It won't get the best of me
Cause I been down to the wire
With my feet to the fire
But this livin' ain't killed me yet
Well I been tested and tried
But I still got some fight
No, this livin' ain't killed me,
Livin' ain't killed me yet
I won't let a couple mistakes
Wrong turns that I've made
Be a noose around my neck
Hurt will hurt if you let it
Unless you just forget it
Shake it off, and say what's next
It's an up down, spin around
crazy kinda world we're in, oh yeah
But I'm in it for the long haul, win, lose or draw
Might fall, but I'll get up again
Cause I been down to the wire
With my feet to the wire
But this livin' ain't killed me yet
Well I been tested and tried
But I still got some fight
No, this livin' ain't killed me,
Livin' ain't killed me yet
Oh, I'm in it for the long haul
Win, lose or draw
As long as I've got air to breathe
Ah, it won't get the best of me!
Cause I been down to the wire
With my feet to the fire
But this livin' ain't killed me yet
I been tested and tried
But I still got some fight
No, this livin' ain't killed me,
Livin' ain't killed me,
livin' ain't killed me oh oh oh yet
Nawww yet.
Staying motivate ain't easy in a long cancer treatment. You need to find the mechanisms that will help you when you need motivation the most and livin' ain't killed you yet.
Stay strong, keep your sense of humor and never give up.
