If you’re a longtime reader of my blog, you know that I’ve been in an ongoing battle with cancer since 2014. If you’re a relatively new reader here, I want you to know that I have an exceedingly rare form of cancer known as Appendicial Carcinoma with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP).
So, why am I once again writing about my health?
The reason is that I’ll soon be undergoing another extensive surgery. That means that for now, and for at least the next few months, I need to focus 100 percent of my energy on preparing for surgery and focusing on my recovery. So, I’ll be taking an indefinite leave-of-absence from my blog, professional life, and most social media activity. I look forward to re-engaging as soon as I am able.
Meantime, if you want to learn more about my situation, just search “Pseudomyxoma Peritonei” on this site using the search bar at the right.
I also want to thank you for being a loyal blog reader and for being supportive of my various efforts, in various ways. I’m already looking forward to the day when we can re-engage.
Finally, I want you to know that I recognize that we all face challenges. So, I’m going to share with you just some of the quotes that have lifted my spirits during my darkest hours; I hope some of them will inspire you as well:
“Never give up. And never, under any circumstances, face the facts.” — Ruth Gordon
“Bwété pa tonbé.” — “Limping is not falling.” — Haitian Creole Proverb
“When you are going through hell, keep on going. Never, never, never give up.” — Winston Churchill
“You just can’t beat the person who won’t give up.” — Babe Ruth
“The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” — Rocky Balboa, movie Rocky
“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” — Japanese Proverb
“Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” — Vince Lombardi
“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” — Dale Carnegie
“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.” — Andy Warhol
“Those who believe they can do something and those who believe they can’t are both right.” — Henry Ford
“Thinking will not overcome fear but action will.” — W. Clement Stone
“Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.” — Marilyn vos Savant
“Fear. That’s the other guy’s problem.” — from movie Trading Places
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of sorrow – it empties today of strength.” — Carrie Ten Bloom
“If we all did the things we are capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves.” — Thomas Edison
“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“Don’t give up at half-time. Concentrate on winning the second half.” — Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant
“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” — Coach John Wooden
So, what are your favorite inspirational quotes that have helped you through tough times?
That’s what Michael Rosen says… What do you say?
UPDATE (November 2017): I’m back! You can read about my successful fight with cancer in my return post, “Do the Numbers Tell the Full Story?“