I have been thinking deep thoughts lately…more of the profound variety, as opposed to the Saturday Night Live/Jack Handy variety.  I am very much at peace these days, which gives me room to assess and analyze life, the universe, and everything.  (Now I am forced to say 42, just to be silly for you Douglas Adams fans.)

A lot of reading material indicates that the initial trigger for cellular change for cancer occurs approximately 20 years prior to the detection of tumors.  Twenty years prior to this summer, my mother had cancer for the second time.  I don’t think that was my trigger.

All my life, everyone has observed that I am very “nice.”  For the most part, I am.  Perhaps too nice, as my “take no prisoners” daughter once told me.  (By the way, it is moderately humiliating to have a child inform you that you are too nice to people.)

Not having firm boundaries creates stress.  And stress, as every doctor says, is one of the causes of cancer.  Although I am not what you could call an “ass-kicker,” I have been establishing boundaries over the course of this strange cancer adventure.  I know it is coming as a shock to some people.  And I know I am drawing that line in the sand in my own “nice” way…  Just remember: there’s more than one way to skin a cat.  I may not throw a punch, or yell or scream, but the message gets through loud and clear.

I am not going to repeat this experience in my lifetime.  I am not going to be knocked down by it either.  Nor am I going to return to my quiet life of avoidance, in which I ignore potential conflict and don’t speak up for myself.

Conclusion:  I think lack of established boundaries caused cancer for me.  Outcome:  Look out, world!

Blessings to you all…  I will be here getting chemo, and taking names! 🙂