Choices & Alternatives

The more alternatives, the more difficult the choices.

I was talking with 2 coworkers today and one asked the other, "Don't you think she is so brave? I just wouldn't know what I would do." My response was, "What other choice is there?" What's the alternative? It isn't as if you can simply admit defeat. At least I can't. My b/c diagnosis is not the worst thing that could happen to me, or to anyone for that matter. Yes, it's a bad thing and yes it is scary but at least I have choices and opportunities. Some women with this disease, and so many people with other illnesses have no choice. I am not terminal, or paralyzed or even handicapped for that matter.

I had just said to the other co-worker that this b/c has left me having to make some difficult choices and I really didn't like that part of my treatment and I thought I, as a patient, should not be put in that position. You go to a doctor because they are the expert, and you expect them to determine your treatment plan. You expect them to advise you, guide you, even take the control out of your own hands. You expect them to be the one to make the tough calls, such as, "Would you prefer a lumpectomy + 6 weeks of radiation, or a mastectomy and no radiation?"

Really? Seriously...which would I PREFER? Well, as a matter of fact, since you are asking me, I quite honestly prefer NEITHER of those choices. Just the same as when facing the decision of which dessert to choose I preferably choose not to make a choice at all and have everything on the dessert menu! With regards to my treatment, I would prefer neither but what's the alternative? Like choosing all the deserts, not choosing between the two surgeries simply would not have been conducive to good health and long living.

The moral of this blog is be thankful when you have the opportunity to make a choice. Consider the alternative; you could have nothing. Up until I starting blogging this evening (on a somewhat unrealated topic) I hadn't realized just how fortunate I was to have been given a choice to make. As you know, I chose the lumpectomy + radiation.

I read this quote once and tucked it way, instantly feeling the depth in the simplicity of it:

Life is the sum of all your choices.  ~Albert Camus
~ Choose wisely (my 2 cents!)