We’ve heard the profound phrases, like:

• That which does not kill us, makes us stronger. –Nietzsche
• Sweet are the uses of adversity which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head. –Shakespeare
• You can’t always get what you want. You get what you need. –Rolling Stones

Those phrases are helpful with cancer, but I think most of us go through an emotional body blow for a while. I’ve cried hard, unexpectedly felt my voice tremble when talking about it, and had moments where my mood surprised me. But looking back, all that happened more at first than recently. That’s not really profound, but it’s still important to consider.

In important ways, I’m lucky. My cancer could have been caught earlier, but it was still caught early. There are few certainties with this stuff, but there many good signs. I like evidence, so one good sign is the 15 year study of hundreds of men like me who did very well with treatment, which I’ll start soon. Another good sign has been how fast I’ve recovered in the past, which I attribute to staying fit. Yet another good sign is that I have access at the best place in the world for prostate cancer, the Mayo Clinic. A final good sign is a question I’ve asked a few of my doctors. “Am I going to live to 70?” Their answer has consistently been, “Why just 70?”

Of course, I still have some fear, and it will probably go up and down like other emotions. Even recently, I’ve feared my upcoming treatment, but I’ve dealt with it. In my case, I spend time on long bike rides, writing stories, and watching some Shakespeare.

It’s interesting how the phrases at the top of this post have different meanings during different weeks, months, and years. Sometimes, they really are profound, and other times, they’re annoying or pithy. Right now, I see them as a goal to strive for, to feel more often than not. Cancer is a big challenge, but like others, we need to inch forward emotionally slightly more often than the other direction.

Sometime, I need to write more about dignity. It’s why I like to dress well, at least well-enough, why I don’t like to swear, why I like to treat people with respect, and increasingly, why I don’t want to get too fearful of cancer. Some fear is inevitable, but too much lacks dignity.