Cancer Diary: Plan Ahead, Even If You Are Not at Risk for Cancer
Carl was not at risk for cancer. We did nothing to prepare. The thought never crossed our mind that we should do something. Then, it hit: a fall, a diagnosis, and five months left to live. It would have been so helpful to have had many things settled in advance that we had to decide on the spur of the moment -- and not necessarily well. Cancer doesn't send a warning letter. It arrives without invitation, disrupting lives and leaving little room for thoughtful planning. While we hope to never face this diagnosis, the reality is sobering: nearly 40% of Americans will develop cancer in their lifetime. This prevalence suggests that preparing—even when healthy—is not pessimistic but prudent. When cancer strikes, the whirlwind of doctor appointments, treatment decisions, and emotional processing consumes every available moment. There's rarely time to suddenly improve your nutritional habits, establish an exercise routine, or arrange complex financial and legal affairs. The founda...