Heavy moments of thought

Stage 4 lung cancer has dreary survival rates. The average life expectancy is 8 months. I am at four month now since my diagnosis. Only 4% are still alive after 5 years.

With that said, I do have the best kind of stage 4 cancer, and to give survival rates after 5 years, obviously the statistics are dated. New treatments have undoubtedly improved the statistics for me.

But I am at a crossroads. Do I continue working or do I retire? I’ve done the math. I can live for seven years (the same lifestyle I have today) without having to sell my house.  At that point I would have to live off the proceeds of my vast real estate holdings.

But there are variables.

What if Obamacare (the Affordable Care Act) is done in with? I guess I could move down under the Interstate Bridge. It is really pretty down there. There is plenty of fresh water from the Hood River and lots of company.

Harsh memory: sitting on the deck on the Bald Eagle Island. Nick and Bob are trashing the whole idea of the idea of Obamacare; too expensive, too unreliable, too this that and the other thing. I’d be very interested to hear what they think I should do.

I have an appointment with my primary care physician on Monday and my oncologist on Tuesday. I will ask them both if I am eligible for long term disability. I will ask my primary care physician if she is willing to follow the Death With Dignity act, or at least if she will refer me to someone who will. My oncologist works for Providence, and I know that is forbidden for her.

But the next step is up to me. What do I do?