Wilson had colon cancer in two locations in the large intestine, and after an operation to remove the cancer, he received news on Christmas Eve in 1998 that a second operation to take out the entire colon would be necessary. Each of the staff members diagnosed with cancer came to terms with the burden of the disease, and learned how to deal with the reality of its presence. It certainly makes you stop and take stock of your life, Liebert said. In the mornings, I used to wake up and charge into the day. Now, I greet each new day with gratefulness.
Every day is a gift.
Liebert was diagnosed with breast cancer, and received a lumpectomy as a result. Her battle with cancer was six years ago. Some people respond by thinking cancer is a death sentence, while others want to know how they can beat this together with the doctors, McGonigal said. Attitude is huge. How I choose to think about my illness and how I feel about it has a lot to do with how I treat the disease, McGonigal said.