Who are we? When we get the cancer diagnosis, cancer and the urge to survive dominate our lives. Depending on the stage of diagnosis, it happens at different levels. Stage 1 and 2 folks seem to learn to tip toe through their normal lives with cancer carried along as a silent companion slipped into pockets of existing pants, jackets and bags. Stage 3 and 4 folks, well, our cancer seems to barely fit in an oversized tote bag making our old scramble through life clearly marred with this weight. We put it down but there it sits, waiting for us to pick it back up because, sigh, it is our burden to carry. It is heavy. It is awkward. It often makes it into a room before we do – like a nine-month pregnant woman’s belly except we arrive to silence and discomfort.
The other day on facebook I found a post that delighted me. A woman I know only virtually and through cancer advocacy (we both have advanced, recurrent ovarian cancer and worked hard to expose the drug shortages and get doxil back in use) had found me mentioned in an article in Yes! Magazine. It was the former Marcy, the community organizer Marcy, the Marcy who loved her life.
And I loved having my worlds meet. Yes, I have terminal cancer. And yes, I have a life. I am still trying to make the world a better place even if the hours I can dedicate to it are lessened by treatments and being in my closing phase of life.
And if you want to meet the Marcy who is a community organizer (and has terminal cancer) please read this article A Caring Economy Requires Building Bridges—Not Burning Them – Traditional organizing makes opponents into “enemies,” but a new crop of activists is using love and empathy to create new alliances and possibilities.
I can accept and love my current life the most when it accommodates all of me.
livingly dying 
Thank you once again for your eloquence and wisdom about your cancer and its place in your world, as well as in the words from the article. To me you are both Marcys – brave, strong and honest. Building bridges and opportunities for all of us to look inside ourselves to ask “why” and “what next”.
i love your blog – i love what you have to say. you are not only trying to make the world a better place – you are doing so – and I thank you.
i will read this article. have a nice week!
Marcy, Love your blog, it is inspiring and beautiful.
That is a really good one – short and powerful Kinda like you (except you’re not that short).
Thank you Marcy, for the gift of your words. I carry them with me and think of you often. Adele