Lessons Learned by Deb Aseltine Posted on my refrigerator is a simple quote. It is written on a crumpled piece of paper and it something my husband said to me everyday last year “one step closer”. One step closer to being cancer free became my mission ever since I was diagnosed with colon cancer on May 14, 2009. I was so lucky that my general practitioner encouraged me to have a colonoscopy. I had just turned 50 that year.  I never once imagined I would walk away with a cancer diagnosis. I thought my bleeding was due to my love of running. So I continued to convince myself that the bleeding was runner’s bleed. First lesson learned, always seek professional help when you have any question. There were a lot of other lessons that I learned throughout my cancer treatment. Lessons that always provided me with the continued hope to keep moving forward.  That’s where the “one step closer” quote came into my life. I always felt that the treatments were the stimulus to truly getting well.  I never once asked, “Why did this happen to me”.  I always believed that by following the protocol I would be one step closer to being cancer free. Second lesson learned, just believe. Another force that gave me energy was the support I received from my family and friends. I know when the going got tough, I would dig deep and find an inner strength helping to nourish the soul. I could see on the faces of those closest to me their determination to help me be strong. “Positivity” was a word my mother used in our daily conversations. I believe it means positive activity. Third lesson learned, the power of positive thinking is extraordinary. Positive thinking put a smile on my face. One of my doctors said to me right after my surgery, “You didn’t know what the future would bring before you had cancer and now that you were diagnosed, you still don’t know what the future will bring.” I needed to learn to live for the now. Not for the past, not for the future, but for what is going on in my life now.  I savor my morning runs now. Not that I didn’t before, but they are definitely different.  Running has always been part of who I am, but now it takes on a new meaning.  It is the time where I reinforce my faith and renew my energy. Fourth lesson learned, live for today while taking time to exercise the mind and body. While I have experienced much through this past year, I above all consider myself one of the most fortunate people. I have continued to move forward with complete optimism and hope.  This is what “one step closer” means to me.  It is the opportunity to make the most of your life and never look back. Always believe.