Do you live with the reality of cancer?

It's a daily reality, always at the back of my mind. I don't get anxious about it, but I know it's there. I may not get to grow old with my husband. He was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma 10 years ago. Numerous skin lesions have been stripped away since then.

He made 50 years. I ask myself, will he make 60? What will my life be without him if he doesn't? Is it my job to keep him well? Should I do more to make him take care of himself? It really comes down to an ancient question. "Am I my brother's keeper?" Just how far does my responsibility go?

I have come to the realization that I can only do so much. He has to own his responsibility to maintain his health. I am there to help him, but I can't force him into something he doesn't want.

Like a lot of men he works himself to exhaustion "supporting" me but is too lazy most of the time to prepare a bowl of his favorite morning treat, hot oatmeal with raisins. Once in a while he surprises me! Of course his excuse is that I'm the cook. Reality is that I love cooking. He doesn't.

Reality is that I love doing other things, too. So this morning, he's eating a healthy bowl of whole-grain Kashi cereal while I write a blog. I made his lunch yesterday, so I know he will eat well at work.

I live with cancer in the background every day, but reality is I refuse to stress out over it until I have to. I plan on enjoying my day. I hope you do, too.