The 180% Life
July 6, 2013
By: Victoria David
It’s been over five years since my diagnosis, and three since I’ve completed treatment. It’s interesting to think back to the person I was pre-diagnosis and see how I have changed. I must admit, I was diagnosed in my mid-twenties and still had a lot of growing up to do. I am a very different person now – and I think some of that can be attributed to the cancer experience, but the remainder largely to growing up.
Perhaps the biggest change is my attempt to approach life with a “live in the now” philosophy. I no longer hold this theory that I will live to 90; I think odds are on my side, but I don’t count on it. As a consequence, I created a bucket list. Most people have heard of a bucket list – a list of things someone wants to accomplish before they “kick the bucket”. I have had this bucket list for almost four years now, and continuously add, remove and cross things off the list. Some examples include racing a half ironman (completed!), learning to ride a unicycle and learning to play guitar. As you can see, it’s all fun and games. The bucket list is really about articulating goals, and keeping life exciting. As a note, the bucket list was renamed the “180% list” in 2011 after a friend suggested this title might be more appropriate. Her theory was that I tended to live life at 180% and this would be a fun way to personalize the list.
Now my cancer diagnosis and subsequent learning has also deeply impacted my career. As a young adult navigating a health care system largely designed for older patients, I became aware of the specific challenges young adults face. As a result, I have spent the past four years volunteering in various ways to help cancer patients (particularly young adults): either in the hospital, or through advocacy work or fundraising events. Simultaneously, I have been working as a water policy advisor in Calgary. During this time, it has become clear that my career was not nearly as meaningful as my volunteer work. So last summer, perhaps practicing my “live in the now” philosophy, I walked away from my career and enrolled at the University of Calgary – registering for all the prerequisite courses required for medical school. I then applied to medical school, knowing full well most applicants get rejected. I suspect I would never have considered such a high-risk move pre-diagnosis. Somehow, it all worked out. I was formally offered a seat and begin studies in July. I look forward to this next chapter in my life.
Overall, my cancer diagnosis gave me a sense of appreciation for life. I recognized I needed to enjoy every day, and live out my adventures now. At the same time, it helped me recognize the value in a rewarding job, and to ultimately re-orient my career path. Through all my adventures over the past few years, I have learned that anything is possible. So, to anyone who has a crazy dream that you think is too hard, impossible or crazy, I say: go for it.
