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I started this blog as I entered my 40th year, and now firmly in my 40s, I continue to learn so much about life. I'm learning that life rarely goes according to plan and that there's something new to learn every single day, be it a subtle nudge or a smack in the face.... This is my blog about muddling through my 40s-working hard, writing a book, being an ammateur photographer, trying to exercise and eat well, endeavouring to be the world's best aunt, as well as having fun and laughing out loud every single day.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Q is for Quality of Life


Quality versus Quantity.  That eternal dilemma.  For me at least.  I used to lie awake at night working out my likely lifespan based on the average ages of my four grandparents.  I figured that with my relatively healthy lifestyle, I was a sure thing to reach 90.

Ninety felt like forever away and I felt content that I would have a long future ahead of me.  Plenty of time.  I still had 2/3 of my life ahead of me.  More in front than behind.  What a great position to be in.

Then I got cancer.  Regardless of whether the cancer returns, my life is more likely to be shorter than I once thought.  I wonder now that if it did come back, knowing it would be terminal as there is currently no real cure for secondary cancer, would I choose to go through treatment again. 

Would I choose to be so very sick, with no energy, sleeping most of the day, wishing it would end, in the hope that the treatment might add months, or if lucky, a year, to my life?  Or would I prefer to make the most of my time left.  Prioritising the people and the places that I’d like to spend my precious time, feeling well, at least initially.  I’d be able to enjoy food, and think clearly.  I’d be able to make more choices about what to do with my time, albeit shortened.  Short but sweet perhaps?

Not having children would help make the decision easier I think.  People want to live for their children, their family, their milestones.  I wouldn’t necessarily have that and maybe that would make my decision easier to choose quality over quantity.

One thing’s for sure, irrespective of how long I have I’m aiming for a high quality of life every single day.  Maybe you should too.

16 comments:

  1. Well expressed. We all should seek quality over quantity. I haven't always done that, I'm afraid. But I intend to start now. Thanks for this post, Jodie!

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  2. Oh, Jodie, so right you are! Plan for the future, but live as if this is our last day! I am sorry that cancer has touched you so personally. You have a wonderful attitude that we can all learn from!

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    1. Thank you Judy. I'm so grateful every day for what it has brought to my life. x

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  3. Jodi, my pink sister, I have had these same thoughts. When I was younger I couldn't understand that anyone would chose quality over quantity but age and experience has taught me differnt. Now I believe it is all about the ride, not the destination. Be well.

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    1. I know you get it my pink sister! You be well too. x

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  4. Good post! So glad to find your blog. New follower here. I'm stopping by from the "A to Z" challenge and I look forward to visiting again.

    Sylvia
    http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks so much Sylvia - hope you're having a great A-Z challenge. I've just returned the favour and checked out your blog - awesome! For some reason I'm having trouble following, but I'll figure it out.

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  5. My dear sweet friend, the thought of losing you hurts! Quality it is. Every day, every hour, every minute, every second xxxxx

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    1. Well lucky I'm not going anywhere and will be here to annoy you into our nineties! xx

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  6. I'm going to add something to my previous post. You have no idea how much I've thought about this since you posted it. And I say amen to the comment by Vicki Paulus. It's about the ride.

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    1. Thanks Rocky - your comments always make me feel so good!

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  7. Wonderful thoughts,beautifully said. Yes - the quality of the journey. Thank you for the reminder.

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  8. I like the quality vs. quantity debate frames as "gourmet vs. gourmand," which I wrote about for G on my blog. The gourmet likes high quality meals, whereas the gourmand just likes a lot of it! Interestingly, I find this cuisine divide comes out a lot in French vs. English-speaking cultures. Certainly in French vs. Americans. I think both have their place (hey, if you're starving, you probably want a LOT of food, not just one perfect shrimp!), though yes, quality is often preferable to quantity. Hope you are enjoying your A to Z ride!

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    1. Oh I'll definitely check out your blog. I wasn't thinking about food when I wrote mine and I agree - it certainly changes the debate! I remember a Buddhist monk saying once though, if chocolate biscuits made us happy, the more of them we ate, the happier we should become......... food for thought!

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    2. Oh that's such a great point - and I certainly wasn't thinking of food when I wrote it. It reminds me of something I heard a Buddhist monk say once - "If chocolate biscuits made us happy, surely the more of them we ate, the happier we would become....." Food for thought! Enjoy the last leg of the challenge!

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