Choice in the Face of Cancer: Inspired by Rhio

James “Rhio” O’ Connor found an alternative with fighting and living with a deadly cancer (Mesothelioma). Rhio was diagnosed with Mesothelioma which is a rare type of cancer in the thin layer of cells lining the body’s internal organs, known as Mesotheluim. The only recognized cause is exposure to asbestos. Rhio was diagnosed with Mesothelioma at age 61 his advice from his oncologist to take a vacation was not the path he choose to take. The oncologist’s prognosis was that Rhio had less the 1 year to live. Rhio’s knowledge, determination, spirit and optimism in researching and choice to change his lifestyle added 7 ½ years, he passed away at age 69. To share his story, answer questions and inspire others Rhio wrote a book called “They said months, I choose years” (http://www.survivingmesothelioma.com/). Rhio’s story reveals an option to life that I would not have known to take, if I was not directed toward that lifestyle by my doctor. His choice allows me and others to realize that if I am proactive, I have a choice in my life, to make it better or just let it go. Believing in yourself is difficult when the world is crashing down on you. Everyone, family, friends, doctors can give you advice and support, but in the end it is up to you to make the choice and fight against the cancer you have been diagnosed with. Rhio’s life and choices he took are reasons I am determined to become a Physical Therapist.

After reading about Rhio I decided to take a survey. I wanted to know what initial choice and action people would have if they were told they had less then 1 year to live due to being diagnosed with cancer. I asked 15 people, “If you were diagnosed with a rare cancer and the doctor said ‘you have less than 1 year to live’ what would you do?” The consensus 11 out of 15 people would splurge, indulge and adventure out to do things they have always wanted to do. What is life worth living for? Is it to go out with a bang, is it to splurge, indulge and go on an adventure till the last beat of my heart?

It is remarkable that from the survey I have learned that most people have so much they want to do but they don’t allow themselves to do it until their life is threatened to end. I want people to take a look at their life presently and understand why they are doing what they are doing and if it is really what they want in life. What if you are diagnosed with cancer today, will you regret that you haven’t traveled the world or gone skydiving? Do you need to have a life threatening event to inspire you to live a life you want? Rhio’s story is inspirational to me because it sparks important life questions and helps provide a light of hope for those facing and fighting cancer.

It is easy to say that if I get cancer I would change my lifestyle to hopefully promote a longer life living with cancer. However, how will I really feel if my doctor told me I had cancer? Therefore I first try and put myself into a cancer patients shoes. I close my eyes and imagine, feel and think what emotions and reactions I would have if suddenly my life took a sharp turn and I became a cancer patient.

“I was told I am going to die today. I want to scream at the top of my lungs, and punch through every brick wall. All the energy in my body is mad at the world and all I can do is sit in my chair idle, expressionless without a clue what to do next. My doctor told me to take a vacation because I have less than a year to live and then return for treatment.

Treatment for what? To die? I am young, with so much to live for. I have just made goals and I have wishes I want to come true before my life is over. I had time to do everything and now I don’t now if I will wake up to see tomorrow. The thought of it pulls a dark curtain over my eyes. I feel helpless and blind. I need to move forward and I will. Deep breath. I will never accept that I have cancer, but I will learn to live with it.”

Time is all we have that is truly finite, we can not buy it we can only live it. How intentional will you be on your life? The steps Rhio made in his life follows the Transtheoretical Model. This in health psychology is intended to explain why success or failure occurs when someone makes a behavioral change in their life. There are 6 stages: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transtheoretical_model).


Living a healthy and active lifestyle has always and is still very important to me. If I was diagnosed with a dire cancer, after I got over my emotions I would definitely look beyond chemotherapy and radiation therapy if it had little to offer. I would want family and close friends to hear from me that I have cancer. This will allow me to express myself and they will understand my actions and emotions.

By making the choice to look beyond chemotherapy and radiation therapy, I have a lot a research I would need to do. I would need to learn about Mesothelioma, about how it affects the body and what causes it to be malignant. I would begin looking online for sources, http://www.cancer.org/ National Cancer Institute provides great links, topics, phone numbers for questions about cancer, online chats and more information. This would be a great starting point for me. To begin learning about cancer and finding a support group.

I would want to talk to my oncologist and let him know the choices I have made and ask for him to support me, provide guidance, and refer me to dietitians and therapist he/she feels are reliable and credible for my type of cancer. With my oncologist, chosen dietitians and therapist I want them to collaborate and work with me to begin making lifestyle changes I believe would promote good health as a cancer patient. Exercise is important and I want to learn what intensity and duration is healthy and balanced for me to routinely participate in. I would also need to develop a good understanding about how the body works. I need to know what my body is lacking and how can I replenish what is depleted.

Learning from people such as Rhio will help me with developing a health plan. I can learn by their examples and research. I can learn about what worked and did not work for them and find what best fits my needs. With these sources and the people I choose to surround myself with and listen to I would begin writing and developing my health plan. It would include exercise, diet, vitamins, and sleep. When I should make visits to the doctor and what are symptoms of my cancer worsening. Along with making and developing these plans, strict discipline will be important for the plan to work and I need to believe in what I am doing. The mind is powerful and if I do not believe in what I am doing then the outcome will not be at its fullest potential. By believing in my actions it will help balance my happiness and well being.

I am not a cancer patient, but Rhio’s strength and courage helps inspires me to continue to live a healthy lifestyle. This story is one of the many reasons why I want to develop professionally in Physical Therapy. By being a Physical Therapist I can help aid people who are recovering from injury or a disease by making them stronger relieving their pain and helping them to regain use of an affected limb or to relearn such daily activities as walking, dressing and bathing. To work with such patients on an interactive and personal basis will be rewarding for my personal goals. Remember Rhio’s story.