How to Live a Life

Prologue

The day I was diagnosed was about the happiest day of my life. I remember the day clearly. The few days before I went to the hospital were spent groaning over a sudden waist pain. Once I decided I had enough and went to the hospital, the masked nurses took me to the MRI room. The living hell that High school had been, just ended and I was feeling like crap. I lay down and spent a few minutes looking up at the bleak ceiling and accounting for my sad, depressing life. I stared into the MRI screen, I saw an oblivious screen that was to dictate the faint line between my life and my death. Toughen up, Link. Even if I die, who's anyone to care. No one cares for you Link, I thought. The screen flared to life. And then came the realization. The nurses came rushing in, pulling out needles from every nook and cranny of my body. Alarms sounded. Colors flashed. It was all so stupendously confusing. I don't know what I would have done if not for the male nurse that came up to me and broke the news. "Sonny boy," he said in a somewhat forgiving voice," There's no easy way to put this, alright. No no. I don't think you're ready for the diagnosis." "I am as ready as I will ever be, sir." "Alright then, what's your name --" "Link sir." "Okay Link Sir, you are at the borders. Maybe as close as one can get. The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins? That's a quote from old Edgar. What I'm trying to say is, Link Sir, life is valuable. It's a game where everyone must play. Do you know what the prize is Link Sir? The prize is love. Love. We wee humans take that for granted. I want you to know that love is the single most powerful feeling you can experience in your life. Now, I am pretty sure, that you know you have been diagnosed. It's not a regular diagnosis. You have been diagnosed with, excuse me, Pancreas and Liver Cancer. You are expected to have about 9 months left, complete with chemo therapy. But you can skip all that shit. Throw it all away. The best medicine is not the ruined liquid bullshit that humans have invented. The best medicine is love. Go find it. All the best luck, I wish you." And he left. I didn't even catch his name.