Some people might be wondering how I manage to live so long. Only around 20% of brain tumour patients live beyond the five-year threshold. True, I have outlived my prognosis. But what is the secret?

I can talk about the different treatments.

Write about the food I eat.

Supplements I take.

Exercises I do.

Life philosophy I follow.

But there is one aspect we usually don’t talk about. Socio-economic circumstances.

We do live in a liberal democracy, where we all have access to heath care and education. However, the people we know is closely linked to our economic status and consequently our position in society.

The reason I’m (still) alive is two fold:

A) I could afford to seek many ‘second opinions’ and due to different connections I question the norm, make enquiries and form educated decisions.

B) I have no children nor any obligations to feed the family and keep a roof above my head. Hence, the nerves linked to my situation are significantly reduced. I am surrounded by supportive individuals who encourage my endeavours and aid my mental and physical wellbeing.

One might say that this is a small puzzle in an answer to my “success”. I would say it is an enormously important aspect, that should not be overlooked.

So yeah, what I eat, supplements I take, treatments I undertook and attitude I have are essential. But it’s not all.