You either decide to live with cancer or you don't.
I'm going on four years since my diagnosis (metastatic carcinoid syndrome), and surgery. They took 6-7 feet of intestines, 2/3rds of my liver, gall bladder, and my appendix. They weren't able to get it all. I have to go in for a round of chemo every 28 days, watch the foods that I eat, take my meds like I'm suppose too, etc.... In other words I'm reminded of it every day. I will never be in remission, I will never be cured, and we think it has spread but we don't really know for sure at this time.
Most people look at me and have no idea what's going on with my health. I still run (most days of the week), do yard work, go kayaking, fishing, and diving. I also still get sick from time to time.
I remind myself that in 138 days the wife and I have a trip to the island of Bonaire for a weeks worth of diving. I remind myself that in October of 2019 we have a two week trip to the Galapagos Islands planned. Somewhere in between Bonaire and the Galapagos we'd like to go to Mexico for a week of cave diving. The caves in Mexico really are spectacular and I want to see them. Our trip to Japan in going to be a couple of years after Galapagos.
Having distant goals helps a lot and gives you something to look forward too and prepare for.
You can go out every day and dwell on the fact that you have cancer and let it dominate your life. Or, you can make your life and let it dominate your cancer.