Should a 32-year-old with brain cancer save for retirement?

Surviving
Written By Liz Salmi

Help me decide:

Should one save for retirement when they have an incurable form of cancer with a high mortality rate?

There are a few different ways to look at this situation.

PHOTO: I could spend the rest of my life right here

PHOTO: I could spend the rest of my life right here

I could think on the bright side: I may live until I am 85 years old. I should be saving my money in a 401(k), IRA or other retirement account to have something to lean back on after my working days are over. And even if I do die before I can cash-out, the money will go to Brett.

Or, I could 'Live for today!' There are no sure things in this life--including life--so why stash money away when I can save it up and go on a fantastic vacation with my husband every year? And Disneyland every eight months or so? And also go to baseball games? Ultimately, I want experiences and memories with the person I love the most.

There is no right answer.

What are you going to do?

Liz Salmi

Liz Salmi is Communications & Patient Initiatives Director for OpenNotes at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Over the last 15 years Liz has been: a research subject; an advisor in patient stakeholder groups; a leader in “patient engagement” research initiatives; and an innovator, educator and investigator in national educational and research projects. Today her work focuses on involving patients and care partners in the co-design of research and research dissemination. It is rumored Liz was the drummer in a punk rock band.

https://thelizarmy.com
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