The Best Lessons I Have Learned Living With Cancer
Cancer is not a word anyone wants their doctor to tell them they have. It’s scary. After it all sinks in, your mind immediately starts racing with so many thoughts, questions, and so many unknowns. It’s not a fun journey but it is one that is life-changing in many ways.
When I got diagnosed I was in complete denial. As a matter of fact, I never even told my husband that they had seen something “suspicious’ and needed to get a biopsy. I figured why stress him out over something that was probably nothing anyway. But when I got the call from the nurse asking me to set up an appointment to speak to my doctor about the results I was like “oh crap! This ain’t good.”
After working through the initial denial and shock of it all I realized I had two options. Let this cancer consume me or let it empower me and allow it to teach me lessons. It’s when I decided to not take the “poor me” approach and allow it to change my life for the better no matter what.
I got diagnosed in October of 2020 and my goal has been to fight this as best as I can all while living my best life. Quality of life is super important to me and if I can hold off on certain harsh treatments and surgery I will do my best to at least give it a shot. That way I know I at least tried and gave it my best shot.
The last 18 months have had their challenges. Some days are great and I feel amazing when I get up. Then there are days when I do get sad and my mind wanders. Those days are harder for me. I do end up crying on those days and it does help me feel better. If you didn’t know, crying is a great way to release stress and bodily toxins. So cry it out if you need to!
Even with all its challenges, the last 18months (I can’t even believe it’s already been that long, YAY me!) has changed my life in ways I never even imagined.
These are 18 of the best lessons I have learned living with cancer.
*My body is built to survive. Trust my body and its abilities.
*Have a lot of patience for my body and all the changes it goes through on this journey.
*Allow my heart to guide me more, not the external noise around me.
*Really listen to my gut or intuition. That is put into my body to protect me. Don’t ignore it.
*Forgive myself and give myself the grace I deserve.
*Getting closer to my relationship with God has strengthened me in ways I never imagined.
*To be ok with being my authentic self. Knowing I’m not everyone’s cup of tea and that’s completely ok. They may not be mine too. lol.
*That I can’t control certain things. Just let things be and accept them as part of my journey.
*Make time to rest and listen to what my body needs. Laundry can wait!
*Find the things that bring me joy and not feel guilty about making the time for them.
*That nutrition is very important to my health. I feel so much better when I eat right.
*That stress is a killer. Even though I can’t avoid it entirely, I can control how much of it is in my life.
*That not all the people in my life truly deserve the space to be in it. It’s ok move on from them.
*Collecting friends is not essential in life. Better to focus on quality over quantity.
*Not over-committing myself whenever possible.
*Learning to say NO more and to stick up for myself.
*I am worthy. My opinions and thoughts have value.
*Emotionally healing goes at my own pace. No one can dictate that timeline for me.
*Mind, Body, and Spirit are all connected. You can not fix one without connecting all 3 together.
I hope these 18 best lessons I have learned living with cancer will help inspire you during your own life journey in some way.
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Photos by: Banvenue Photographer
