Hi Etta
I found this article in Healthline, hope it helps.
Piak
How I Didn’t Let Cancer
Stop Me from Thriving (All 9 Times)
Written by Anna Renault on June 19, 2017
Anna
Renault is a published author, public speaker, and radio show host. She’s also
a cancer survivor, having had multiple bouts of cancer over the past 40 years.
She’s also a mother and grandmother. When she’s not writing, she’s often found
reading or spending time with family and friends.
Surviving
cancer is anything but easy. Doing it once may be the toughest thing you ever
do. For those who’ve done it more than once, you know firsthand that it never
gets easier. That’s because every cancer diagnosis is unique in its challenges.
I
know this because I’m an eight-time cancer survivor,
and I’m once again battling cancer for the ninth time. I know that surviving
cancer is amazing, but thriving with cancer is even better. And it’s possible.
Learning
to live while you feel like you’re dying is an extraordinary feat, and one that
I’m committed to helping others accomplish. Here’s how I learned to thrive with
cancer.
Those three
dreaded words
When
a doctor says, “You have cancer,” the world seems to turn upside down. Worry
immediately sets in. You may find yourself overwhelmed by questions like:
Will I need chemotherapy?
Will I lose my hair?
Will radiation hurt or burn?
Will I need surgery?
Will I still be able to work during treatment?
Will I be able to take care of myself and my
family?
Will I die?
I’ve
heard those three scary words nine different times. And I admit, I asked myself
these very questions. The first time I was so scared, I wasn’t sure I
could
drive home safely. I went into a four-day panic. But after that, I learned to
accept the diagnosis, determined not only to survive but also thrive with my
disease.
What does
surviving cancer mean?
Google
“surviving” and you’ll likely find this definition: “Continuing to live or
exist, especially in the face of hardship.”
Through
my own cancer battles and in talking with those impacted by cancer, I’ve found
that this word means many things to many people. When I asked what surviving
means within the medical community, my doctor said surviving cancer meant:
You’re still alive.
You’re going through the steps from diagnosis to
treatment.
You have multiple options with the expectations of
positive results.
You’re striving for a cure.
You aren’t expected to die.
When
speaking with fellow cancer warriors in my many times in the hospital waiting
room, I found that they often had a different definition of what it meant to
survive. To many, it simply meant:
waking up each day
being able to get out of bed
completing activities of daily living (washing and
dressing)
eating and drinking without vomiting
I’ve
talked with hundreds of people undergoing treatment over the past 40 years in
my journey with different bouts of cancer. The severity and type of cancer
aside, I’ve found that my survival has also depended on factors beyond the
disease itself, including:
my treatments
my relationship with my doctor
my relationship with the rest of the medical team
my quality of life outside of my medical conditions
Many
people over the years have told me that surviving simply means not dying. Many
said they never considered there was anything else to consider.
It’s
been a joy for me to discuss ways they could thrive. It’s been my pleasure to
help them see that they could live a productive life. It’s been really awesome
to convince them they’re allowed to be happy and experience joy while battling
cancer.
Thriving while
dying from cancer
It’s
an oxymoron to live while you die. But after eight successful cancer battles,
I’m here to promise you that it’s more possible than you know. One critical way
I’ve thrived through and in-between cancer diagnoses is by committing myself to
my health and disease prevention.
Over
the years, knowing my body when it feels well has helped me identify when
things aren’t right. Instead of wishing it away or ignoring my body’s signals
for help, I act.
I’m
not a hypochondriac, but I know when to go to the doctor to be checked. And
time and time again, it has proven to be my most fruitful tactic. In 2015, when
I visited my oncologist to report severe new aches and pains, I suspected my
cancer had returned.
These
weren’t the usual arthritis pains. I knew something was wrong. My doctor
immediately ordered tests, which confirmed my suspicions.
The
diagnosis felt grim: metastatic breast cancer,
which had spread to my bones. I started radiation immediately, followed by
chemotherapy. It did the trick.
My
doctor said I would die before Christmas. Two years later, I’m living and
thriving with cancer again.
While
I was told that this diagnosis has no cure, I haven’t given up hope or the will
to fight and live a meaningful life. So, I went into thriving mode!
I will continue
to thrive
Having
a purpose in life keeps me alive and determined to fight. It’s the bigger
picture that keeps me focused through the hardships. I know it’s possible for
anyone out there fighting the great fight.
To
you, I’d say: Find your calling. Stay committed. Lean on your support system.
Find joy where you can.
These
are my mantras that help me live a great life every day and thrive:
I will continue to write books.
I will continue to interview
interesting guests on my radio show.
I will continue to write for my
local paper.
I will continue to learn all I can
about options for metastatic breast cancer.
I will attend conferences and
support groups.
I will help educate my caregivers
about my needs.
I will do whatever I can to advocate
for people with cancer.
I will mentor those who contact me
for help.
I will continue to hope for a cure.
I will continue to pray, allowing my
faith to carry me through.
I will continue to feed my soul.
And
for as long as I can, I will continue to thrive. With or without cancer.
