As I publicly shared in December 2021, I was diagnosed with a common form of hormone-driven breast cancer. I’m on the better side of things and almost back to my Old Self. It seems now more than ever it’s an occasion to reflect on some of the salient lessons I learned about myself and those around me. That said, here are a few observations:
1. The body is capable of enduring A LOT. I cannot emphasize this point enough. It was put to the test between chemo, three surgeries and radiation in seven (short yet long at the same time) months. The rate of healing and rejuvenation was impressive, so much that I was able to work out without much interruption during treatment.
I realize every patient will have a different experience, but it’s my belief that our bodies and minds are stronger than we think, which brings me to my next point….
2. You never know what you’re training for. That was a phrase uttered by a college classmate and fellow personal trainer. Whether it’s self-imposed — like a marathon or tolerating and surviving cancer treatments — taking care of yourself is always a fruitful and worthy endeavor. There’s no better time than the present to start or expand on your health and wellness regimen.
3. People want to help — let them. Unless or until something tragic happens in your life, you aren’t always aware of the depth and breadth of relationships. When I got sick, I had people who I casually know send cards, gifts, well wishes, etc. On a related note, sometimes people don’t know how to help and the best thing you can do to help them help you is to be direct about your needs.
4. Life is short. It’s cliche but when faced with a life-threatening disease, you start to look at your life differently. So book that massage. Call that old friend. Go on that vacation.
5. Advocate for yourself and your health. I’m fortunate that my providers took my concerns about the lump very seriously. However, that’s not the case for every clinician. If something feels “off,” keep pushing until you get answers. No one else will do it, so you have to show up for yourself.
I hope you found these insights helpful. And if you’re reading this and are due (or overdue) for a mammogram, I hope you’ll make the call.