DEALING WITH CANCER AND COVID IS SIMILAR IN MANY WAYS

Like the novel coronavirus, cancer is invisible, unrelenting, and always surrounding us. The emotions people all over the world have experienced as a result of COVID-19 have been the same, regardless of race, color or creed. Sadness, depression, uncertainty, insomnia, anxiety, and on and on. Counselors, psychologists, and social workers are busier......

A COMPARISON OF AUTUMN AND CANCER

I admit that fall is my favorite time of the year. There is nothing more beautiful than driving or walking on a sunny fall day and marveling at the changes in the leaves. Maybe part of the reason I feel this way is because I am a fall (October), baby. But I......

HOW TO LIVE IN PRESENT AS CANCER SURVIVORS

A simple quote reminds a cancer survivor of what is important for every one of us to remember. Like many people who live in a northern climate, I have to brace myself during January, February, and March for the short days, lack of light and the inability to be outside with friends......

FINDING MOTIVATIONS DURING COVID – 19 AS A CANCER SURVIVOR

A cancer survivor laments the difficulty of dealing with the pandemic and discusses one possible solution. I have to admit, that after battling cancer for over ten years, I presently am struggling more with the pandemic than the cancer. I hate being uncertain when I will go out of remission—and it is......

LIVING WITH CANCER NOT DYING OF IT

A cancer survivor offers some statistics about the longevity of cancer survivors. I think if any of us are honest, the first thing we fear when we are told we have cancer of any kind is asking if we are going to die. Then, when some of us are told it is......

SLOWING DOWN IS OK

A cancer survivor laments the fact that she no longer moves as fast as she once did when she was younger. However, she has come to the realization that moving slow is OK as it allows her to enjoy life. There are disadvantages to being a Type A personality. What can make......

THERE IS MAGNIFICENCE AND BRAVERY IN JUST GETTING UP IN THE MORNING

A cancer survivor explains how in difficult times — such as living amid a pandemic or receiving treatment for cancer — just getting out of bed in the morning is a sign of bravery and magnificence. As the COVID-19 pandemic lingers on, the entire world is weary. We were excited when the......

HOW DO CANCER SURVIVORS TIPTOE INTO THE WORLD AGAIN?

A cancer survivor explains how she is approaching her reentry into the world after COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. I think I am typical of many people who suffered from isolation and lack of social opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. I couldn’t wait to join the world again. I know when the......

WHY DOESN’T CANCER MAKE SENSE?

A woman in remission from her cancer ponders why the disease seemingly chooses to steal certain lives and spare others. When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I was told the average time to live was 104 months. After my initial shock, I felt like I would get increasingly worse, the chemo......

HOW SOON WE FORGET

A cancer survivor shares the valuable lessons she learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, almost six months after receiving her vaccination. I was watching a medical show on television recently where the scenes were flipping back and forth from the present to the past. One unforgettable scenario was January 2021. The staff at......

THE PRICE AND JOY OF REMISSION

A cancer survivor describes the mixed emotions she feels while in remission. I was thrilled when my doctor told me recently I was still in remission. She stated not to question why, but just know and embrace it as a miracle. This was the best advice she could have ever given me.......

CANCER SURVIVORS ARE TIRED OF BEING AFRAID

A cancer survivor describes how survivors can help face their fears by connecting with each other. We are now into our second year of the pandemic. Little did we realize during the chaotic year of 2020 that we would still be fighting this terrible pandemic in the middle of 2021? This monster......