Do you remember the early days of your diagnosis? Your head wouldn’t stop spinning out scenarios. Nothing made sense. No one really understood.
Through the miracle that is twitter I’ve run across any number of people who are in just that place The one who inspired this post is a husband of a newly diagnosed woman. I am blessed to be able to support him, as well as others, assuring them that they are not alone.
My question for you is this: whether you are a survivor, caregiver, parent, child, doctor, patient, or #fearlessfriend, if you could offer one word of wisdom, what would it be?
Take it ONE DAY AT A TIME. It takes so much energy to worry and second guess what is ahead. This energy is better used in 24 hour increments. Cancer is like waging war. ONE battle at a time.
To my above reply….my ONE word would be PATIENCE
My word: BREATHE.
there is HOPE
Cant begin to choose one word! Whatever you’re thinking or feeling, however you are reacting is normal and we all were/are still scared, but you will survive treatment (not cause youre soooo strong, but cause you have no other choice), and amazingly life (maybe not exactly the one you thought you would have) does go forward. Knowing my husband was by my side every step said more about his love for me than anything else. We cried, he let me cry, we made horrible, inappropreate cancer jokes, we rejoiced over some of the lovely things people did, we were hurt by those who walked away, but most important we did it together and that helped us both.
“Listen” “Be Affectionate” (that’s two) …..
(That’s 3…lol)
Its a marathon . . . not a sprint.
Not one word…but a lovely quote from Winnie The Pooh
“remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
Believe.
Believe that you will get through this. Believe that you are enough. Believe there is life after cancer. Believe that you have what it takes. Believe that others are here to support you. Believe in yourself. Believe.
Just like our President says…HOPE…we have to believe!
Live!
Share – it will relieve your burdens. Sometimes you share with your family, sometimes with your support group, sometimes you go online and find those allies – just share, get it off your chest. It’s an incredible way to cope with the challenges to come. (And it builds community, which is how I managed to cope when on the other side of the world and receiving chemotherapy!)
Catherine
Just need to jump in and say 2 things.
1. I sorta meant one idea…doesn’t have to be a single word.
2. THESE ARE AWESOME!