Since it’s World Cancer Day today, it’s a good day to share my halftime speech from MCCC’s Cancer Awareness Night which was this past Tuesday to my blog (since I already posted to my personal FB page.) Below are just a few of the things I’ve learned from my battle with cancer.
1. Cancer does not discriminate. It doesn’t care your age or how healthy you are. I work out every day, I’m relatively young and I still got cancer.
2. That is why it is so important to go for regular checkups, get recommended screenings and do self exams. If something ever doesn’t feel right or look right, get it checked out right away. It’s always better safe than sorry. I had shooting pain in my breast for two days and then I felt a lump in each breast. I initially thought it was my milk coming in early but I knew something wasn’t right. Thankfully I had a prenatal appointment scheduled two days after I found the lumps and I was able to get an ultrasound and biopsy right away and start treatment shortly after that. I believe this helped me get the good outcome we were hoping for.
3. If you know someone going through cancer, check in on them and see how they are doing and that you are thinking of them. Cancer can be isolating. You may be out of work and not getting out or doing as much because you’re so tired so reach out to those going through cancer when you can.
4. Be as positive as you can with someone going through cancer. Cancer is negative enough, don’t add or bring any more negativity to it.
5. Cancer is a process. It doesn’t just end when your treatment and surgeries are over. It takes a long time to heal both physically and mentally from cancer. It took months for me to get my energy back after my chemo ended. Mentally I’m still trying to regain my footing after having my world turned upside down. I have found this part to be harder than the chemo or surgeries because it’s a lot to try to return to normal after all you have been through. That is why there are so many different cancer survivor and support groups and services because cancer is such a complicated process.
6. Don’t be afraid to go to the doctor or get checked out. Don’t make excuses. Make the time. Your health is the most important thing you have so make sure your prioritize and take care of it.
#worldcancerday #breastcancerbattle #triplenegativebreastcancer #cancersurvivor #cancerthriver #pregnantwithcancer #chemobaby #onetoughmother
