“Healing is a small and ordinary and very burnt thing. And it’s one thing and one thing only: it’s doing what you have to do.”  Cheryl Strayed

Last week I wrote about my eight years of survivorship.   A celebration and a time to reflect not only on what’s past but a time to look at  what I want today and in the future. I am humbled by being one of the fortunate who are in remission. I am grateful for the ongoing chances, changes and seasons of my life.

Today I want to acknowledge those of you who are still in treatment as well as those who live with cancer every day of their lives.  You don’t feel so great, sometimes you feel really awful. People are going on with their lives all around you. You can feel isolated and depressed because it seems that your whole identity is “Cancer Patient”.   It’s really hard to remember who you are as a person when you’re sick. It’s hard to get out of bed and you feel like all you have to talk about is your infusion, your radiation treatment or your last surgery.  You wonder, “Who am I aside from being a person who is living with cancer?”

You’re doing what you have to do to take care of yourself. Having endured a brutal cancer treatment myself, I have empathy for all that you are going through. Please be kind to yourself. I hope you take a moment to remember who you are beyond your cancer diagnosis.  Take some time to focus on things that interest you, let yourself be drawn to things outside of the world of cancer …

Art

Literature

Sports

Nature

Relationships

Even a moment away from the constant worry and stress can help …

A cup of tea

A flower

A silly cartoon

What helps you remember who you are?