I’m middle aged (of course, I’ll have to live to 100+ for the term to apply literally) and a long way from my school days. But, learning something new every day, is one of my greatest joys and a true gift of my cancer.
Because of cancer, I learned how important exercise is for my body and I took up yoga. I’ve learned how fun it is to do Zentangle art, and how easy it is to donate blood. I’ve learned the importance of mindfulness and the importance of practicing it every day. I’ve also learned that it takes an Army of Women to populate the studies crucial to the prevention and cure of breast cancer.
Basically, ever since I heard the words, “You have cancer,” I’ve been learning what it means to be a survivor. My oncology therapist taught me to share my bad attitude towards cancer. I’ve learned that support and sharing are the only defenses to cancer stress and cancer anger. And, most importantly, I’ve learned to defeat cancer loneliness by reaching out to others who understand.
On Saturday, I’ll be learning and sharing with other breast cancer survivors at our “STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT BREAST CANCER SURVIVORSHIP: A discussion about the mind, body and attitude of survivorship” symposium. I know I will keep learning, as I did during my November workshop, just by being in the room with other survivors. It’s really true that the more I learn and share, the more comfortable I am in my nest.
If you want to join us, there’s still time to register. We’ll be meeting at St. Peter’s University Hospital, 254 Easton Ave., New Brunswick, NJ, (Center for Ambulatory Resources, 3rd Floor Conference Room), on Saturday, January 21, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A light lunch will be served and there is no cost for attending. Call St. Peters at 1-732-846-3300, ext. 227 or contact me via email today.
Survival > Existence,
Debbie
Where We Go Now 