What Breast Cancer Taught Me

Today marks ten years of being cancer-free, and I wanted to share a column I originally wrote for the Beacon Magazine in 2013. It’s still as relevant today as it was then.

Breast cancer has brought me face-to-face with my mortality and helped change my life perspective. Some things that once seemed so important no longer are. The simplest things that were so easy to overlook suddenly became beautiful and worthy of a moment of my time to appreciate; gratitude became the key to making it through the toughest of times and the everyday annoyances that use to get on my last nerve, well they still do, but not for nearly as long!

Reflecting back, I've discovered that breast cancer has changed me for the better and taught me some valuable lessons.

No one is promised tomorrow. I always knew this, yet it was so easy to get wrapped up in daily struggles and not enjoy the hear-and-now or put off doing what my heart desired for another day. Another day is not guaranteed, so live each day and choose to be the “best you” ever.

Happiness is a choice. My happiness often seemed to be defined by circumstances, but now I realize it doesn’t have to be that way. You can have happiness, peace, and joy even amid the darkest storms. It really is a choice, and I work at this every day.

Don’t sweat the small (or big) stuff. Worrying doesn’t change a thing. It only uses up valuable time that could otherwise be used to enjoy and love life. If something bad is going to happen, it’s going to happen, period. Deal with it and move on, but don’t waste time worrying about things you have no control over.

It’s OK to say no sometimes. Looking back, I now realize I spent far too much time doing things that I didn’t want to do or that wasn’t in my best interest. I often felt obligated and put others’ needs in front of my own. No longer. Taking care of myself is first and foremost. Those who really matter will understand.

Forgive. Life is too short to hold on to bitterness and resentment. It’s taken me years to try to figure out “how” to forgive. And then I finally got it – forgiveness is for me, not them. I no longer choose to carry the heavy burden of unforgiveness. “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” – Lewis B. Smedes

Learn to let go. Sometimes, life simply is not fair. Sometimes things happen that are difficult to come to grips with. Sometimes the people closest to you do something you’d never expect. And sometimes you have to realize that not everyone will agree with your choices and that every last bit of it is OK.

My faith is my strength. A diagnosis of cancer can make you evaluate your beliefs. It knocks you off your feet and turns your world upside down. It can be the scariest and most awful thing you’ve ever dealt with. You can either trust God or curse God. Those are the obvious choices. I did some deep soul-searching and chose to trust. I hold tight to the scripture Psalm 112:7 (NLT) daily and in every circumstance. “They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust in the Lord to care for them.” The day my daughter and I were walking in to receive my diagnosis, I grabbed her hand and said, “No matter what happens, it’s going to be OK.” I believed it then and still believe it – no matter what!

Breast Cancer Resources

I've created a breast cancer resource page for informational purposes to help you make the best choices for your care. Decisions that only you can make.

I encourage you to ask questions, get second opinions, care for yourself, and pray. You have what it takes, and you are loved. – Martha

https://journeybacktogood.com/breast-cancer-resources/