What I Learned About Surviving Cancer
Posted: Sunday, April 20, 2008
by Steve Kovacs
The Kovacs Perspective
I recently talked to two women who have cancer. While we talked I made the mistake of referring to them as cancer victims. Politely and with a seemingly deep down calm and non-judgmental manner, they told me they do not consider themselves victims, but cancer survivors.
We talked more about cancer and the things they feel have sustained and helped them.
My talk with Alaina and Lori was for an interview I was conducting on surviving cancer and here's what these two positive cancersurvivors, taught me.
- Cancer patients should be considered survivors in their journey to get well.
- There are actually more experimental cancer drugs being tested presently then are actual cancer drugs being utilized to help people, consequently, there is new hope every day that better medications will be found.
- There is always light at the end of the tunnelkeep hope alive if you have cancer.
- Tell your friends and loved ones if you're diagnosed. Be a close partner with them. Tell the truth and let them support you.
- If you have cancer open yourself up to the inner strength you have, no matter who you are. You have it and let if flow. In, addition, open yourself up to the new horizons regarding life that you may now understand where you could not before.
- Let yourself feel the true support and caring of others. Most people, regardless of what we see daily on television or read about regarding mans inhumanity are extraordinarily supportive when it comes to helping people through illnesses.
- It is said that one out of three people will get a cancer. Consider getting cancer insurance (I never knew it existed). It may make things easier financially if you do get cancer.
I learned cancer is a terrible, life altering and deadly illness. Moreover, I learned cancer cannot easily triumph over men and women who are positive, utilize a great medical team and have a caring support system.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Hi Steve.Because you joined my fan club (much thanks), I decided to check out some of your articles and found that I had already read some of them, but not this one.You offer excellent advice and I didn't know there was such a thing as cancer insurance either. Right now, though, we can't afford any kind of medical insurance whatsoever. We try not to think about it too much.Your article reminded me of my mother-in-law when she was diagnosed with leukemia. We gave her all the support that we could. We encouraged her to change her viewpoint, but she only continued to lament, "Why me? Oh why me?" Needless to say, she was a "victim," and not at all proactive in her treatment.You might also have mentioned to people that they take care of themselves, educate themselves and be responsible because ultimately no one else will ever take as good care of you as you can of yourself. No one else knows you as well as you do.Great article,Dianne
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