If you could give yourself one compliment regarding handling your blood cancer, what would it be?
Sometimes we focus on the hard parts of living with cancer that we forget to compliment ourselves for all the amazing things we do. Can you be proud and share what that is for you?
For myself, the engine still runs, even more so. My movement and being present at the moment. My one compliment is being able to run a business despite the adversities of myeloma. I've been strengthened in so many ways by how deep-rooted I've become in
recognizing that life owes me nothing, and what I want has a lot to do with what I put forward in how I live my day-to-day.that's some big stuff! Congratulations on your business success and even more so for your perspectives in reaping what you sow. Being present in the moment is so huge. Thanks for sharing! Thank you 😀
I think I've done an awesome job of surviving my AML, especially since I was a breaths distance away from death....twice. And so with all the bronchial pneumonia and neutropedic pneumonia attacks I went through, not to mention COVID 19, while going through chemo the second time, it's really amazing I'm eve here to tell the story. And through it all, I kept a cool head and stayed positive that I was going to be fine, even when my medical team wasn't near as sure. I have to admit there was a few days I wondered if it was so, but quickly dismiss those negative thoughts. I've literally cheated death 6 times in my life so far. I'm not about to give leukemia the opportunity to take me out. Best wishes.
"Never give up. Never give in" Shane (Blood-cancer.com Patient Leader)It's great that you notice and give yourself credit for pulling through so much. I'm certain it wasn't easy! Thanks for sharing and inspiring all of us.
I have always thought I handled the diagnosis better at age 61, then say had I been 31. Perhaps my advanced age was a benefit.
that's really interesting. Why do you think that is?
When I was younger, at times I didn't feel well. I went to my job, of course, but I slept a lot on weekends. I found out I was anemic, so that explained a lot. My family was still judgemental. They were angry at me for not attending church on Sunday mornings. Yes, really.
Thirty years later, when I was diagnosed with MDS, I felt so exhausted, it didn't matter what anyone thought. I just wanted to survive.I'm glad you've learned to give yourself that grace. I know that's not an easy thing to do because our families are important to us. How wonderful that you have learned to honor your own needs. It's so important, and I hope you feel very proud of that! I think for anyone and any age, after a while you get tired of showing the face of "doing it all", for many it comes down to "This is me and all of me, take it of leave it". Best!
