From One Survivor to Another
- Surviving Breast Cancer
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
By Latanya Bispham-Robinson
Yep, I called you a Survivor. Your treatment may not be over… In fact, you may be at the beginning of your journey… I still call you a Survivor.
You’ve made progress. From the date of your diagnosis up to this very moment, you have made progress. You should be proud, you are fighting in your own unique way, you are a Survivor, a Warrior, a Champion.
Oftentimes it’s hard to think of a victorious end when we feel like we haven't even started yet. But what if we did? What if we began planning the victory celebration at the start of the fight? I can imagine you must be thinking, “What is she talking about?!” Celebrating is probably not on your mind at present. And believe me, I totally get it!
Nonetheless…
What if instead of only focusing on the treatment, we envisage our victorious completion? What if we planned how we are going to celebrate completing surgery before we have the surgery? What if we planned how we are going to celebrate completing chemo before we start chemo? What if we planned how we are going to celebrate completing radiation before we start radiation?
The mental part of the battle of cancer treatment can be intense, to put it mildly. From the onset of my diagnosis through surgery and chemo and even now, I often wonder: “When will this be OVER?!”
When I completed chemo, oh my goodness… happy is an understatement. I felt so proud of myself, on a natural high. You did that, GIRL!!! I celebrated by taking myself on a mini shopping spree.
It was the day after chemo and I was in the mall?! I couldn’t believe my energy level; it was on HIGH and I decided to go right along with it. I had a BALL! When I got tired, I would sit for a few minutes all the while smiling from ear to ear under my mask. It felt like I was having my own private party.
I decided not to ring the bell until I completed both chemo and radiation. I knew I was going to celebrate, but I wondered how. I wondered if I would even have the energy to do anything this time.
My oncology social worker, Samantha, told me about an organization called For 3 Sisters and their pink fire truck. For 3 Sisters was started in 2011 by retired Montgomery County, Maryland career firefighter Marshall Moneymaker and his wife Shannon after he lost three older sisters, Vicky, Penny and Valessa, to breast cancer.
Samantha explained that Marshall and Shannon would come to the hospital with their big pink firetruck and drive me all the way home. I began to feel joyful in my heart…WOW, a pink firetruck will come pick ME up! I wanted that experience to be a part of my celebration! I knew I wanted that memory to be mine forever. Beauty for Ashes. I decided I would find a nice pink dress to mark the occasion!
Here are some additional celebratory ideas you can consider:
Have an intimate celebratory gathering with close family and/or close friend(s).
When it is safe to do so, treat yourself to a celebratory spa day, manicure and/or pedicure. Choose a new color, not your norm, o mark the celebratory occasion.
Take a weekend getaway in nature to celebrate; some place easy to get to and a short distance away.
Take a gentle celebratory hike with a supportive friend and/or family member; bring a beverage to toast this special occasion.
Have a picnic with fruit and beverages for toasting.
When you’re up to it, have a meal at your favorite restaurant. Chew slowly and savor each bite. Don’t forget to toast this special occasion.
I hope these ideas will help spark your imagination to create the most special celebration perfect for you. Do something that makes you happy. Please celebrate yourself.
Please also remember to be kind to yourself, be patient with yourself and most of all love yourself through each part of your journey. I’m cheering for you and sending hugs!!
Read More:
On the Podcast: Breast Cancer Conversations
From Chemo to Curtain Calls, Radiation to Regattas: This Is Survivorship
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