You have been battling unusual symptoms for a while. A slight headache here, anemia there, a cough that just won’t go away, pains and swellings, unusual weigh loss…. those signs and signals we sometimes take for granted. Finally, you become so sick you brace yourself and go see your primary care provider (PCP).  Your PCP finds something unusual and refers you to a specialist. You go for further tests and then you hear the verdict: CANCER.
You emotions start to swindle like a crashing stock market: fear, anger, anxiety, denial, guilt, depression, resolve, faith. It’s a rollercoaster that changes at any moment. How do you survive the first few days or weeks of a diagnosis without staying in the wrecked emotions lane?

1.       It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to scream. It’s okay to be angry. You are allowed to feel the way you feel. Let your emotions out. Trust me, it’s not going to be the first and it won’t be the last time you will feel the way. The more you let out bottled emotions, the quicker you can get on the healing and recovery lane.

2.       Don’t beat yourself to death. You did not do anything to cause your cancer. Yes, I will repeat it. You did not do anything to cause your cancer. I have seen vegans have cancer. I have seen non- smokers diagnosed with lung cancers while those who smoke like chimneys are living honkey dory.   In the world of cancer treatment and care, no oncologist can tell you this is what caused the cancer. They can only tell you there are certain RISK FACTORS that bring about a cancer diagnosis. The risk factors range from genetic disposition, diet, lifestyle, exposure to environmental toxins, stress, among others. In short, cancer can happen to ANYONE.

3.       Seek medical opinion. Whether you choose the allopathic (standard medical care) or a holistic, homeopathic approach or a combination of both, it is important that you seek medical help. Seek it quick. The worst thing you can do is stay in Denial Boulevard. If it’s the aggressive type, you run the risk of not responding to treatment when you choose to. This is not the time to run to money mongering prophets. Divine health does not work like that. (Another blog post for another day).

4.       Surround yourself with a good support system. You need all the physical, mental and spiritual support you can get when you begin treatment. Don’t be afraid to ask. Don’t ashamed to seek help. Life happens to us all. For some it is sickness. For others, it is something else.

5.       Enjoy the slight pause. What is there to enjoy? If you ask me, a cancer diagnosis is an opportunity for sober reflection. It’s a time to weigh those things: thoughts, philosophies, relationships, etc. you hold dear. You are going to need to offload every negative energy to make room for healing. What better time that this period?
Remember, you are not the first that will experience this. You won’t be the last either. In addition, cancer is becoming beatable. It is gradually leaving the death sentence verdict to a manageable chronic disease. You can do this. You will beat it. I did.