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After being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer last year, I promised to share what I learn along the way. (You can find my story in the cancer journey tab on the sidebar.) Today I have two more lessons I believe you’ll find helpful.
1. Be careful what you suggest
Over the past several months, a few people have shared advice on how they believe I should manage my cancer treatment side effects. I know they mean well. They see me hurting, and they want to make things better.
Unfortunately, a couple of these remedies could have been harmful (possibly even deadly) had I followed their advice. Their suggestions might work for some people in certain situations. However, not knowing my lab values or the potential interactions with my medications, these approaches weren’t appropriate.
Since I’m a nurse, I knew not to try their advice. But this might not be the case for someone else.
Perhaps you know of something you believe to be helpful in reducing a side effect of cancer treatment, and you wish to share it. But first, please stress the importance of having your friend check with their medical provider to assure it’s safe in their unique situation.
2. Always be prepared
My daughter’s best friend from high school lost her mom earlier this week. She was just two years older than me, healthy, and active. Her death came from a sudden, massive heart attack, and it was completely unexpected.
I have no idea how many days, weeks, or years I have left to live. Yet, because of my cancer, I would have expected to go before any of the parents of my daughter’s friends.
But, perhaps this has been a blessing of a cancer diagnosis. Not knowing how much time I have left has compelled me to give a lot of thought to my life. I’ve reconsidered my priorities and goals. I’m working on letting go of past hurts and regrets. I’ve prepared my end-of-life wishes. And I’m learning to experience gratitude at a greater level than ever before.
I don’t want you to dwell on death or worry about it. Yet, I hope each of you devotes some thought and planning to your own mortality. Because death can come to any of us at any time.
If you’re also walking on a cancer journey, I would love to hear about the lessons you’ve learned from your experience. Please share in the comment section!
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