Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Cancer SURVIVORSHIP a Whole Person Perspective
We recognize October is national breast cancer awareness month in the USA and want to honor the many survivors in our communities. It is in love and hope that I created this acrostic and compiled the following thoughts on SURVIVORSHIP.
S: self care
U: understanding / unique R: relationships
V: valuable
I: insight
V: victorious
O: one day at a time
R: rest
S: smile
H: hope
I: inspiration
P: play
According to NIH/NCI’s Definition of survivorship - NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, “cancer survivorship focuses on the health and well-being of a person with cancer from the time of diagnosis until the end of life. This includes the physical, mental, emotional, social, and financial effects of cancer that begin at diagnosis and continue through treatment and beyond. The survivorship experience also includes issues related to follow-up care (including regular health and wellness checkups), late effects of treatment, cancer recurrence, second cancers, and quality of life. Family members, friends, and caregivers are also considered part of the survivorship experience.” In my experience as a hospital based physical therapist for over 3 decades, much of the focus of cancer care and therefore cancer survivorship is focused on the body, on physically eradicating the cancer from the body. But the NIH definition encourages care of mental, emotional, social and financial issues or concerns arising from cancer, as well as the impact on family and other relationships. As a PT, I too was focused on physical recovery; encouraging flexibility, strengthening, scar tissue management, and lymphedema reduction. In my own health journey, I came to realize the importance of caring for the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. From that perspective, I offer this acrostic for SURVIVORSHIP.
Self Care: True “self care” is making yourself a priority to care for your needs. Your needs include the basic needs of life: water, food, clothing, shelter, safety, as well as love and belonging. After cancer treatment your body, mind, and spirit are trying to recover from various forms of trauma. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy as well as emotions such as fear, anxiety, overwhelm, or despair impact a person’s overall health; physical, mental/ emotional and spiritual. So much of “cancer care” is focused on treatment of the disease with less emphasis on current and future quality of life. To recover more fully, one should consider nourishing daily habits around food, movement, relationships, mindfulness, spiritual practices as well as limiting exposure to toxicity. Choose organic fruits and veggies and avoid GMO ingredients and highly processed products. One can limit toxicity exposure by using clean personal care and beauty products, using clean household products, as well as using good quality water and air purifiers. Another good practice to consider is limiting exposure to negative media, or draining relationships. We can further support our health by working to eliminate negative self talk or self contempt with a mental health professional or spiritual director.
Understanding/Unique: Understanding what the usual process or phases of care are can help people feel less overwhelmed. Most prevalent cancers have typical treatment plans or phases of care, which begins with diagnostics (imaging, biopsies, etc.) to determine the extent of the invasion, is it localized or has it spread, is it slow growing or fast, is it impacted by hormones, etc. Clarifying some of these questions allows the oncology team to make recommendations based on the latest research and/or follow best practice guidelines. While there are typical recovery times and tolerances for various procedures and treatments, each person goes through a unique process and how you respond may be different. Avoid comparison as each person is on their own journey. Give yourself permission to grieve the loss that comes with cancer diagnosis and treatment. Extend grace to yourself and your unique journey.
Relationships: There are many research articles affirming the benefits of support, community and/ or healthy relationships on cancer survivorship. There are countless support groups for cancer survivors that meet in person as well as online; some are disease specific and some are for caregivers. We need a healthy community to be our best self. Our relationship with ourselves is one of high importance as well. I would encourage support from a trusted friend, cancer navigator, mental health professional, or pastor to promote a healthy relationship with yourself. In my experience, having a relationship with God or a higher power played a crucial role in my own health journey, and in the journey of others.
Valuable: YOU are a valuable human being and have inherent value. So often, our self worth is tied up in our career or family roles or responsibilities, but you are a human BEING not a human doing. Unfortunately, many have suffered from adverse childhood experiences that have damaged our self worth and then having a cancer diagnosis may exacerbate a sense of unworthiness, worthlessness or being a burden. Every human being has basic needs. Give yourself permission to ask for what you need and allow others to help you. Your time and energy are valuable and irreplaceable commodities. Let’s make the most of your time and energy to live your life to the fullest.
Insight: What one thinks or believes about themselves, their body, life expectations, etc. can impact overall quality of life. Often a traumatic event triggers a time of reflection leading to wisdom about self, others, spiritual beliefs, personal values, etc. A person’s concept of time may be altered after diagnosis. For example, waiting on test results can feel like hours or days stretch into weeks or months. You may also become aware of changes in your personal values; tasks, roles or responsibilities that were the focus of your day no longer seem so important. One may come to appreciate the little things in life more.
Victorious:Take time to celebrate the victories, even the little wins. Focusing on the positive aspects of life supports healing. Celebration could be as simple as marking the date and event on the calendar or treating yourself to some good quality chocolate, comfy socks, a new book, a bouquet of flowers or whatever brings you joy. Celebrate others’ victories too, and borrow hope from them.
One Day at a Time: As a wise person said, “yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift, that is why it is called the present.” One way to live in the present is to focus on today; in the morning think about how you want to feel at the end of the day and then focus on doing the things that will get you there. Some days your body, mind, and spirit are marching to a different drummer so again, be gracious with yourself and others when your expectations are not met.
Rest: Give yourself permission to rest. So much goodness happens when we rest. Research with healthy athletes proves the benefits of rest; the cycle of training matters but the timing of rest is more important to developing strength and avoiding injury. When daily life takes all of your energy, don’t beat yourself up, but give yourself permission to rest. Prioritize your time and energy to focus on the most important tasks, then pace yourself allowing down time between tasks and give yourself permission to reschedule or delegate nonessential tasks. It’s okay to politely invite visitors to come another day, or better yet, have a trusted friend help schedule visitors to allow time to rest between visits.
Smile: Smiling is a low effort, positive mood builder. Smiling is contagious, see one do one. Some mornings I will smile at myself in the mirror just to brighten up my morning, but then I smile bigger and it makes me want to smile even more. Positive energy supports the healing of the body, mind, and spirit.
Hope: A definition of hope is to expect with confidence or to cherish a desire with anticipation. We tend to find / see / experience what we look for, some call this manifesting. If I am expecting things to go well, and I focus on the positive, then I am more likely to experience the positive. On a basic level, I will find my keys when I am focused on looking for them. A habit that I have found helpful is to look for beauty daily; the colors in the sunrise, a flower or the way a drop of water catches the light. My faith provides me with hope for the future.
Inspiration: There are so many stories of remarkable human beings overcoming tremendous odds, enduring hardships and surviving. If you are faltering, look to those who have persevered before you for courage and strength. Each survivor is influencing those who are alongside or coming behind. Who knows who you are inspiring.
Play: Many times we take ourselves too seriously, when a little playfulness is what is needed. This could be enjoying others playing or even the antics of chipmunks, squirrels or hummingbirds. Blowing bubbles or coloring are easy options too. Retaining your sense of humor during stressful times is beneficial. Consider Laughter Yoga https://www.laughteryoga.org/ as a way to bring some playful joy into your day.
Whether you are currently going through cancer treatment, have been a multi-decade survivor or are a caregiver or friend of a person diagnosed with cancer, I invite you to take what resonates with you, consider the things that stir you as that may be what will bring you the richest life yet. Well done to those who practice these concepts already.
Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you will ever know, says Winney the Pooh.
Additional resources are available at National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, American Cancer Society, Cancer Choices, as well as cancer specific sites like the Susan G. Komen foundation, and locally through hospitals. Here in Lexington Kentucky there is also Kentucky CancerLink. For more information about clean products visit the Environmental Working Group.
If you are interested in going deeper in your healing journey, feel free to contact me for a Free Consultation.
