With six full cycles under my belt, it’s time for a chemo-journey recap.
As I mentioned in my Half-Time Recap, learning and change happen at three levels: cognitive, affective and behavioral: First, we make sense of things in our head. This, in turn, influences how we feel, which, in turn, influences how we act.
So, as I look back to my full (and now-completed) chemo journey, this mental checklist of take-aways will solidify my learnings and hopefully guide how I navigate the rest of my life.
1. Shit happens: Cancer and set-backs do not give you a heads-up.
2. Get back on the horse: When shit happens, give yourself time to pout and cry, then shake it off and fight.
3. Anxiety is inevitable: The unknown is scary, but anxiety fades away as you transition from myth to experience-based facts.
4. You can’t control it all: Sometimes you need to let go and even fall apart.
5. Deconstruct the problem into small parts: Taking everything on at once is overwhelming. Break down your battles into manageable chunks.
6. Believe: There is healing power all around you (chemo, love, rain, and beyond).
7. Hold on to love and reassurance no matter where it's coming from: The cancer-chemo journey is not easy. Hold on to those who show up and stick by your side.
8. Letting go of the old leaves room for the healthy new: Any loss (hair, or otherwise) is painful, but the temporary void leaves room for new life to grow and thrive.
9. Be grateful: There’s a hidden blessing in (almost) every step of the journey.
10. Choose the glass half full: Don’t get fixated on what’s missing. Focus on the glass half full, and you will lead a happier and healthier life.
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