Let's Talk Radiation Therapy

Early in my career, I had a patient who completed treatment for her breast cancer and returned for a follow-up appointment. She stopped by the treatment machine to visit and thank her team. She said, “This cancer diagnosis was actually the best thing that ever happened to me! I have taken two trips, and I have one more booked—and I’ve been skydiving! Nothing scares me now!” She continued to tell us she didn’t worry so much about the small stuff and had a different, more positive approach to living her life. She credited her cancer diagnosis for “waking up” her life. It was an important lesson I learned in using an unexpected, outwardly negative experience for personal growth and expansion. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade.

This message might seem awfully bold of me to say, and I completely understand this might not resonate with everyone, but I promise you it’s not meant to taunt. I’m true to my experience, and this is the truth: I’ve seen people come out the other side of cancer treatment changed for the better, really making it a point to start living their lives. In general, it’s not uncommon to hear about life-changing experiences that allow some people to start thinking and living their lives differently. If you choose, you can allow this diagnosis to be that for you, reframing the way you think about your diagnosis.

I implore you to think about what you want your life to look like after your treatment. Imagine yourself making it through this and using the experience to grow yourself stronger. A cancer diagnosis can be an opportunity to wake up your dormant dreams and start living a life fueled by hope and inspiration for positive changes. Take that dream vacation you always wanted to go on, or visit family that you haven’t seen in a  while, or mend the relationship with a loved one that has fragmented over the years.

This could be motivating for you if you choose. Let’s get you through this unexpected chapter of your life and get back on track to an even more fulfilling and beautiful one! That’s the thing about cancer—it can scare you just enough to push you right toward
really living.