Finding the Good in Tough Times
- In 2020, approximately 1,806,590 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States.
- Keeping a strong and positive mindset through cancer diagnosis and treatment can help people adjust to their new reality.
- These survivors give us so much reason to be hopeful.
Crystal Harper is a Hodgkins Lymphoma Survivor
Crystal Harper is all about keeping forward momentum, no matter what. She says, "During a cancer diagnosis and treatment, you are surrounded with so much fear, anxiety, stress, and many other negative emotions. Cancer survivors are some of the strongest people I know because despite feeling like their entire world is crumbling down, they find a way to move forward and seek joy in things that most others don't even think twice about.”
Read MoreWe know how precious life is and we don't take that for granted! Related: Breast Cancer Survivor Jane Fonda, 82, Embodies Resilience And Strength As Elle Magazine's April Cover Model “That's why when everyday life gets stressful and overwhelming, I truly think cancer survivors have the upper hand. We've been there and we know how to get through incredibly tough times. We know how precious life is and we don't take that for granted! If you can get through a cancer diagnosis, you can get through anything."Robyn Hobson is Fighting Pancreatic Cancer
Robyn Hobson knows that cancer doesn’t discriminate it affects everyone. She is currently battling pancreatic cancer, and tells SurvivorNet, “Disease does not care if you are male, female, young or old, tall or short, or the color of your skin. It can hit anyone and any time. It is not the diagnosis that can harm us but rather the actions we take after.”
We are not defined by our disease.
Related: Stay Positive, It Matters
“Be the light in your time of darkness. We are not defined by our disease. It is not who we are but simply a part of God’s plan. We are defined by our actions. We are defined by how we love one another, help those in need, and how we uplift others.”
Magdalena Bujalski is a Blood Cancer Survivor
Fun-loving Magdalena Bujalski knows the importance of gratitude and keeping a positive mindset throughout the cancer journey. “In times like these, practicing gratitude is more important than ever.”
When we include practicing gratitude into our daily routines, we help make our own days a little brighter.
“This year has shown us how fortunate we are to have the things that we do and how much we value those in our lives. It is not easy to be positive every single day, but when we include practicing gratitude into our daily routines, we help make our own days a little brighter.”
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Ananda Lewis is Fighting Breast Cancer
TV host and mother Ananda Lewis, 47, is battling stage three breast cancer and believes in the power of a strong mindset.”I believe that we create our future from the present and that we do that with our emotions. And that our emotions are 100% under our control. Now, that doesn’t mean life isn’t going to throw you curveballs that piss you off or depress you or make you sad.”
You have the ability and power to get back up from that place of sadness and get yourself higher up on the frequency level.
Related: Treating Depression After a Cancer Diagnosis
“What it means is that you have the ability and power to get back up from that place of sadness and get yourself higher up on the frequency level back to a place of powerful creation. It’s the only way you get to determine what comes next. And YOU do determine what comes next.”
Allan Etmanski is a Testicular Cancer Survivor
Sportscaster Allan Etmanski keeps his eye on the goal: Surviving and thriving. “It's easy to be negative in a world where that is what we are bombarded with. Through different media channels, negativity seems to be what the focus is…and it breeds. But, what happens if you change the perspective and pluck out the positives? Well, all of a sudden tough situations become a little more bearable and a spot that seemed to be between a rock and hard place, now has a light at the end of the tunnel.”
So much of what we deal with in life is all about our perspective and how we see it. If we focus on the negative then that is all we will see. Once you start to pull out the positives, the outlook becomes that much better.
Related: 5 Important Facts About Testicular Cancer, Including How to Screen for the Disease
“Take being diagnosed with cancer, for example. It could be the most devastating day for somebody if they were to dwell on the negative and the bad. But, if you pull out the positives it can put a new spin on it. And, it really makes you appreciate the little things that you may have taken for granted before. Sure, you could have had a bad day at work. Are you going home to a roof over your head? That's a positive. Look at that instead of the bad day you just had. Are the lights on, is there food in the fridge? That's another positive. That bad day isn't so bad anymore, is it?”
“So much of what we deal with in life is all about our perspective and how we see it. If we focus on the negative then that is all we will see. Once you start to pull out the positives, the outlook becomes that much better. Appreciate the small victories along the road. It'll make the big ones even better.”
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Leya Elijah-Eller is an Ovarian & Leukemia Survivor
Leya Elijah-Eller radiates light, love, and self-confidence as well as some seriously stylish purple hair, too! She says, “Once you elevate your life to fight fiercely and fabulously; don’t look down! The quest for true peace, strength, and happiness, begins and ends inside of you! We were born with all we need already inside of us, like tools in a toolbox!”
I will survive and show the world: This is what a fighter looks like!
Related: 'Faith, Family, and Friends' Helped Beverly Reeves Get Through Ovarian Cancer Treatment
“I’m fulfilling my purpose, Walking into my destiny, and living my dreams! You don’t have to like how I want to fight, agree with my treatment/therapy, you can even be against how I choose to live. One thing is certain, you will not stop it!! I will survive and show the world: This is what a fighter looks like!”
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Stephanie Johnson is an Ovarian Cancer Survivor
We must continue to focus on that which we can control.
Denver-native Stephanie Johnson, was only 35 years old when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She says, “As cancer survivors, we know what it takes to be strong and healthy! We must continue to focus on that which we can control and live where our power resides- in the present moment. Let’s all be sure we breathe deeply, love fiercely and laugh when possible as much as we can during this tumultuous time- we are worth it!”
'It's Best To Just Live In The Present Moment' Ovarian Cancer Survivor Stephanie Johnson's Story
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