The Positive Impact of Loved Ones on Cancer Survivors
- Jaclyn Smith, former “Charlie’s Angels” star and breast cancer survivor, frequently posts about her granddaughters—Bea, Olivia, and Wren—praising them and her other loved ones for bringing her joy.
- Smith was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 after a routine mammogram. Her treatment involved a lumpectomy followed by radiation.
- Going through cancer can be extremely overwhelming, so having physical and emotional support during or after your battle is crucial. It’s very important to know your limits on what you can handle — including relationships — during treatment, as everyone’s experience and personal choices are different.
- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggests women with average breast cancer risk begin screening mammograms once every two years at the age of 40. It’s important to note that women with the BRCA gene mutation, who have a family history of cancer, or have dense breasts are at higher risk and should talk with their doctor about when to begin screening. It may be younger than 40.
- It’s important to remember that survivorship, as seen in Smith’s case, is not a final destination but an ongoing journey. It begins at the moment of diagnosis and continues throughout a person’s life. This is why people often say that “from the moment of diagnosis, you become a survivor”—a powerful idea that captures the courage and resilience required to face and live with a serious illness.
The 80-year-old proud Texan recently took to Instagram, showing a photo of her seated beside her youngest granddaughter, Wren Jaclyn, at a kitchen counter during a recent holiday.
Read MoreSmith also shared a photo of her husband of 28 years, heart surgeon Dr. Brad Allen, standing behind a smiling Wren, with a red dinosaur in hand.View this post on Instagram
Not long after sharing that post, Smith marked her daughter Spencer Margaret Richmond’s 40th birthday on December 4 by posting a video montage.
“We will always be devoted ships sailing side by side—no matter the weather,” she wrote in the caption.
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View this post on Instagram
In another recent social media post, featuring a photo of all three of her granddaughters, writing, “I was recently asked what my favorite room in our home is and our nursery for my three granddaughters is certainly one of them.
“A whimsical place full of memories. What a joy to reminisce in here!”
Smith’s three granddaughters are named Bea, Olivia, and Wren.
Bea and Olivia are her son Gaston Richmond’s daughters, whom he shares with his wife Bonnie.
Meanwhile, her youngest granddaughter, Wren, is her daughter, Spencer Margaret’s child.
View this post on Instagram
Last year, Smith praised her eldest granddaughter Bea for being one of the inspirations behind her fragrance, “Jackie.”
She captioned a sweet Instagram post, “During a school project about who she admires, she answered her Mimi (me) and said she always loves how I smell.
“Sharing this fragrance with all of you will truly be a full circle moment.”
In another touching post, Smith is seen playing with a large bubble wand while her other granddaughter, Olivia, runs around joyfully popping the bubbles.
“She is so unaware of the magic she makes,” Smith wrote.
View this post on Instagram
In an earlier interview with the Daily Mail, Smith expressed how much she enjoys family time, saying, “I really feel the fountain of youth is inside, not out.
“I really feel my best when I’m just surrounded with love, when I’m with my family and we’re all having a wonderful time together.”
Jaclyn Smith’s Journey With Stage 1 Breast Cancer
Jaclyn Smith revealed to us in an earlier conversation that her battle with breast cancer helped her discover a newfound appreciation for life.
“It’s kind of amazing that it ended up making me take action, do things that I wouldn’t have done, maybe,” Smith previously told SurvivorNet.
“I think when you hear [you have cancer], you realize how precious life is. And hey, I’m not just gonna sit back and do nothing. Let me enjoy this moment. And I flew through radiation working, every day.”
View this post on Instagram
While undergoing and recovering from cancer treatment, Smith continued to work, starring in the TV series “The District,” making a cameo appearance in the 2003 Charlie’s Angels reboot, and even launching her own furniture line.
Since her cancer was found at stage 1, she underwent a lumpectomy—a surgical procedure that removes part of the breast—followed by several rounds of radiation.
Expert Breast Cancer Resources
- Introduction to Early-Stage Breast Cancer
- What are the Treatment Options for Late-Stage Breast Cancer?
- For Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy, Women May Choose ‘Now,’ ‘Later,’ or ‘Never’
- Is a Preventative Mastectomy Right for Me?
- Should I Have a Lumpectomy or Mastectomy?
- 5 Things That Do Not Cause Breast Cancer, Because Facts Matter
Dr. Elizabeth Comen explains the standard treatment for early-stage breast cancers.
Battling cancer can be incredibly overwhelming, which is why having strong physical and emotional support is so essential. We admire how Smith prioritized surrounding herself with love and encouragement, during and after treatment. Every cancer journey is different, and honoring personal boundaries and individual needs is a vital part of navigating it.
“Going through treatment is a very vulnerable and emotionally exhausting experience,” licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin wrote in a column for SurvivorNet.
“Noticing what you have strength for and what is feeling like too much … [is] extremely important to pay attention to as you navigate treatment.”
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Dr. Strongin does note, however, that having people by your side during this “arduous chapter” of your life can be hugely beneficial.
“Studies have found consistently that loneliness is a significant risk factor for physical and mental illnesses and the trajectory of recovery,” she wrote.
“Therefore, it will be important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout your treatment.”
Finding the Support You Need
Jaclyn Smith is lucky to have a close-knit family, but if you ever need support and aren’t sure where to turn, know that help is available. A social worker or life coach can guide you and connect you with community groups of people in similar situations, or you might lean on a trusted friend or mentor for guidance and encouragement.
“Some people don’t need to go outside of their family and friends’ circle. They feel like they have enough support there,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik told SurvivorNet.
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“But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it’s important to reach out to a mental health professional.”
Dr. Plutchik also stressed how important it is for people supporting cancer survivors to understand their emotions can vary day-to-day.
“People can have a range of emotions, they can include fear, anger, and these emotions tend to be fluid. They can recede and return based on where someone is in the process,” she explained.
Meanwhile, Dr. Charmain Jackman, a licensed psychologist and founder of InnoPsych, echoes the benefits of positive mental health while facing a health diagnosis.
“In the face of a life-threatening diagnosis, fear, hopelessness, and despair can quickly take space in your mind,” Dr. Jackman explained.
“However, your mindset is a superpower and can be a potent antidote to illness. Practicing gratitude, cultivating joy, and connecting to the community are practical ways to develop a resilient mindset.”
What You Need to Know About Survivorship
Whether you’re beginning your journey into survivorship or are a seasoned survivor, you’ll quickly learn that it’s a term with many layers. At its simplest, ‘survivorship’ signifies the state of living beyond a challenging event or diagnosis, such as cancer. More specifically, it marks the period after treatment where a patient goes from merely surviving to thriving, as they navigate their newfound lease on life.
It’s important to remember that survivorship isn’t just an end state – it’s a continuous journey. It begins the moment a person is diagnosed with a significant health condition and continues throughout their life. You might hear people say things like, “from the moment of diagnosis, you become a survivor.”
It’s a powerful sentiment that reflects the courage and resilience involved in battling a serious illness.
Being a survivor also means redefining your life while coping with the aftermath of disease and its treatment. This phase might include the challenge of dealing with physical and emotional changes, attending regular check-ups, the fear of recurrence, or the need for long-term medication. Despite these hurdles, many survivors find unique strength, growth, and transformation during this time.
Survivorship is much more than just the absence of disease—it’s a new stage of life, a rite of passage. Your journey might not have been one you would have chosen, but through it, you’ll uncover a greater understanding of yourself and what you’re capable of. Each person’s survivorship journey is unique, and how you choose to travel is entirely up to you.
Remember—navigating this new terrain called ‘Survivorship’. It might be challenging, but remember, you’re not alone. There are ample resources and support systems designed to help you along the way.
Continued Medical Care
Don’t lose sight of the importance of continued medical care – always keep your follow-up appointments and adhere to any healthcare recommendations.
Remember, embracing these coping strategies can help you navigate your way into survivorship with greater ease and renewed energy. Just remember – slow and steady wins the race! You’ve overcome huge hurdles, it’s okay to take this new stage of your life at your own pace.
Resilient learning to overcome any obstacle
Additionally, health checkups are an integral part of maintaining wellness and spotting potential health issues early. This holds true for everyone, but even more so for a person who’s in the throes of survivorship.
One of the main reasons you’ll want to maintain routine health checks is to monitor for recurrence. While the hope is always for complete recovery, there’s a possibility of the disease returning—even with successful treatment. Regular checkups allow you to keep a vigilant eye on the situation, leading to early detection and treatment if any problem emerges.
Screening For Breast Cancer
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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