‘Dancing With the Stars’ Edyta Sliwinska, 44, Celebrates One-Year Cancer Anniversary Reflecting on How Trapped She Felt, Unable to Enjoy Life While Undergoing Treatment
‘Dancing With the Stars’ Edyta Sliwinska, 44, Celebrates One-Year Cancer Anniversary Reflecting on How Trapped She Felt, Unable to Enjoy Life While Undergoing Treatment
“Dancing With the Stars” alum Edyta Sliwinska, 44, marks one year since her cancer diagnosis, calling it “the most stressful” time of her life and crediting her recovery to a renewed appreciation for health and everyday moments.
She shares how cancer reshaped her perspective on life and gratitude, saying, “You can have hundreds of other problems, but when your body fails you, you have only one problem: health.”
Gratitude means being thankful for what you have and showing appreciation for it. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, several studies have indicated that learning to live with gratitude can lead to more happiness and less stress.
One way to exercise gratitude is to take time to think about things you appreciate every day. One way to exercise gratitude in your life is to write down those things in a journal.
A major health challenge that causes noticeable changes to your appearance can impact how you feel, physically and emotionally. Psychiatrist Dr. Marianna Strongin encourages cancer warriors to look at and appreciate the parts of their bodies that were affected by treatment to take back ownership.
To help manage your mental health while coping with a diagnosis, some helpful tips include leaning on your support group, journaling, and/or seeking a mental health professional.
Reality TV star Edyta Sliwinska, 44, is celebrating a milestone that’s personal and hard-fought—her one-year cancerversary. The beloved “Dancing With the Stars” alum revealed last year that she had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer, a chapter she now describes as “the most stressful” of her life.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Sliwinska shared that she underwent major surgery and spent much of that time confined to bed, relying on painkillers to get through the day. Now, a year later, she’s embracing the joy of everyday life with renewed gratitude.
After she underwent treatment, she recalled thinking, “I didn’t know if I would live to see today. I didn’t know how long I had left, how serious it was, or how my life would change,” according to E! News.
“The main thing I learned over the past year is that health is the most underappreciated luxury—you only appreciate it when you lose it,” she wrote.
Sliwinska’s reflections offer a powerful reminder of how a diagnosis can shift priorities.
“You can have hundreds of other problems, but when your body fails you, you have only one problem: health,” she shared. “I used to stress about an upcoming avalanche of appointments and an overloaded schedule—about how my kids were doing in school, what someone said about me, and so many other things. I still feel anxious about many everyday matters, but I’ve gained a completely different perspective on life.”
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 22: Edyta Sliwinska arrives at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 22, 2009, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
That perspective now includes a deep appreciation for the very things that once felt overwhelming.
“The fact that I have a busy schedule and so many things to do is a blessing, because there was a time when I was chained to my bed, surviving on painkillers,” she said.
Today, Sliwinska is savoring the moments she once feared she might miss.
“A year later, I’m here, experiencing all these amazing moments with my family and my friends—moments I could not enjoy just a year ago at the same time, because all that was on my mind was cancer.”
The Power of Gratitude: How Cancer Survivors Find Strength in Appreciation
Many cancer survivors who’ve shared their journeys with SurvivorNet speak not only of resilience, but of gratitude. In the face of life-altering diagnoses and grueling treatments, they consistently point to the people, moments, and simple joys that bring light into their lives.
Defined as the practice of recognizing and appreciating what we have, gratitude can be a powerful mindset for those navigating the uncertainty of cancer. Experts interviewed by SurvivorNet encourage both patients and their loved ones to embrace gratitude as a tool for emotional well-being and mental strength.
WATCH: Finding gratitude and its impact on your well-being.
Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, has seen firsthand how this mindset can transform the treatment experience.
“The patients who do well with cancer live life with gratitude—not for the disease itself, but for the clarity it brings,” he explains.
“They’re grateful for the opportunity to understand that life is finite, and that every moment matters.”
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, multiple studies show that cultivating gratitude can lead to increased happiness and reduced stress—two critical factors in supporting mental health during treatment.
Practicing gratitude doesn’t require grand gestures. It can be as simple as pausing each day to reflect on what brings you joy or jotting down a few things you’re thankful for in a journal. These small acts can help reframe even the most difficult days, offering a sense of control, hope, and emotional grounding.
Coping With Post-Surgery Scars, Body Image Amid Cancer
Sliwinska has a surgery scar at the bottom of her stomach that carries added meaning because it represents how far she’s come.
“I wear this scar under my belly as a reminder that life is incredibly fragile,” she said.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – APRIL 15: Dancer Edyta Sliwinska attends the 23rd Annual Race To Erase MS Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 15, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Angela Weiss/Getty Images for Race To Erase MS)
When you are in the middle of a health challenge, you may notice some physical changes in your body. The changes may include weight gain or loss, hair loss, or something invisible to the naked eye.
One way to prepare yourself for possible body changes during cancer treatment is to understand that changes are possible but also frequently temporary. This can also help build up your self-confidence. Your support group, filled with loved ones, can also help you during this stage of your journey.
While surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are treatments that can cause visible changes to one’s physical appearance, other treatments that are less noticeable include endocrine or hormone therapy.
Hormone therapy “slows or stops the growth of hormone-sensitive tumors by blocking the body’s ability to produce hormones,” according to the National Cancer Institute.
Psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin shares with SurvivorNet some additional tips cancer warriors can explore to help manage the emotional toll body changes can have during treatment.
Dr. Strongin encourages cancer warriors to take ownership of the part (or parts) of their body impacted mainly by cancer treatment. She says that although they may represent “fear and pain,” they also represent “strength and courage.”
“Research has found that when looking in the mirror, we are more likely to focus on the parts of our body we are dissatisfied with, which causes us to have a negative self-view and lower self-esteem. Therefore, I would like you to first spend time gazing at the parts of your body you love, give them time, honor them, and then thank them,” Dr. Strongin said.
Dr. Strongin then suggests looking at the part or parts of your body impacted by the cancer or cancer treatment. She recommends creating a regular practice of accepting your body image because it helps you accept your cancer journey emotionally and physically.
“As you allow yourself to spend more time looking at all of you, you will begin having a new relationship with your body. It may not happen immediately, but with time, you can begin honoring and thanking your new body,” Strongin adds.
Help Coping With a Cancer Diagnosis
If you are facing a breast cancer diagnosis, your emotions are likely to run high, which is completely normal. Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik says emotions are often fluid when coping with a diagnosis.
“The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid. You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive wave of stress the next. It’s also important for those you look to for support, whether that’s a therapist, friends, and family, or both, to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions,” Dr. Plutchik said.
WATCH: How to cope with complex and changing emotions.
If a stressful event affects how you think and feel, it may be time to seek mental health treatment. This could mean traditional talk therapy, medication, changing lifestyle habits (like exercise and diet), seeking a support group, or many other approaches.
SurvivorNet experts suggest that patients who need a little extra help coping with their diagnosis:
Let your family and close friends know, and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support, but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronicle your thoughts throughout the day.
Join a cancer support group. Groups in nearly every community offer opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn constructive insight from others who can tell you what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.
