Breast cancer survivor Rita Wilson, 63, recently appeared on the ‘Songs for Life’ podcast to share ten songs that tell the story of her life. Among them is ‘Throw Me A Party,‘ the emotional song Wilson wrote detailing plans for her sendoff, after she’d been diagnosed with breast cancer. Wilson also took to instagram to share her latest song, ‘When This Is Over,’ which was a collaboration with Jimmie Allen, the Oak Ridge Boys, and Tauren Wells. The song expresses the feelings they had towards the pandemic and what they have come to appreciate more during their time in quarantine.
Read MoreRita Wilson’s Cancer Diagnosis
Wilson revealed her cancer diagnosis in 2015. "I have taken a leave … to deal with a personal health issue," she told People at the time. "Last week, with my husband by my side, and with the love and support of family and friends, I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction for breast cancer after a diagnosis of invasive lobular carcinoma." Invasive lobular carcinoma is a type of breast cancer that begins in the glands of the breast that produce milk, which are called lobules. If the cancer is invasive, it has broken out of the lobules, and has the potential to spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.Before her cancer became invasive, Wilson's carcinoma was monitored without further treatment. "I have had an underlying condition of LCIS, (lobular carcinoma in situ) which has been vigilantly monitored through yearly mammograms and breast MRIs."
Wilson decided on a prophylactic mastectomy so that her breast cancer wouldn’t return. However, in the ‘Songs For Life’ podcast, she talks about how writing music helped her after her diagnosis. “I wanted to write about the experience I had, which was having a conversation with Tom about what to do if I were going to leave this earth before him,” Wilson shared in the podcast.
These discussions are what inspired her song, ‘Throw Me A Party,’ where she highlights how she wants her loved ones to celebrate her memory if she passes. "You should dance as if I was there. Don't be sad or be broken hearted. Just send your voices up in the air,” Wilson sings.
She recalls her experience as initially being scary and lonely since her husband was doing a movie in Hungary and her son was struggling with substance abuse. However, they were there for her overall and she credits her girlfriends and family for getting her through it.
Having A Support Network During Your Cancer Journey
The Benefit of Support Networks for Cancer Patients
For many cancer patients, like Rita Wilson, support during their cancer journey is crucial. "I started going online, not only to find information, but also support groups and stories from survivors," says Chicago native and 53-year-old ovarian cancer survivor Kelly Sargent when discussing her reaction to being diagnosed.
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She was diagnosed in San Antonio, without an established support system outside of her family, so she took it upon herself to create one. She found her support network amongst members of her Bible study group, who gave her the ability to survive and persist.
Managing Fears Through Music
Outside of creating or relying on a support system during your cancer journey, Laurie Ostacher, a medical social worker at Sutter Bay Medical Foundation in the San Francisco Bay Area, points out other ways that cancer patients can assuage their fears around cancer. "You don't know what it's going to be like, you don't know what side effects you'll have,” says Ostacher in a previous interview with SurvivorNet.
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However, cancer social workers remind us there are ways to combat the fear of the unknown. One way to do so is by expressing what you are scared about. Many cancer patients and survivors share their worries surrounding cancer. Ostacher recommends that patients express their concerns to their medical team so that they can receive helpful information to help them cope with the anxiety surrounding cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recurrence.
Ostacher explained to SurvivorNet how she helps cancer patients during their treatments.
Before their first infusion, she "teaches them tools to use when they feel anxious," says Ostacher. "I encourage them to bring an iPad or some music with them, something that will help calm them down. We review [mindfulness] techniques that can help ground them"deep breathing, or focusing their attention on physical sensations "like their arms on the chair and their feet on the floor." If possible, bringing a supportive partner or friend with you, who's calm and partnering with you along this journey helps, Ostacher adds, though that's not always possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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