Since my diagnosis, I have done a lot of reading about cancer, and people who are currently battling with it, or those who have won their battle and are living their life after cancer. In my reading I often come across statements made by some of these people, that really catch my attention, and are inspiring or contain some real wisdom. I would like to share some of those statements here, from people you may have heard of and people you have not.
Jaclyn Smith, movie and TV STAR - Right after being diagnosed with breast cancer. "It's very surreal. Your world is not spinning right. It's frightening, and you have to take in so much and educate yourself in a way that you didn't want to educate yourself."
Hoda Kotb, morning TV cohost - "Cancer survivors are blessed with two lives. There is your life before cancer and your life after. I am here to tell you your second life is going to be better than the first."
Heather, a brain cancer survivor - "You have invaded my body without invitation. You have robbed me of emotion, energy, and most of all time. Time with my family. Time wasted worrying over you and what you will do next, when will you strike next. Time wasted worrying about the next scan, the next oncology appointment, the next .......
I will not let you steal my joy and my self confidence (even though you stole my hair). I will not let you touch my heart. I will not let you steal the smile from my face or the beat in my step, though it has become weaker over the time I have known you. You have taken too much from me, so much from me. You are a shadow in my children's faces, they worry about their mom and it shows. You are a shadow in my husband's eyes, he wonders how he can live alone, raise three kids alone. In those quiet moments, when he and I are alone, I see fear in his eyes. You are a shadow in my parents heart, wondering if/when they will have to bury their only child.
You are a shadow in my heart, whispering in my ear. "I am still here." and quietly I whisper back "Not for long". That whisper is getting louder and louder day by day, moment by moment. And sometime, soon I hope, it will drown out your voice."
Andrea Hutton, breast cancer survivor - "Sure, you have to find ways to get through the day without feeling sorry for yourself. Sure, you have to remind yourself of the positives, blah blah blah blah, but some days just suck and there's no way around it. Some days you just have to give yourself permission to whine and feel sorry for yourself, regardless of how other people expect you to act."
Lance Armstrong, cyclist and cancer survivor - Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever.