How a Colon Cancer Diagnosis Changed My Life (for the better)

How can getting cancer make your life better? That may seem like a ridiculous statement considering that in 2015 I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. I had no idea what the process or the outcome was going to look like. But what I did know was that I was going to do what I could to survive. Today I feel so blessed. Blessed to be on the other side of cancer, to be here with my family, and to have been hit with a huge dose of reality that has changed my life for the better. At the time, I had no idea that positivity, happiness and lifestyle would play such a large part in my road to reclaiming my life and transforming my health.

5 Things I Learned as I Navigated My Way Back to Health

Everything I needed I already had inside me

After my oncologist told me I had stage 4 cancer I had one option and that was to get healthy and stay healthy. I would love to say that it was that easy but, if you have had cancer you know it is not a simple process. As the surgeries came and went and the treatments got harder I knew I had to dig in and stay strong. I focused on staying positive and believing that I could do this. My only option was 100% success. In hindsight I know that resiliency played a huge part in the process. The challenges I had faced growing up had built up tools inside me that I didn't know were there until I needed them. I was able to use my strong will to tell cancer that I was on control. My do it myself attitude kept me out of victim role and allowed me to be in control of what I wanted and needed in the moment. My ability to adapt to new situations helped me to navigate the ups and downs literally day to day. 

What is truly important in life

What puts a smile on your face every day and feeds your soul? What fills you up until you are ready to burst? For me it is my family and my health. With these two things I can do anything. Before cancer I was highly dedicated to my career. I poured so much energy into excelling at my job, being creative, and being the consummate professional. What I didn't realize at the time was the toll that this was taking on my health. Now I know that nothing is more important than good health. Without your health you cannot do the things that bring you joy. 

Stress is not our friend

I was a grade 8 teacher for almost 20 years when I was hit with cancer. I was also the mom to two teenage boys. My life revolved around rushing around, and trying to make everyone happy. What I didn’t know was that increased levels of stress are linked to the development of cancer. The impact of stress and learning how to manage it has been a major part of my healing and my happiness moving forward. Your body may be sending you signals that stress is showing up but too often the signals go ignored. Tension in your neck, shoulders and jaw are stress. Headaches can be from stress. Muscles tension in your body - stress. Emotional outbursts or the inability to navigate situations can also be from stress. I tell my clients that you have to listen to the whispers of your body. It knows when something is wrong, you just need to learn to listen and respond so that stress doesn't impact your health.

Food can heal us and make us stronger

What I have learned is that food builds health. You can be your best healthiest self when you take care of your body and fill yourself up with nutritious whole foods. Learning about the impact of nutrition on my body and falling in love with whole foods and cooking has opened up a whole new world for me and there is no going back! Your body needs real food, not processed foods to support your cells, your bones and your organs. Healing comes from eating health building foods.

Life is a gift

I have seen what life looks like when you don't take care of yourself. Too often we take our health for granted. It was when I lost my health and almost lost my life that I realized that life is truly precious and that it is meant to be lived right now. I don't wait anymore if there is something I want to do. If I can do it, I do. I feel fulfilled being outdoors hiking, camping, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and gardening. I love live music so I go to concerts every time I get the chance. I love eating delicious meals so my husband and I cook together at home and seek out great places to eat out. And, I love to travel. When I can I seek out adventures near and far to explore and to feel the excitement of seeing something for the first time.

ThriveHer Lessons

It shouldn't take a life threatening illness for us to enjoy life, but sometimes we need to have a shake up to see what really matters. As a cancer ThriveHer I know that every day is a gift and I no longer take that gift for granted. Stress management, lifestyle changes and gratitude have been part of my healing and they can be part of yours too. Keep thriving. friend.