When thinking about cancer, it’s a lot easier to dwell on the negative side of things. But if you allow it to, it can teach you a lot about yourself, and about life.

Cancer has taught me…to value life experiences. Good, or bad,the experiences in your life make you who you are. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that when I was first diagnosed, I was rather blasé about the whole affair, but after it hit me that this was a serious situation, I feel that I took control of it fairly well. I started keeping journals, and a binder in which to keep important information regarding my treatment. This experience, though not COMPLETELY positive, has made me who I am today. I strongly believe that my life would not be as good as it is, if I had not been diagnosed, and had the experiences that I’ve had over the last 9 + years. I’m fairly certain I wouldn’t be as appreciative of the things and the people in my life as I am now.

Cancer has taught me…to take chances. I’ve always been kind of shy. Not really willing to put myself out there, or be the center of attention. But since diagnosis, I’ve become a little bolder. A little more assertive. Definitely a little more empowered. Nothing reaffirmed this about me than this past summer when I went to San Antonio and Washington D.C. for MPN Events. I’m NOT someone who would ordinarily be comfortable with public speaking, but I am more willing to take risks, especially when it could benefit the MPN community, of course. But these are things that I would NEVER have done before diagnosis.

Cancer has taught me…perspective. Your views on life change drastically when facing a serious illness of any kind. it forces you to realize that life is shorter than you think. Knowing that at any moment my body could say “I think your bone marrow has worked hard enough, I think I’ll let it scar over and be useless, you know…forever” or “Hey, let’s throw a nice little blood clot into your brain or your lungs just for giggles” changes things. Things that used to bother me a lot, have less of an impact. Now I’m not saying that I’m mellow, and calm about everything. Don’t get me wrong, I still get frustrated, even angry at times. But I’m talking about the little daily annoyances. The lights were not in your favor on the way to work, or maybe you didn’t make it to the bank before they closed, whatever the case may be, is just NOT as important anymore. And then there’s the positive things…they’re even MORE positive than they were before! You did NOT get stuck behind the school bus on the way to the office, or perhaps your boss told you he/she appreciates the hard work you put into the project you were working on, these are all infinitely more exciting than they may have been before. I find myself being excited about some of the things that otherwise I may have taken for granted. The little things are more exciting, and the important things like friends and family are all the more important.

So these are the three biggest things my cancer has taught me. What are some of the things cancer has taught you?

As always, you are your own best advocate. If you do not take care of yourself, who will?

Until next time,

Lina