SEC - S9W6: " My Biggest Challenge "

^{My biggest challenge "C" Designed by Canva}

As you grow with each passing year, you experience new challenges. As a baby, you have the challenge of learning to turn, sit, crawl, and then walk. Not to mention copying and understanding the funny noises and faces that come from your parents.

You grow older, you change, and you become wiser, yet those challenges keep on painting your life. Some of them are small, and others are like mountains you have to climb.

Some of us will have to sit and think carefully about which challenge was the biggest, and for others, they will know straight away. I fall into the latter group.

I know what my biggest challenge was. I don’t have to think about it or ponder about it. My biggest challenge starts with the dreadful "C" word. Yes, I was one of those who received the "death penalty", I am a breast cancer survivor.

I have shared my story before in a Steemit engagement challenge; therefore, I was not sure if I should enter this contest and share it for a second time. Then I read the guidelines.

👉Tell us how did you get over it?
👉What advice can you give us from your experience?

In all these years, nobody has ever asked me these two questions. When they hear the "C" word, they immediately become quiet, and you can see the pity in their eyes and hear it in their voices.

Best of all, it is something that is not going to go away. In fact, this morning it was on the news that there has been a 42% growth in breast cancer.

How I got over it

Being diagnosed with cancer puts you through stormy seas. It is totally overwhelming.

You have to see the doctors, you have to take in what they tell you, and you are so overwhelmed with what you are hearing and what is going to happen.

Yes, you have to get over the fear which is by far the most difficult thing to do, and ride those waves with dignity.

As we are all unique and our circumstances and diagnoses are different, we cope in different ways. All my life, I’ve been a person hungry for information. I want to know why, I want to know how, and I want to know when.

• I got a second opinion.
• I started a journal. Each day I filled the pages with a positive thought. So often it was not easy, but once I had founded those words and dotted them down, I was a different person.
• I searched the internet to find as much information as possible, and I wrote it all down in my journal.
• I learned more about the different treatments.
• I made the time to pause and slow down in my daily activities.
• I found other "victims" who were successful with their treatment.
• I joined support groups in my area.

Cancer is a long process. First there might be an operation, then the treatment, and just when you think it is over, you start your five year plan of medication and yearly tests. For the rest of your life, it will be like a sword hanging over your head.

If I could have a magic wand, or if I could have one wish, it would be for a magic wand. A wand with which I could cast that magic spell to take it away.

My advice

I quickly learned that I was not the only one with cancer.

There are plenty more, from tiny children to the elderly. All of them are fighting for survival. Some survive, and others don’t. It brought joy to our hearts to see the familiar faces back for treatment.

It was with gladness that we celebrated those who finished their treatment. And so it was also with tears in our eyes that we shared when a familiar face was no longer there.

Today I want to give advice to two groups;

1. Those who are cancer free
2. Those who might receive the verdict in the future

1. If you are cancer free

• Go for regular testing
• If you think something is wrong, don’t wait; go and see your doctor
• You have to adjust your lifestyle
• Eat healthy
• Exercise regularly
• Stop smoking

It is your body, and if you don’t look after it, nobody else will.

2. If you receive the verdict

• Don’t hesitate to get a second opinion
• You have to accept the outcome
• You cannot let it get you down
• Surround yourself with positive people
• Share with your family. They are there to support you
• Educate yourself so that you are always one step ahead
• Get on your knees and pray!

Through all this, I have learned that... life is too short not to wake up in the morning and be grateful.

I invite:
@aaliarubab @ninapenda @nexcis

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