Written by: Kathryn White, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
One of the most difficult things to hear are the three words – you have cancer. This short phrase can stop you in your tracks and certainly change the course of your life forever. Initially, you may feel nothing at all as your mind attempts to process what was just said. At some point there will be a rush of emotions that may range from fear to anger. Overwhelm can start to creep in as you are given information that isn’t part of your everyday vocabulary and you try to process it all. It is a lot and it comes very quickly.
What is important to remember is that you are not your diagnosis. You are still you. You can find ways to live with cancer and enjoy your life outside of treatments, appointments and surgeries.
Cancer brings on big life changes that may seem insurmountable. Big changes are difficult, and take a lot out of a person, but there are some easy steps that can be taken right now. These steps, even small ones, can allow you to live your life to the fullest with cancer.
Create A Better Life Today
It may seem easy to say, right? But is it easy to do?
No one is saying it is easy. But when you start looking for small ways to make your life better in the moment, and to bring joy into your daily life, even if you don't accomplish anything immediately, you are caring for yourself. Thinking about change sets your mind and your motivation in motion. You're not expected to just put your diagnosis aside, just to make things better today. But, seeing that you can find some joy and make memories in then moment will motivate you for when you face the more difficult steps. Consider some of the following simple actions:
Write down some things you'd like to do. This makes the possibility of living life to the fullest in the now more real, and not only gets your mind working, but distracts it, even momentarily, from cancer. Start making this "wish list" into real actions; do the things you want and can do now. Life is meant to be lived in the present. Now is the perfect time to get started.
Close your eyes and breathe deeply inhaling and exhaling through your nose whenever you feel stressed. Stress is one of the biggest impediments to a better life. Simple stress management techniques like this can help a lot when you are facing overwhelming thoughts or feelings, and when it is time for appointments and tests. And, a calmer mind that is feeling less stressed can help you think more clearly and has the added benefit of supporting your immune system, which is critical when you have cancer.
List the good things you've got. This may seem trite, but a good mood makes life better. Ever buy a car and start seeing that car everywhere? The same thing happens when you buy an idea or a feeling. Imagine how it will affect your frame of mind to start seeing good things everywhere and to feel a little more uplifted by what you see and do.
Mindset can make all the difference when you are living with a cancer diagnosis. There will be things that have to happen when you are living with cancer – appointments, surgeries, treatments and more. But this does not have to control every aspect of your life. You get to be in control of what you want to do and how you want to make the most of your life. It is important to remember that you are not your diagnosis – you are still you and you deserve to live your life to the fullest right here and now.
If you’re wanting to work with me personally, I have a 6 Month Cancer Support Coaching Program that I offer to help people living with cancer, whether you are actively in treatment or are moving into the next stages of reclaiming your life. Working with a Cancer Support Coach is the key to moving beyond just surviving and into THRIVING in life. Go to my website and grab all the details: www.kathrynwhite.coach
I am currently running a Free 5-day workshop, Thrive with Cancer: moving beyond just surviving, once a month so that individuals living with cancer can access my strategies, get to know me, and get some insight into what working with a Cancer Support Coach looks like. It is open to anyone who is living with cancer, is living life after cancer, or is a caregiver. You can register for my workshop here.
Kathryn White, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Kathryn White is a Cancer Coach with a passion for serving others. In 2015 Kathryn was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. Almost 7 years later she is living a happy and healthy life which she attributes to her amazing medical team, her belief in her ability to rise above her diagnosis, significant lifestyle changes, and the love of her family.
Kathryn merges her experience with cancer with her former profession as a public school teacher to coach others living with cancer, and cancer survivors on how to reclaim their health and happiness. At the heart of her coaching is the belief that we are not our diagnosis and that with support it is possible to navigate a life with cancer.
As a trained teacher, Certified Nutrition Educator, 500 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher, and Certified Holistic Cancer Coach, Kathryn integrates nutrition, movement, mindfulness, and other healing modalities into her coaching. The integration of these modalities truly makes Kathryn's Cancer Coaching a body, mind, and spirit focused process.
Kathryn has taken her experience and knowledge and shared it with others through workshops and speaking events, where she strives to inspire others to make lifestyle changes that can build health and prevent dis-ease in the body. She is the host of The Living to Thrive Podcast, which is focused on educating people on how to be more health-full and stress-less. Kathryn has built her life with cancer around the mantra: Live to Thrive.
