Moving on with cancer
When you get cancer, one thing is certain. Life is never the same again. It’s natural to feel upset about all the changes and uncertainties brought on by the disease.
At times, you may feel frustrated, helpless or depressed. There are ways to take control of your life and restore hope so you can feel better and focus on healing.
Taking control of your life
Cancer may have entered your life, but you can take control. Taking control of your life can be as simple as asking questions of your doctor and being part of the decision-making process.
It can mean recruiting family and friends to help sort through all the information, or connecting with other cancer survivors. Likewise, supporting a cause or policy regarding cancer may help you feel more in control.
Restoring hope
For many, hope plays an important role in the cancer journey. Some people hope for defeating the cancer, relief from symptoms, or avoiding recurrence. Others hope for peace, acceptance and good times with family and friends.
Maintaining hope may help you cope better with the disease by helping to:
- Reduce stress, anxiety and depression
- Improve your outlook
- Build confidence to face the challenges ahead
- Provide a sense of inner peace
- Strengthen the will to live
Quotes of encouragement for people affected by cancer
It’s normal to have good days and bad days when you’re dealing with an illness like cancer. On days when you’re feeling down, how can you keep your spirits up? The following quotes may provide hope and inspiration to get you through the difficult times:
“When the world says, ‘Give up’ Hope whispers, ‘Give it one more try.’" ~ Carolyn Agrimis
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“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
~ Harriet Beecher Stowe1
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt2
“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt1
“Once you choose hope, anything's possible.”
~ Christopher Reeve1
"I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!" ~ Dr. Seuss1
“The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.” ~ C. C. Scott1
“Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and repeat to yourself, the most comforting words of all; this, too, shall pass.” ~ Ann Landers3
“You have within you right now, everything you need to deal with whatever the world can throw at you.”
~ Brian Tracy3
“The most important thing in illness is never to lose heart.” ~ Nikolai Lenin1
"Getting cancer can become the beginning of living. The search for one's own being, the discovery of the life one needs to live, can be one of the strongest weapons against disease." ~ Lawrence LeShan5
“As long as we can feel hope, there is hope.” ~ Harriet Goldhor Lerner6
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” ~ Reinhold Niebuhr4
"In the hour of adversity be not without hope. For crystal rain falls from black clouds" ~ Persian Proverb
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“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” ~ Christopher Reeve3
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” ~ Confucius3
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt4
“If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or Fight Like Hell.”
~ Lance Armstrong4
"Don't count the days, make the days count." ~ Muhammad Ali4
“Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway.” ~ Emory Austin1
“One day at a time – this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.” ~ Ida Scott Taylor4
“Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He’s going to be up all night anyway.” ~ Mary C. Crowley4
"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." ~ Gandhi4
“Drag your thoughts away from your troubles... by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it.” ~ Mark Twain1
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” ~ Albert Einstein4
Citations
- quotegarden.com
- quotationspage.com
- brainyquote.com
- thinkexist.com
- breastcancerquotes.com
- upontherainbow.com
10 tips for finding hope & inspiration with cancer
- Face forward. Try not to focus on understanding why cancer came into your life, but rather on how to deal with it now that it’s here. When you let go of the past, you can begin to move on. Acceptance can improve your outlook and help you appreciate life, love and family in new ways.
- Learn about yourself. Try to discover what values, relationships and life experiences have helped define you. Look inward at who you are, what makes you special, what brings you comfort and joy. A greater self-awareness can lead to a deepened sense of purpose and restored hope.
- Set personal goals. Finding small things in life to look forward to each day can help you feel more hopeful. Try to set small, reasonable goals for each day, such as taking a walk, making a phone call, having lunch with a friend, reading a chapter of a book, etc.
- Develop coping strategies. What comforted you through difficult times before cancer may help ease your worries now. Talking to a close friend, counselor, or religious leader may help. Also, try relaxation techniques, keeping a journal, or participating in a new activity or hobby.
- Participate in fun activities. Figure out what you enjoy doing and make those activities priorities. Physical activity can have positive effects on your mood and make you feel more hopeful. Also, try creative outlets, such as drawing, painting, music, and poetry.
- Connect with others. A network of friends, family, community members and other people living with cancer can be an essential source of support and encouragement at this time. Also, being able to talk with your health care team can help you feel more confident and in control.
- Become a cancer advocate. Cancer advocacy can transform your outlook about the disease and provide a sense of community, inspiration and hope. You may decide to volunteer for fundraising events with your local cancer society, participate in walks, or support a cause, idea or policy.
- Nurture your spirituality. Participation in spiritual and/or religious activities can help you feel more hopeful and improve your mood. Try prayer, meditation, spending time in nature, writing in a journal, volunteer work, or meeting with a spiritual counselor.
- Seek professional help. Psychological care is normal and necessary when you’re dealing with cancer. If at any time you feel hopeless, depressed, or other emotions that become overwhelming, consider talking with a health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker.
- Don't give up. Cancer affects each person differently. If you have been given no further options, it doesn’t necessarily mean other options don’t exist. Remember, there may be other health care providers that present a different picture and offer resources that can help you.
NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED NOR IMPLIED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE PROVIDER REGARDING YOUR CANCER CARE.