Seven ways I got through a rare cancer diagnosis
Sherry P. was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in 2014. After several therapies from different doctors, she decided to treat at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA), Chicago, at the urging of a friend. In January 2017, Sherry had a stem cell transplant with her sister as her donor and stayed at a CTCA® facility for six months while recovering. Sherry shares some important tools and tips that helped her through her cancer journey.
- Consider spiritual support. The first thing I did was to turn to my spiritual faith in God. I decided to surround myself with healing verses from the Bible. I placed those verses all over my home, so I could see them every day. I called on all my prayer warrior friends and asked them to pray for me. I called my pastor, church staff and my family together in my home and had a laying on of hands in prayer.
- Stay active. I began to exercise as much as possible. I wanted to make sure my body was strong going into this transplant. Walk, bike, swim, yoga—don’t be afraid to try something new to keep your body moving.
- Consider healthy swaps. I changed my diet to include more fruits and vegetables and less meat. I knew that picking fresh produce was better for me than eating processed foods.
- Have a go-to mantra to ease anxious feelings. The initial shock of my cancer diagnosis was debilitating. Many things went through my mind. I thought about my family, things that are left undone in my life and memories I hadn’t made yet. I learned to recite the Lord's prayer when I started to feel anxious and depressed. Just the 20 seconds it takes to recite the verse provided peace in my soul.
- Consider volunteering. I stayed busy helping others as much as I could during this time. Giving to others helped keep my mindset focused on them and not my diagnosis.
- Lean into your support system. I surrounded myself with positive, uplifting, energetic people. I wanted people to lift me up and not pull me down. The initial shock of a cancer diagnosis can be debilitating. It takes a lot of mental work to get over the shock of a cancer diagnosis, and you shouldn’t have to navigate it alone.
- Take time to relax. After my diagnosis, I watched funny movies so I could keep laughing. When I laughed, it helped calm me down and alleviated my stress.
