As a 23-year brain tumor survivor, I’ve found strategies in my path for optimal health and healing. During my reflection, I created 8 questions and answers, with stories, discoveries, insights, desires, and transformation. Perhaps some of them will be of interest to cancer patients, caregivers, and providers.
What was one of my best days in a hospital?
The month from the diagnosis and before my first cancer treatment was utterly scary. On April 22, 1998, I endured 12 hours of awake brain surgery at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where they removed a brain tumor and surrounding tissue. At the door removing me from the surgical room, I saw one of my neurosurgeons and graciously said thank you. I then saw my family in the ICU and felt their love.
What were among the most empowering words ever spoken to me by a doctor?
“You must learn to become your own advocate. Teach yourself how to learn new research findings and discover how to care for yourself in this process,” said Robert Rosenbaum, MD, a neurosurgical fellow at NIH in 1998 and one of my surgeons. I looked at him with tremendous confusion. It has taken me many years to see that personal power to be my own advocate.
What is an example with a doctor aspiring to disempower me and how I innately moved forward for my self-advocacy?
One former doctor discouraged me against acquiring several opinions about the tumor’s original pathology. He remarked that I could search the world until I found a doctor that gave me the news I wanted to hear. Several weeks later, I was “terminated” as his patient. While I was not an expert, I innately knew something about self-advocacy. I collected four pathology readings of the tumor after my surgery. The second pathologist saw the tumor as much more aggressive than the others, and his diagnosis alone would have required additional treatments. The third and fourth readings were slightly different and did not recommend more treatments at that time.
What do I want to say to many doctors?
Never take away a patient’s power, questions on research, new possibilities with treatment, and hope. And view each patient as a person. Even an extra 30 seconds of conversation to show interest in each patient as a human being makes a difference.
What do I want to say to many patients?
Aspire never to give up. Ask questions and continue searching for answers. Think outside the box. Nobody can fully predict how long you will live, and never let anyone tell you otherwise. And learn about curing versus healing. Curing addresses the disease. Healing gives attention to the whole person.
What is a way I’ve learned to shift challenges into positive transformation?
I learned the concept of post-traumatic growth, which is a term for positive change experienced as a result of adversity or other difficulties. I’ve come to see challenges as opportunities for learning, exploration, discovery, and actions. Moreover, I view illness as an invitation to look deeply into self, cultivate new knowledge, and understand what it is to be alive. I perceive life as a spiritual journey.
What has been a personal discovery that I’ve found over 23 years as a brain tumor patient and survivor?
I know I’ve had brain tumor treatments, clinical trials, integrative cancer care for the whole person therapies, dealing with a mutation, and intense challenges along my path. As my spirit, spirituality, soul, and soul’s evolution continues, I know a mighty force within. While I experience sadness for those who have died, how my pain pushes me to make a difference is essential. We are all unique. Embracing to give in any way can be possible, and it is a choice.
What are the essential goals for healthcare and cancer care?
Cures for cancer and other health challenges are paramount. In addition, my vision includes a healthcare system that tends to more than the disease. Focusing on the whole person improves quality of life, survival, and prevention. People affected by cancer and the healthcare system must give more attention. Don’t only think of massages. Let’s expand to extensive testing, functional medicine, root causes, healthy foods, exercise, deep meditation, tapping, detoxification, various integrative cancer therapies, self-care strategies, and other approaches.
Wherever you are in your journey, embrace joy in your life. Consistently, give yourself the time and attention for your optimal health and healing. If you need help dealing with cancer, contact me today, and you can find more information as a cancer coach here.
