Yesterday was National Cancer Day. I imagine for a good portion of you a day like this is not popping up as a reminder on your smartphone or computer calendar. It isn't a day to make lunch plans to celebrate it or send a card to commemorate it. National Cancer Day didn't come up on my phone with All day written under it like Groundhog Day came up two days before! Why didn't it display as National Cancer Day, All day, every day? The article on National Cancer Day was the first thing to come into my line of bifocal sight as I starting looking at the online news highlights yesterday morning. Taking cancer out of my everyday experience is almost impossible to do. Of course I have the unrelenting physical reminders of what cancer has done to me and continues to do because of the medication I still take. It isn't something I get a break from, a vacation from, ever. Even when I try to forget it there is always some mention of cancer in the media or talk of it when people congregate. There is always a new diagnosis, a new death or the hope of a new drug, a new treatment or "the cure". Beautiful stories of strength, love and hope emerge and that is the part I like to focus on.
I considered writing a journal of my cancer journey as it was unfolding last year but quickly realized I didn't want to recount every minute of that kind of experience. I would not have wanted to reread it and remember most of it and I knew most people would not have cared to read about incisions, chemotherapy and pain of body, heart and mind while reading their favorite blogs with their morning tea and toast! Choosing to remember the good things, the many expressions of love and kindness from my family, friends and medical care givers is what I prefer to do. I thought that a year out would give me greater perspective on how it really unfolded and I think that is proving to be true.
People can read about cancer on their own, I don't need to reiterate for you. If you get anything out of National Cancer Day, get this, you can lessen your chances of cancer by maintaining a good weight, exercising and eating right! If you are still smoking, your cigarette will be part of your fiber diet when I stuff it down your throat if I see you! Continue to support individuals, foundations, institutions and charities that raise money, do research and provide services. Send a card to someone you know who is fighting cancer. Just send a card! I cannot tell you how amazing that was to me. Of course there are many things you can do but it really can be as simple as a card.
National Cancer Day. A day to remember but one I would welcome to forget.
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