Life is BeauTEALful: Lessons from an Ovarian Cancer Survivor - Couverture souple

Millet, Paula

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 099766777X ISBN 13 : 9780997667776

Editeur : Second Chapter Publishing, 2022

Synopsis

On July 3, 2017, my world was forever changed. Three words, “You have cancer” followed by the compound adjective, “late-stage,” sent my head spinning, my heart beating wildly. I tried not to cry as I sat stone still, nodding like one of those silly novelty dolls you place on the dashboard of your car. The doctor, who delivered the diagnosis, seemed rather clinical and matter-of fact, and I remember thinking how unfortunate that all of those years of medical school hadn’t taught him how to soften the blow for his patients. Of course, I also now realize that the biggest moments in life are subject to your own memory, clouded by perception, but it is hard to forget even the most minute details of that day.
Regardless of the twists and turns of life, we have been taught to embrace this moment, recognize the power of now, the proverbial gift of the present. Happiness is believed to be tied to how well we think things are going, the periodic progress checks becoming the report cards of a successful life. And being sick, with its all-consuming uncertainty, can make that determination difficult. Insecurity and self-doubt damage the optimism barometer, which tells us that everything will be just fine.

And yet, when fear is replaced with hope, it brings with it a new reality. You begin to tentatively look at your tomorrows and allow yourself to think that you might just get to celebrate another birthday, plan another vacation, enjoy another holiday. You prioritize. Life becomes precious as you learn to respond rather than react, to make space for new people and new experiences.

I once heard that prayer is often followed by the conjunction “and.” It’s true. We pray and fast; we pray and take our medicine; we pray and wait for answers. I pray and remain optimistic. After all, on that fateful day in July, I was told my prognosis was grim, that my moments on this earth were numbered. Fortunately, God had other plans.

Cancer has been quite the plot twist in my life. That much I know. And while I thought that I had spent the past five years trying not to die, I think the reality is that I have spent them learning how to live. My inner compass has found my true North. And that’s the blessing in the storm.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Second Chapter Publishing
• Date d'édition: 2022
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 099766777X
• ISBN 13: 9780997667776
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 344
• Coordonnées du fabricant: Manufactured by Amazon on behalf of the author; https://www.amazon.fr/hz/contact-us; ; c/o Amazon Media EU S.à.r.l., 38 Avenue John F. Kennedy; Luxembourg; L-1855; Luxembourg