I met someone today whose daughter was just diagnosed with breast cancer on Monday. It was still fresh and new to her and her family, and since her daughter is 25 with a young child it was difficult to see anything but sorrow. I understood exactly what she was feeling and shared my testimony with her. I stressed to her the importance of a positive mind throughout her fight. Even with so much negative around you: doctors, treatments, chemo, pain etc, your mindset will be your strongest weapon in any fight you have ahead of you especially when it comes to your health. When we left each other she was thanking me for my help, encouragement and prayers and said that that I made her smile in spite of the news that she was given about her daughter.
When I left her, I felt l helped somehow and it made me feel good to be able to help someone with my testimony. This is one of the reasons why I choose to walk this journey a little different than other folks with Cancer. I choose positivity. In our conversation, I could have very easily told stories about how treatments can sometimes not be pleasant or you can wake up not feeling great somedays. I could have left her saying “it’s going to be a rough road, hang in there.” but what kind of help would that have been to a woman who just found out her youngest child was diagnosed with breast cancer and the tumor they found is aggressive? She was already in tears when I was talking to her, now is not the time to add fuel to the fire. I wanted to give her hope, some sort of positive note to help her and her daughter to start this journey together and keep moving forward with a strong mind. I’m glad I got to share my story with this lady. I want to leave a better impression of cancer for someone than what they had before they met me. They need to know that the word “Cancer” not always the death sentence that you initially think it is.
I want those of us fighting this battle to know that even though that word “Cancer” can be very scary and sometimes life threatening, you CAN beat this. As long as you keep your prays up, your body healthy, your thinking positive and your mind strong, you can get to remission and total healing. In the beginning of my fight, when a true diagnosis seemed impossible, I could have very easily given up. I had everyone, even people I didn’t know praying for me, but it was up to me to fight. Physically, at the time that wasn’t possible, but my family keep speaking scriptures and positive things over me, saying “WHEN you get better” and “WHEN you get your strength back.” Things like that make a HUGE impact. Constantly saying things like “IF I get better,” or “IF the treatment works” leaves room for doubt something that we don’t have the luxury of having. We need to speak positivity in all things, no matter how small or large the battle is in front of us. It is truly the only way.
I am determined to be a positive light and an inspiration to those around me and I won’t settle for anything less. I am More Than A Conqueror, I truly believe that. Yes, I have my bad days, of course I have times when I have to fight a little bit harder than other days, but I don’t dwell on it for a long time. I start that morning saying “Okay, I don’t feel good today. That means I need to be a little more positive and push a tiny bit harder.” No, I don’t push myself over the limit, and put my health in danger, but I keep my mind strong, even when my body can’t be at that moment. It is what is going to get me through and to the point where I meet N.E.D (No Evidence of Disease)…and I WILL get there. No matter how long it takes, I will continue to work towards that goal. So I leave you all with this note, yet again: REMAIN POSITIVE in your fight. Somedays I know it is hard to do so, but you MUST keep your mind and attitude strong. It will absolutely be your testimony!
Thank you for taking the time out to read my blog post and taking this journey with me! It means more than you could possible know! To my friends and family, I love you past the moon and stars! And to my fellow Zebra’s and Cancer Fighters, keep fighting and supporting each other, don’t ever give up hope, no matter what the doctors have to say! WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS!
-Cerise Jackson
Reesie's Pieces of Advice 