Have Courage
To be told we have cancer is terrifying. When we hear that six-letter word used in relation to ourselves, or someone we love and care about, we immediately fear the worst. We feel shaken to the very core of our being. Suddenly, we find ourselves merely existing, as opposed to living, because the old, familiar, happy little world we used to live in has vanished in the few seconds it took for the doctor to give us the bad news. In its place is a world of uncertainty, fear, doubt, despair and, it seems, unreality. A dark world, where the light that used to illuminate it appears to have been extinguished.
But, if we gaze steadily into that penetrating darkness, we can see one tiny spark. This little spark is that light, it's still shining for us, still there to guide us back to the 'home' we once knew. It looks so small because the darkness has invaded the space between our light and our being. But, because it's so brilliant, so unquenchable, the light penetrates this darkness like a star shining in the night sky.
We all know that stars are gigantic suns, just like the sun that gives life to our planet. They appear minute because they are billions and billions of miles away. So it is with your light. It's always there, it will never desert you, and as you journey through the darkness so your light will become larger and more brilliant with each and every step you take.
It's a long, tedious and exhausting journey that lies before you, on a road full of sudden twists and turns that will confuse you, rocks and boulders over which you'll stumble and fall, deep pits into which you'll sometimes tumble head first. But your strength and determination to reach the end of this road will help you to overcome these obstacles, and as you near the end of your journey that wonderful light of yours will be shining as brightly for you as it ever did before you developed breast cancer. Trust in your light, see it every day, and at night before you go to sleep look for it's little spark somewhere in the darkness of your room.
Acknowledge that your light still shines and you've made the first, vital move in creating a positive mental attitude to your disease. This is your greatest asset, your most valuable and effective weapon. Use it every day and you'll develop such skill in handling it that your breast cancer will stand less or little chance of victory over you. Or even no chance at all. Become, if you like, a warrior. Think and act as a warrior, always one step ahead of the enemy. Deal with the onslaughts as they come, one at a time, giving all to each individual battle in the war you're determined to win.
Trust your doctors. Their skills, expertise and experience are your lifeline. Surgeons, oncologists, radiographers and nurses all form your army of supporters. These wonderful people will shield and protect you, giving you the things you need to help you overcome this formidable opponent you face. If at any time you feel confused about what's happening to you, or there are things you want to know, ask.
Be aware of what is being done to help you, and why. If we're on an unfamiliar road it's often far easier to reach our destination if we stop along the way to ask someone for directions. Never be afraid to ask the doctors and nurses caring for you if there is anything you want, or need, to know. It's usually the unknown that creates the most fear in us. Once we know the facts, once we are aware, we can deal with the reality instead of allowing ourselves to be frightened by our imaginings.