Gratitude helps get this cancer survivor through her cancer days, fears and worries.
BY Barbara Tako
PUBLISHED February 16, 2018
Barbara Tako is a breast cancer survivor (2010), melanoma survivor (2014) and author of Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools–We'll Get You Through This. She is a cancer coping advocate, speaker and published writer for television, radio and other venues across the country. She lives, survives, and thrives in Minnesota with her husband, children and dog. See more at www.cancersurvivorshipcopingtools.com or www.clutterclearingchoices.com.
I will never say I am grateful for either of my cancers—breast cancer or melanoma. Some good things did come to me through cancer, but the good does not outweigh the bad. Cancer is cancer. Sure, I met some wonderful people and I learned a lot in general and about myself. Still, cancer is cancer. To be healthy, physically and mentally, moving forward from cancer diagnosis, treatment and beyond, I choose to regularly and frequently practice gratitude.
Don’t blow this off. To say “practice gratitude” can sound trite and cliché. Some days, when I am worried or scared, I have to dig deep to get to gratitude. I don’t do it to be corny or trite. I practice gratitude to be healthy for myself and for my loved ones. Letting cancer win by eating away at me and making me bitter, grumpy or sad is not an option. Honestly, I have never ever been a glass-is-half-full human being. In the end, practicing gratitude is the only rational choice. I am serious.
Don’t blow this off. To say “practice gratitude” can sound trite and cliché. Some days, when I am worried or scared, I have to dig deep to get to gratitude. I don’t do it to be corny or trite. I practice gratitude to be healthy for myself and for my loved ones. Letting cancer win by eating away at me and making me bitter, grumpy or sad is not an option. Honestly, I have never ever been a glass-is-half-full human being. In the end, practicing gratitude is the only rational choice. I am serious.
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