It is tough to cope with a cancer diagnosis, and I want to give a sincere, but belated, thank you to my oncologists and oncology nurses.
BY Barbara Tako
PUBLISHED May 10, 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.
"Me, me, me and by the way, me." That was this newly diagnosed cancer patient almost eight years ago. I acted like I was the special snowflake and, of course, I wasn't. Tears, fears, anxiety and sadness are normal reactions to the abnormal circumstances of cancer. Who would want to be an oncology doctor or nurse to deal with that? Why would someone willingly want to be the bearer of so much bad news and to be the skilled listener and problem-solver for unhappy cancer treatments and side effects? Maybe it is time or past time to say thank you to our oncologists?
My oncologist told me she simply became an oncologist, "to cure Mama." Her mom was dealing with breast cancer while my oncologist was in high school. Over the course of time and visiting with oncology staff, I learned that many oncology doctors and nurses have family connections and experiences with cancer. These professionals made a career choice for a very personal reason. Curing cancer was personal for them.
My oncologist told me she simply became an oncologist, "to cure Mama." Her mom was dealing with breast cancer while my oncologist was in high school. Over the course of time and visiting with oncology staff, I learned that many oncology doctors and nurses have family connections and experiences with cancer. These professionals made a career choice for a very personal reason. Curing cancer was personal for them.
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