A Vacation From Cancer? Not Easy, But Definitely Necessary

Travel can be helpful, even while coping with cancer, maybe especially while coping with cancer.

BY Barbara Tako

PUBLISHED September 21, 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.

Time is going to continue to pass whether I am preoccupied with my cancers or not. Sometimes I just want a vacation from cancer. Merriam-Webster defines a vacation as, "a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation." Though I am done with chemotherapy, radiation and hormonal medications, I am still finishing up my breast reconstruction project after my recent double mastectomy. I also am getting home from a one-week vacation riding ATVs in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It is important to continue to make good memories even through the breast reconstruction process. Life doesn't always have to completely stop for cancer.
I am learning to be more interested in making memories and enjoying the people in my life rather than buying and taking care of stuff. As cancer survivors, I think we become more consciously aware of the importance of vacations, and life experiences and time with the people we love. The time to experience life is now. The time to care about the people in our life is now. There are many ways travel can benefit our mental health.

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