A breast cancer survivor celebrates her 10-year "cancerversary" during the global pandemic and finds ways to feel grateful.
BY BARBARA TAKO
PUBLISHED MAY 16, 2020
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.
When we come upon a cancer milestone, with mixed emotions and in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, we still might want to celebrate that we are alive. I just had my 10-year breast cancer diagnosis anniversary. I am still here! 10 years later I am here! How can I celebrate in the middle of a pandemic? A fellow survivor suggested some great ideas.
I tend to celebrate with mixed emotions, and rather quietly. Cancer survivors know that excessive binge television watching, eating or alcohol really are not the best ways to celebrate. How can a cancer survivor celebrate minus social interaction? Well, eating, alcohol and television are not the best tools in our cancer coping toolbox. Do you have an uneasy relationship with these binge activities during COVID-19? Me too! So, what happens when the "social" is taken away but the stress from COVID-19 remains? I like the ideas of journaling, giving back in some way and just plain celebrating.
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