Survivorship has become a hot topic in the
cancer world. So what exactly is it all
about? Survivorship is different for
each individual cancer survivor. For
some, it is adjusting to the “new normal” once treatments are completed. For others, it can mean getting back to life
as it was before cancer. One important part of survivorship is coping with the
diagnosis of cancer and all the changes that have occurred physically,
emotionally, and/or spiritually.
I had a wonderful support system during my
cancer journey. There was always someone
there with me. I never had to face any
of it alone. My mother was my biggest
support. I know that I was fortunate and
not everyone has this kind of support.
However, even though I had such great support, I still found
difficulties in my transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor. My journey changed my life completely. It
affected every aspect of my life. I was
different physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I had to find my “new normal”. Since then, I have found journaling to be
helpful. I wish I had written down my
thoughts and feelings and things that happened when they actually
happened. I recently attended a workshop
at The Writer’s Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs, AR. The workshop was titled “Survivors Getting
Stronger”. I had the privilege of
spending the day with other survivors and sharing our stories with each
other. We laughed, we cried, and we
wrote. Below is a piece of what I wrote
that day…
Bad Hair Day
I got up out of bed and headed for the
shower. I had another full day of treatments. I was in the shower washing my
hair, when I realized that my hair was starting to come out in my hands.
My heart sank and I felt the tears begin to stream down my cheeks.
There was so much hair falling out. I couldn't stop myself from
running my hands through my hair over and over again. I thought to myself, I'm
going to be bald if I don't stop. I knew this day was coming, so I was
surprised at my emotional reaction. To my surprise, when I got out of the
shower and looked in the mirror, I wasn't bald. I couldn't even tell that my
hair was coming out by looking, but I could sure feel it. My scalp hurt.
It felt like I had my hair up in a super tight ponytail all day and had just
let it down, only a hundred times worse. I finished up in the bathroom and
headed to the bedroom to get dressed. I was sitting on the bed trying to muster
up the energy to get my clothes on, taking a shower had sucked up what little
energy I had started the day with. My mom got there to pick me up. She
came in to my bedroom and began helping me dress. I reached up and touch my
hair. As I pulled my hand away from my head, the hair came with it.
My mom just looked at me and assured me that it would be ok. She
was so positive and encouraging. A few days later, we were once again heading
to treatment. I had a radiation treatment at 9 in the morning. It was
late summer, so the mornings were humid but mild. We had the windows rolled
down enjoying the morning breeze. I caught a glimpse of something from
the corner of my eye in the window. I turned to see what it was. I
started yelling for my mom to stop the car as I frantically tried to get the
window rolled up. The car came to a stop and my mom was repeating “What's
wrong? Are you ok?” I calmed myself long enough to say, “My hair is
blowing out the window!” We just looked at each other for a moment
and then we started to laugh. We laughed and laughed until we were
crying.
Christy Scarrow, LSW
National Cancer Survivors Day® is coming up on June 2nd. Christy Scarrow is a Licensed Social Worker and the Manager of Patient Services at Hope Cancer Resources and is a Cancer Survivor.
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