My Advice

Speak up for yourself

if you are feeling pain.

Don’t let others speak for you.

Learn to be in tune

with what your body is telling you.

Rely on the nurses.

The doctors won’t always be there,

but the nurses will be.

Befriend them.

Be kind to them.

And have a modicum of patience.

Keep a journal.

Written, digital, voice memos,

something you can put your thoughts

and feeling down on.

This may sound harsh:

don’t rely on family alone.

Reach out to friends,

family friends.

You never know

who will truly be there for you.

Some will treat you differently

some will stay the same.

Keep things real.

Don’t sugar coat it

to make others feel better.

Say what you really feel,

and don’t give a crap about their reaction.

You might think

you don’t need support groups.

Try one anyway.

See how you feel.

You might enjoy it,

and find community and friends.

They will understand the dark humor

you so desperately try to find in the darkness

because they are there too.

I know you might think

this diagnosis means your body has failed you,

and maybe you’re right.

But you don’t have to keep thinking that way.

You can fight.

Not always physically—

can’t fight blood.

But there are other ways

you can take back control.

There might be a time where you are so weak

you can’t even get out of bed,

but once you can again: run.

You might not be able to drive yourself for a while,

but once you can again: drive like the wind!

You might be hooked up to tubes,

pumped full of literal poison in a little cubical,

but when it’s over: go outside.

You may be limited

for a while,

but a while is not forever.

It might sound cliche or cheesy,

but it’s okay to just feel your feelings.

Let them out:

in the car,

in the doctors office,

in the mall,

in the quiet of the night

while the entire house is asleep,

Let yourself feel.