“Cancer is such a scary word, but it doesn’t discriminate.” These were the words that echoed in my mind after being diagnosed with kidney cancer. It surprised me to see how much fear and concern my diagnosis raised among my social media followers. I guess it’s only natural to want to figure out the cause of a problem and seek a solution. My friends and followers asked me if I had done anything to cause it, if it ran in my family, or if it was something that could happen to them. As someone who was known for being healthy, active, and energetic, they couldn’t believe that I had cancer. But I could only think about one thing: Am I going to die? It’s not every day that a seemingly healthy person suddenly gets diagnosed with cancer, but that was my reality. Despite being a young, healthy woman, I found myself facing a life-threatening illness. It’s a reminder that cancer doesn’t play by the rules. How I Found Out I Had Cancer
The days leading up to my diagnosis were a blur of fatigue, nausea, and pain. Thinking back to the weekend before, all I remembered was feeling unusually tired while working in the community garden. When sharp abdominal pains woke me up early one morning, I knew something was wrong. Unable to stand or move without excruciating pain, I finally went to the emergency room. Little did I know that I was about to receive a life-changing diagnosis. The next few hours in the ER were a whirlwind of tests, confusion, and pain. Eventually, the news I received was earth-shattering: I had kidney cancer.
The days leading up to my diagnosis were a blur of fatigue, nausea, and pain. Thinking back to the weekend before, all I remembered was feeling unusually tired while working in the community garden. When sharp abdominal pains woke me up early one morning, I knew something was wrong. Unable to stand or move without excruciating pain, I finally went to the emergency room. Little did I know that I was about to receive a life-changing diagnosis. The next few hours in the ER were a whirlwind of tests, confusion, and pain. Eventually, the news I received was earth-shattering: I had kidney cancer.
The Lessons Cancer Taught Me
Cancer changed my perspective on life. It taught me to focus on what’s truly important and to create foundational “musts” for living a healthy life. Like a Minimum Viable Product in the corporate world, life has its minimum requirements, too. For me, that means being in tune with my body, taking care of my health, and cherishing meaningful connections. Also, cancer made me realize that time is limited, and it’s important to prioritize what truly matters. Ultimately, it’s the meaningful connections that heal and sustain us. These are the lessons that have stuck with me long after my cancer diagnosis, and I’m grateful for the perspective they’ve given me.
Cancer changed my perspective on life. It taught me to focus on what’s truly important and to create foundational “musts” for living a healthy life. Like a Minimum Viable Product in the corporate world, life has its minimum requirements, too. For me, that means being in tune with my body, taking care of my health, and cherishing meaningful connections. Also, cancer made me realize that time is limited, and it’s important to prioritize what truly matters. Ultimately, it’s the meaningful connections that heal and sustain us. These are the lessons that have stuck with me long after my cancer diagnosis, and I’m grateful for the perspective they’ve given me.
