Liz Benditt
When my mother was diagnosed with cancer, a whirlwind of fear swept through my family. We wept and prayed as we asked how this could have happened. I cried so hard my cheeks felt raw and stung under the steady stream of tears.
My mother remained steadfast. She had the kind of courage you find in books: the stories of heroes who, after having reached their lowest point, muster the strength to fight the monster.
She survived and is currently in remission.
Liz Benditt is also a cancer survivor who has a lot of wisdom and encouragement to share. Here are my six big takeaways from our conversation.
- Pay attention to your body. Our bodies are always speaking to us. Physical sensations, including fatigue and pain, are signals requiring our attention. Don’t ignore them. Listen and take action.
- Be open to receiving and requesting help. Set your ego aside and allow people to take care of you. Cancer diagnoses are fraught with worry and anxiety. You need support and a lot of TLC. Your friends and family may not know how to support you, so tell them. They’ll be happy to help, and you’ll breathe a little easier.
- Know your options. When it comes to treatments, you have choices. Ask questions, seek second and third opinions. Read credible resources to help inform your decisions.
- If you’re a care-giver, seek the support of family and friends. Caregivers need help too. Don’t be afraid to reach out ask your family and friends to help you with tasks and caregiving shifts.
- If you’re a friend of a cancer patient, let them know you are there for them. Sometimes we don’t know what to say to someone who is ill. Consider asking how you can help and let her know that you are there for her if she needs anything.
- Visit Balm Box for gifts specific to cancer patients. Although teddy bears and flowers are quite welcoming, some gift ideas can help heal and soothe. Balm Box is the perfect online gift shop.
