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living well with hereditary pancreatitis, type 1 diabetes, and pancreatic cancer​

Holiday Cheer

11/25/2016

1 Comment

 
In the spirit of the holiday season, I want to send a little message out into the internet universe. I've been encountering a lot of stories lately (on social media, mostly in Pantsuit Nation groups) about people having trouble facing their families in this tense time, or trying to process and respond appropriately to hostility, judgment, and prejudice against them. This makes me sad, knowing that so many people out there feel isolated from their families, alienated because of their life choices, or attacked for who they are. It is incredibly painful to feel as though your core self, the person you know yourself to be, or the way you identify yourself within (or without) societal constructs is not respected or valued, especially by your loved ones. There is a kind of lasting damage to the soul when you feel inherently guilty for things about yourself you can't control, when shame or embarrassment or simply confusion overshadow your ability to stand proud and tall as your SELF. (For example, when you feel shame about your cancer, embarrassment about your bald and flaky scalp, or guilt that just maybe you could have done something to prevent this hereditary fate.)


So I say to you, no matter who you are or what it is that defines you: Stay true. Stay strong. Love yourself. Love yourself first. Love yourself the most. Embrace those things that make you “different”: the color of your skin, your sexual orientation, your gender identity, your (un)documented status, your religion, your ethnic background, something you might wear on your head, your (dis)abilities, your illness or health, and so on. Be yourself, and don't apologize. Wear your heart or your identity on your sleeve. (But also, in these contentious times, keep yourself safe - travel in groups, have plans for self-defense, be watchful, and don’t take unnecessary risks - and report anything resembling personal attacks or hate crimes.) Be proud to be you.


Don't let anyone knock you down. Don't let anyone tell you you're wrong, you're evil, you don't matter, or you should feel badly about yourself. Don't let others disparage who you are. It's true that “no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” (Eleanor Roosevelt) But it's also true that no one can make you feel inferior without being a hurtful, unsympathetic meanie. You don't have time for those people. Steer clear, give yourself healthy distance, and surround yourself with better people.


In fact, surround yourself with all the things that make you happy. Choose carefully what you let into your life and your space and your time. Be mindful of how you're allocating your energy, and keep lots of it for yourself. If you find yourself feeling low, or doubting yourself, or listening to others’ hurtful words, take a deep breath, remember who you are, and return to yourself. You do you, girl. Yas kween.


I just spoke on the phone briefly with a friend who’s aware of my cancer treatment. I told her I’m at chemo infusion now (where I am, indeed, writing this). She said something I hear from others a lot, something about how it's notable that I just keep going, that no matter what difficult thing I'm in the middle of, I don't let it shake my attitude. This is true roughly half of the time. There are plenty of times when I let everything shake me to my core, when I feel I can't possibly keep going, or when my disposition is anything but sunny. But what gets me through and out of those times to the other side is usually a gentle reminder from my loving husband, who brings me back to myself, helps me re-center in a mindful place, and says or does something to make me feel good about myself. And then I remember just how much happier and healthier I feel when I am true to myself, when I ignore the negative voices in my head or from others’ mouths, and when I embrace the little things that make me happy.


So I extend this method of making mindful choices to all of you. This is my gift to you this holiday season:
Love yourself, be who you are, and smile.
1 Comment
Mom
11/25/2016 09:12:33 am

Being true to yourself is the best gift to self, not just through struggles, but always. Being true to oneself can sometimes be hard, but in the end, is so worth it. I so miss being near you, Carly! My true self is mother. Mothers long to keep their children close, but must not selfishly keep them to themselves. My goal has been to provide the environment for you and your brothers to grow into your own true selves, despite knowing that would mean watching you fly the nest. That has been hard for me. But the joy of seeing how different you and your brothers are from each other has been worth it. I am so thankful that you have your soul mate to mirror and encourage the beautiful self that is you! I celebrate your love!

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    children's librarian, Smithie, writer, reader, cook, gardener, cancer patient, medical oddity, PANCAN patient advocate, #chemosurvivor, #spoonie

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