This website will fill with stories from (ex)cancer patients
The stories are not case studies about a thing called cancer. They are stories written by cancer patients about their life with cancer. This is not stuff that fits within the constraints of scientific medical research. This may not be what the medical specialist is looking for, but it is what I as a cancer patient was looking for when I first heard the words “Iñaki, you have an aggressive form of bladder cancer”. I wanted to hear from other cancer patients how they moved forward after receiving such news. What did they think and feel? How did their family and friends react? How did they collect information? How did they come to their decision of which therapy to follow? Did they make changes to their lifestyle? These are some of my questions. Each (ex)cancer patient has his or her own questions.
As time passes by I meet more and more (ex)cancer patients and come across more and more of their stories. And cancer patients seem to respond (according to Bernie Siegel) in one of three ways to the news that they have cancer:
- they (subconsciously) surrender to defeat... "I've had enough, I give up";
- they place their trust in the medical professionals, both regular as well as alternative... "tell me what to do";
- they seek out information and advice and make their own decisions... "you advise and I decide".
I fall into the third category, however, during the years preceding my cancer I fell into the first category. You can read more about this in my own story.
Click here for an earlier version in Dutch, which is shorter and told in a different way.
Yet I believe that we all share the following common experience. Cancer impacts on the body, mind and spirit of the (ex)cancer patient, and the (ex)cancer patient influences the lives of the people he or she comes into contact with.
Why this website?
In my ongoing search for cancer patient stories I have come across a handful of inspirational books filled with the stories of (ex)cancer patients. Two of my favourites are “Love, Medicine and Miracles” by the pedriatic surgeon (now retired) Bernie Siegel and “101 Miracles of Natural Healing” where Luke Chan interviews 101 guests from the Huaxia Zhineng Qigong Clinic & Training Center. There are many more stories out there, but they are all scattered and each source (book, website, etc.) contains only a handful of these stories. And there are many stories waiting to be written.
Imagine how inspiring it would be for everyone involved with the cancer process if there was a large central source filled with patient stories. Simple stories that come from the heart of the (ex)cancer patient who is willing to stand up and share his or her story about life with cancer. And if that (ex)cancer patient has set up his or her own practice, activities and/or workshops, or even written a book, then I encourage that the information be shared in the story.
My personal vision is that the existence of such a central source, with a simple and flexible search facility, will contribute towards more integrative medical care for (ex)cancer patients.
How can you write your story?
Here are some suggestions for writing your story based on the following guidelines:
This is your story. It is about your life before, during and after cancer and cancer therapies.
Just write about those themes that you want to say something about. They will probably be the ones that have had the greatest impact on your life, and where you have experienced the most significant changes in your beliefs, emotions, thoughts and actions.
Here are a number of themes that may help you put pen to paper:
- Were there warning signs during the years preceding cancer?
- Did you or your partner discover tell-tale signs and suggest a doctor's visit?
- How did you experience the initial tests and the announcement that you had cancer?
- How have your relationships with family and close friends changed along the way?
- How have your relationships with neighbours, colleagues and acquaintances changed along the way?
- How have your relationships with medical professionals and (ex)cancer patients changed along the way?
- What lifestyle changes have you made along the way e.g. nutrition, exercise, sleep and rest?
- How did you make decisions about therapies along the way?
- What ups and downs did you experience in vitality along the way?
- Did you experience any defining moments along the way?
- How has your attitude towards cancer changed along the way?
- Who or what were your sources of inspiration along the way?
Browsing through the above questions, I realise on hindsight that "Cancer Ways" is a good title for this website.
In my own story I have tried to cover most of the themes above. A year ago I would have felt uncomfortable about sharing some of my feelings, thoughts and convictions for fear of hurting or stirring up uncertainty in the people closest to me. Today I dare to share. A year ago I would probably have written my story anonymously or as "Iñaki L.". Well, probably anonymously as Iñaki is not as common a name as Dick or Harry.
How can you submit your story?
I invite you to write your story with the help of the themes above, and to submit your story by email to info@cancerways.com.
My name is Iñaki Legorburu
I am a cancer patient
The following text comes from a poem by Marianne Williamson (often cited as a Nelson Mandela quote) and was one source of inspiration that helped me to launch this website and share my own story:
“And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others."