In walking the swampy path of fear... I share what I have learned about to BE HERE …
I am not a woman warrior, because I have nothing to gain, I got tired of the discourse of the phrase "fight against cancer", because that weakens us and imposes additional pressure, it is better to accompany in silence, and to be listened to about our fears of death, not being cared for, pain, being a burden, the orphanhood of our children among other things…
Those of us who have lived through cancer sometimes need to remember what we were like before treatment, myself included, so as not to forget that "we are not a disease", but people who have lived or are living through a disease. And we also need to integrate irreversible changes in the way we live and feel, which transforms them and takes us to a different life perspective than we had before going through the disease.
Is a unique experience...
Even though I've had the experience, I'm still an apprentice. No matter the age, I'm always the one behind. Following the rhythm, entering the mysterious world of a body that has begun to function, altering the rhythm of the person who suffers from it and of their loved ones...
I am always attentive to what others call a setback and that they are nothing more than curves on the road. With a person with cancer, we are all attentive to the medical results, we know that surgery anniversaries are important dates and that those who have children fear their orphanhood more than any chemotherapy session... it is such difficult times, the support of those who love us, is what makes the difference.
I'm still learning, thank God.
Now I am part of a group that helps, accompanies and guides. Sensitive escorts learn a lot. They are distressed and want to do "something" and they don't know what and neither does the patient, because he was not "patient" until now and now that he is, he is discovering what he needs and what weighs on his soul.
In such media dates as you are, patients and survivors, we just need words that are heard and that resonate every day and not just one month a year, every October 19th.
It takes much more than willingness to walk the path to health. It takes medical care, a supportive family, friends who are there, a lot of faith and the whole spiritual dimension to be able to evolve in an overwhelming depth.
Furthermore, it's such sensitive territory.
Likewise, it became very clear, the life lesson, I just know that "I am here" is enough as a phrase and being really is enough as an action to accompany from my experience and training. From love, through fear.
There is so much to learn, from the human, from fear and hope, from the strength of accompaniment and also from the strength that is discovered in solitude. Thank you very much, and a hug to all those who have walked the fine line between health and illness.
Trying every day to accept and discover many beautiful things yet to learn, know and enjoy. Looking at life with different eyes.
Time has passed and he after this oncological route. I just thank everyone who supports us, accompanies us, all this time, to talk about life and death. Especially, I am grateful for the respect and sensitivity, for the space, that where life after cancer also began to take place.
Thank you, for trusting to accompany this process that takes time, and requires extra support.
In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life, "just keep going".
Janitze.
Separator made with Canva by @janitzearratia
Any images in this post are edited with Canva
Translation with |DeepL