Lessons learned from watching my Grandmother Battle Cancer for over 2 decades

To say that cancer changes a person is an understatement.

Along with that, a cancer diagnosis is a defining force in the world of their family that helps them fight the good fight against this ruthless disease.

I can speak this with authority, as I have lived this reality watching my beautiful grandmother battle cancer for over 20 years. Watching her navigate the cancer journey has been one of the most impactful and shaping forces in my life.

It led me to not only pursue careers that made a tangible impact in people’s lives but also to go even further, study Health at Institute of Integrative Nutrition backed by New York State Department of Education then found a Health Academy to create awareness and guide people on their journey to achieve a better wellbeing.

Throughout this time in my life, it was her lessons and wisdom that carried me along the way. 

Allow me to share some...

Today, I'm hopeful that what I learned while holding her hand, listening and silently watching her being tired, in pain, and reaching her limits...will motivate and inspire you to cherish each day and live your life with passion and excellence.

1. When nothing is sure everything is possible.

Uncertainty won't harm you. It just helps us to develop skills to tackle challenges in new ways.

2. No one can make you happy except you!

Get through the best and darkest times by CHOOSING a mindset of happiness. Try it!

3. It is OK to be vulnerable.

Be brave in your vulnerability, as it is the essence of connecting at a deeper level with others.

4. Mental strength is not genetic.

Healthily dealing with your emotions will give you the resilience to continue to bounce back again and again.

5. Don’t take small things for granted. Understand the real power of gratitude.

When you face your mortality, you will begin to appreciate that the smallest things in life, like holding a loved one’s hand, are often the biggest blessings.

6. Choose self-care and self-respect!

Only by taking care of all aspects of yourself will allow you to take care of those you love.

7. Don’t harbor the anchor of unforgiveness.

In forgiving others, you can find true inner peace for yourself.

8. There is only NOW!

If you wait for the perfect time, there won’t be one! Don't regret things you haven't done in life.

9. Choose not to be SILENT

You never know when you might be seeing someone for the last time. Don't wait to tell them how you feel. That moment may never be present again.

10. Living life doesn’t mean sitting on the sidelines.

 GO, EXPLORE, make MISTAKES, LEARN, ENJOY! And don't forget to be your best self.

11. Focus on what you can do rather than what you can’t do.

Every problem has a solutions. Your success is determined by the ability to find those solutions.

12. Never let FEAR rule you.

Fear wants to rob you of your joy and keep you down. Are you going to give it that power?

We are given the opportunity to live everyday but die once. Make the most of each waking moment.

In closing, I would like to give a big shout-out to Dr. Octav Ginghina (Surgeon Oncologist), his entire OpTeam and all other doctors, nurses etc. for turning the nightmare of illness into a dream of recovery. Surgeons like him aren’t just doctors, but real life-savers.