Weathering the Cancer Storm

A cancer diagnosis comes with words and expressions that describe health, diagnosis, emotions, treatment, and prognosis. The language we hear has not been chosen by us, and it is everywhere. We come across it in doctors' offices and via support organisations. It is in the words used in our communities, in the media both on and offline and by our family and friends. For some of us, that language is a good fit. For others, not so much. Either way, for each of us, the detail of our story is different. The important message is that we are not our diagnosis.

Journalling Through Cancer: a Way to Own Your Own Story

Our health status is part of a bigger, broader, and richer story connected to the past, present and future and the stories of others. We are each unique and important and the stories we tell ourselves and others is how we make sense of the world.

Sometimes it doesn’t feel like it when you spend a lot of time in the health system receiving diagnoses, advice, and treatment, never mind all the stereotypes, misinformation and opinions portrayed across the media, within our communities and even sometimes from our friends and families. So I am here to remind you that you are the expert of you and of your life. Nobody knows you like you do. Your life is your story, and you get to write it. You get to describe what has happened to you, what that means for you and what you would like to happen next.

Engaging with journaling can be a good way to explore, express and perhaps make sense of your experiences, your reactions, and your emotions in the context of your own life and your own story.

If you want to give it a try, take a blank page and give yourself permission to write or draw anything you like. It doesn’t have to be coherent, and it doesn’t have to be words. The time immediately following diagnosis can feel and be chaotic and full of uncertainty, so a coherent narrative maybe somewhat of a challenge. The important thing is to create a space that is yours alone. Somewhere that you can express what has happened, how you feel, what you are afraid of, what you need and what you are required to do. Doing this can help bring a bit of certainty to this uncertain time.

selective focus photography of black pen on book
selective focus photography of black pen on book

“Your Journal is like your best friend, you don't have to pretend with it, you can be honest and write exactly how you feel.” - Bukola Ogunwa

Journalling Through Cancer: a Way to Own Your Own Story

Our health status is part of a bigger, broader, and richer story connected to the past, present and future and the stories of others. We are each unique and important and the stories we tell ourselves and others is how we make sense of the world.

10/24/2024

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