The familiar rhythms of life are upended by a cancer diagnosis, which replaces hope with uncertainty and certainty with questions. It’s simple to believe that healing will proceed in a certain way—linear, predictable, and possibly even successful—in the early confusion of hospital hallways and technical jargon. True healing, however, rarely follows a straight path. Individual…
Read moreCategory: Compassionate Voices Articles and Blog
Compassionatevoices Articles and Blog
The Complicated Path: Life Following Therapy
The complicated path of life following therapy frequently feels like reaching an unanticipated goal. You celebrate your accomplishments, but you also feel conflicted as the never-ending cycle of appointments and observation starts to wane. As you search for stability and confront a new chapter that requires bravery and self-compassion, uncertainty may begin to creep in….
Read moreSmall Gestures, Big Changes: Empathy’s Quiet Influence in Hard Times
Sending a warm text or gentle smile are small acts of compassion that can serve as a lifeline during difficult times. Such actions not only heal the person being sheltered but also help to build trust, belonging, and courage in those around us. These micro-moments are beautiful in the sense that they can cut through…
Read moreAccepting Bravery: How Early Palliative Care Affects Your Cancer Journey
A cancer diagnosis has the power to drastically alter a person’s life, bringing uncertainty, hope, and fear into every day. Palliative care is often thought of as a service that is only available in the last days of life, which feeds the myth that it is only meant for circumstances in which there is no…
Read moreHow to Stay Strong When Things Seem Unstable
Have you ever had the impression that life is a windswept deck of cards? Every day can feel like that when you have cancer. Everything appears to be normal one minute, and then everything changes the next. Plans fall apart, the ground moves under you, and all of a sudden, it seems like your world…
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