Jente

A positive mindset is half the battle

I was able to live by the rhythm that felt right for me and spending my time doing the things I like.

What does cancer mean to you?
I hardly ever use the word myself. I don’t like the sound of it and it carries too much weight.
I’m still young with a strong character and am “lucky” that I could tolerate the chemo treatment and immunotherapy well.

To make it more bearable, I made a fixed schedule in my head with a realistic date but also with good results. My results were as I had planned for myself, therefore the big C is no longer the disease with the worst case scenario.

Why is everyone afraid to talk about cancer?
I don’t think everyone is afraid to talk about cancer, but what I don’t like is when I am approached with “good luck,” “poor you,” or other words that make me feel like I’m not going to be there anymore? It can all be more lighthearted for me, then I don’t shy away from any questions or conversations. I guess I don’t like to feel pity, it gives me the feeling that I’m not strong.

What makes today a good day?
I have a good support network of friends and family. I was able to live by the rhythm that felt right for me and spending my time doing the things I like.

I am always willing to help, in my own honest light-hearted way though 😉

What is your definition of joy?
After the diagnosis and treatment, I find that I get enormous joy from activities. I am an active mom who does not like to sit still. I have been very quiet for a long period of time and often at home, so now a full schedule with a lot of activities makes me very happy.

What has changed you the most since your diagnosis?
At the moment there is no clear change for me personally. I know that I am a kind of “denier” who perhaps does not want to see the whole process. I don’t let myself be affected by much, maybe my “clash” will come but for now it works perfectly.

How do you show your support to others?
My door is always open, I have also been approached by fellow patients with the same diagnosis on social media, school gate, store, … When I have questions or help or info I am always willing to help. In my own honest light-hearted way though 😉

There's a lot happening in “the mind”, a positive mindset is already half the battle.

What do you like to pass along to your fellow patients?
There’s a lot happening in “the mind”, a positive mindset is already half the battle.

Is there anything you would like to tell yourself?
I am an express train that likes to keep going and not stop at any station. I would like to teach myself to stop once in a while, maybe this will happen more.