Coffee with All4Cure - Joanne (2/4)

Several years ago, one of my dear friends from college told me an expression that I love. She said, “Worrying is like being on a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere.” I tell myself that all the time. It’s a perfect analogy for worrying and life. It helps me refocus on positivity. When I was first diagnosed with myeloma, there were some people in my life who were causing me great angst. I tried to fix the situation but despite my efforts, I had to choose to walk away. For the first time in my life, I realized I had to really worry about myself. I learned to take care of and put myself first. At the end of the day, if I go forward 10 steps and back 9, I still went one step forward. That’s the mindset I’ve adapted. Before my diagnosis, I thought I was doing everything I could to enjoy my day. After I was diagnosed and processed all the fear and anxiety, I recognized the things I was taking for granted. I found that I really wasn’t enjoying everything I had. Cancer is something you don’t want to get, but with it can come a bit of a gift. For me, it changed my mindset on life and how to enjoy today.