Ever received bad news? Here are 5 ways to overcome it

You might recall that August 27 was a big milestone for me. This year marked TEN YEARS since I had my last chemo treatment. My team decided that I should answer three important questions that might help you. Here they are:

1. What do you think was the most important reason you made it this far?

Dr. Cindy: Mindset! I decided to give myself no other choice than to live, but that wasn’t enough: I chose to have fun doing it. I know; why did I say “fun”?

Because words have power, and “fun” was the most unlikely word I could think of that someone might pair with fighting Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

It was my way of putting my mind in a “Not only will I overcome, but I’m going to have fun doing it” mindset. It was my way of thumbing my nose at cancer. Only that level of fierce opposition would make me feel strong enough to walk through cancer.

I looked for the “gifts” in all the crap I went through too, and now I love those gifts because they helped me elevate my emotional intelligence and overcome other obstacles that have come my way since then.

Look, we can either get stuck when the road is blocked or blaze a new path. The new paths are challenging but rewarding. You get to see new things you might not have before, meet new people, and learn about yourself.

Of course, my most important motivation was my three kids. No explanations needed there.

2. When, if ever, do you stop celebrating these wins?

Dr. Cindy: Never! Again, mindset: Why would anyone want to stop celebrating? Balloons, dairy- and gluten-free cake, confetti, you name it! Actually, I prefer a good apple turnover.

Silliness aside, celebrating reminds your brain and spirit that you are capable of the wins, which conjures confidence and the ability to repeat wins.

Even without the pomp and circumstance, wins are fun because we get to say, “I did it.” I am strong and brave all over again, and that feels good.

Plus, wins are important to celebrate because we pause, reflect, and let our brains marinate in the feeling that we’ve overcome the bad news or the hand we’ve been dealt.

3. World Lymphoma Awareness Day is September 15. What advice do you have for those who might have just received bad news or learned that they have Hodgkin’s?

Dr. Cindy: In a nutshell, here are five strategies that immediately come to mind:

1. Find your people. Start communicating with your people so they know you’re looking to them for support. They’ll appreciate being in the know from the get-go. Being part of your discovery enlists their buy-in and understanding.
2. Get educated. And get excited about the fact that knowledge is power. Don’t put on your thinking cap; put on your helmet and get stronger for the bumpy ride.
3. Visualize the outcome you want. Make decisions that resonate with you and never apologize for them. If you want to change a decision, do it, but give yourself the grace for making the wrong one and celebrate the better one.
4. Let go of the negative. Negative people drag you down and make you feel as if you’re swimming upstream. Find the moments or rituals that nurture your spirit—even the small things replenish your reserves.
5. Conquer like a superhero. Run, bike, swim (doggie paddle if you have to), and conquer your challenge like the superhero you want to be. I visualized Wonder Woman during my journey. I imagined how she might overcome. Who’s your character, your alter ego? What might they do?

Share in the learning from this milestone, and borrow any—preferably all—of the five strategies from my ten-year anniversary since my last treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I hope they serve you well. If they do, tell me about it! I’d love to celebrate with you. Remember, the brain benefits from those celebrations—it doesn’t matter if they’re your own, shared, or borrowed!

Be positively altered,

Dr. Cindy

P.S. Get excited! The Positively Altered podcast will be releasing soon! Can’t wait that long? Check out my book and my discussion guide or book me to speak at your next event.