by Ted A James MD, MS, FACS
For many cancer survivors, living with the uncertainty of their diagnosis and the potential for recurrence can result in a great deal of stress and worry that persists long after the initial diagnosis and treatment. To a certain degree, these thoughts and feelings are quite normal and are often part of the process of dealing with cancer. However, when the fear of cancer starts to cast a shadow over everything else, it can lead to a constant state of distress that slowly erodes a person’s quality of life. Sadly, in some situations, the distress caused by worrying about cancer may actually do more harm physically, emotionally and spiritually than cancer could ever do itself.
The truth is that nobody knows what tomorrow holds. We take the necessary steps to reduce risks in life and plan appropriately for the future. Beyond that we have no further control. Worrying about what we cannot control does not give us any more mastery or authority over it. Instead it makes us give cancer more power to negatively affect our lives than it deserves. Simply stated, worrying about tomorrow does not help us live better today. Ideally we would practice letting go of worry over the things we do not control, and instead, fulfill our purpose for each day.
Admittedly, this is much easier said than done. However, many people have found ways to maintain, and even increase joy in their lives as cancer survivors. Their stories provided the inspiration for this website and the Don’t Let Cancer Steal Your Joy campaign. The DLCSYJ campaign is all about approaches to optimizing well-being in the setting of cancer. Ultimately the goal of this movement is to serve as a source of support and inspiration for cancer survivors who are seeking a life of resilience and joy.
What exactly is joy?
The term joy, as used throughout this website, is more than a feeling of pleasure or happiness. Happiness is a state of mind and pleasure is a physical experience. Joy goes beyond this and stems from the core of one’s spirit or self. It is a sense of contentment, fulfillment, and well-being. Joy is an orientation of the heart. Most importantly, joy is a choice! It is independent of circumstances or external factors. Your joy is defined by you and belongs to you alone. It can enhance your quality of life, overcome your fear, and allow you to face the most challenging of situations with a sense of peace. Even in the midst of a difficult, painful or life-threatening condition that legitimately brings us suffering, our inner joy is never taken away. The very core of our being can still express joy.
This website will explore how cancer survivors have found, maintained, and enhanced their joy. We review the relevant strategies and techniques learned from behavioral psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and religion. These include, mindfulness, gratitude, generosity, self-care, and finding one’s greater purpose. We hope that you, too discover that cancer doesn’t have to deprive you of your joy---Don’t let cancer steal your joy.