This has been a year where everyone has had to deal with the stress and sadness of so many changes to our life. Whether that’s a cancer, covid or other health diagnosis, death(s), job loss, isolation, hurricanes, financial loss and a very difficult election just to mention a few. While it’s not uncommon for life to throw a punch or two, 2020 might feel more like a full out boxing match!
While dealing with a cancer diagnosis, treatment or sadly losses to the disease, we are always challenged to find some positive thoughts. This past year, with the addition of Covid-19, the combination has been extremely difficult.
Covid has suppressed many people from receiving their annual mammograms or check ups for earlier detection. Closures or limitations to receive surgeries, chemotherapy treatments and even follow up care. In addition to delayed diagnosis and care, patients struggle with attending to their appointments or remaining in the hospital alone, without support from a family member or friend by their side.
Along with the struggle of health concerns also comes financial stress. You may have lost your job or due to cutbacks and furloughs that not only affect your income but also your health insurance. Even moving in with family members can be challenging. This affects your weakened immune system with children in school or adults working outside the home.
November, along with Thanksgiving, is often when we take time to reflect and feel thankful. We’re hoping that you still have a list of things that you can be grateful for. Things such as technology that has brought families together through zoom and facetime. Opportunities to speak with doctors through TeleMedicine calls. On-line support to help you through physical therapy, keep you moving and exercising with group classes for yoga, stretching, boot camp and spin classes. There are also a variety of online ways to follow stress reducing meditations and learn healthier cooking recipes.
In many ways, Covid has brought new opportunities to appreciate and has slowed down the fast paced world we were living in. Our overworked and over scheduled days that life had spiraled into. The many social commitments, dining out and fast food restaurants along with (over) consumption of alcohol that has added to obesity and other illnesses that were not in our best interest.
We’ve had the past year to take the time to re-evaluate and prioritize what is important in life. This is an individual evaluation! For some, it may be where they work, the number of hours or distance for work. Possibly our social life and how you can still be a good friend even while saving time for yourself. Zoom, Google Hangouts, House Party, Facetime, etc., have all become part of our daily lives. Ways to spend time with family, friends, book clubs, accomplish work meetings without travel, join educational webinars and even show support and help raise dollars for charities through virtual walks or runs and even bingo parties!
We have learned many new ways to think ‘outside the box’ to fulfill our needs that once we are able to resume “living life” we may actually find that our new normal has improved our quality of life.
While you may be suffering with loss, illness and financial concerns, can you find a few things to also be grateful for as the holidays approach? HIS Breast Cancer Awareness is thankful for the support we have been able to provide for male breast cancer and for the organizations that we have worked with together, to help educate and save lives over this past year. We are grateful for our loving families and friends for their constant support.
Please leave a comment and share what’s on your list and let us know how you are remaining strong and still standing in this boxing ring of life!
Modeh Ani, I Am Thankful
Stay Health, Stay Safe
Editors: Vicki Singer Wolf, Co-founder, Harvey I. Singer, Co-founders