By Ana Siguenza
Today, I am celebrating my first National Cancer Survivors Day and unexpectedly emotional. After watching my Puerto Rican bonus mom blow out her 16 year candle of being cancer free, I couldn't help but see that as a beautiful example of living life with gratitude and joy. A simple cake and candle to commemorate a time when you fought for your life everyday and won.
Cancer is ugly. The treatments have tough side effects, and if you were like me, you lived with months of anxiety wondering if the doctor's plan was going to work, depression, and the unsettled feeling of wondering how this could have happened. I endured 12 weeks of Chemotherapy on a weekly basis, so after my first treatment, I knew what needed to change to make the experience more comfortable and make me feel like I was still in control of my life.
While I am still undergoing the final stage of my treatment, I am looking forward to being cancer free by the end of the year. Cancer can take away more than just your strength and physical health. It robs you of your self esteem, your routine, your normalcy in social settings and the life you were used to living. As you adjust to the changes in your body and physical appearance it is important to remember to be kind to yourself . Hone in on your mental health to stay strong and appreciative of every minute of life for the duration of your treatment plan. If anyone has to endure a cancer diagnosis, I hope this list of my top 11 Ways to Feel Beautiful With Cancer helps to ease your mind and remind you of how beautiful your life is in every moment.
Create A Meditation Station
Find a quiet comfortable place or corner of your home to put down a soft blanket or yoga mat to lay still. Have your journal, a workbook for your emotions, candle, a diffuser, crystals or whatever it is that helps you restore your faith and energy. During the day, it was difficult for me to engage in any conversations or social settings, because my mind was spinning with anxiety. Having a quiet place to release my worries brought me peace and hope.
2. Create a Night Time Ritual of Self Care
When the word spreads that you are a cancer patient, everyone wants to lend their cancer curing advice, which almost causes more anxiety. For my night time self care ritual, I really wanted to focus on doing things that made me feel holistically pampered. My focus was to detox my mind and body, so taking luxurious baths with scented Epson Salt followed up by rubbing Organic Castor Oil and Doterra Essential Oils with a hot cup of an aromatic tea reminded me that I've done everything that I can for now, and that it was ok to rest.
3. Go For a Daily Walk
I proudly called myself a Gym Cat prior to treatment, and during my Chemotherapy, it was challenging to leave the house. But, going on a two mile walk made me feel less isolated and gave me the confidence to be amongst the public. The alone time allowed me to cry by myself and release thoughts that would occur in my mind. The connection with the outdoors was grounding and provided mental clarity resulting in an act of self love that I never regretted.
4. Take Control of Your Life, and Shave Your Head First
After my second chemo treatment, my hair began to fall out in chunks. I remember being scared of the emotional ties to my hair now being taken from me. I didn't want to see myself with thin patches of hair and felt like if I shaved it now, it was my choice and that I can take control before the side effects took control of me. The act was empowering, and honestly, the bald head was a fun new style for me to embrace that I would have never done if it weren't for cancer.
5. Eat What Actually Makes You Feel Good... even if it may not be good for you.
Chemotherapy was brutal to my stomach and how I felt. My usual diet that consisted of balanced greens, proteins, and minimal carbs was making me feel worse, and my taste buds did not enjoy it. I couldn't hold things down and felt extremely weak. There was a period of time where I ate cinnamon rolls for four days, and I actually felt better. For a period of time, I had it better than some of my friends! I mean, who wouldn't want the opportunity to eat cinnamon rolls on a daily basis for the sake of your health? Carbs became the safest thing to eat until my doctors were able to make the changes needed to my treatment plan.
6. Get Yourself Some Cute & Comfy Chemo Sweatsuits
If I am going to be somewhere I don't want to be, please believe that I will try to trick my mind to make it something to look forward to. Thank you to my dear friends who got me some comfortable Savage Fenty Sweatsuits that were so soft and cozy so I could take cat naps when the Benadryl hit my IV. My nurses would comment on my sweatsuits and gave me the excitement of fashion in the hospital.
7. Pack A Chemo Bag
This was inspired by someone from Tik Tok, but get yourself a super cute tote bag and pack it with items that make your chemo chair more comfortable. Here's my list:
1. Headphones
2. A foldable phone stand to prop of my phone for phone calls and videos
3. A pack of Essential Oil Rollers of Peppermint for nausea and lavender for stress. (This would help take away the hospital environment and help with symptons and anxiety.)
4. A small watercolor pad, paints, and brushes. I would keep myself busy learning techniques with videos on youtube.
5. A thermos filled with hot water, my favorite teas, and a tiny jar of honey. Peppermint tea was helpful for nausea.
6. Lip care and hand cream
7. An eye mask for when I wanted to sleep
8. A light lunch like a sandwich and small snacks. Chemo is all day, so you need to have food ready.
9. A water bottle full of coconut water or Gatorade for electrolytes.
10. A Facial Mist to rehydrate and refresh.
8. Book An Appointment for A Brow & False Eyelash Lesson with a Makeup Artist
A lesson with a makeup artist is so much fun for both the client and the artist. As a makeup artist, it is the most rewarding to hear that someone wants to learn. We have seen so many people enduring hardships in life that want to feel like themselves again, and it makes our job so rewarding. Let an MUA know what you're dealing with and they will make you feel like the most beautiful version of you and turn you into a Pro at brows when the time comes to fill them in. My recommendation would be to find an Anastasia Beverly Hills artist or Benefit Cosmetics Artist at your makeup counter because of their high level training on realistic brows. For a beautiful pair of false lashes that are reusable with care, www.blendedsocietybeauty.com The Every Woman is a go to lash for a soft and fluffy pair to accentuate your eyes when your lashes go bare.
9. Make A Vow to Never Say A Negative Word About Yourself
When I was in the middle of learning about my diagnosis, I was saddened that I may not have the long life I had hoped for. I regretted years of negative self talk when i could have been using that time to appreciate what makes me special, beautiful, and different. In that moment, I made a vow to always see myself as beautiful and perfect. The effects of this mindset has made me feel more whole and become an independent thinker in who gets to decide what the standard of beauty is. That we are perfect as we are in whatever phase of life we are in.
10. Say The Things That You Need to Say
Cancer reminds you that every minute is a gift. For me, I felt retreated inside of my body which allowed me the opportunity to listen and observe people and surroundings. As you go through the doctors visits, testing, and treatments, the last thing you want to be is the center of attention. From being an observer, I was able to see the people I cared about and really appreciate the love they had shown me. Acknowledging the love that you found throughout the life and surrounded yourself with is like finding treasure. A collected group of people that took a lifetime to find that makes you feel rich in joy and happiness. I make sure that I take moments to share how I feel about them and thank them for being in my life.
11. Put On Your Armor and Put Up a Fight
A reminder that the cause of cancer to develop in healthy bodies is still unknown. It could be our environment, the foods we can afford to eat, stress, etc. Regardless of the cause and prevention tactics, life will call a Plot Twist at anytime. If it's not cancer that turns your life upside down, it's something else equally devastating. No matter what the battle is, you have to make the decision to fight for your life. I remember the day that I stopped crying and made the decision that I was going to be brave. Fight for your future memories. Fight for your dreams. Fight for more time with your family. Resolve the burdens that are taking away moments of joy. The journey is going to be ugly, and you have to remember that people are praying hard of you. The doctors are working endless hours on the clock, and you are the anchor of the relay race to bring it home. My life is more meaningful because I am a warrior and can empathize with a group of people who knows what this feels like. I would not change my experience at all because I know how beautiful life is now.
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