by Denise DeSimone, author and inspirational speaker
My life as I knew it would never be the same. Never…
I had just received the diagnosis – Stage IV throat and neck cancer.
My mind raced with thoughts of everything I ever wanted to do and didn’t do. I questioned how much time I had. Most importantly, how would I share the devastating news with all those I loved so dearly?
On the physical plane my situation was very serious. On the spiritual level it was an opportunity to hold the high watch. To say I wasn’t scared would be a lie. I was very scared. And, I chose faith over fear.
In my heart of hearts I knew battling with something that had already raged a mini war within me would be ludicrous. There was an opportunity in my midst – shifting the paradigm of how I and our culture perceived cancer.
Intuitively I sensed this cancer would be the most profound teacher in my life. I began a dialogue with my cancer as I would a friend. As I asked the cancer questions, I wrote down its answers. I was amazed to learn that the most important lesson that came through this exercise (from the cancer) was that self love is the most powerful medicine. My path to healing required that I love myself unconditionally. The more I loved myself, the less reason (room) there was for the cancer to stick around.
My advice to newly diagnosed patients: it is critical to realize you didn’t do anything wrong. It is an easy place to go. It serves no purpose. Making ourselves wrong and beating ourselves up blocks the healing process. First and foremost, be gentle with yourself. Befriend your cancer and ask what it came to teach you.
Befriending my cancer as opposed to battling it was critical to my overall healing. Give it a go! May we be the ones to usher in a new paradigm as we grow and learn that self love is the all-time greatest healer.
Reverend Denise DeSimone is an author, motivational and inspirational public speaker, and workshop leader, with an extensive background in Interfaith Ministry, and a wide range of holistic healing practices. These healing practices include: Sound Healing, Reiki, Polarity Therapy, Reflexology, Shamanism and Process Therapy. Denise’s first book, From Stage IV to Center Stage, is an extraordinary story of courage, strength and inspiration. She travels extensively throughout the United States speaking and teaching. Denise resides in the Newburyport, MA, area where she has lived for the past 15 years.
