Everyday Heroes Blog Series: Lisa Skelly

As I continue to think more and more about the saying, "not all heroes wear capes", I think about some very amazing people that have faced some very difficult battles in life. During my internship at a children's hospital, I got to work closely with the patients on the oncology floor. Words can't really describe how incredible their bravery and strength were.

Then, seeing loved ones diagnosed with cancer and take the journey of fighting it- I can only describe it as truly heroic.

That's why for the most recent care package request I received for someone diagnosed with breast cancer, I printed a quote I found that says, "I fight cancer, what's your superpower?"

My amazing cousin, Lisa, is a breast cancer survivor. Her strength is truly admirable and she inspires me every time I'm with her - so I knew I wanted to ask her to write some words of encouragement in order to inspire others:

"While on vacation recently, I met a woman who was 19 when she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

She is in her sixties now and shared that three years ago, she had been diagnosed with a cancer caused by the radiation she had decades before that saved her life. I shared with her that I was a breast cancer survivor, a diagnosis I received just after turning 32.

While our experiences have been vastly different, our outlook on life is the same. When talking about cancer, we agreed, no one understands – until they do. A cancer diagnosis changes your perspective about life, suddenly the sky is more blue and the flowers are more fragrant. It can also be devastating, scary and lonely, no matter who you have supporting and encouraging you each step of the way.

Your journey is just that – yours. Your journey through cancer will be like no one else’s because it has happened to you.

You might find relief in telling jokes or crying, and that is okay. No one can tell you the “right” way to do cancer, you have to find your best way to live through it. Set boundaries with friends and family members when you need to, they will understand.

However you are feeling, feel it, stay in that moment and remind yourself what you have decided your outcome will be.

Be kind to yourself, take time to do things you enjoy. Not only will it provide you a sense of normalcy in the chaos of appointments, treatments and surgeries, but it can also serve as a reminder of your own strength.

Lean on those people in your life who can bear the weight, and when you can, return the favor to them. Find phrases or pictures that you love and make you smile. Hang them where you can see them regularly – they are a great reminder of who you are at your core.

Does cancer change you? The answer is absolutely, but how is up to you. How you live through your cancer is your journey, don’t let it define you but accept that it is part of who you are now and who you will become in the future."

-Lisa Skelly