What one person can do under serious circumstances is a powerful thing indeed. When such experience is being shared and duplicated by others, this phenomenon liberates from inside out and allows a person to dream, plan, and materialize some of the best creative ideas they ever have had. It is called having no limits consciousness.
This month of Breast Cancer Awareness, we have learned a LOT! We have seen some of the best acts of kindness, generosity and determination from the women-entrepreneurs with breast cancer. They serve as our starting point for starting to realize that life is precious, that every movement we make, every smile we show and feel are the biggest gift ever.
Here’s one more powerful story from Dr. Lynn Anderson, a Naturopath who persevered and created her new business avenue to help and support others while going through cancer.
Breast Cancer October Relay
Illuminate. Encourage. Shine!
Campaña de Concientización Contra el Cáncer de Mama.
Alienta. Incentiva. Brilla!
Known by my students and clients as Doctor Lynn I am a cancer survivor. Although my cancer was uterine, cervical and ovarian I also was biopsied and carefully monitored for breast cancer after a lump was discovers in my left breast. I am a Yoga therapist, Naturopathic Doctor and fitness professional.
It is not unusual for me to be spending several hours a day teaching fitness and health classes. So you can image that when I was diagnosed with cancer it was a mighty blow. I remember one of my students saying to me:
“How can you have cancer? You are so healthy and fit?”
My reply: “Cancer does not discriminate. It affects everyone”
To honor all women, here’s the latest guide to unique and non-toxic products for women for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and beyond.
Have A Plan Backed With Determination
For the first time in my life I was not able to get out of bed or even climb a small set of stairs. I was used to doing yoga, dancing and teaching spin classes. Suddenly I was unable to even bend down and tie my shoe. So I devised a plan because the best way to succeed is to have plan backed with determination. I was going to beat cancer. I was going to get out of bed teach dance, do yoga and live. S,o as I lay in bed I imaged myself creating a fitness class that would support health, body, mind and soul.
That is how I created Doctor Lynn’s Anti-Aging Yoga Dance™.
Be Kind To Thyself
First, you need to get up, find a reason to get healthy and start moving. But it takes time to heal both physically and emotionally. You must be kind to yourself and allow yourself the time it takes to regain your strength and get back your health. Every day I did a little more than the day before. I kept a note book and charted my progress. “Inch by inch”, I would tell myself.
It’s very difficult to work and run back and forth to the doctor while feeling lousy and weak. But will power and determination are mighty forces. The question I asked myself was: What did I want?
Keep Moving
I wanted to dance, do yoga and climb a flight of stairs. Seems simple and yet these things were giant obstacles to overcome. But they did spur me onward. You have to decide to keep moving no matter what. As I like to tell my students, “Keep Moving – the moment you stop you’re dead!”
For two months I could not climb a flight of stairs let alone teach my classes. I vowed that once I could climb a flight of stairs again I would never complain about having to take the stairs. I would always remind myself of the time I couldn’t climb. Now, every day after class I have to climb three flights of stairs to get to my car. At the bottom of the stairs I smile to myself. I know I can climb the stairs!
Oh, and I did the thousand stair challenge to raise money for the American Lung Association. I finished in 16 minutes! Quite a feat for a sixty-three-year-old cancer survivor!
Don’t Let Cancer Define You!
So, the answer is simply don’t let cancer define or limit you. Find a reason to get healthy and then focus on your health by doing something each day that improves it. Always remember that the most important thing in your life is your health.
Find more of Dr. Lynn’s work HERE.
Honor it every day and never take anything for granted. Just keep climbing those stairs!
5 thoughts on “HOW-TO Keep Climbing The Stairs Against All Odds While Fighting Breast Cancer”
I really admire her determination and positive outlook! There are always lessons to be learned, and opportunities for growing stronger, when God permits any kind of suffering or hardship in our lives.
This is very moving. My Aunt is a breast cancer survivor and the inspiration she is and the hard times she went through are incredible. I can only hope to be half as strong as her.
Be kind to thyself is such a simple reminder but we so often times forget to do it. Honoring ourselves and being kind is so helpful when times are hard.
I have several friends who are long term cancer survivors and I know that their positivity and strength has been a part of it. I admire them so much.
Such a powerful message to all those affected. It means so much coming from a survivor. I love the be kind to oneself. This is a horrible disease and we need to fight it, but we also need to remember to treat ourselves well also.