Alicia Meeks
Keeping snacks light
HOPE VS. HOPELESSNESS AS A BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR BY GAIL KING
I see myself as a symbol of hope and strive to inspire others. If anyone would have predicted that a twenty-five-year-old woman in South Side Hospital who had less than a thirty-percent chance of survival would one day be crowned Ms Senior America, I doubt very few would have believed it. Anything can happen; you must never give up no matter what.
Included in my motivational presentation is a discussion on early detection and lessons on keeping yourself positive, peppered with personal anecdotes. I share how I refused to become a victim. Instead, I became a survivor, which is actually a victim with attitude: And believe me, I’ve got plenty of that! I have since become a thriver who has refused to let cancer define me as a person. It’s what I had – not who I am.
Early on, I recognized the choice I had: Hope vs. Hopelessness. I have the power to change my life for the better and to affect the lives of others. Impressed with Winston Churchill’s philosophy of never giving up, I included having a positive attitude while combining a balance spiritually, physically and emotionally.
Visualization techniques, prayer and meditation made me feel relaxed and centered. I also learned the value of exercise in healing. I can still remember squeezing a tennis ball 50 times a day and walking my arm up the hospital wall trying to gain strength on my left side after surgery.
I did this for five weeks and one year later, I won my first doubles tennis tournament at Ocean Bay Park.
Surrounding myself with positive people empowered me in avoiding he negativity and constant tears of those who have given up on me and who subconsciously were preventing me from getting well. In the seventies there were no computers, cell phones or even cable television. But, I still had a litany of books and medical journals in which I immersed myself as I became my own advocate.
By working with my surgeon, I became part of my treatment. I researched, asked questions, and brought in friends or family during my consultation in case I became nervous or needed to go over what I had been told. This decade had no mammograms, MRI’s or tumor markers. Instead, I evaluated and changed my diet, added exercise, sleep and vitamins. Just as more rest was needed after surgery, I also needed to get back into my routine; I couldn’t wait to get back into my classroom after three weeks in the hospital. My students missed and needed me and that helped.
While some cancer patients do not want to discuss their diagnosis or treatment, which must be respected, I actually felt better sharing my journey knowing I was helping others allay their fears. Although I didn’t even feel like combing my hair at first, I soon found I felt much better wearing makeup, perfume and even a gorgeous peignoir as I walked the corridor with my IV machine.
Visiting the children’s unit and sharing my flowers with other patients cheered me up. Once home, I continued to be indulged in bubble baths, humorous books and shows, ate chocolates, had cheerful visitors, pedicures and milkshakes. You get the idea: spoiling myself really helped.
When William Shakespeare stated, “How sweet are the many uses of adversity,” I could only think of all the good that has come from my experience. I was proud of how I handled my situation, and I saw my confidence soar as I turned twenty-six years old. I became a more compassionate woman and realized how much I could learn from the kindness and help I accepted from others More importantly, I learned how fortunate I was to be able to give back. ”Paying it forward” has become an integral part of my life.
I learned that you don’t have to come in first in a pageant in order to become a winner. A winner is defined in how she lives her life each and every day. I am number one because of who I have become, not because I didn’t die. I am thrilled to dedicate the second act of my life volunteering as I am determined to make a difference. I discovered what the humorist Sam Levenson already knew: ” You have two hands: one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”
Instagram: gailmargaretking
Photo Blue dress-Photographer” Benizo
MUA: Bianca Corrales
