Listen and Take Control

A few days after being diagnosed, I was given a video to watch. It was about a woman who was diagnosed ironically at the same age as me, 30, with a rare form of cancer that was already in stage 4. She went on to write books, shoot the video, and do speaking engagements. I had the opportunity to listen to her speak yesterday and hear about her new book only to be disappointed by how self-centered and self-help the whole shit went down. Of course a video never truly reveals a person as a whole, but when I was in that room of a majority of women, listening to how I needed to change my life, my diet, and generally my demeanor, I felt compelled to give an eye roll and leave. Then the questions started from the audience, and over and over I heard, that this woman changed everyone's lives. Well I watched the video, read the books, and I have to say that while I found them rather amusing and somewhat helpful for a few of my struggles, i.e. young diagnosis syndrome, I don't think it changed my life. I am the person to change my life, and I took control of my health care, personally and professionally. I get that people need a connection and need to find some deeper meaning, but I really felt like reality was not on the forefront yesterday. However, I wish this woman luck and success with what she is setting out to achieve.