As cancer survivors, it’s good to help others going through the rigours of the disease.
For anyone newly diagnosed it can be a terrifying experience and so if we can share a little of what we have been through ourselves this might just help.
Cancer survivors can help to guide others and that involves a bit of ‘turtle leadership’.
Let me explain:
1. A turtle makes progress only when it sticks its neck out.
Turtles only advance when they stick their neck out and cancer survivors know that they will have to be proactive. That means speaking up, getting noticed and getting heard.
Cancer can make you retreat into a protective shell but we also have to fight our corner and champion our own cause.
As cancer survivors, we can help ourselves simply by expressing our concerns and not being super deferential to doctors and nurses. No one knows everything and you know what’s best for you.
2. A turtle knows when to pull its neck in
Cancer survivors aren’t stupid. They know when to retreat and admit mistakes; vulnerability takes courage.
There are times when something you do just doesn’t work and you need to put the brakes on and rewind. For example, doing too much after treatment might backfire and you stall your progress.
‘Mistakes’ are always learning opportunities.
3. A turtle has a hard shell
Turtles have a hard shell that acts as armour and protects them from predators and this makes them resilient.
As cancer survivors, having a hard shell or thick skin comes with the territory as we have to weather plenty of sandstorms.
The good news is that we are able to handle adversity, push through challenges, and continue to push in the midst of difficult situations.
4. A turtle knows that slow and steady wins the race
Savvy survivors know that healing takes time and progress is not seen overnight.
Treatments don’t always work straight away and require long periods of time and constant effort on our part.
Cancer survivors know that each day is only one small step in a lengthier journey.
Evolution is much better than revolution. Surviving during a crisis takes patience.
5. A turtle has a clear sense of direction
When you can’t see the finish line, let purpose be your guide.
Turtles have an innate sense of direction and will go over, under or around an obstacle.
As cancer patients, we have a clear sense of where we want to go and find ways of overcoming things in our way.
There might be lumps of driftwood getting in the way but our internal compass helps us find a way.
Distractions and emergencies might pull us in different directions but we navigate stormy waters and keep survival in our sights at all times.
6. A turtle lives mostly in water
Turtles spend most of their lives in water. Although they are excellent swimmers and spend several hours underwater, they need to come up to the surface to breathe air. They also need to sunbathe.
Cancer patients are often ‘in at the deep end’ and have to adapt to changing conditions but they also remember to ‘come up for air’ in order to survive. This means they look after their wellbeing, aim for balance and take time to rest.
Cancer survivors are adapted to aquatic life and the sink or swim environment of the hospital. When they are ‘in deep’ and the pressure is heavy, they stay calm and swim to the surface for a breather. That’s the theory anyway.
7. A turtle is determined
Turtles don’t give up. Sea turtles keep on pushing toward the shoreline after hatching, and in the same way cancer survivors keep pushing until they reach their goals. They take the plunge when they have to.
Cancer survivors don’t let the fear of what might stand between them and the sea stop them from pushing forward. The have the courage to move forward and embrace uncertainties in order to hit their goal.
We know full well that we may have to head directly into risky and dangerous situations.
8. A turtle has to step outside of its comfort zone
And finally…..
Cancer survivors have instincts that are second to none and their determination is fierce. They have to dig themselves out of a hole they didn’t dig and they have to stick their necks out to get where they are going.
Turtles are low to the ground and feel the vibrations of all that’s around them. It’s in that place they trust their pace, whether to speed up, slow down or pause. Cancer survivors are exactly the same and know their own ecosystem.
Wear your turtle badge with pride.
Behold the turtle!