Loss and Life Have Given Me a Wealth of Gratitude After Cancer

Carla Deschamps is now a survivor of colon cancer after receiving her diagnosis in February 2020. Read Carla's blogs here!

On November 26, 2020, I received one of the saddest news of my life. My mother called to notify me about my grandmother’s passing. It was Thanksgiving Day when she passed. During that time, I had only completed one month of chemotherapy after my diagnosis of colon cancer. Words cannot express all the emotions I felt that day. In this blog, I would like to take the opportunity to share with you how I view Thanksgiving after my diagnosis along with the feelings that came with it.  

When my mother informed me about the passing of my grandmother early Thanksgiving morning, I was immensely devastated. I remembered it was close to 6:00 AM when I received the news. My instant reaction was crying inconsolably. My grandmother was a woman whom I admired, loved and respected so much. She never knew about my diagnosis of colon cancer. However, I know that she would have been extremely proud of me for completing chemotherapy the way that I did. During my treatment, I stayed strong, resilient and optimistic, as she instilled in me those core values as a young child. Now, every year on Thanksgiving Day, I remember my grandmother with a smile on my face, even though at times I shed tears recalling all the wonderful memories we shared together.  

Thanksgiving also represents a day to express gratitude, which is pivotal in my daily life. Every morning, I take a moment and say out loud three things I am thankful for. My top three statements include the following: “I am thankful for being healthy,”“I am thankful for having a blessed life” and “I am thankful for being cancer-free.” Expressing gratitude is my way to start my day in the right direction. These affirmations have helped me recognize all of the wonderful things that I already have.

Furthermore, how I view Thanksgiving is simply a symbol of many blessings. Throughout the year, I have taken moments to appreciate everything that God has given me. Not only am I blessed to be alive and being a cancer survivor, but I am blessed for my family and friends. They have been my number one advocates throughout my journey and have provided me with unconditional love and support before, during and after my diagnosis of colon cancer. Appreciating my family and friends is my way of recognizing how much I love them. My life is full of grace because of them.

During this holiday season, I have a lot of mixed emotions. Thanksgiving reminds me of losing one of the most important people in my life, yet it emphasizes all the blessings that I currently possess. After being diagnosed with colon cancer, the most significant lesson I learned was the power of having a healing, grateful heart. It is my remedy to stay happy and serene. I am truly appreciative of being a cancer survivor because it has given me a chance to share my story with all of you. Indeed, Thanksgiving is a bittersweet holiday, but I feel forever blessed to be in this magical, wonderful world.

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