Through my eyes

"When we embrace uncertainty, it can be very liberating. If you can accept the uncertainty, it allows you to live life every day." - Victor Gospodinoff

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and I would like to take this opportunity to salute everyone who is fighting this condition.

For many who are facing a breast cancer diagnosis, hearing from others who've been through one already can be a great source of comfort and support.

While being sick is draining and heart breaking, there are so many blessings that they seem, at times, to outweigh the negatives.

Survivorship is very much an attitude; it s a state of mind. How we interpret the experience of cancer and integrate it into our lives is fundamental to how we coexist with it.

Through my own personal struggles with my own father earlier this year, I have learned that hope is forever changing, and healing is just around the corner.

Like many who encountered the disease, I turned to prayer. I am a firm believer in prayer. It calms me and gives me peace in times that I am spinning out of control with emotions. It gives me someone to tell everything, without holding back. The understanding is always there; through prayer I found understanding without judgement.

Something that really opened my eyes to the power of a strong mind was a saying I read somewhere, Hope and hopelessness are both a choice, so why not choose Hope

While I believe that our futures are written in the stars I also believe that having regular check-ups is fundamental to our wellbeing.

But please do not forget that when you're dealing with cancer, a daily dose of inspiration may make a big difference in your outlook on life.

It can be easy to get caught up in how far you have to go. Don't forget to look back, andrecognize how far you have come. Every day brings you one step closer.

Don't let cancer cause you to sell yourself short or forget your worth. Remember there's always something to be thankful for. You are here, breathing and living life. Even if it's not the life you want or hoped for, it's life.

Last week we celebrated my Godmother s eightieth birthday. My Ciocia Halina (Aunty Halina) was diagnosed with breast cancer thirty years ago. Even after having undergone a double mastectomy she always found something funny to say about her physical changes.

Ciocia Halina turned her trauma into a joke and we all loved her for it. One thing that set my beautiful Ciocia Halina into a true survivor was that she never complained, she just got on with things and laughed her way through the scars.

She use to say, Everyone has scars - whether you can see them or not. I hated my big boobs anyway. What do I need boobs for

I am sure it was not all manageable but she was strong and convincing, she would say, There is no time for negative energy during cancer .You need to just concentrate on getting better.

So today I would like to encourage all of you to go and get tested and encourage others to do it and if you are dealing with this illness, remember there is always hope and Never, Ever, Ever Give Up.

Look at my Ciocia Halina, she did it and thirty years later she continues to inspire.

If you want to join a Breast Cancer support group you can contact my dear friend JAIME ERNST from Ballito Cancer Support Network on Cell: 076 622 3726.