Cancer Archives

The State of Cancer

Alexis Acker-Halbur Cancer, Did you know? August 20, 2016November 29, 2022balloons, Cancer, decision, life, Relay For Life, survival

The first weekend in August I volunteered at the Forest Lake Relay For Life. If you’re not familiar with Relay it’s an arm of the American Cancer Society (ACS) to raise funds for cancer research, education, and support. I got involved with Relay after my first year of living with cancer. I was a cancer-nerd and knew so little about the disease and how to live with it. Relay introduced me to many survivors and their caregivers, and I learned I was not alone.

By the time this day is over, 1,600 people will die from cancer. This is not a scare tactic but reality. What I learned through Relay is that you can live with cancer and you can survive it but it takes great courage and passion to live with a disease that is both demanding and unpredictable. Demanding because cancer invades your mind, body, and spirit. Cancer causes fear and dread. It makes us take a look at our lives and our deeds. Will my life end? Can I survive? If I survive, how will my body look and feel? The list of personal questions is endless.

Cancer is also unpredictable. I wasn’t supposed to live but I did. It took nine years to be cancer-free and the journey was a difficult one. I won’t lie about that. People who we think will live die, and those we think will die live. What makes the difference?

Some say it’s attitude – having a positive attitude. Some say it’s faith, or hope, or tenacity. I say it’s a decision. I believed from the very beginning that I would live. Sure there were awful times when I couldn’t eat, sleep, think, read, or listen. All I could do was live in the moment. Some of those moments were so long and painful. But my choice was to keep living and I kept living. It’s not magic that helped me survive cancer, it was the people I met and the places I’ve been.

I stood at Relay this year during the balloon release. Hundreds of white balloons were released in the air. I, too, had released a white balloon with my Mom’s name of it. Once released, Mom’s balloon joined all the others as they made their upward climb to heaven. It was a clear night and I could see the balloons getting smaller and smaller. At the moment that I could no longer see my Mom’s balloon I knew in my heart that my balloon kissed my Mom in the sky. I stood there amazed. Then the tears flowed and I couldn’t stop them. I cried on three different shoulders of lovely friends who comforted me in my agony. I miss my Mom and I wish she had beat cancer like I did. But cancer took her life and took away the one person in my world who I knew loved me.

Relay has helped me realize that other people love me, too. Next year I’m going to release two balloons – one for my Mom and one for me. One life gone but never forgotten and one life saved.

The true role of cancer is to make us realize what we have, who we are, and how quickly that can all change. Cancer taught me to never give up – and I won’t!

I invite other cancer survivors to comment on what helped them survive. I’m really interested in what turned your life into living and not dying.

NEVER GIVE UP — EVER!!!

Exceptional Responders

Alexis Acker-Halbur Cancer, Healing March 22, 2016November 29, 2022colon cancer, colonoscopy, cure, exceptional responder

Exceptional Responders: long-term survivors of late-stage cancer who went into full or partial remission.

I don’t typically like labels because they often incorporate a stereotype, BUT, the “exceptional responder” (ER) is a label I will gladly accept. Why am I an ER? Glad you asked. I had a three-year follow-up colonoscopy last week. I’ll be honest that the thought of going through colon cancer again stirred up some fears. I had to keep reminding myself that the fears were normal and probably 95% more emotion than fact. The results? I’m cancer clean.

I’m an ER because I survived two diagnoses of Stage IV colon cancer. Originally, I had a six-percent chance of survival. The stats were stacked against me but after eight years I’ve outlived remission and am totally cured.

I’m grateful for my oncologist’s treatment knowledge, my surgeons skilled hands, my nurses awesome care, the kind hospital staffs who watched over me and kept me safe, and of course, Rita, and all my friends and family. Cancer takes a village! Mine took a metropolis!

Exceptional responders are tough fighters with a committed plan for survival. Yet, none of us can survive without the blessed help of others.

Some people, like me, live years after being told to get their affairs in order. With advanced care and treatment options, cancer is losing it’s hold on our fears and our bodies. Yet, we still have a lot of learning to do — and that takes money.

Will you help me raise the funds needed to find the cancer cures? I Relay For Life in Forest Lake, MN. This year I want to raise more funds than ever for research and education. I give because I live! Thank you.

I was in a coma after my second liver surgery. This is where the tough get tougher!

Never Give Up!!!

Alexis Acker-Halbur

National Cancer Day

Alexis Acker-Halbur Cancer, Healing February 5, 2016November 29, 2022

Wednesday, February 3, designated as “National Cancer Day,” is a very important day for those of us living or knowing someone with cancer. It’s also an important day to remember our loved ones who fought cancer and lost their lives. Yes, cancer is still stealing lives even though great progress has been made to treat it.

Why is cancer so vile? Well, it takes a healthy human body and turns that body into a vacuum filled with toxic cells. These cells are so damaging that some diagnosed cancers can literally take away a life in two weeks. TWO WEEKS from the day of diagnosis! If you value your life or the lives of your loved ones, make sure you/they see a doctor immediately if you suspect something abnormal.

Many cancer cells attack healthy cells and multiply like rabbits, but some cells multiply very slowly. I was told that my Stage IV colon cancer probably started three or four years before it was caught.

This is a reflection of mine while living with cancer. You can find it in my book, Never Give Up: Break the Connection Between Stress and Illness:

What I Learned From Cancer

A diagnosis of cancer doesn’t mean a death sentence.
Cancer is a wake-up call.
Your attitude is more indicative of your prognosis than a blood test.
Talk honestly about your emotions to strengthen your immune system.
Express your anger in healthy ways.
Serious and life-threatening illnesses are times of personal transformation.
Being positive in the midst of a crisis is very difficult, but do it anyway.
A wonderful life means being and accepting who you are — good and bad.
Practice resilience to help bounce back from Life’s woes.
Pay attention to pain — it’s the body’s way of crying for help.
Breathe deeply, and give yourself additional energy to face difficulties.
Nourishing people accompany you on your journey, while toxic people drain your energy.
There will be days when all you can do is cry, breathe, and survive.
Your loved ones cannot fix you.
Love yourself unconditionally — self-love is the foundation of your being.
Negative feelings weaken your immunity.
Recognize your need for time-outs — it’s better than a major burn-out.
Crying gives your soul a voice, but crying all the time gives you a headache.
Develop friendships that make you feel inspired.
Laughing relieves stress and sometimes the bladder.

–Alexis Acker-Halbur

What does National Cancer Day mean to you? I’d love to hear your replies. And remember, never give up!