Upon hearing the word “survivor”, one may get flashbacks from a reality show where competitors use bare-bones skills to navigate extreme conditions. Or perhaps one may recall movies where everyone dies in a plane crash except a destined few, only to find out they are responsible to the universe for their divine favor. Much like the reality show, cancer thrusts each survivor into a challenge with some tools and varied abilities to use during the insatiable battle. The winner prevails as the one who outlives the other based on a combination of resourcefulness and determination. Seems pretty straightforward, right?
Cancer survivorship is a far more complex phenomenon and is best described in one word—GRACE.
Grace, from a biblical sense, is the undeserved and unfathomable favor from God. As mere mortals, we often find ourselves incapable of forgiveness of our bodies’ physical and mental attacks on us. We have the burden of choosing to acknowledge the pain while forging ahead toward a life of happiness.
Survivorship is less about accepting a “new norm” and more about destroying fear of the “abnormal” condition of disease. I can still recall that after surgery, I was a tenant living in another woman’s body and paying the same rent—a willing violation of sorts. Processes such as chemotherapy and radiation, while presumed effective, directly violated every biological and physical principle afforded any “normal” human.
We are, as Billie Holiday lamented, strange fruit. Navigating the way back to one’s sense of “normalcy” is no trivial undertaking. It requires grace, love, and forbearance.
Survivors approach a threshold where they disrobe temporary garments of fear and anxiety and don the glorious and ornate robes of consistent and unrelenting healing. Without fail, true survivors gracefully command the restoration of every cell in their bodies and the transformation of every doubt. They grant themselves equal grace when they don’t obey.
After all, survivorship is not a well-written linear script or storyline. Nor, for some, is it happily ever after. It does not exist in a vacuum, but is dynamic.
Survivorship is a continuum and does not stop after the bells chime and the embraces of loved one’s cease. It is the necessary interplay between the mind to produce positive energy, the body’s obedience, and the spirit’s grace to forgive inevitable setbacks. This interaction exists at the intersection of intention and outcome. It is where the true survivor chooses to not only live but chooses the quality of the life that they commit themselves to.
39 Responses
Amazing piece of work! Thank you for giving us insight into yours, and the journey of other survivors. I wish God’s peace and good health to you all!
My dear friend, thank you so much for the feedback
What makes grace possible is the support I have gotten along this journey. Thank you for being there for me
this article so many ? ? ? ? gems.
I love how you describe your journey something you accepted& see God in yourself to get thru something that was transformative in a good way. #survivorship ?
I’m so proud of you. You the real mvp?
God bless you. This is an awesome well written
article. Thank you for sharing your journey and encouraging others around the globe.
Awesome article, very well written and insightful. I pray your journey lead you to a place of blissfulness. Thank you for sharing.
God had a plan and a purpose to use your sickness as a way to turn a mess into a message. That dark place you experienced is bringing light, hope, strenght and courage to others.
Thank you for allowing God to use your gift.
This article is phenomenal. Keep them coming ?????…BJ (aka Big Jack)
Thank you for your transparency and allowing us to feel all of this. May God continue to bless you richly and you remain healed in Jesus name.
Beautifully written. Thankyou for sharing this lovely perspective.
God bless Amy ! Thank you for this wonderful feedback your encouragement means the world to me
This is an amazing article. Thank you for sharing your journey. May Gods grace & peace be upon you. You are a blessing to many ?
Many thanks Carmen! Thank you for your kind words and support ! I’m praying that this perspective provides comfort for many. All praises to god
Carmen bless you and thank you for you prayers
Graceful perfection. This article is beautifully written Kemba. Now I’m awaiting a series of short stories or and inspirational book. Blessings to you my friend.
Awww Kristi thank you for your love and support! You have read my mind. There is more to come with Gods blessing . I pray your continued support
Wow Kristi !!! Thank you so much that may be something I truly get into
HEY EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO READ AND COMMENT . Through this entire journey the support was overwhelming so all I’ve ever wanted to do was to pay it forward and inspire others through the love of Christ
Thank you for sharing your journey with us and adding the most important thing Love. God gives the increases in life and thus increase is going to bless you and so many others…vulnerability is a Super Power
My beloved Yvonne. It is my desire that God continues to bless and allow me to be vulnerable and humble. Some of these are the most private thoughts that I never thought I would be able to share but when I think about how it may help others it makes me want to share more. Thank you for your support and well wishes
As a person that’s experiencing this in my family, I really appreciate you sharing this with us and we care as people that you get as healthy as you can. I’m here with you every step of the way. Wonder Woman won and beat it.
Hey Blair!! Thank you for your words of support snd encouragement for this body of work. I am in constant prayer for your family as they are going through and pray that you share this with your loved one
Please also introduce her to this wonderful platform called For The Breast of Us which is fill of amazing resources to support your beloved family member as they go through. It is the source site from which hosts this and other amazing blog entries from some amazing survivor/thrivers . Thank you for being an amazing caregiver ??
Blessings to you!! Thank you for sharing and being so open.
My beautiful soror! It is a blessing to gain humility and connection through suffering . To share is to do Gods work
Wow…what an insightful break down of God’s grace. This piece will help a lot of women going through the same battle. God bless you, Kemba!!
Hey Dana !! I love you for your support . His willing my writing will be used as a vessel for gods desire to heal and comfort
Beautifully written and wonderfully insightful. Thanks for sharing your testimony of overcoming with the world; your strength, perseverance, and grace—both to yourself and towards others—has been a greater example to me than you shall ever know.
Keep being the beacon of light and possibility you have always been. I love you.
Your continuous live and support that you have poured into me was healing to my mind and sprit and was like octane fuel to ignite purpose in this suffering
I still remember receiving the gift of your words which restored me and I have a string desire to pay it forward
Wow, Kemba. Insanely well-written and impacting words. Your testimony and all the strength, courage, and honesty you’ve shown throughout this process still floors me each time. I know that your words will be so impacting to those who need it. I love you my dearest friend, so honored to be your friend!
My dearest Cherita!!! Your love and care for me is exact the fuel that wants to make me pay what you and your family have provided me
This is absolutely beautiful and necessary! Very well written! Thank you for doing this!!!!
Kemba, this is beautifully written. You have broken down what it means to survive while also making room for grace. Thank you for sharing this with me. ?
Kemba, this piece was so well written and gave such a insightful look into your journey. Thank you so much for sharing! You are truly a gift to us all and I continue to pray that God continues to use you and your gifts to help and bless others. Love you much❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing your journey! Grace is with you.
So beautifully said, Kemba! Much of this story resonated so strongly with me. Your words are a gift to the survivors no matter what stage of survivorship they are in.
God bless you Nancy and thank you so kindly for taking the time to read. All I ask is if you know someone who could us this information or encouragement, share
Kemba! Thanks for sharing and for giving us some insight on your journey. You know you have always been my Shero?your courage, strength, advocacy and humor during the whole experience is unmeasurable. I truly thank God for you?
Kemba,great article. Your journey is a inspiration for everybody. You beat cancer by how you live and in thr manner that you live.
Kemba I admire your strength. Thanks for sharing your story. May God continue to bless you and guide you through your journey. You are a true inspiration.
Great article. Very eye-opening. I always looked like surviving cancer as a triumph and the end of a journey. Reading this showed me that it’s the beginning of a new journey. Reminds me to live life in full regardless of circumstances. Thank you!
it must fucking suck to have a forehead that fucking big i could land a plane on that bitch