By Darcy Phillips

“I would not take back what I suffered to gain this.”

~ Suleika Jaouad, Between Two Kingdoms

As difficult as breast cancer was, it brought some wonderful gifts into my life: a renewed sense of putting myself first instead of last, a whole new group of friends I would never have met otherwise, and a bucket list.

A cancer diagnosis can make a person feel like they've lost some control over their own body -- a scary experience to be sure. It may also stir up a lot of questions about food choices, physical activity, and what dietary supplements may improve their overall health.

There are a ton of websites that offer tips and advice -- many of them unreliable or not backed by science and research.

In this six-part informational series for healthcare teams American Cancer Society provides information appropriate for those working with cancer survivors during or immediately after treatment and into long-term survivorship. Teams at both the primary care and oncology level can benefit from the series, which provides information and education about nutrition, physical activity, and body weight. A patient resource is also available.

If there’s anyone that seems to fly under the radar in cancer control, it’s probably the cancer registrar. Their efforts are so important to cancer control, but they aren’t on the frontlines like doctors and nurses.

This month’s Thrive Book Club pick is “These Precious Days,” a collection of essays by Ann Patchett released Nov. 23, 2021. The book is a reflection on family, friendships, and home that anyone may find ways to relate to. However, the title essay is the one we’d like to note.

Originally published in Harper’s magazine, the essay is a winding tale of how Patchett came to be friends with Sooki, the personal assistant to Tom Hanks, and how their friendship evolved over the course of Sooki’s pancreatic cancer treatment.