As someone who is passionate health and wellness I am so sad that people are either too lazy or just not interested in leading a healthy lifestyle. As a professional speaker I am engaged to offer keynotes on health and wellness and I walk my talk. I did not discover the first lump in my left breast and then forget about it in the hope it would disappear as if my magic. When I found the lump obviously I was apprehensive and scared in case it was indeed breast cancer. My thoughts immediately focussed on the people in my life who had died from cancer; my mother died aged 58 but by the time she was hospitalized there was little chance of knowing for sure where the cancer had started. Maybe if she had gone to consult with a health professional as soon as she had an idea there was something wrong she would be alive today, who knows? The doctors said she had 3 months to live and she died 3 months later, 3 days before my birthday. Two of my aunts on both my mom and dads side of the family had survived breast cancer. I contacted my family doctor to discuss the lump I had found and he referred me to a surgeon. After the initial conversation about how most lumjps are non cancerous and that he did not think I had breast cancer the surgeon carried out a biopsy. I did indeed have breast cancer, stage 1, microscopic, which means my cancer had been found very early! Before I had been diagnosed with breast cancer I had done my best to lead a healthy lifestyle. I have never smoked in my life, taken drugs not prescribed by my doctor and I ate a healthy diet. Moderate exercise for me has always consisted of either rushing around as a mother and housewife, and lots of walking and gardening. The one thing I had never been able to deal with was stress. I now know that stress is a killer and I believe it can wear down our immune systems to the point we can't even fight a common cold, let alone cancer. I feel very lucky that I was able to survive breast cancer twice and I determined early on that I would do my best to recognize stress and find ways to deal with it.
What amazes me is that there are people out there abusing their bodies in every way possible who then abuse the heath care systems by running for the cure! This has to stop. When I am up on the platform telling my story and offering tips on wellness, moving on with life after a challenge, or how to become an entrepenuer my audience takes my call to action and I know they will take to heart the fact that they have to take charge of their life. If you are sick, whether it is a common cold or diabetes or cancer or heart disease it is very difficult to carry on working or lead a normal life. Why not think about leading a healthy lifestyle before a chronic illness takes over, why not give your body the chance it needs before it is too late? A lot of people spend more money, time and care on their cars, homes or gardens than their own health. This has to stop! I would not be able to succeed in my businesses if I was constantly sick or stressed. I would soon lose clients and credibility. Think about it - in order to do anything in life you need your health and strength!
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