Racing against BRCA: Bonus Clip #4 - Grateful to Know

Grateful to Know-
With the New Year many people make resolutions, including myself. For this New Year, I want to make a resolution that doesn't take anything away, but adds to the quality of my life. I am going to start writing down 3 things I am grateful for everyday. What tops my list is the fact that I was able to find out that I have the BRCA gene, because by doing so I am able to notify all of the physicians who I am in the care of, from gastroenterologists to dermatologists, and they're able to take the proper precautions if I have a symptom or complaint. This is so important, because according to FORCE's website, with the BRCA mutation you're more likely to get stomach cancer, uterine cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, and colorectal cancer. One might say, "why do you feel grateful you have this gene mutation and are at a higher risk for all of these different cancers?". because knowledge is power and the more I know and understand about my body the better I can care for it.

Now, I would like to discuss mindset and gratitude. The stories we tell ourselves limit our joy and the ways in which we can serve the world. "Stories" are things we tell ourselves over and over, that we begin to believe. For example, "I have the BRCA gene and I am at such a high risk of getting cancer why bother going to the doctor all the time for follow-ups? its not worth it". So, I would like to challenge you to develop the habit of gratitude with this New Year and these 3 gratitude exercises:

1. Begin the Day with Gratitude:

Instead of starting the day off with scrolling on Instagram, begin the day with saying "thank you". Saying thank you for another day to achieve what you're here to achieve, another day to make a difference in someone's life, another day to live the life you were meant to live. Then, jot down anything big or small that you're grateful for and yes, it can be for the knowing you have BRCA gene.

2. Show Appreciation

Show appreciation to the people in your life that help you. I try to always show appreciation to my family, my fiancé, and friends for helping me get through my surgery and the days after and I try to everyday.

3. Give the Gift of Gratitude

My Mom made myself and my siblings (and her nieces, nephews, and granddaughter) poems about what she appreciates about us and what she is grateful for in us. By giving us this in lieu of a material gift, it shows me how much I mean to her and it's timeless, I will have it forever.

I hope you all enjoyed this blog post and I am so grateful for all of you that take the time out to read my post.

As always, if you have any questions please DM me or comment below.

All the love,
Caroline