January 1, 2024

By Anne Dabbs, 
NCAN TN Support Group Leader, NET Patient

Making a list of New Year’s Resolutions no longer has an urgency for me as it used to years ago. In fact, some days I resolve to do absolutely nothing but cope. Diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Cancer in 2016, I’ve learned to quickly divide my time and efforts into needs vs wants, essentials vs preferences, urgency vs convenience. I make a deliberate effort to manage my mindset in dealing with this disease.

For 2024, I want to challenge myself to adopt a monthly positive action/mindset. I figure one task per month should be doable and will likely become habit after 30 days of practice.

My Resolutions List for 2024:

1) Utilize my quirky sense of humor to face unpleasantness both in matters of health and family.

2) Give myself pep talks when faced with new health challenges.

3) Ask for help, no matter how trivial the situation seems.

4) Work to approach challenges with a sense of calm and reason.

5) Utilize methods of encouragement for myself and other Net Cancer patients.

6) Build confidence in matters of my health care and acknowledge it.

7) Try something new to keep an active mind. (A hobby, a recipe, a trip, etc.)

8) Offer to help to others, “For it is in giving, that we often receive the most”.

9) Laugh daily. Laugh a-lot, whenever possible!

10) Develop a realistically positive mindset and cultivate it.

11) Dismantle impossible situations into manageable tasks that are resolvable .

12) Always look for silver linings and always give thanks.

I hope you will join me by making your own list of resolutions to help you live well with Neuroendocrine Cancer in 2024. Focusing on positive tasks can create positive feelings. Those positive feelings can then grow into positive actions. Actions create desires and rewards which can add a richness to our lives that we might otherwise miss if we allow our disease to cast a shadow across our minds.

Here’s to a wonderful new year with endless possibility. And remember, we are always HERE for you if you need us.

Find out more about how YOU can help the NET Community.

 

Disclaimer: NCAN blog posts are the opinions of its writers and are not intended as a replacement for medical advice. Please consult your Health Care Providers for individual concerns.