How They Take on Tough Times
- Novlene Willams-Mills says to appreciate what you have and to “be encouraged that one day this pandemic will be over.”
- Marc Silverman warns “not to look at the mountain ahead” and to handle “today, today.”
- Lisa Guerrero recognizes that her “problems are minuscule compared to the challenges faced by others” and seeks to make an impact herself.
“Handle today, today. Evaluate & assess how you feel that day & do what you need to do to get through that day. Don't look at the mountain ahead.” Marc Silverman
Olympian Novlene Williams-Mills Is Fierce & Focused
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Related: 'Scandal's' Scott Foley Tells SuvivorNet That He's Not Sure His Family Ever "Fully Recovered" From Losing His Mom to Ovarian Cancer; He Was Just 15“Find that one thing that keeps you pushing every day and keeps you fighting.”
In a humble fashion, Williams-Mills observes how “the pandemic has taught me to be grateful for life because so many people are losing their lives to COVID and appreciate the people in my life because I don't know when they will be taken away from us. Dealing with cancer is hard, the unknown of what going to happen; it’s the same with this pandemic, you don't know what’s next but have to be mindful and encouraged that one day this pandemic will be over.”
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She acknowledges how hard this is (and will continue to be) for so many but says we’ve “got to find that one thing that keeps you pushing every day and keeps you fighting.” She also has a message of safety, saying, “I want to encourage everyone to do their part to stay safe from wearing their masks to washing their hands to staying six feet apart and avoid big gatherings. I know it’s hard at times but that’s the best we can do in these trying times.”
Marc Silverman Takes It One Game at a Time
Marc Silverman, diagnosed with stage-3 non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, takes things slowly and maintains a calm composure when facing problems.
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“When your back is against the wall with a cancer diagnosis, YOU HAVE TO FIGHT. We all have a little superhero inside of us.”
The radio host faithfully abides by his one-step-at-a-time approach, noting “I hate cliches. I am a talk show host/sports reporter who always wants more from my guests than "we're taking one game at a time." But cancer ain't sports. And when you're fighting, you HAVE to take things one day at a time and put one foot in front of the other.”
Silverman has a unique way to approach his journey, saying, “If I would've looked ahead to all the different appointments, procedures, treatments, scans, blood tests, etc I had scheduled, I NEVER would've been able to climb that mountain. Or it would've been much tougher and full of anxiety. Instead, by putting one foot in front of another, I was able to climb for miles. Handle today, today. Evaluate & assess how you feel that day & do what you need to do to get through that day. Don't look at the mountain ahead. Before you know it, you'll be happier & thrilled with the results. And the mountain will be in your rearview mirror.”
Silverman shares a few other learnings:
- A healthy mind will help the body become healthy
- Breathe. Meditate.
- Talk to people. Your spouse. A mentor. A therapist. If the mind is right, your body can get right too.
He goes on, “Many people have told me that I'm "courageous" or "strong" or "tough." When your back is against the wall with a cancer diagnosis, YOU HAVE TO FIGHT. We all have a little superhero inside of us. I'm not special. We all are special. Do whatever you need to do to fight.”
Giving Back Helps Lisa Guerrero Stay Focused
Journalist Lisa Guerrero lost her mother to lymphoma when she was only 8-years-old. Since then, she has emphasized the importance of making a contribution or difference, personally, in the face of adversity.
“Giving back always feels great and makes me realize that my small problems are minuscule compared to the challenges faced by others.”
Guerrero details what she has been up to as of late, saying “We can choose how we spend our time during challenging chapters of our lives. There is nothing more healthy than tapping into your inner artist and letting your creative juices flow. I have also donated much of my work this year to organizations like the Lymphoma Research Foundation and The Salvation Army. Giving back always feels great and makes me realize that my small problems are minuscule compared to the challenges faced by others. This year was a good reminder of that!”
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