Focusing on the Positive Amid Cancer
- Country music singer Toby Keith, 61, celebrates his birthday on July 8. The patriotic singer remains positive and grateful going into his big day because his cancer treatments are expected to wrap up in the coming weeks.
- Keith has been battling stomach cancer since his diagnosis in 2021. He's taken time away from performing to focus on his health but plans a Fall return after finishing cancer treatment.
- Living with gratitude means being thankful for what you have and showing appreciation in your everyday life and it can be helpful for those struggling with hardships.
- Positive psychology is a different approach to managing your mental health. This approach can be beneficial to people who are dealing with an illness like cancer because it focuses on aspects of your life that conjure up positive emotions unrelated to cancer.
Country music singer Toby Keith, 61, is celebrating one of his biggest weeks of the year. The patriotic award-winning artist turns 62 this weekend just days after Independence Day. Despite battling stomach cancer, Keith is focusing on the positive which helps a cancer patient's overall health.
View this post on InstagramRead MoreKeith is steamrolling into his birthday on July 8. He recently revealed he's nearing the end of cancer treatment that appears to be working. He's been battling stomach cancer since his diagnosis in 2021. He told The Oklahoman in an interview, he's "feeling pretty good." The "Red Solo Cup" singer went on to say he's a few weeks away from receiving his last scan."I expect next time I look for that tumor to be even less − and I’ve only got one that’s shown up…Basically, everything is in a real positive trend," Keith added.
He expects to be back on tour this Fall if a string of pop-up concerts such as the one he performed in Norman, Oklahoma goes off without a hitch. To the delight of a sea of fans, Keith performed several of his most patriotic hits including "Made in America," Dream Walking" and "I Love This Bar."
@bolfagirrl Still camt belive i was there!!! #tobykeith #cancersucks #oklahoma #music #countrymusic #country #foryoupage #omg ♬ original sound – Stephanie Cevallos Bolfa Focusing on the Positive Amid Cancer
As Keith celebrates his birthday, he has plenty to be grateful for. His cancer battle is leaving him feeling positive with his final fast approaching. Staying positive and practicing gratitude are important parts of the journey for cancer patients.
This is something Dr. Zuri Murrell of Cedars-Sinai says helps a cancer patient's prognosis.
"A positive attitude is really important," Dr. Murrell previously told.
"My patients who thrive, even with stage 4 cancer, from the time that they, about a month after they're diagnosed, I kind of am pretty good at seeing who is going to be OK. Now doesn't that mean I'm good at saying that the cancer won't grow," Dr. Murrell says.
Positivity coupled with gratitude further contributes to the outlook of cancer patients. Living with gratitude means being thankful for what you have and showing appreciation in your everyday life and it can be helpful for those struggling with mental hardships.
WATCH: Living with gratitude.
"The patients who do well with cancer, they live life with that kind of gratitude, but in terms of everything…They're grateful, not for cancer, but they're grateful for an opportunity to know that life is finite," Dr. Murrell explained.
Focusing on the positive is part of positive psychology. According to Dr. Samantha Boardman, a New York-based psychiatrist, positive psychology means focusing on encouraging feelings and finding what brings you a sense of vitality, as opposed to focusing on the illness.
Dr. Boardman says positive psychology is a different approach to managing your mental health. This approach can be massively beneficial to people who are dealing with an illness like cancer because it focuses on finding those great parts of life.
SurvivorNet previously spoke with seven cancer survivors and each of them found helpful ways to stay positive during treatment.
Ananda Lewis is one of the cancer survivors who shared how she focused on the positive during her cancer journey. While battling stage three breast cancer, she worked to take control of her emotions.
WATCH: TV host Ananda Lewis's cancer journey.
"I believe that we create our future from the present and that we do that with our emotions. And that our emotions are 100% under our control. Now, that doesn't mean life isn't going to throw you curveballs that piss you off or depress you or make you sad," Lewis said.
"What it means is that you have the ability and power to get back up from that place of sadness and get yourself higher up on the frequency level back to a place of powerful creation. It's the only way you get to determine what comes next. And YOU do determine what comes next."
More on Stomach Cancer
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- What can I do if I'm struggling to be thankful for what I have in my life?
- Are there local resources for people who wish to start practicing gratitude?
- Do you know of any research on the benefits of living with gratitude?
- What else can I do to help reduce my stress level?
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
