Survivors Day 2023 inspired and comforted
When I walked into the lobby of the Hyport Conference Center in Hyannis on the bright, sunny morning of Sunday, September 17, 2023 to attend the Ninth Annual Cape Cancer Survivors Day Celebration, I could feel that bit of angst that always crops up when anything related to my cancer journey appears in front of me. As a survivor of breast and ovarian cancer, the anxiety of remembering the pieces of those two journeys that were tough and challenging at times, creeps in when I least expect it.
However, I began to relax when I saw the smiling faces of the volunteers who were welcoming us for the celebration.
After checking in and receiving my raffle ticket that would give me the opportunity to win one of the 72 gift baskets created and donated by hospital departments and physicians’ offices, I started to feel a sense of camaraderie as I meandered with other participants into the large, airy and bright conference hall.
More welcoming volunteers invited us to write an inspirational message on a tag display with other messages. While I didn’t read all the notes, I noticed a theme about how living in the moment is more important, enjoying what we have and gratefulness for survival. 
I moved on to the vendor booths that included information about the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod, Team Maureen, Below the Belt Women’s Cancer Outreach, a nutritionist, and others.
As we were invited to sit at any of the tables to listen to guest speakers and eat a delicious box lunch, conversations with other attendees ensued about their journeys. It was nice to share those journeys because it is like visiting with old friends, even though you’ve never met before. We have a common understanding not only about the language of cancer but also the meaning of tests, results, diagnosis, treatment, survival, and the impact on our lives.
When it was time for the speakers to give their speeches, we all turned our attention from conversation to listening to the insights they would share with us.
Inspiration from the guest speakers
Naomi J. Kalliath, DO, a breast surgeon at the Cuda Breast Care Center at CCHC and the Falmouth Breast Care Center at CCHC was the emcee and introduced the speakers. The first speaker, Michael Lauf, president and CEO of Cape Cod Healthcare, welcomed the 135 participants that included cancer survivors and guests. He spoke about the resilience of cancer survivors and being resourceful.
“You are a walking testament of human spirit and will as well as a testament to modern medicine,” said Lauf.
Kumara Sidhartha, MD, MPH, an internal medicine physician and Chief Health Equity and Wellness Officer for CCHC, dedicated his speech to the patients he has come across in his career who have taught him lessons in attitude, grit and grace when facing adversity in their illness.
“The attitude and courage, dedication, hope and action are things that come to my mind when I think of all the patients I have come across,” he said. “It is very clear to me that a big part of any survivor story of overcoming adversity is attitude. Courage is also a key piece and so is the attitude to keep going and not give up.”
Dr. Sidhartha also spoke about perseverance and grit.
“Patients I have seen and learned from go through a long haul, some for many years,“ he said. “Your story goes on for a long time because you have to go through surveillance, follow-ups, and changing your lifestyle. It’s a marathon, not a short run. It’s passion to take care of yourself, make your disease process go away, to get back to wellness and doing all these for the long term; that’s grit.”
Dr. Sidhartha touched on the importance of nourishing our minds with the above elements of attitude and a sense of gratitude, nourishing our bodies with nutritious meals high in anti-oxidants, dietary fiber, and plant protein, as well as healthy, positive relationships with ourselves and with others; all the key elements of mind and body health.
He finished by acknowledging that you are survivors, but your lives go beyond that.
“You are thriving despite cancer,” Dr. Sidhartha said. “Think about turning the page on the chapter of survivor and look at a new chapter of a thriving person in this cancer journey.”
Brian Kowal, MD, a urologist with Urology Associates of Cape Cod, spoke about his personal journey with testicular cancer that was diagnosed during his second year of his surgical residency in 2006.
“I was fortunate in my treatment; I have two children and I feel blessed every day,” he said.
With his training, Dr. Kowal gets to help patients navigate their cancer challenges including young men facing the same thing he did.
“I have the opportunity to be on both sides of the stethoscope, the needle, the scalpel, and I know what it’s like to lay in a CAT scanner worrying what the results are going to show,” he said. “Know that your doctors are as invested in your journey as you are, whether they have personally experienced cancer or not. Just remember many of us have walked a similar path and care deeply about your results.”
