Photo Credit: ChViroj

A dozen roses symbolizes a cancer survivor’s medical journey, showing how enduring life’s thorns can reveal resilience and uncover profound beauty.

It is humbling every time we have the opportunity to meet people in the most vulnerable moments of their lives, going on a journey with them and for them in their shoes. I am honored to celebrate and empower their incredible cancer journeys, walking together with them every step of the way.

I recently had the opportunity to capture such an authentic moment, revealing the special bond between an oncologist and a cancer survivor. Her 12-month cancer journey was filled with so much strength and triumph that I felt inspired to create a video narrative of each one of the dozen roses that symbolized this entire year of her life.

The resulting narrative truly highlights the different emotions, needs, steps, and stages of a cancer journey:

1. The shock of the initial diagnosis and the “C” word (cancer).
2. Vulnerability and fear.
3. Navigating decisions and treatments from various subspecialties.
4. Empowerment is provided through a medical team by your side.
5. Chemotherapy, the other “C” word.
6. “You got this,” and preparing for the marathon of therapy.
7. The emotions of losing one’s identity and privacy.
8. Handling side effects and adjusting expectations.
9. The adjuvant and preventative therapies.
10. Ringing the bell.
11. Maintenance, surveillance, and survivorship.
12. Reconnecting with a new identity, purpose, and mission.

Without a doubt, there have been very few moments in my life when a dozen roses have meant so much. The next time you see a dozen roses at a florist or a supermarket, remember that discovering life’s empowered journey is ultimately about experiencing, passing through, and seeing beyond the thorns.

To watch the full video narrative (posted with consent and permission), visit my LinkedIn page.

Find more of my “Journeys of Transformation” columns here.