I like routine
I like routine. I wake up around the same time every day, watch and read quick snippets of the morning news, and determine what kind of exercise I’m going to take on. I toggle my regimen between a home yoga practice and a two-mile walk. It’s my intention to do something active every day.
Counting my blessings
On a recent walk, I started counting things around me. The egrets standing in the water went from four to six as two flew in to join the group. Seventeen cars whizzed by, driving way faster than the 25 mile per-hour speed limit. And as my mind wandered, a number that always scares me popped into my head: two weeks until my next CT scan.
It’s during these morning activities that I remind myself how fortunate I am that my body — organs, legs, feet, brain — all of it is working right now. If you’ve ever been sidelined by injury or disease, you know first-hand what it’s like when your body isn’t working. It’s just awful to miss what has always come so easily — and of course, what likely brings you joy. Being stuck in bed. Maybe you aren’t able to walk. Or bend. Or eat. You may experience pain just by putting your feet on the floor. My ability to do my daily workouts isn’t lost on me. I tell myself, out loud, every day, how wonderful it is that my body flexes to do downward dog, or how my feet don’t hurt when they take flight for a brief jogging sprint. Because whether it was side effects from chemotherapy, or a bum knee after a bad tennis game, I know what it’s like to lose your mobility. Even temporarily, it’s lousy.
Reflecting on my journey
These thoughts of my upcoming CT scan turned into figuring out how long I’ve been a cancer patient / survivor / thriver. Three years since my first surgery? No, wait – four years? Stymied, I actually used my fingers to count like I did when I was five. Initial colon cancer diagnosis: 2019. First surgery: 2020. Second surgery: 2021. While I’m not a mathematician, I’m pretty quick with easy numbers. But this countdown was throwing me. Was it that short a time ago? Or was it longer? Because the farther away I get from my initial diagnosis, the less likely this cancer will return. At least not from the original site. At least, in theory.
What I didn’t really take into account is that it’s not just 2023 – it’s actually pretty late 2023. So while my second surgery timeline made simple sense, the initial diagnosis and surgery in different years threw me for a loop.
So as of this writing, I am three and a half years away from my first surgery and two years away from my last surgery to remove the subsequent metastasis that landed in my lung.
Living with anxiety
After my initial diagnosis, my CT scan cadence was every three months. My anxiety levels were constantly off the charts. After receiving a clean CT scan, for a few weeks afterward, I would be elated. But as the next CT scan crept up, two to three weeks out, I would get anxious all over again. There was not a lot of easy living in between such a short period of time.
Then my team and I decided that six month scans would work for me. It would give me more time in between to “live,” and the outcomes would likely not be very different in that period of time. But no one really knows, do they? So far, this roll of the dice has been working. I’ve been NED for the past two years.
The countdown begins again
And as this next CT creeps up, my countdown begins again. Fear and anxiety will permeate everything I do in the coming weeks. Because as much as I tell myself to relax, time stops for no one. Tick-tock.
For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being | – Mention of CT scans to monitor cancer progression and treatment effectiveness – Anxiety levels related to upcoming CT scans |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status | – Discussion of the impact of injury or disease on mobility and daily activities |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article addresses the issue of health and well-being, specifically in relation to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring. It discusses the author’s experience with CT scans, anxiety levels associated with upcoming scans, and the importance of physical mobility and functioning.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article also touches on the issue of reduced inequalities. It highlights the impact of injury or disease on an individual’s ability to perform daily activities and emphasizes the importance of social inclusion and equal opportunities for individuals regardless of their health status.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
The article indirectly addresses this target by discussing the author’s experience with cancer diagnosis, surgeries, and CT scans. The regular CT scans serve as a preventive measure to monitor the progression of the disease and assess treatment effectiveness. The mention of anxiety levels associated with upcoming scans also highlights the importance of promoting mental health and well-being in cancer patients.
Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
The article implies this target by discussing the impact of injury or disease on an individual’s mobility and ability to perform daily activities. It emphasizes the need for social inclusion and equal opportunities for individuals regardless of their health status.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Mention of CT scans to monitor cancer progression and treatment effectiveness: This indicates progress towards Target 3.4 as regular CT scans contribute to the prevention and treatment of cancer by detecting any signs of progression or recurrence.
- Anxiety levels related to upcoming CT scans: This indicates progress towards Target 3.4 as it highlights the importance of promoting mental health and well-being in cancer patients.
- Discussion of the impact of injury or disease on mobility and daily activities: This indicates progress towards Target 10.2 as it emphasizes the need for social inclusion and equal opportunities for individuals regardless of their health status.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being | – Mention of CT scans to monitor cancer progression and treatment effectiveness – Anxiety levels related to upcoming CT scans |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status | – Discussion of the impact of injury or disease on mobility and daily activities |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: curetoday.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
