A terminal cancer diagnosis is one of the hardest pieces of news you can receive. After all the treatments and fighting you’ve already done, you’re being told there is nothing left for you but to live out your final days. This is what happened to Hayley Smith at just 30 years old. How she handled her situation is truly inspiring. (1)
How Hayley Smith Handled Her Terminal Cancer Diagnosis
Hayley Smith from the UK has recently turned 30 years old. Just as recently, she received a terminal cancer diagnosis and was told she has only weeks to live. Naturally, this was absolutely devastating news, especially at such a young age. At first, she felt overwhelmed by grief and very helpless. (1)
“In the beginning I was in sheer disbelief, constantly shaking, crying and felt nothing but terror.” she explained to ITV. (1)
After a few days like that, however, she decided that she had to change her outlook. There was now a known limit on her life, and she didn’t want to spend her last days wallowing in sorrow and self-pity. Instead, she chose to pick herself up and fill every single day with fun, friends, and family.
“I’ve managed to pack my days with amazing trips to amazing places but most of all I have just enjoyed waking up every day.” she said.
Every Day Is A Blessing
One message that she wants to spread through all of this is to remind people not to take their lives for granted. She knows she certainly has in the past, and she now realizes how much of a gift every single new day is. Hayley wants to encourage others to live their life the way they want to, so they can feel happy and satisfied at the end of it.
“I’ve been so lucky because, in my short life, I’ve managed to achieve so much, not necessarily academically or materialistically, but instead, I spent all of my twenties traveling the world and partying as much as I could!” she explained. “And for that reason, I have no regrets; my life has been full of nothing but fun and adventures.”
These memories are the things that she cherishes the most as she approaches her final breaths more than any material possessions or other kinds of accolades she may or may not have. Her life, she says, has been one big adventurous party. This has allowed her to make peace with the fact that it is being cut short.
“I’ve made peace that it’s time to hang my coat up because I’ve truly had a great time.”
How To Make Peace With A Terminal Cancer Diagnosis
It is perfectly normal to react in the same way that Hayley initially did to her diagnosis: Fear, grief, anger, and sadness. Once you’ve given yourself some time to feel all of these feelings, you may be wondering what to do next. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to help you enjoy your final days and make peace with your diagnosis.
Get your financial and administrative matters in order. Then, make sure that all of these things are taken care of and your wants and desires are clearly stated before you go. This will make it much easier for your loved ones to work through these matters while also grieving your loss.
Talk to someone – a loved one or even a licensed therapist – about your grief and how you are feeling. They can offer support, comfort, and advice. This outlet simply to talk about some of your deepest fears about death can be very cathartic.
Do as many things as you can: Travel to places you want to go, if possible, read that book you always wanted to, spend time with the people you want to spend time with – whatever makes you happy. For some, these days might mean making amends with strained relationships. It may be watching all your favorite movies or spending a lot of time outside in nature. As long as you are happy.
Lastly, you may wish to record or write down your stories and memories. You can do this yourself or get someone else to record them while you speak. This can be something lovely to leave for your friends and family after you are gone. This way, they can look back through some of your life’s greatest memories and remember you by them, too.
“when it all boils down to it, it’s the amazing memories you hold on to, that bring you comfort not the possessions/things you’ve collected.”
Hayley Smith, ITV
Keep Reading: My life was upended for 35 years by a cancer diagnosis. A doctor just told me I was misdiagnosed.
Sources
- “Why I’m accepting my terminal cancer diagnosis at 30.” ITV. Hayley Smith. June 10, 2021
- “Completing Your Life.” Cancer. April 2018.