Miriam Mutebi: Documenting your journey can bring clarity and solace

Miriam Mutebi shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Navigating a cancer diagnosis is a profound and often overwhelming experience.

One potentially overlooked tool I’ve found helpful for many cancer patients is journaling.

Whether it’s jotting down your thoughts, posting on Instagram, or recording short messages to yourself, documenting your journey can bring clarity and solace.

Writing can be incredibly therapeutic, allowing you to untangle and articulate emotions that may be confusing. You might feel anxious but not know why. Putting pen to paper—or fingers to keyboard—or voice to memo creates a safe, non-judgmental space to explore those feelings.

This reflective practice not only helps you process your thoughts but also aids in understanding your emotional landscape.

Consider this: it doesn’t have to be a formal journal. Even a simple check-in with yourself once a week can be powerful. How do you feel today? What’s weighing on your mind? If you’re undergoing chemotherapy or other treatments, take a moment to note any persistent symptoms or thoughts. This can help you spot patterns and communicate more effectively with your healthcare team.

At the end of your treatment journey, revisiting these reflections can be incredibly empowering. You’ll witness the resilience you didn’t know you had and recognize how far you’ve come.

Each entry becomes a snapshot of your growth—reminding you of the strength found in vulnerability.

In a world where cancer often feels isolating, documenting your journey nurtures a connection both with yourself and others. It can transform the experience from one of survival to a narrative of growth, hope, and healing.

Embrace the power of reflection; your journey deserves to be recorded.”

Source: Miriam Mutebi/LinkedIn

More posts featuring Miriam Mutebi on oncodaily.com

Miriam Mutebi is a Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. She is the President of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), and past president for Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology (KESHO) and on the Board of Directors of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

She is the co-founder of the Pan African Women’s Association of Surgeons and is part of the Kenya Association of Women Surgeons. She is an avid supporter for the education and support for women, especially in surgery and she aims to provide mentorship for women in surgery and to improve women’s health and surgical care in Africa. She is currently pursuing a pilot’s license in order to extend breast care services to marginalized areas.