Without Cancer I Am Practicing Self-Care

On June 3, 2026, I wrote about a lesion on my kidney that was discovered when I had a CT scan for diverticulitis. I discussed how I had to have an MRI to see if the lesion was cancerous. In the blog post, I talked about how I would respond if I had cancer again.

Well, my MRI report came back and said: “Characteristics are nonspecific as to benign or malignant at this time. Recommend follow-up MRI in 6 months to ensure stability."

This is good news! The radiologist and my oncologist didn't think the lesion was cancerous (at this time.)

When I found this out, things literally got a little brighter. Colors seemed more vivid, and I felt lighter. I had been carrying the fear of another cancer around in my head for three months.

In life, we worry.The fact that I probably didn’t have cancer again was one less thing to worry about.This freed up space in my head to think about positive things such as working harder at my teaching job, taking better care of my family, publishing more of my writing, and doing more self-care to pamper myself.

For so many years, my body endured brutal treatment due to cancer: “poisonous” chemotherapy drugs were pumped into me; radiation burned my skin; I had numerous surgeries to cut out the cancer…self-care was the furthest thing from my mind.

Today, I can’t wait to practice self-care.

With places like Ulta Beauty and Sephora, self-care products are abundant.Creams, soaps, body washes, make-up, mousse, shampoo.A woman could go broke buying self-care products.In my shower, I possess raspberry body scrub; this stuff smells heavenly and contains shea butter to boot.I also have gardenia body wash, Biolage shampoo for colored hair, and Clinique face wash.I am the self-care queen.

How else am I using self-care to celebrate my new-found health?Leisurely walks around the neighborhood.Time with friends.And I’m making new buddies.At 63, who would have thought that I’d have several new women friends?

Let me tell you about one of them.Back in March, I went to a Catholic Charities luncheon and benefit.I happened to sit down next to a vivacious woman who said, “Hello!”

“Hello!” I returned the greeting.“I’m Laura.”

“I’m Valerie,” she said.

We were instant pals. We just clicked.

Long story short, we’ve become true friends.Last week, Valerie invited me to a benefit for the Women’s Guild of a local theatre in town.I entered a huge party room and looked for Val.She was sitting at a reserved table.I wondered why the table was reserved.In a few minutes, the program started, and Valerie got up and walked to the podium to address the crowd!My friend Valerie was the President of the guild, yet she hadn’t boasted about her title.I found this to be charming.

All the women at the table were charming.As we talked over our lunch of chicken cordon bleu, cheesy potatoes, green beans, and vanilla ice cream with sprinkles, we were like teenage girls, sharing our likes and dislikes, complimenting each other and telling little jokes.I was transported back to when I was younger.Another friend, Susan, likes to say that adults are just big kids.She would have loved this group.

Being with new friends, especially Valerie, who invited me to the banquet, launched me into a more social frame of mind.Two days later, I found myself saying yes to another invitation – this time to double date with my older brother and a woman he was just getting to know.For this event, we went to an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner at a nearby church.This too was fun; in fact, the spaghetti party was a blast.

Who would have thought that learning that I didn’t have cancer again would have turned me into a social butterfly (for lack of a better word)?

Self-care. Exercise.Fun and friends.

Did I mention I am going to lunch tomorrow with Jennifer, a very old friend?

With the threat of cancer lifted off me, I can pay more attention to pampering myself.

Self-care is my new medicine.

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