I Don’t Have Time For This

And your first thought?

I do not have time for this.

That truly was what I told my doctor when she gave me the diagnosis. She gave me a look that said “Make time.”

But here’s the deal: you get to do this on your own terms. Not cancer’s. Not your doctor’s. Not anyone’s. Just you. Well, OK, maybe your loved ones get to chime in.

Emotional Whiplash? Oh Yeah.

Getting the “C” bomb dropped in your lap feels like you got shoved into an emotional blender.

One minute you’re numb.

The next you’re googling survival rates at 2:00 a.m. (Pro tip: don’t do it. EVER.)

Then you’re mad at your body for betraying you.

And in the middle of all that? You’re mentally rearranging your entire life—because now you have this to deal with on top of everything else.

It’s OK to feel all of it. The fear, the fury, the seriously, the what now?

You’re not broken. You’re human.

From Freak-Out to Figuring-It-Out

Here’s a little tough-love truth:

You can’t outrun the diagnosis.

But you can out-organize the chaos.

Once you take that first, shaky breath, the next step is making a plan:

• • Learn what you’re dealing with (from actual doctors and trusted resources, not Google).
  • Sketch out what treatments, appointments, and recuperation might look like.
  • Figure out what parts of your life need a pinch hitter—whether that’s the PTA bake sale or the quarterly budget review.
  • Tell your people what’s up—even if your inner voice screams “I don’t want to burden them!”

You don’t have to make all the decisions today.

But you do have to start somewhere. Even a sticky note with “Step One” on it counts.

Assemble Your Tribe—Because Even the Strongest Need Their People

Even if you’re the type who’s used to handling everything solo (I see you, fierce warrior), cancer is not the time to go full lone wolf.

This is your signal to call in your tribe.

Your tribe might be a mix of:

• • Family members who show up, even when they say all the wrong things.
  • Friends who bring food, distraction, and occasionally have an ugly cry with you.
  • Work folks who step up to hold the fort when you need to step back.
  • Counselors, coaches, or faith leaders who help you carry the emotional weight.
  • That neighbor who always seems to have just the right casserole or just the right words.

Let them help.

Let them show up.

Let them be awkward and imperfect and messy—and let them love you through it all.

Your tribe doesn’t have to be big.

It just has to be yours.

And remember: letting people in isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.

This is your battle, but no one says you have to fight it alone.

You Can’t Pause Life, But You Can Rebalance

Here’s the kicker:

Life doesn’t stop for cancer. But you can hit the brakes on the noise and refocus on what really matters.

This isn’t about giving up your titles—CEO, mom, dad, leader, partner, friend.

It’s about adjusting the volume knob so you can still show up in those roles while giving yourself the space to heal, feel, and fight.

You may not have time for cancer.

But you do have the power to decide how you face it—and who you let walk beside you on the path.

You’re still you.

You’re still in charge.

And you, my friend, have got this—even if some days “this” looks like Netflix and pajama pants instead of spreadsheets, meetings, or carpools.

You Don’t Have Time for Cancer. But You Don’t Have to Do It Alone.

Cancer doesn’t care how busy you are—but I do.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, overbooked, and wondering how the heck you’re supposed to fit this into your already packed life…

You don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.

I’m here to help you lead through the chaos, build your support squad, and make space for what matters most—without burning out.

Join our Facebook group, Trying Not to Die—LIVE, where people just like you, who get it, gather.

You may not have time for cancer.

But you do have the power to choose how you show up—and who shows up with you.

To Conclude

Everyone has different ways to cope during a cancer journey. What are ways that you found that worked for you? Comment below!