Cancer survivor spreads the love on National Cancer Survivors Day

In light of June 2nd being National Cancer Survivors Day, cancer survivors are uniting all around to help those diagnosed with a rough road ahead.

Joy Huber is a 10 year strong Non–Hodgkin lymphoma cancer survivor. She endured 3 years of chemo therapy and is alive today to tell her story. She says the battle she shares with millions of others is just a sliver of the journey ahead and that cancer does not mean it’s the end.

“Happiness, you know, I really think that power of positivity. A positive attitude did make a difference for me both in how my treatment went and then the years that follow beyond,” Huber said. 

Joy says the 3 most important things people need at diagnosis are support, resources, and encouragement. Today is a reminder to stick through it with your loved ones.

“There are a number of lingering issues that cancer survivors have to deal with for years beyond treatment, so it’s also a good day to heighten awareness of those ongoing issues,” Huber said.

Looking back on her journey, Joy feels that though the thought of cancer may be fearful, it should not be feared. It is just a part of life. 

“I immediately thought I’m going to die,” said Huber. “You know, how much time do I have left, how bad is it going to get towards the end and I was terrified. And then I realized some very encouraging news. I love this quote that says cancer is a word, not a sentence,” Meaning cancer is not the end. It is just a step in life that we get through.

Her mother, who was also her caregiver through the 3 years of chemotherapy, says she draws a lot of inspiration from her daughter’s battle.  

“Joy has really taught me to live every day to the fullest. Not to plan too far in the future, but if something comes up, to go for it, grab the moment, seize the moment and en–JOY life,” Susie Huber said. 

Joy says the biggest battles don’t appear on the outside. Cancer survivors are having to deal with a lot more hardships that aren’t just the pain and suffering of the disease. There is also a self-esteem or social battle that those under treatment deal with every day. 

“People can be sick and they cannot appear sick. But they have an extreme difficult battle on the inside and I think it’s important to recognize that they’re trying to look normal. They don’t wanna draw the attention or draw the stares or uncomfortable looks,” Huber said. 

“One day the guy I was dating, he without thinking opened the sunroof of his car and we were going down the highway about 65 miles an hour and I felt movement on my head and I could just see my wig like getting sucked up off my head and I thought oh my gosh, we’re going to look in the rear view mirror and my wig is going to be rolling down the interstate like a tumbleweed.’ And I kind of went ‘hang on hair’ and then we got to his parent’s house. At the end of the visit his mom leans over and said ‘would you like a head scarf to tie your hair on for the ride home?’ So, you know just trying to have fun with it where possible,” Huber said. 

Joy is hoping to shed light on the fact that we shouldn’t linger on the negativity of the disease and that as a community, we can all get through cancer together.

“The community surrounds you. And the great thing about Nebraskans is they don’t leave you. So they’re there and they’re there for the long haul.”

On June 9th there will be a National Cancer Survivors event at the Sheridan Lutheran Church.

Joy has a book titled “Cancer With Joy” and sends the message that though nobody will be happy with cancer, they can still have cancer and be happy.

Cancer With Joy:  https://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Joy-Transform-Happiness-Effects/dp/1614481016/ref=nodl_