When I was first diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, my husband encouraged me to write a creed modeled after the military affirmations he knew so well from his service. At the time, I was overwhelmed by treatment, surgeries, and the uncertainty of what my future would look like. Writing this personal mantra became my therapy.
This practice of journaling and self-expression is something many survivors turn to during cancer treatment and recovery, offering clarity and comfort in some of life’s hardest moments. For me, writing wasn’t just about words, it became part of my healing journey. It’s also one of the reasons I went on to launch POST SWIM, a mastectomy-friendly swimwear brand designed to give women confidence, scar coverage, prosthesis support, and flat-closure comfort after surgery.
The Cancer Warrior’s Creed (2022)
I am a woman, a wife, a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a niece, a cousin, a boss.
I am a warrior and a member of multiple teams: marriage, family and work.
I serve myself, my husband, my family, my friends and all those I encounter.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never let my strength go.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, willing to learn and adapt for whatever comes my way.
I will always maintain my pride, trusting the process, the doctors and myself.
I am hopeful, strong and confident.
I stand ready to fight, accept change and destroy the cancer cells in my body.
I am the guardian of my life and my husband, family and friends are here to walk alongside me and lift me up, both physically and mentally.
I am a woman, a wife, a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a niece, a cousin, a boss.
Why Writing Matters in Cancer
Journaling, mantras, and expressive writing are proven to help cancer patients process emotions, regain a sense of control, and reduce anxiety.
- According to MD Anderson Cancer Center, journaling can help patients process fears, strengthen memory, and support emotional well-being during cancer treatment (MD Anderson).
- The nonprofit SPOHNC notes that expressive writing has long been recognized as a therapeutic tool, reducing stress and even improving physical health outcomes for people with cancer (SPOHNC).
- A 2024 study found that writing about positive emotions helps cancer survivors experience post-traumatic growth, turning trauma into a catalyst for healing (ScienceDirect).
For me, writing wasn’t just therapy. It was survival.
The Survivor’s Creed (2023–Present)
I am a woman, a wife, a daughter, a grand-daughter, a sister, a aunt, a friend, a niece, a cousin, a boss.
I am a warrior and member of multiple teams.
I serve myself, my husband, my family, my friends and all those I encounter.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never let my strength go.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, willing to learn and adapt to anything I encounter.
I will always maintain my gratitude and love for life.
I am a strong, proud cancer survivor.
I stand ready to fight off fear, uncertainty and anxiety for whatever comes my way.
I am the guardian of my life and my husband, family and friends are here to cherish life with me.
I am a woman, a wife, a daughter, a grand-daughter, a sister, a aunt, a friend, a niece, a cousin, a boss.
From Creed to Community
The journey from diagnosis to survivorship is never linear. Confidence and healing shift daily. But writing these words down (first in the fight, and now in survival) gave me a way to reclaim control, celebrate resilience, and remind myself that I am not defined by cancer, but by how I choose to live after it.
If you’re going through treatment or healing, I encourage you to try writing your own creed or journal entry. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.