Why do we sugarcoat things?

Because truth is high stakes. And it’s risky. And sometimes we’ve been harmed by its tactlessness or we’ve been manipulated by its manipulator or it has been weaponized. And sometimes we have to uncomfortably admit that it can be relative and we don’t in fact know it all.

And then, inherent in it, is the very v e r y heavy burden of knowledge.

But truth is also powerful. Looking it in the eye, acknowledging it, learning from it… It’s potency producing change and perspective-shift and empathy.

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I wrote this 5-part article series in July/August of 2022 for Cancer Support Community detailing my authentic story of advanced cancer and surviving. Having this series front and center for you to read and get a glimpse of what The Purposed Sailor is all about is one way to be exposed to some high stakes, risky, once-you-know-it-you-can’t-unknow-it, yet powerful and potent truth that could change the way you think. My website blog is 100s of posts deep, spanning 5+ years of the gritty truth of cancer and what it teaches me, so this post and the links here are a great (and easy) place to start. And then I’d love for you to explore deeper.

Part 1 :: The Enormity of 3 Small Words
The day my vocabulary…and everything else…changed.

Part 2 :: Cancer Defined. Me, Redefined.
282, 165, 144, 114, 15, 38, 414, 18, 21, 12, 29, these are the numbers that tell a true story.

Part 3 :: The Elusive Wonder of Foreverland
What it is to *actually survive…and it’s not what you think.

Part 4 :: Grief & Loss. Gratitude & Gain.
Round 4, Day 20 of chemo offered me a life-altering #cancerteachesmethings…the BothAnd.

Part 5 :: A Brave August
August 25, the Cancer Monster and the Cancer Companion, and what it really means to be brave.

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I’m so grateful for all of my readers. Thank you for holding space for my story and maybe by reading it, it’ll help you feel an inclusive and honoring camaraderie in whatever you are surviving, too. 💛

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©2023 :: The Purposed Sailor :: Amber Havekost

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