Everything else could wait...or could it?

[Ann Ogochukwu]

I didn't get the impression that she didn't take of herself. She actually mentioned that "I never really was a sunbather, and I used sunscreens most of the time. I have attempted to keep covered up while out in the sun... Despite that, it still got me."
So would a little more care have prevented the cancer? I doubt. But I think a little more care for herself, would have resulted in an earlier diagnosis.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

The great (and scary) thing about life is that it's a mixed bag - there's no telling whether the protagonist's prognosis would have been better if they dedicated more time to their own health; it might have helped, or it might have had the same result regardless of what they tried to achieve. At the end of the day, it depends on what each person tries to prefer. Me, I know I would choose family - but for someone who may have a toxic family and loves what they do, or for someone who's built their own close circle of friends from work, might prefer their career over their family. That's okay, too. I guess as long as you're able to go to sleep at night, knowing that you've done your best for yourself and the ones you care about (you don't have to be related by blood to care deeply about someone, and you don't have to care deeply about the ones who are related to you by blood), then that's as good as it gets.

I get your point. Loved ones do not have to be blood relationshs. It is up to you to choose your priorities. And we cannot predict what some of our decisions will give us at the end, or there is no use in lamenting over failures in the past. Yet, this author did not have a toxic family, and she was dedicated for her service. Ultimately she was satisfied with her life and maybe that is enough.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

Yes, no doubt about people being passionate about their job and vision. But, for me it takes a healthy person to care for others and deliver his/her job effectively. Her family and healthy are very vital to be neglected. I think there's need to strike a balance.

Passionate people have changed the world. And many who are dedicated to their work actually love what they do. But they will love to do that job for a longer duration. For that they have to live long, and not just live but have a healthy life. So caring for your own self is important as same as caring for others.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I think that everyone prioritises different things in life. I don't think that prioritising work over family made her a bad person - and it certainly doesn't make her more likely to get cancer. However, it's always good to bear in mind the effect that your choices have on the people you care about - if she neglects her family in favour of her work, they might feel sad that their relationship with her is suffering. That being said, her work involved helping people and saving lives, which is arguably very important as well.

Helping others is important. So as helping one's own self and the close family. At most occasions blood is thicker than water. Maybe this author did not regret of her diagnosis or the limited time that she can live as she lived the life she loved. But what might be going on in the minds of her loved ones who will soon be departed from her, who could not spend much time because of her busy professional life?

[Anelka ky]

I sometimes find myself in situations where I think something is absolutely important yet to someone else it's just a passing thing. The importance we place on things is subjective therefore where things fall on our list of priorities is different.

[Laksha Maria Charbel]

Until recently, I never realized the importance of self-care. My conscientiousness led to unpleasant consequences on my mental health. My illness not only affected me but also my family. I was also forced to leave my job. If we do not care for our physical and mental well-being, we will not be able to care for those we love, nor fulfill our duties. It is of vital importance to" put on our own oxygen masks before we help others."

[Deval Sodha]

I strongly believe to lead a fearless life. Talking about health anyone can get any disease any time. The reasons that cause cancer are enormous and we cannot blame any one aspect of life.
Giving more importance to her duty was a part of her life that makes her life fulfilled and contended.
So both things are important duty and health.

[Nithilah Ayyappan]

I believe there should be a balance between the two. I have seen both extremes in my parents, with one focused on work entirely and one focused on recreation and the family. Therefore I can discern that staying somewhere in the middle is better in the long run and for your happiness. Though she should have taken more care of herself, I do not think focusing on her job was the sole reason for her developing cancer.

[Njokime]

I envy people who already know what they are meant to do in life, not so many people have this. Therefore, I understand how the author does not view what she does as work. When you discover your passion, that is where your happiness lie.

[Rochelle457]

This is a very difficult question. First of all, cancer is very unpredictable and can happen to anyone, even if she was a housewife and lived her whole life just caring and supporting her family. It is important that she had something in her life that she felt passionate about, like her job. It gave her life purpose and made it worth living.

[Danelle Cale]

I don’t believe it mattered that she waited in terms of her getting cancer. However, how far it spreads, the stage of cancer, waiting does matter.

As for the second question: Do your job wholeheartedly, (give 100%) or you’re not doing your best, and this reflects on you. Have pride in your work. Giving 100% at your job doesn’t mean you can’t take care of yourself and your loved ones. Everyone must learn to multitask, it’s just a part of life.

[Black Jewel]

I have learned over the years that one must stop and think about themselves. Care for themselves. We live in a world where we are being taught to give selflessly of ourselves to others 24/7, our entire lives. But there is also backlash for stopping to self care. People take you for granted when you give of yourself all the time... But the moment you stop, I find that they believe you selfish. Not so. You have to care for yourself in order to give of yourself to others. My personal opinion, at any rate.

[Iva Stoyanova]

Since her job is making her happy and content with her life, it's totally normal to be a priority for her. At the end of the day, being happy with what you do is what matters.

[RohiniJoyAnand]

It is hard for someone especially a doctor to choose between work and family. She has a family who understands what she is doing and in support of her so that's why she also happy with what she is doing. But she didn't take care of of herself as much as she took care of her patients so maybe she did have the symptoms earlier but she didn't take it seriously cause her work and patience were her priority. I think she should have given herself priority first so that she could treat herself first and then others. Cause a healthy person who well can take care of others better. But again, she did what makes her happy so do what makes you happy cause you never what will happen next. That's my take.

[ALRE SYD]

One's job, family and health are all equally important. But I think the author has a great deal of empathy for patients and that is why she always put them first. From what I heard so far, such diseases that are chronic, its to know that you have it up until it is at stage three and at worst its peak. But I think she never anticipated ever suffering from such because I would like to think that her knowledge about science gave ways of how to take of self.