During my radiation experience, I was struck by the “happy” colors surrounding me. The bright sun-like radiation symbol in the waiting area had no problem warning me daily that this was a radiation facility. The small monitor placed inches away from my face had bright green and blue that reminded me of child’s room. This monitor displayed a white bar that would rise and fall based on the rhythm of my breathing, the visual aid to control my breath. When asked, I’d take a deep breath in making the sure the white bar would stay in the green section. This action was simple but unnerving because it was what positioned my heart out of the harmful path of the radiation.

Control your breath, control your heart. But controlling what your heart feels is not easily done just with holding your breath. Breast cancer has unapologetically reminded me I have little control over anything. A harsh reality, it is a timely gift that also points me to the choices I do have control over.

See full image here: Calibration: Control Your Breath, Control Your Heart