Lately I’ve been just going with the flow in my life, but I’ve been dabbling in writing a book or two as well. It seems to me when we breast cancer patients finish treatment, we are sent out into the world with less than nothing in order to rebuild our lives. As an 11 year survivor, I’m finding that there are so many women out there who are asking as I did, “What now?” because quite frankly, it’s a bit overwhelming.
First there’s the simple grieving process of being diagnosed, with the subsequent surgeries ranging from a lumpectomy to a full double mastectomy which is enough to depress the happiest of souls followed by the reconstruction surgeries which may or may not take place at the same time. Most times we endure chemotherapy which as the meds designed to kill cancer cells, slowly changes our body chemistry as well, we endure hair loss including baldness, depression, nausea, aches, pains, weight gain and hot flashes, none which are sexy or fun. Afterwards, we may have radiation treatment daily which tires us out and gives us a mean sunburn among other things.
And then, we’re set free ~ off to a world filled with pink ribbons and we are handed a survivor sign to commemorate our cancer journey.
But what about the new normal that we’re trying so desperately to find? It’s a hard road to get used to implants or being breast-less or multiple surgeries. It’s a process to accept our new bodies with the restrictions surrounding them. Self-esteem, self-confidence and self-acceptance need to improve so that we can feel good about ourselves and that’s simply NOT just a breast cancer thing either!
So that’s what I’m writing about ~ I want to give a class on it ~ I want to help women who are looking for a friend to hold her hand as we travel along this road together. It’s the beautiful thing about women who’ve endured breast cancer. None of us have wanted to join this group, but since we are all here, we bond.
You can meet a stranger who has breast cancer and instantly, there’s a bond of knowing and understanding which forms quite literally in moments. We’ve been there and we understand each other. Have you found that happens to you? I think it’s human nature to bond with others of similar circumstances. I know I’ve bonded with others who’ve been grieving over the loss of a parent since my dad passed away last year. It’s when we open up and connect with each other that healing can take place.
So if you’re interested, let me know because I’d like to write a bit more about it here on my blog. But I’m testing the waters first because many of my readers aren’t breast cancer survivors ~ but since we’ve all experienced sadness in our lives (at least most of us), I thought it could help others as well since I like the glass half full approach!
What do you think? Would you appreciate just once a week breast cancer help?
Please let me know! Just click on the Poll below! Thank you!
Shine On!
xo
Misifusa's Blog 