Forum Discussion
Inspiration-Rising above
Hi everyone, this is my very first attempt of writing a post. I have read a lot of inspiring stories from a lot of inspirational women and thought I would try to share my story. I am on that crazy Breast Cancer Journey. It started back on the 16th December 2011, just over a week till Christmas, when I got the dreaded news "you have Breast Cancer". I don't know why but I think I handled the news quite well, I was more concerned about telling my husband and kids more than anything. My biggest hassle at the time was getting appointments with all the necessary doctors I had to see to get treatment started ASAP, everyone was going off for the Christmas break. So I decided to try and enjoy Christmas and get ready for the hard slog in the coming new year.
It begins, you know all those scary tests and scans. Diagnosed with Extensive Lobular Carsinomer w/- invasive Lobular Carsinomer in 6 seperate tumors, hormone receptive (do not know what all that means, just do what you gotta do!) Jan 2012 - Right Breast Mastectomy and full axillary node clearance. Feb 2012 - 6 rounds (TAC) chemo, June 2012 - 25 rounds Radiation. Sept 2012 - Left Breast Mastectomy. Arhh!!! all fixed, all good...Until...29th December 2014 - large tumor (metastic cancer) found in my left hip, guess what all specialists gone on Christmas holidays, again, YAY! Jan 2015 - Hip Replacement, Feb 2015 - Rehabilitation, March 2015 - 10 rounds radiation. After further scans 15th Feb 2016, it showed a spread of tumors to my bones. Started another 12 rounds of Chemo (Abraxane) on 19th Feb 2016. Currently taking Aromasin and waiting for my markers to go down.
So here I am today, sharing my story. I also found myself on a real downer; you know the one, WHY ME? WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS? A whole lot of SELF PITY!!! I felt useless and unworthy. Don't get me wrong I had heaps of LOVE and SUPPORT from everyone around me but the mind can tell you crazy horrible things. So, there I am, feeling useless and broke because of all the medical costs, when I told myself to GET UP AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! I also told myself that there are so many other people out there going through far worse things in life than me. I have just finished reading this amazing book that has truely opened my heart and mind. The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life - ON FIRE - by John O'Leary, highly recommend it.
I have found a new purpose in my life. With the help of my amazing daughter I have started a new venture. I now share Health & Wellbeing products with my friends and family while teaching them the importance of being aware of what they put on there bodies as well as what they consume. I have also learnt a lot about myself as well. Since starting my own business I no longer feel that my cancer is a curse, but quite the opposite, I now feel it is a blessing. I have learnt that everything in our lives happens for a reason, and that we are meant to learn and grow from everything that we experience in our lives. I have learnt to love myself, scars and all, to look in the mirror and feel gratitude for who I have become, a stonger, confident and a more authentic women.
Personal development, gratitude and visualisation have become very important parts of my daily life. Learning to set myself goals to reach what I want out of life is also very important to me. Sometimes I reach those goals and sometimes I don't, but it doesn't matter. If I can just inspire one person it makes everything worth it. Where my life is right now, is all that matters and I am HAPPY.
Sending much love from my heart to you all on this journey.
It begins, you know all those scary tests and scans. Diagnosed with Extensive Lobular Carsinomer w/- invasive Lobular Carsinomer in 6 seperate tumors, hormone receptive (do not know what all that means, just do what you gotta do!) Jan 2012 - Right Breast Mastectomy and full axillary node clearance. Feb 2012 - 6 rounds (TAC) chemo, June 2012 - 25 rounds Radiation. Sept 2012 - Left Breast Mastectomy. Arhh!!! all fixed, all good...Until...29th December 2014 - large tumor (metastic cancer) found in my left hip, guess what all specialists gone on Christmas holidays, again, YAY! Jan 2015 - Hip Replacement, Feb 2015 - Rehabilitation, March 2015 - 10 rounds radiation. After further scans 15th Feb 2016, it showed a spread of tumors to my bones. Started another 12 rounds of Chemo (Abraxane) on 19th Feb 2016. Currently taking Aromasin and waiting for my markers to go down.
So here I am today, sharing my story. I also found myself on a real downer; you know the one, WHY ME? WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS? A whole lot of SELF PITY!!! I felt useless and unworthy. Don't get me wrong I had heaps of LOVE and SUPPORT from everyone around me but the mind can tell you crazy horrible things. So, there I am, feeling useless and broke because of all the medical costs, when I told myself to GET UP AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! I also told myself that there are so many other people out there going through far worse things in life than me. I have just finished reading this amazing book that has truely opened my heart and mind. The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life - ON FIRE - by John O'Leary, highly recommend it.
I have found a new purpose in my life. With the help of my amazing daughter I have started a new venture. I now share Health & Wellbeing products with my friends and family while teaching them the importance of being aware of what they put on there bodies as well as what they consume. I have also learnt a lot about myself as well. Since starting my own business I no longer feel that my cancer is a curse, but quite the opposite, I now feel it is a blessing. I have learnt that everything in our lives happens for a reason, and that we are meant to learn and grow from everything that we experience in our lives. I have learnt to love myself, scars and all, to look in the mirror and feel gratitude for who I have become, a stonger, confident and a more authentic women.
Personal development, gratitude and visualisation have become very important parts of my daily life. Learning to set myself goals to reach what I want out of life is also very important to me. Sometimes I reach those goals and sometimes I don't, but it doesn't matter. If I can just inspire one person it makes everything worth it. Where my life is right now, is all that matters and I am HAPPY.
Sending much love from my heart to you all on this journey.
14 Replies
- @waddabulla awesome sharing of your personal story. xx Christie
- Thanks @waddabulla,
its so good to hear other people's stories/journeys.
Ive only been on this cancer treadmill since September 2016, when I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
Im still living & still working. I'm grateful for for so many things including a temperamental 17yr old son - Wow! Such heartfelt words. You are awesome and yes visualisation, gratitude and goals do make the difference even when we are having down days. Thank you so much for sharing your story x
- Thank you for sharing your story. You have inspired me on one of my down days. Feeling a bit low after having chemo on Tuesday. So I decided to get dressed and get out of the house and stop feeling sorry for myself.
- Hi Waddabulla, and thank you so much for sharing your wonderful story. Huge congratulations to you for pulling yourself out of your depression and deciding to change your destiny!! To find a meaningful purpose in life that not only inspires you but also makes you happy is a fantastic achievement in itself and has a ripple effect for those that you interact with. I think your attitude is brilliant and I wish you a successful, happy, fulfilling, long, awesome life. Crossing fingers that your markers come down, and please let us know how your going. Xx Cath
- What a warrior you are - your daughter must be so proud of you! I hope your markers go down. Please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing. Big hug xx Michelle
- Hi! your post heading sums it up well - Rising Above! Thank you for sharing! I wish you many many more happy times and the downer you spoke of becomes a distant memory.
Take care xx - @waddabulla thank you for sharing your story. I <3 this! What an inspiration you are x
- Thank you for sharing your story xo
- You are an inspiration. All we can do is make a choice to do something we really enjoy and gives us some joy each day...whether that's for a few years or 20. Being given the opportunity to recognise that and acknowledging it, is truly wonderful.
