Emotional Guidance

HelloRose1988​ 

I am sorry to hear about your unwelcome diagnosis coming up at a time when you might have least expected it. It’s special to know that your immediate sources of comfort are wonderful and supportive.  

The resourcesarpie​ pointed to are excellent. 

Like Suki​ I found “Phosphorescence” a grounding resource that I could dip into. When the treatment made my eyes a bit dry (making it a bit harder to read) I downloaded novels on Audible and my library’s BorrowBox. I’ve been someone who’s always escaped into fiction so I enjoyed stories. I listened to every Elizabeth Strout novel because the narrator’s voice was so calming. During chemo I found the stories were pocket sized enough to rest and then get up and on with the day! 

I drew strength thinking about the very ordinary people in my life (especially some of the older folks) who had lived through unimaginable challenges and come out the other side with grace and acceptance. A common thread was taking satisfaction from completing a task as a tactic that helped them move forward. 
My coping mechanisms were to set some personal goals like being out of bed by a particular time of the morning (even if I retreated to nap later in the day, especially during chemo) and to walk at least half an hour every day.

I felt my wellbeing would benefit by retaining a partial connection with my busy “before” diagnosis life so worked very part time and continued on one or two of the committees I was able to participate in online. 
I enrolled in an online course and set myself a weekly goal to listen to a lecture and the tutorials.

Once treatment got underway the oncology exercise rehabilitation program I also enrolled in was a very positive game changer for my wellbeing. 

Having said all this, our life circumstances and the backstory is  different for everyone, so I share this knowing what might have worked for me may not be right for others. 
Sending you big virtual hugs and positive energy on this sudden change and big adjustment to your life.