On this breast cancer "journey" would anyone like to share their Aha moment, that helped them decide to change tracks and reassess how they are doing life?

Thanks to all who have wished me well on my trip@June1952 @Keeping_positive1 @arpie @iserbrown @FLClover @Blossom1961 and @"Annie C"Looking forward to the trip and will post as I go as suggested by @arpie, have added one from our first journey, me and the dogs on the beach contemplating life and the adventures ahead

Hi there, I think my aha moment was not a single moment but period of time during my active treatment. The year before diagnosis I had my dad in hospital 11 times, my son was also extremely sick, my mum was struggling with memory (since confirmed early alzheimers) and I was suffering extreme burnout and had to retire from work. Then came the diagnosis!I knew I had to change and I recalled a dear cousin who lost their battle with breast cancer had joined a group to help her get through it. I joined the same mediation group to help me relax and find peace. That group was with Patrea King's Quest for Life not for profit organisation. I think it saved my life. At the time Patrea was doing nightly mediations for covid lockdown. I reached out to her and we exchanged some messages. I read Patrea's book Your Life Matters. It changed everything for me. It really resonated and Patrea's story was similar to mine in several ways. I was fed up with alot of things and I knew the only way forward was for me to change. I have and I am still changing and reaping the benefits of the new me. I still join Patrea King's Monday mediation group and am so grateful for my life. I practice gratitude daily, walk 5/6 days a week, go to pilates one a week and practice mindfulness. I put myself first and while I still care for others I know I can't give from an empty bucket. So I make sure my bucket is full before I do anything else. I really enjoy simple things like morning coffee, sunshine etc. My aha experience is something I am grateful for and don't forget.

I'm not sure if I had an AHA moment, but something switched in my mind. When diagnosed with BC I was in shock, but i had work to concentrate on, it was really important to me that I carried on working throughout treatment, in hindsight not sure if it was for my benefit or just to show I can cope with this like I cope with everything else.All my active treatment was finished last March, I am on Femara and ageing alot quicker than I would like, but kept on working harder. Anyway something snapped around September and had a long conversation with husband about giving up work and travelling around Oz. I did the numbers (am an accountant so can show the numbers work!) So we bought a caravan, I resigned from my job - we put our house on the market earlier this year and sold. My husband then resigned from his job, sadly covid stopped us in our tracks for a while but we are now back on course. Both are no longer in stressful jobs, we are sat in a caravan park with our 2 beagles having a beer as I write this. Am I scared we made a hasty decision - maybe, but life's too short for regrets as we all know so well.So whether its an AHA moment or not - put yourself and your wellbeing at the forefront.

No aha's here but a gradual realisation post treatment about how far I had strayed from the person I was in my late teens/early 20s and that I kind of missed her a lot! 58 year old me has a lot more responsibilities that demand my attention and action but I do reach out to my younger self and feel that my compass is finding True North again through a lot of magnetic interference.

@Blossom1961 have you thought about house sitting you way around the next time ? If I wasn't encumbered with a mortgage I might just be tempted to do some house sitting whilst I travel around Australia. Not sure about all the restrictions at present on movement between states, but I can dream.. can't I ? :)

Having an Aha moment! | BCNA Online Network

24 Replies

Keeping_positiv
Member
4 years ago
@Beaglemum what a wonderful new direction you are taking.
Enjoy your change to "nomadic" life. :)
Please keep us updated. :)
Cath62
Member
4 years ago
Have a great time @Beaglemum
Beaglemum
Member
4 years ago
Hi All

will open a new thread as I go as I don't want to hijack this one.
Locksley
Member
4 years ago
@Beaglemum wishing you safe travels. Look forward to hearing updates and seeing photos. Living the dream.
arpie
Member
4 years ago
oooh - where's the fishing rod? ...... Safe travels - can't wait to see where else you've been & going to!!

Maybe start a 'Brand new thread' in the General Discussion .... with 'Travelling Round Aussie' or something as the title ..... then you can just keep adding to it!! ;)

All the best xx
Beaglemum
Member
4 years ago
Thanks to all who have wished me well on my trip
@June1952 @Keeping_positive1 @arpie @iserbrown @FLClover @Blossom1961 and @"Annie C"

Looking forward to the trip and will post as I go as suggested by @arpie, have added one from our first journey, me and the dogs on the beach contemplating life and the adventures ahead
Keeping_positiv
Member
4 years ago
@June1952 Perhaps when we have can move freely around Australia again I will see what I can do. Got to find a suitable travel buddy also :)
June1952
Member
4 years ago
@Keeping_positive1 - Don't dream - plan ahead. You might find a way around it all at some stage, perhaps renting your home out as you travel. Do some thinking. All the best. If I was younger and healthier .... 😀😀😀
Keeping_positiv
Member
4 years ago
@Blossom1961 have you thought about house sitting you way around the next time ? If I wasn't encumbered with a mortgage I might just be tempted to do some house sitting whilst I travel around Australia. Not sure about all the restrictions at present on movement between states, but I can dream.. can't I ? :)
Blossom1961
Member
4 years ago
@Beaglemum ENJOY! We threw away our jobs and sold our house for our three year trip around although we did work as we went. I want to go again!