Survivorship

It is really really hard BUT each of us needs to find our own "piece of peace".  Firstly you have to wait until your body heals - this is the hard part as most of us are naturally impatient (me included).  I am finding that I have more well days then "off" days and this has a great positive influence on me.  Just when I get a "spurt on" I "go back to start" with some other illness.  But when I start to feel well again, I pick myself up, shake myself off and "run again".  I am hoping that the illness periods get shorter and shorter.  Today I had the best day.  I had to arrange tradies and be the lead part of the renovation process of our investment house that we are moving into soon.  I felt "useful" and valued.  For me, it is all about having "things" to look forward to and aiming high.  I  truly think that once my renos have been completed and we are successfully moved in and have this home sold, I will be looking to return to work in a part-time basis.  That will be my  return to "normal".  I am realistic to understand that whatever job I take on "won't be something that stresses me.  It will have to be "nice" but also have some challenge.  I do need a good reason to get out of bed each morning.  All each of us can do is "keep on going as best we can" in the hope that we can find peace within.  I am not religious but I do believe in being as spiritual as I can. XLeonie  PS  Humour is another avenue that I use as a positive aspect in my life.

It is really really hard BUT each of us needs to find our own "piece of peace".  Firstly you have to wait until your body heals - this is the hard part as most of us are naturally impatient (me included).  I am finding that I have more well days then "off" days and this has a great positive influence on me.  Just when I get a "spurt on" I "go back to start" with some other illness.  But when I start to feel well again, I pick myself up, shake myself off and "run again".  I am hoping that the illness periods get shorter and shorter.  Today I had the best day.  I had to arrange tradies and be the lead part of the renovation process of our investment house that we are moving into soon.  I felt "useful" and valued.  For me, it is all about having "things" to look forward to and aiming high.  I  truly think that once my renos have been completed and we are successfully moved in and have this home sold, I will be looking to return to work in a part-time basis.  That will be my  return to "normal".  I am realistic to understand that whatever job I take on "won't be something that stresses me.  It will have to be "nice" but also have some challenge.  I do need a good reason to get out of bed each morning.  All each of us can do is "keep on going as best we can" in the hope that we can find peace within.  I am not religious but I do believe in being as spiritual as I can. XLeonie  PS  Humour is another avenue that I use as a positive aspect in my life.

Ditto,  Well said

Cheers Jo xx

Lovely to read your heartfelt thoughts.  I am amazed at the strengths that come out with this journey.

P.S. Hot day here in northern Tasmania. I feel like I am on the mainland. Kathy. OOXX TC. 

Lovely to read your heartfelt thoughts.  I am amazed at the strengths that come out with this journey.

P.S. Hot day here in northern Tasmania. I feel like I am on the mainland. Kathy. OOXX TC. 

Hi Helen, yes you're right, it's up to us to pick up the pieces of our lives alone and try to move on. I dont think we ever really leave BC behind though...I mean how can we? It's such a traumatic, life-changing experience that I believe has scarred me forever. For me there have been some positives though, but certainly a fair share of negatives too. I remember after finishing my treatment for EBC...I felt so alone and lost. I remember thinking...."so now what?"...."what do I do from here?" I felt as though I'd been sucked into the middle of a tornado, shaken violently, and spat out the other side! I never returned to my "normal" life because it didnt exist for me any more. Too much had happened. I was just starting to find a new kind of "normal" when I was unexpectedly diagnosed with seconday cancer....and now I'm back in the tornado, being shaken violently! Helen I think time is a factor, and I also think the support from all these lovely ladies on this site helps to heal the mind and body....you are right....we are our own support system! I believe however, there should be some kind of formal support for women who are completing or have completed treatment, to walk away from the tornado, rather than feeling spat out the other side! In what form this takes I dont know...something to ponder I guess. Take care, Celeste x

Hi Helen, yes you're right, it's up to us to pick up the pieces of our lives alone and try to move on. I dont think we ever really leave BC behind though...I mean how can we? It's such a traumatic, life-changing experience that I believe has scarred me forever. For me there have been some positives though, but certainly a fair share of negatives too. I remember after finishing my treatment for EBC...I felt so alone and lost. I remember thinking...."so now what?"...."what do I do from here?" I felt as though I'd been sucked into the middle of a tornado, shaken violently, and spat out the other side! I never returned to my "normal" life because it didnt exist for me any more. Too much had happened. I was just starting to find a new kind of "normal" when I was unexpectedly diagnosed with seconday cancer....and now I'm back in the tornado, being shaken violently! Helen I think time is a factor, and I also think the support from all these lovely ladies on this site helps to heal the mind and body....you are right....we are our own support system! I believe however, there should be some kind of formal support for women who are completing or have completed treatment, to walk away from the tornado, rather than feeling spat out the other side! In what form this takes I dont know...something to ponder I guess. Take care, Celeste x

Hi Celeste,  I did do a comment further up but as I read your comment it reminded me of this.  I did a "Mindfulness" course after I finished my treatment last year.  It was offered by the Queensland Cancer Council.  It was all about living in the NOW.  It also taught me of many different ways of meditating.  Not sure if this course can take all the credit for me being quite relaxed about life now but it certainly got me on the right track.  I don't meditate every day (wish I did) but when I feel the need, I do and it certainly "grounds" me.  I have learnt to do movement meditation as well and this is very good for balance and stretching.  The course was conducted mosly over the phone with link up to others.  We had some face to face sessions.  I didn't "connect" with anyone in the group but think that it is always nicer to do these kind of sessions face to face in a group.  It was a "trial" to see if the course could be offered to the wider community across the rural sector.  I feel as I am starting to feel well more often, I am starting to "venture out" a bit more.  For instance I am now looking for exercise classes that would be suitable for me whilst still in the recovery stage.  I previously loved my personal trianing but am realistic enough to understand that it is still a long way off for me.  I was sent some info last evening about a personal training session for over 50's.  I am going to give that a go.  I like to keep my body in as best shape as possible and with 2011 bc treatment, I have a lot of work to do.  I know it will be slow but I have to start.  This may not be a priority for you but you may have some other area of interest that you might like to persure.  For me it is all about connecting to the "world" in my new way - with some of my old ways. XLeonie