Forum Discussion
What helps you when you are down or stressed
Hey Ladies,
Just thought I would put it out there.........you know me. There seems to be quite a few posts lately stating how people are depressed, sad, lonely, upset, stressed and all the other feelings and emotions we have to deal with in our lives either from just general life or because of the dreaded breast cancer.
I thought I would start by saying I have been going through an ongoing tough time now for a couple of years, with one thing or another and it was while I was doing my six weeks of hyperbaric chamber every day that I had time to think. I decided I needed to do something to try and turn my life around.
I have started what some people call a "visualisation board" but mine isn't so much 'what I want from life' - mine is more of 'what should I be grateful, happy, feeling lucky and all those things that we need to feel to get through every day To feel good and happy.
I have photos of all my loved ones starting with my husband, my BCNA beastie, my daughter and precious grandaughter and other special people in my life. I have things that make me smile, I have words of encouragement of which one is very special as it is a pink sister picture with "Michele Be Strong" which I definitely needed every single day I did the hyperbaric. I have to thank Donna from Dubbo for this one.
Some of the quotes are things like:
- "Every day in every way I am getting better and better" "
- "I have decided to be happy because it is good for my health"
- "Be someone you want to be around"
I really find this helps me get through my days every day. I also have one very special verse that Janey235 wrote for me that I cherish and I make sure I read it every day.
I have started Yoga once a week and I try to Meditate most days but the hardest part with that is not falling asleep.....hahahahaha
I hope this helps and hopefully I have opened the path for other Ladies to come forward with what they do to help themselves get through their bad, sad and stressful days. In return we can maybe help some of our other pink sisters that are doing it tough.
Lots of love today, tomorrow and always,
Mich
xoxoxoxooxoxoxox
73 Replies
Hahahahaha Bobbie, i walk past them at our shopping centre. Next time I am going to stop and enjoy the moment or the 5mins at least.
Thanks hun. I hope you have got that beautiful smile of yours still happening.
Luv always, Mich xoxoxxooxoxox
My grand daughter and I always make for those chairs, we love them. We can't convince my daughter to give them a go, she just laughs at our oows and arhs.
- I left out a very important thing that l should have put first on the list!! I have a little tradition l call a "Medicare Rub"...as l am receiving a mountain of bills (even though l have health cover), making trips to the Medicare office is now part of my life, usually a weekly thing. (If not more often). My Medicare is located in an small shopping centre, & l'm not sure if this was careful planning on Medicare's part, or just lucky placement by the shopping centre, but there are 2 "Relaxation Station" massage recliners right out the front of Medicare, the coin operated ones like they have in airports. They are AMAZING, & for only $2 you get a brilliant massage of your legs, back & neck that seems to go forever, even though its only 5 minutes...l normally love proper massages but was worried that because of my port & lumpectomy scarring l might not be able to lay on my stomach for long enough to get one...problem solved here! I now thoroughly look forward to my trips to medicare, must look hilarious sprawled out in the chair, but l love it! Sorts my bone pain out, even if its just for 5 minutes! Occasionally an extra coin might fall into the slot...oops! If you haven't already tried one of these Relaxation Station chairs, give it a go! From Bobbie
- My first one is going to be yoga,I'm going to start next Monday nite... I think that's a good start:) ((hugs)) Christine xox
Hi and thank you Mich for starting this thread.
Thank you to everyone for your imputs as well - some very interesting items - some I already or have done and others that I am going to try.
It is great to find such a positive group of people - I also was getting a bit over the downers (i know it is hard for some, and it can be harder one day than it was the day before) but we all need the positives in our lives to outweigh the negatives. I believe that's where true happiness lies.
I've been through a lot over the past few years, not just BC (that has been my easiest thing to date!), and have got good at looking for the silver lining - no matter how dark things seem there is always a silver lining - it may sometimes be hard to find but if you look hard enough, you can always find it.
Must ask Mich about the hyperbaric chamber treatment - it has previously been suggested to me, in relation to other health issues, I was assessed but it was decided not to proceed at the time. Just wondering what you are having it for, how you are finding it, how successful, any other positive or negative side effects other than what they were trying to achieve? It is still n the cards as part of a future treatment for me - if and when the specialists all agree the time is right.
Thank you again for showing me that I wasn't strange looking for the good in BC and all else - the world loves positive people - and so do I!!!!
Tracy xxx
Our furry children bring us so much joy and happiness every day.
My precious girl Bundy was by my side every step of the way of the BC travels and she still is. She used to lay by my side when I was ill and occasionially just give me a gentle nudge to say are you okay. I would say I was fine and she would lay back down and go to sleep.
These days she sleeps on her bed in our room and during the night she will wake up and walk from dads side and then to mums side just to make sure we are both there and if she is happy with that then she just heads back to bed and back to sleep.
I call her my Velcro dog and she brings me pleasure every single day. I can't think of the word I want to say to explain cause chemo brain isn't letting me but you girls with furry children or feathered ones etc. all will know what I am talking about.
Luv my girl and luv u girls, Mich xoxoxoxo
I hope you do take up some of these ideas Christine. It is a huge rollercoaster we find ourselves on and every lil thing we do for ourselves helps.
I so remember my baths while I was going through chemo with my epsom salts and whatever I could find to help soothe the pain. I would soak in there as long as I could every single night.
I look back now and remember and smile how difficult it was for me to get back out of the bath where I had to try and turn over on to my hands and knees and found sometimes I didn't have the strength to lift myself out. I can look back with a smile on my face now but at the time there was no smiles only tears.
Please take up some of the suggestions and do whatever you need to do to help you get through.
Lots of love always, Mich xoxoxoxoxo
- Joy that is just priceless. I love the 'put the glass down' photo desktop idea. I think I'll do that when I go back to work next month. It will be a great distressing tool. Thank you so much for sharing it. Love Janey xxx
- I collect coloured glass , when I was sad I would hit the op shops and fossick, it made me feel good, talking to myself in the ensuite to the mirror was also something that worked for me, I know it sounds crazy but it worked. I also found the network my saviour, though like Donna I'm a very up person and was always able to pull myself up. My hubby and my kids gave me fight. My group of ladies has also kept me sane and my blogging friends. Regards adean
Great blog to start Mich! I love everyone's ideas and what struck me was we are all finding pleasure in the simple things in life.After all the awful cancer treatments we go through,we are so grateful to be alive,feel somewhat normal and enjoy food again.It is so important to destress your life after cancer,along with having a healthy lifestyle.I only allow myself to be upset for 24hrs and then I mentally shelve that problem because most of the time that problem sorts itself out. I have a special book that I write down inspirational quotes in-kinda like Mich's visualization board(which I think I'll start one). I go to art therapy each week which I love. And I relax and meditate in my outdoor spa a few times a week.As a wife,mother,worker,I don't think I made enough time for myself in the past but I am now. I also love being connected with the amazing women on this network.You have all blogged such great,yet simple,ideas to nurture ourselves.So thank you and I'll take onboard those positive ideas -oh except the one where you get up really early in the morning!! Love you girls!!!! Tonya xx
