The Secret Suckiness Of Life After Breast Cancer
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2017/10/176194/life-after-breast-cancer-survivor-story?
Forum Discussion
I’m only at the start of my BC journey but I know exactly what you are talking about as I’ve got a complex medical history that started in my 20’s with a benign brain tumour. It left me with no hearing nor balance in one ear plus a slight weakness on that side.
After years of wanting the ‘old me’ back, I’ve decided that everyone’s definition of ‘normal’ is personal. I now have a new ‘normal’ which I have had to accept & learn how to manage. I do get tired more easily than people who are nor partially deaf & my balance does get worse when tired, unwell etc.
A friend had to have spinal surgery which left him with difficulty walking as his feet weren’t stepping where he felt they should be. He was very frustrated until I explained that he now had a new ‘normal’ & had to get used to the different feelings in order to control them. It helped him a lot when he looked at it from a different perspective.
Every time I think that the health nightmares are behind me, something new emerges, the latest being BC & my first time re chemo & radiation. I’m really tired of the struggle & fight to have a simple, easy, heathy & happy life. However, the alternative just isn’t appealing. I just need to ride this nightmare out & focus on coming through the other end. Stage one being surgery is complete. Stage two being chemo is about to start ....
I also made a conscious decision a few years ago, to only mix with nice people who didn’t try to drag me down nor use me. That has helped a lot. I’m also in a new relationship and he is very supportive which really helps as my immediate family are too self centred apart from a few cousins. Oh, I also have anxiety & depression which I’m sure many of us facing these challenges would probably also have.
We are all special & strong in our own ways, even when we don’t feel that we are. We may not get back to our exact same selfs, but the new us can still have new adventures & do fun things.
After years of wanting the ‘old me’ back, I’ve decided that everyone’s definition of ‘normal’ is personal. I now have a new ‘normal’ which I have had to accept & learn how to manage. I do get tired more easily than people who are nor partially deaf & my balance does get worse when tired, unwell etc.
A friend had to have spinal surgery which left him with difficulty walking as his feet weren’t stepping where he felt they should be. He was very frustrated until I explained that he now had a new ‘normal’ & had to get used to the different feelings in order to control them. It helped him a lot when he looked at it from a different perspective.
Every time I think that the health nightmares are behind me, something new emerges, the latest being BC & my first time re chemo & radiation. I’m really tired of the struggle & fight to have a simple, easy, heathy & happy life. However, the alternative just isn’t appealing. I just need to ride this nightmare out & focus on coming through the other end. Stage one being surgery is complete. Stage two being chemo is about to start ....
I also made a conscious decision a few years ago, to only mix with nice people who didn’t try to drag me down nor use me. That has helped a lot. I’m also in a new relationship and he is very supportive which really helps as my immediate family are too self centred apart from a few cousins. Oh, I also have anxiety & depression which I’m sure many of us facing these challenges would probably also have.
We are all special & strong in our own ways, even when we don’t feel that we are. We may not get back to our exact same selfs, but the new us can still have new adventures & do fun things.