10/11/2024
Getting a third breast cancer diagnosis was not in my 2024 bingo card. Nor was needing to go through chemotherapy for the first time
Life really do be giving us challenges sometimes huh?
I’m a big believer in the way we approach challenges significantly affect the journey. Challenges, difficulties and hardships in life are inevitable. The sooner we accept this as a normal part of life, the sooner we can learn to make our journey through them smoother
Not only was my diagnosis devastating and terrifying, it also came at a time when life was already changing. I was getting ready to move my daughter into college and move out of my apartment where I lived for 19 years. Not that the news “you have cancer again” can come at a good time, but it can certainly come at the worst time. Ana this was kind of it
If life has taught me anything, it was that my mindset, my resilience, my problem solving skills can help me through this really sh*tty time
Here is the big lesson in all of this:
1: feel your feelings. It’s ok to be scared, angry, sad or anything else you’re feeling. They’re valid and you’re allowed to feel them
2: ask for, and accepted help & support. I would have been completely lost without the love and support of my family and friends. You don’t have to go through difficult times alone. Rely on the people who want to help you. There is no shame in needing help
3: take things one step at a time. When things get overwhelming, take a few deep breaths, make a plan and tackle that fu**er one step at a time. I promise it makes all the difference
4: you will grow. We don’t always ask for the life lessons we get, but it’s important to take the opportunity to grow from them. Pay attention to how you react and respond in certain situations. What did you like about it? What could you have done differently? How can you grow from this experience? Everything in life has the ability to teach us something about ourselves if we’re willing to learn
I hope that this can help someone who might be struggling right now. You are not alone. Don’t give up. You are loved