The most important lesson I’ve learned in being a breast cancer survivor is that I can do things on my terms and define what survivorship looks like for me.
Starting with myself, if I realign my thoughts about the things that I cannot control, it will reduce the negative impact this disease can have on myself and those who love me.
Survivorship is less about accepting a “new norm” and more about destroying fear of the “abnormal” condition of disease.
At the age of 43, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was an emotional mess but the one constant thing that helped me survive was running.
If you are someone who is struggling or has struggled through the pain of breast cancer, then now more than ever, you need to practice self-love and self-care in order to fully heal for yourselves and for those who love you.
Emotions are a part of life. They’re a driving force and are what connect us to ourselves and others. But it can be easy to get stuck in the negative emotions, and they can consume you if you let them.
For me, 2021 was about healing from the inside out to start living the magical life I deserve.
Having a community of people who knew exactly what I was saying about my symptoms and did not try to comfort me with toxic positivity was what meant the most to me.
I know you want to give me the advice you’d give anyone else – to slow down, be mindful, plan, save, and focus on healing. I don’t want to hear that. I want you to recognize that I am grieving and moving forward all at once because I have no choice.
I was diagnosed at the age of 28. At the time of my diagnosis, my husband and I had only been dating a little over a year. There is nothing that could have prepared us for a cancer diagnosis. We went from figuring out what the future had in store to being forced to deal with the realities of our “right now.”
Your voice, your story, and your support can make a difference. Join For the Breast of Us in our mission to empower, support, and advocate for women of color across the globe. Together, we can create a future where every woman has the resources and support she needs to overcome breast cancer.
On the Web:
www.breastofus.com
www.breastofusfoundation.org
Email:
hello@breastofus.com
Welcome to our community—where hope thrives, strength is found, and sisters in the fight become family.
