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2011-06-01 10:02:00

I’ve got breast cancer – series

As you might recall from my previous articles in this series, most women, like you, have dozens of questions. Some of these questions might deal with a second opinion, method of treatment, alternative treatments, radiation, chemotherapy, stigmas, depression support groups, going out in public, clothes, wigs, bras, swimsuits…and a host of other topics. To know that they all fit in one of five areas, is part of the organization that will help you go about handling this challenge. These areas are: physical, mental, social, spiritual and material. This month, we will deal with the mental side of being diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as before, during and after treatment. As I have done in my previous articles, I have supplemented information in this article with information from a wonderful site, www.netplaces.com. There are always the “downers” in your life, the friends and family members who find the worst-case scenario in every situation and have chosen a pessimistic view of life. At times, we all have this view of life. However, it’s how much we let it invade our minds and take up residence there that matters. You can help keep the negativity at bay by not allowing another person’s negative view of the world to influence yours. Conversely, if there are people in your life who lift you up, make it your business to be around them. This will help your frame of mind while you are going through breast cancer treatments and helps put you in a position of strength. Positivity breeds positivity, so surround yourself with a network of positive people and a support team. Try to limit your time with those who have the gloom-and-doom mentality. Practice self-care – you need to think of yourself and make good choices as to the company you keep. One way to find positive people in your life is to cultivate a positive outlook yourself, which will attract positive people like a magnet. When you are in the midst of your breast cancer treatment, such an attitude can be a challenging goal. You can develop a positive attitude by incorporating the message of positivity in your life. To do this, you can make up your own mantra or use the following, changing it to suit your own situation. Let it be your new mantra and just sit and watch what happens next and who comes into your life. Living with breast cancer mantra: •I have decided to live. •I am done with my preoccupation and obsession with my breast cancer diagnosis. •I choose hope in all aspects of my life, including my breast cancer journey. •I want to live joyfully and fruitfully today, tomorrow and every day. •I believe that I am bigger than this breast cancer and I will survive. •I can control the emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects of having breast cancer. •I believe that breast cancer is only a part of my life’s journey and not all of it. •I want to teach from my experience and move on to the more resilient, strong and complete woman that I am to be. •I believe that having breast cancer is a message for me to change and only I can truly know the way. •I believe that I can go through the breast cancer journey, its treatment, and its effects on my body, its impact on my mind and spirit and deep within my soul. •I will vow in my heart to live in peace with myself, the important people in my life and in my world, and with my God. •I will participate in life and not be on the sidelines as an observer or just going along for the ride. •I will trust my instincts and my personal power to overcome. •I will forgive myself for my shortcomings and forgive others. •I choose to be happy in spite of myself at times. •I will spend my quality time with positive people and those who are in my circle of support. •I will remember to not slip back into my old ways prior to having breast cancer. I am a new person. I will season with the gift of time. •I will remember to schedule quiet time for myself as I journey through my breast cancer treatment and listen to the stillness of the moments in my life. •I will always be there for those women who follow in my footsteps. You may meet negative people as often as positive ones. It is your choice who you fill your life with. Once you are in a position of strength, you may even be able to teach others about cultivating positivity in their own lives. Negativity is toxic, and as breast cancer survivors, we can identify with toxins. First, you must prepare yourself against them, by keeping your body, mind, and spirit healthy so that you will recognize negativity as it tries to sneak in. You can use some of the techniques you learned during your breast cancer treatments, such as mindful meditation, focusing your breath, prayer, and centering yourself. Visualize a bubble around you so that you can be present with negative forces and yet not let them find a way into your life. Recognize that your life force and energy is comprised of all that is good, natural, and peaceful and you need to protect it. Next month we will deal with the social side of having been diagnosed with breast cancer.