Have you ever been in a place in your life when you finally felt like everything was in place you understood and you were grateful for having enough? Times when you thought, “I am blessed and content” and “Life is good.” Then BAM! Out of nowhere, the rug is ripped right out from under you, turning your life upside down and inside out. Whether it’s illness, loss, financial crisis or simply unexpected change, your spirits are crushed, hopes dashed and faith shaken. Well, I’ve been there, and as I look back, I assure you — there’s a reason for it all. You will get through it: standing taller, feeling stronger. Breast cancer was my “shot,” and it is was a massive wake-up call!
Having cancer is a transformative experience for many and leaves most survivors asking, “Now what?” As a survivor, I understand firsthand what it is like to come face to face with the enemy, a terrifying disease that demands every ounce of our strength to fight its threat on our life. Too many cancer survivors emerge from the life changing experience of cancer without the ability to move forward in life. Our experiences are each unique. For me, I found the “after” to be tougher than “treatment” for the cancer; there was a plan for that journey: a start and finish. I assumed that the happy ending is life returning to normal.
Turns out, the norm is not possible. I am no longer the same person and it was impossible to return to my old life, nothing about it is the same. Fortunately, we are not alone in this world and every set back we have, eventually grants us the opportunity to grow and learn with greater aspiration.
I now need to inspire all survivors to pick themselves up off the floor, quiet their mind, find their balance and allow themselves to be guided in finding peace.
Cancer can simply be an accepted condition. Others thankfully recover, but still fear it reoccurring. Again, too many feel an exhausting blend of confusion, anger, guilt, resentment and overwhelming uneasiness of fearing the unknown. We suddenly experience a lack of control over our own bodies and our lives, often feeling alone and isolated. We desperately try to cope with the emotional and physical aftermath of facing our own mortality and linger in the grips of uncertainty.We all have the power to heal ourselves; to achieve a sense of renewal, purpose, joy and genuine balance again. Life can be simple and straightforward. Note, I said, simple, not easy.
In order for our lives to really change, something deeper, more life changing has to take place within us. Together, we need to work on our thoughts, language and core beliefs and discover what’s working and what’s not. Together, we need to take stock of where we are in our life now, where we want to be, and use simple processes to move in that direction. My journey continues and I welcome holding every survivors hand in looking ahead and living the beautiful life that we’ve earned: the extraordinary gift we’ve been granted.
READ MY BLOG
LIVE LIKE CRAZY 501(C) (3) PUBLIC CHARITY
LiveLikeCrazy commits to being there to hear, to understand and to respond to the voices of need in our community. We live by out motto, “Hand in hand, we heal.”
Our Organization assists in providing; funds for various needs though treatment, offering assistance in navigating their way through recovery.
Most importantly, simply being able to LISTEN AND RESPOND to the voices of “human beings” that have been diagnosed, are fighting for their lives, while striving to maintain a sense of normalcy for themselves and their families.
GET YOUR COPY OF LIVE LIKE CRAZY TODAY!
There’s nothing fair about breast cancer and no one deserves it.
The reality is, we are immediately afraid, uncertain, and angry toward the unknown. Cancer’s threat is challenging to say the least, yet we all have POWER because we have a CHOICE. In each moment we can choose what we think, what we do!
“I’m afraid”, “I’m stuck” and “I’m going to die” were not going to be on my most played list throughout my treatment as I fought for my life. I’ve sat alongside amazingly strong survivors at radiology clinics, hospital admitting areas, chemotherapy centers and oncology offices. Every step of treatment, recovery and survival requires tremendous strength. Successfully negotiating the process takes courage, humor and a large measure of patience, starting with some realistic expectations.
It’s not possible to “flip a switch” and heal and immediately live our life at full throttle. Our body and minds need to repair and we have to pace ourselves.
Cancer is Serious, Not Hopeless, I promise.
Our attitude, good or bad, dictates how challenges play out in our lives. I am sharing my experience, writing this book as part of my commitment to help survivors find threads of strength in life, and a willingness to reach out and ask others for help.
Every one of us who courageously faces cancer, not only has the ability to live a full life—but also the ability and right to live a life full of meaning.
Breast cancer was a brief intermission in my life story. I did not allow it to change my theme and with time, to my surprise, I welcome making edits to my life.
It is courage in identifying ourselves, knowing who we are, what we believe in and where we want to go, that ultimately delivers clarity and boundless energy in
LIVING LIFE, not CHASING IT
We Breast Cancer alumnae can’t always begin to talk about the “worry” and all that lies deep within our gut below the buzz of fear. There is a little voice that roars in the back of our head from time to time. As a survivor, I hear this voice again and again. It only signals me to work even harder at remaining positive throughout my journey and my life. My hope is that a word, a sentence, a page in this book inspires you, the survivor, caregiver and professional to embrace this very moment, meet the challenge, choose not to suffer and “Live Like Crazy.”
[email protected]
LiveLikeCrazy.org
[email protected]
562-797-1000
Palm Beach, Florida
Leave a Reply