What do you say to yourself

Jaanee · September 2008

I can't say that I'm trying to "move beyond cancer". I'm still working on pretending that it never happened.

My diagnosis was more than a year ago, since then I've been through chemo, a few surgeries and several nasty and unexpected side effects (like two rounds of peritionitis). Maybe you can see why I'd prefer to believe nothing happened. Unfortunately I cannot always avoid seeing my one-boobed, fuzzy-headed self in the mirror so I am periodically yanked back to reality. I know I need to try and stay there, in reality, but retreating into my shell is a lot easier.

*Sigh*

I was wondering what you say to yourself in those moments when reality catches your eye and double dares you to a staring contest.This too shall pass, one day at a time, God grant me the serenity...

Any tips or tricks for getting my butt off the ship of misery and rowing back to shore?

Anonymous · September 2008

I understand completely. I also was a fan of closing my eyes and not looking - the saddest moments were usually just before I jumped in the shower and looked in the mirror - not only the usual scary points like old and overweight, but pile on the scars and hair issues too!!!!! I don't think you can make this a positive in any way except that we are still above ground. The thing that worked for me is time. So, I guess that I'd choose "this too shall pass" as my phrase for the day. Another thing that helped is looking at the candid photos of celebrities and seeing that they look SO MUCH better when they are made up. I don't look so great nude and without makeup, but when I "clean up" I look better, too! So, I allow myself fewer lazy days without the finishing touches...

Paulette531 · September 2008

I will be five years out on November 3rd. and I look at it now as part of my "life story". I know that might sound a bit cavalier but it works for me.

What do you say to yourself

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