Unexpected silver linings and breast cancer

What a wonderful topic!

I can say I found out who my friends are, that is for sure. I also found out that I need to control my thoughts or they will control me.  

I found that chemo has come very far since my father died of lung cancer some 12 years ago.  It would seem the efficacy has increased.

The most important thing I found, however, was that the one thing I feared the most in this world, cancer, met me 1/2 way and as much as I thought I could never survive such a dx, I realized I can.  What I really should say is I have made my peace with it and I coexist with it now.  Even though it is in my body and I have no control over it, it is not as bad as I thought it would be.  I am able to deal and I really never envisioned that being the case. 

It has been a cathartic experience, that is for sure!

Thanks for starting a thread that made me really think about this whole situation...it feels good!  

My relationship with God has deepened!

Thanks to my BMX shirts that were getting too small now fit.

I lost weight without even trying.

I can choose if I want to go flat (most of the time), a little suggestion of breasts with my post-op foobs, or go for the big guns with my stick on foobs. It's fun to have choices.

I haven't smoked in ten months.  It's finally starting to get easier not to smoke.  

Curly hair is lots of fun after 59 years of stick-straight hair.  

Neither of those things would have happened if not for the bc diagnosis.  

This thread is awesome!  I wish I could express myself as well as some of you have, but I sure have enjoyed reading each and every post!   

This is a great topic, and something I need to read right now.  My treatments are coming to an end, and having been so strong and cheerful through it all, I now find myself overwhelmed by the gravity of what I've been through.  It's like I'm exhaling now, and I'm beginning to cry more and feel weepy about about it all.  I can't wrap my head around it, but I will try.  I am definitely stronger, more organized, more patient, more appreciative of my family and friends,  These messages help a lot.  Thank you.

Being comfortable in ones skin is a good goal.  Hard to achieve but well worth the effort and energy, I believe.

I am one year out from diagnosis. Once we have the dx of BC (or any type for that matter), we are "in the system" and strongly monitored from there on out. To put it into perspective - don't we all know someone who, for some reason wasn't feeling well, went to the doctor and died within a very short amount of time because by the time there were symptoms, it was too late and they died within a very short time or just chose to blow off their medical screenings and because of that had the same result.



I remember a very good friend that had cancer (not breast) who used to say this all the time - "at least right now, I know that as of my last appts, there was no detectable cancer in my system".



I have a friend who battled the disease 6 years ago and still alive and kicking tell me that until or unless you get that diagnosis, you will never realize how much it will change you and he was right. I have let go of as much negativity in my life as possible. I also have been working on my bucket list also. Our golden years are not guaranteed.

I was forced to make arrangements for caregivers for my Mom as I can't transfer her, and it's a relief not to be "on call 24/7"

I was able to change things around at work a bit so some of the "kids" do some of the heavy lifting.

I am motivated to lose weight. And most food doesn't taste that great right now, so it's easier than it was...

Dictionary: a comforting or hopeful aspect of an otherwise desperate or unhappy situation.

Hmm....

I learned not only how much my husband loves me, but how much I depend on him.  That was comforting.

I had lost 137 lbs and was saving money for plastic surgery to lift my breasts and tuck my tummy.  I had a BMX with TE and will be getting implants in July.  That is hopeful.

I don't beleive I have changed as a person. I am still upbeat, happy, cheerful most of the time, and have my moods. I am the same wife, parent, friend, neighbor and sibling I always was.

I found BC.org.  That is comforting.

I did make new friends with whom I have this in common, which is nice.  Nice to have new friends, but sad how it had to come about.

What a wonderful idea for a thread! I love it and agree with so many of the things you ladies have posted. I too am surprising myself with how strong I am. Prior to all of this I had such anxiety about doctors, hospitals, blood work, needles etc. I have my last 'big" chemo in a couple of weeks and I can honestly say that even though I'm not thrilled about needles and hospitals, I no longer possess that paralyzingly fear. I have also reconnected with a few friends and that has been a huge blessing. Like you Denise, I have also been blogging throughout my journey and found it tremendously therapeutic. People keep telling me I should get it published.. (I don't know about that!)

I'd just like to share this :

 http://www.youtube.com/embed/auSo1MyWf8g?rel=0

My sister and I had a strained relationship for the past 4 years and if one thing positive came from my breast cancer was that it mended a lot of fences.  We are both single and it is nice to have her in my life.  She was there for me at the medical appointments and the surgery and recovery -- she has been wonderful.  She still is a pain in the a** but that is normal. 

Justine - welcome to BC.org.......and I used to think the same thing and couldnt even imagine smiling ever again during the beginning of this journey.....but you will smile again, and see the silver lining.....and not that long from now..... peace to you

Shayne and Joanne_53,

Thank you for your kind words. I am so blessed that I found you all. I mean of course I would choose to not have this at all, but since I do...it is nice to know that there are amazing women to support me as close as my fingertips