Silver lining anyone?

Options
2»

Comments

  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited February 2015

    I am glad you posted this. I haven't been through it all yet or much yet but I have often thought this might be something I could get some positive from. I reached out to an acquaintance to ask who her BS was and she invited me to a support event she was having that night. The old me might have not gone but I went. The ladies were fantastic. They were young and chic and it was great. I also see that as something I would be compelled to do, to pay it forward.

    My sisters and I have grown closer.

    This site has been a absolute godsend to me and I knew it within days or even hours of finding it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited February 2015

    * Cute new hair style and color

    * more of a willingness to try new things (because, really, what is the worse thing that could happen if it doesn't turn out?)

    * I used to say 'some day I'd like to.....' and I have realized that someday is NOW, so I am planning & doing those things on my 'some day' list.

    * I really do appreciate the good things in life more and KNOW that most of the annoying things, are just that.....annoying.

    * I make more time for friends & family.

    *I was pretty faithful about exercise before my diagnosis; but made a real commitment to it afterwards, so am in better shape now than I was going in.

    * I have made some great friends here on BCO (some of us have met up and even traveled together). Wonderful, wonderful relationships that would have never happened without our mutual (and horrible) BC diagnosis (and what we decided to do with it). 

    * I know I can be tough. I know I can get through really bad things, come out okay, and help others because of my experience.

    Here is a saying I found after I was diagnosed that really resonated with me:

    "It is what it is. It becomes what you make it."


     

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JoeysMommy
    JoeysMommy Member Posts: 65
    edited March 2015

    My beautiful Mother passed away 7 days after my lumpectomy,  she never knew that I needed chemotherapy and radiation.  Had it not been for me having breast cancer and having to go through chemotherapy and  radiation,  I would never have been able to cope with my mother's passing.  Second to my son she was everything to me.  She was there for me my entire life through everything I have ever experienced,  she was my best friend. We share a bond so strong it goes without definition.  Because of her, I fought this breast cancer diagnosis with a strong will and determination that I never thought possible of me.  God knew I needed something so grand to concentrate on in order to not have a nervous breakdown after she passed.   I did it for my son and for my mom.  It's funny, most people don't realize how precious life really is...  until tragedy happens. Unfortunately I learned that a long time ago, when at age 23 I lost my  husband in a motorcycle accident during a weekend getawag with two other couples.   I guess we could say that my silver lining aside from all the hair products and the shaving and all that we are spared when losing our hair is that  God gave me the courage, the will and the strength to go through the  journey of having breast cancer without my mom and doing it like a true champion.  I am truly a fighter and a survivor and I wholeheartedly love and miss my mother/my friend ♡ 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2015

    JoeysMommy: Your story is so touching. I am so sorry about your mother (and your husband).

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited March 2015

    DH and I were just making a list in the car last night!

    Related to hair...I start chemo this Thur and MO says hair will fall out 2 weeks after 1st treatment. So, we decided that my hair won't tickle his face anymore when making love, I won't have any more bad hair days, will save on hair products, save time getting ready for work/going out, won't have to pluck or shave, no more hamster-sized hair balls in the shower drain after a shower, and I won't have to color for at least the next 6 months (probably more).

    Non-hair related that I mentally added on my own...I can be creative and dress bohemian if I want (I'm a closet hippie) and I'll get away with it. I won't have to make any excuses if I want to take a nap or not do dishes/laundry, etc. I'm spending more time with my sister. My DH is constantly telling me how beautiful I am (he's always done this but is seems to mean more now). My 13-yr-old daughter is being less of an annoying teenager and is actually pulling her weight around the house. My cat senses something isn't right with me and he won't leave my side (yay for warm, furry snuggles!).

    Mostly, this has strengthened my relationship with Jesus and it is so comforting to know that He will carry me through this!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2015

    I am loving reading all of your thoughts on this.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited March 2015

    I have LOVED reading thru this thread and hearing all your postive thoughts. I can feel the good energy on this thread, and that is very healing. Joeysmom, I too am so sorry for your losses, and I am moved by your grace. Hello Trvler, and Ruth!

    I too no longer sweat the small stuff, and I look as each day to be a gift. The Spouse has a brighter, lighter outlook too, he got a dose of his own silver linings too I guess God love him.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited March 2015

    I now keep my hair short in a pixie cut. I always had longer hair, fooled with my hair, bought every product created looking for the perfect product combination, and so on. Now Iove my pixie cut, can get out of the shower and out the door in just minutes, and I will never ever go back to big hair!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jajjaaj
    jajjaaj Member Posts: 60
    edited July 2015

    Thank you for sharing so many of your silver linings. Believe it or not, reading other's lists give me more to be grateful for. The one that certainly resonates with me now is the strength to get through anything. Everything is small in comparison.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marie711
    Marie711 Member Posts: 87
    edited July 2015

    I guess a silver lining out of two tragedies (my husband had a stroke 8 weeks before I found out I had cancer) is that my husband recovered to almost normal and because he met our maximum out of pocket with his stroke ALL my cancer treatments, mastectomy and medicines were free!


    The down side is because I was sore and not wearing the prosthetic at home I found myself pulling out of the driveway to go to dinner and realized my right boob was still on the coffee table!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jajjaaj
    jajjaaj Member Posts: 60
    edited July 2015

    Marie711, Cancer is so expensive and to have it covered is definitely a silver lining! Though, I have to admit, I got a giggle about your 'right boob' being left on the coffee table.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited July 2015

    rediscovered my love of walking

    Realized finishing a race is more important than time

    Realized having someone to clean once a month is priceless

    Realized how many people care about me

    My kids learned how to do laundry and they now pack their own lunches

    In touch with many people I had lost contact with over the years

    I do not need a bra and my breasts look better than pre cancer ... Not sure that will still be true after rads.

    I do not sweat the small stuff anymore and am generally more positive.

    I learned how to say no to requests for my time on committees, etc

    I have more self confidence

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jajjaaj
    jajjaaj Member Posts: 60
    edited October 2017

    Haven't seen any silver linings in a while. Hoping the community has one everyday!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • stephaniebc
    stephaniebc Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2017

    i have a few i can share:

    i have never eaten so well in my life and my cooking skills have improved tremendously.

    i am finally exercising after a lifetime of being a couch potato and it feels amazing.

    i have become closer to some people.

    more importantly, and though it is counter-intuitive, this brush with mortality has made me less afraid of death. in fact, i think about death every day, which feels healthy to me. i notice that it makes me feel generally more present.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited October 2017

    Lets see..

    I was timid before BC not anymore. My hubby chuckles all the time now seeing me changed.

    I was scatterbrained not anymore. I am so organized even became somewhat OCD.

    I was afraid of driving not anymore. I have driven all over the town all by myself.

    I used to be chunky not anymore. Got to learn how to be health conscious. All the pretty old clothes I could not fit before fit me now. One of them is Victoria Secret silk lingerie!

    I became healthcare expert. Thanks to multiple surgeries, procedures done at 5 different hospitals.

    All in all I know I can survive nuclear war!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories