How I'm different now

On my list I'd put:



My BS tolerence level has dropped down to nil - especially when it comes from family, friends, clients, co-workers, students, etc. (learned that from my first oncologist).



I really understand the true meaning of "people will treat you as badly as you let them." (yet another lesson from the first onc.)



I laugh a whole lot more because I remember all too clearly when I couldn't find anything to laugh about.



I realize how truly blessed I am because I can get out of bed, walk to the bathrrom mirror and see the scars from my BC journey when so many people can't.



I'm a WHOLE lot stronger mentally, physically and emotionally than I ever thought I was.



The thing I value more now than ever is my time, and I get really protective of it and totally pissed off when family, friends, clients, co-workers and/or my students cause it to be wasted needlessly.



I enjoy the little things - like sunsets, the first buds on the trees each spring, snow, chirping birds, etc. - WHOLE lot more than before BC. I feel like Dorothy stepping into OZ after the twister!



I'm not a confrontational person and will still avoid it at all costs.



I'm more empathetic, but, sadly, just as judgemental. Seems I have a few things to work on, lol...

Hi Julie (and others) 

Ok, let's see...I may repeat some already mentioned but here are mine:

I am way more confident

I am surprisingly happy with my body(I anticipated the opposite)

I dance and sing much more 

I am more patient

I am more creative

I have more really good friends and have gotten back in contact with a few friends from my past

I don't have time for people who are negative-I never liked negative people but now I actually take steps to avoid them

I don't really care what people think about me

I live in the moment much more

Too many to list, I dont know where to begin. 

1-the sisterhood.  Where else would you meet strangers that are a lifeline in so many ways?

2-the dream job  www.breastreconstruction.org

3-mtg an amazing man, who loves me scars and all.

4-rising to the challenge that is cancer.  financially, emotionally, and physically.

5-new chance at not messing up my hair

6-getting to wake up and inspire others

7-not being such a selfish little girl, and honoring the women on the same journey.

8-knowing that the fight doesnt end b/c I got better

9-living with hope and purpose, and hoping our angels are proud of me.

10- my great boobs. 

I am different now. I don't trust my body as much as I did before cancer. I have a fear of mammograms. I am so sick of pink ribbons and pink teddy bears and pink yogurt caps I could scream. I feel like breast cancer is somehow not understood in our society as a deadly disease, like it doesn't get the respect it deserves, that we are saturated by things pink and our disease is "dumbed down." I am confused about who I am now sometimes. I feel like everyone has forgotten how I might have died how much I suffered, my husband never even asked me how my mammogram turned out. I am sad. I am angry. I am three years out. I am a surgery survivor, a chemotherapy survivor, a radiation survivor and a breast cancer survivor. I am scarred in so many ways.