Despite metastatic breast cancer remains a difficult journey, more of us live well with the disease. I’m sharing with you eight choices I’ve made that help me live with more joy and hope since my diagnosis 16 months ago.
I need to be heard and seen for who I really am. Especially since it’s Pinktober. So, here’s what I’ve learned these past months.
Statistics speak for themselves. The journey of people living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), like me, is often less of a success story than the journey of people with early-stage breast cancer. Still, there’s more of us who live well with MBC. That’s because researchers are discovering more information through trials, treatments are becoming more effective, and more patients use complementary medicine along with conventional treatments (integrative medicine).
What’s MBC? It’s cancer that’s spread to another part of the body. The conventional treatments? There’s a range from surgery to chemotherapy, targeted hormonotherapy and a variety of new protocols that arrive on the “market” each year. What about the cure? Conventional medicine says “complete remission is possible in some cases” while “there’s no cure”. So, do we need to give up?
Whether cancer is behind me (yet) or not, here’s eight things that help me nurture joy and hope despite the ups and downs.
In the end, I’m the one who makes the decisions
What can help me heal? Conventional medicine for sure. What about complimentary medicine? If I use complimentary medicine, which modalities do I blend in my care plan? Since I’m a yoga therapist, yoga is a big part of my care. I also use reflexology, naturopathy, psychotherapy which each play a crucial role. I’m the captain of the boat. I’m the one who decides. I’ve created a unique care plan that serves my body and soul.
I’m my own experiment—not a statistic
Statistics can be frightening. I make a point to remember I’m a person, with my own story, my own strengths and my own truth.
I choose and appreciate the people in my life
Friends, family members, colleagues, therapists, clients, etc. I’m mindful of who’s in my life. Being surrounded by the right people is simply vital to draw strength.
I connect with my body in the present moment
Yoga brings me to the present moment, guides me out of my mind, helps me connect with my body and leads me to listen to what my body is telling me. It’s been a life saver.
I’ve been thinking about the meaning of my life—a lot.
It could’ve meant to have a family, or to travel around the world and explore different cultures (although I’ve done some of that), or to fight for climate change. But no. The meaning of my life is about teaching yoga therapy, sharing what I’m learning about this invaluable practice, helping people connect deeply with their body, unknot the knots, put words on what they feel in their tissues so they live with more harmony in all aspects of their life.
I do what I love—no matter what
Sing, dance, take a forest bath, meet with friends, go for a weekend, … I do what I love as much as I can—even when I feel anxious (waiting for results after a medical test can trigger anxiety). The beauty is that, when I do what I love, I nurture my cells with positive energy—which is good for my healing.
I’m spiritually connected
The severity of the illness has urged me to connect with Life, the Universe, God (or whatever name you give to that something bigger) in a deeper way. A friend has pointed me to the American Church in Paris where I’ve joined the choir to sing gospel. It’s been a joy. There’s also a small group of women—most of whom I’ve never met—who belong to the same church on the other side of the ocean, somewhere in Georgia, who pray for my healing and recovery, every week. I feel their connection!
I’m a resource
My experience as a multiple cancer survivor means I have a world of knowledge on resilience and vulnerability. I’ve actually decided to be fine with my vulnerability instead of going against it, it’s my biggest strength. Many can learn from this lesson. I’m a powerful resource. For me and for others.
Banner photo: With my good friends Susan (also a yoga therapist) and John visiting from Atlanta this past August.