How I coped with my diagnosis during the holidays?
The quick version to this blog is that I am still coping after 5 years. See I found my breast enlarging on Christmas of 2014. How can I ever forget that? You are right I can't. What many people don't understand is that even if a survivor didn't find it on that day they still feel torn. I call it survivor's guilt. Sometimes more fewer than I would like to say that I do think about why in the world am I here and how did I make it through twice! I'm not saying it was easy by NO MEANS! What I am saying is we often feel happy and sad at the same time for an unknown reason. I find myself withdrawing from activities and social groups and slowly isolate myself. I now call it a time for reflection and meditation. Many friends ask if I'm not happy and I reply I am but I'm just sadden and I don't know why. No I'm not going to take any more medications to help balance my emotions or feelings. I'm at a place now where if people don't like it they can just live in their bubble and I will gladly live in mine. I use to care about what everyone thought and felt. After cancer, you realize something.... no one matters as much as you. I know it sounds selfish and it should. We often are so caught up in taking care of others that we forget to take care of us. It's the same thing in the best business tips of pay yourself first! For health purposes take care of yourself first!
Here are some tips for coping with cancer during the holidays:
Make plans to get together with friends, family or co-workers over the holidays.
Trying to celebrate alone can be very difficult, so accept some invitations from others or join an organized group activity through your local YMCA, YWCA or place of worship. Find the right balance between celebrating with family and friends and spending time on your own. Give yourself permission to pace your activities and to decline an invitation or two so that you have the energy to enjoy the gatherings that are most important to you.
Create a new holiday season tradition that makes the most of your energy.
Change your usual holiday activities so you relieve yourself of some of the pressures of entertaining. Have a potluck, with family members each bringing a dish for the meal, have someone else host the meal or suggest eating out at a favorite restaurant.
Enjoy special moments.
Try to focus on new traditions that have been established, rather than on how cancer has changed a holiday or special occasion.
Talk to your health care team about upcoming special events.
They may be flexible about appointments in order to accommodate travel or other needs.
Be an innovative shopper or gift giver.
Try online shopping this year. You can also make a gift of sharing your thoughts and feelings. Write a short note or make a phone call to let others know that you are thinking about them.
Express your feelings in ways that help you receive the support of the important people in your life.
Comments
Post a Comment