For all my fellow breast cancer survivors or rather warriors especially for Pink October Breast Cancer awareness month.
Once you have been diagnosed with cancer it becomes a never ending story a ongoing journey. Whether you are in remission, in treatment or are metastatic, AS A SURVIVOR YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE WORLD’S MOST DANGEROUS CLUB. The best way to deal with it is simply to face it don’t fight it. Work with it not against it. A good analogy would be the Ocean you never fight against the ocean if you do, you are fighting a losing battle. Have a mentor or a hero. Reject negativity in all forms. BE FEARLESS IN THE PURSUIT OF WHAT SETS YOUR SOUL ON FIRE.
When you have faced mortality you realize life is not about money or materialism. Renunciation simply means turning away from the causes of dissatisfaction – the recognition that worldly attainments do not provide enduring happiness. Its about how you can give back, something very deep drives you to want to assist other patients/survivors and is so deeply rewarding, having a sense of purpose. You develop Bodhicitta which means compassion which carries a sense of responsibility that you are willing to take upon yourself, the task of helping others.
Envision your recovery. Many top sportsmen and woman do visualization training to help improve performance. Cancer patients can use visualization to reject negativity and fear and enhance healing. Once you have faced mortality you have a perspective normal people do not have. Called psychoneuroimmunology. It has been proven that negativity can lower your immune response.
Envision the Tamoxifen ( medication used for treating estrogen positive breast cancer ) blocking the cancer cells and not allowing them to return. Envision the chemotherapy marching along in your bloodstream destroying those dreaded cancer cells. Envision the radiation zapping those pesky cancer cells.
Imagine your cancer as a ship and you are the ocean of I can sink it. This saying is close to my own heart. My running is my medicine leaving the cancer behind me on the road.
My absolute favourite. I just love the symbolism of the Lotus flower it connects so well with a Cancer journey. The Lotus flower is regarded as a symbol of purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth. Its characteristics are the perfect analogy for the human condition, even when its roots are in the dirtiest waters the Lotus produces the most beautiful flower.
I am a Personal Breast Cancer Navigator/ Coach and Speaker. Oncology Patient Navigation is the the individualized assistance given to patients to help overcome the challenges of the very daunting cancer journey, from diagnosis through treatment and into Survivorship. Visit www.nicolefuller.co.za to learn more on how I can help you. My passion is Survivorship and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and exercise from a physical and mental perspective.
Author: Nicole Fuller
I am a former elite/springbok distance runner, Oncology Patient Navigator, Breast Cancer Exercise training specialist, speaker and Breast Cancer Survivor
