I am a little apprehensive about going for the Mammogram and Bone Density test today. My gosh I can hardly believe it has been a year since I have the lumpectomy. So many things have occurred since I began this journey I can hardly believe it has just been a year. As I was glancing over FB this morning I ran across a post from a Patients against Lymphoma.
They had a link to Dr Joe Himle who is an associate professor for Psychiatry at the University of Michigan who was talking about Cognitive Therapy.
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FHimle&h=8c0c1
I thought maybe he has something to say for me today so I don't ordinarily take the time to listen but I did this morning. I am glad I did. As he was talking about cognitive therapy this really struck me today. He said that cognitive therapy is not the power of positive thinking but it is telling yourself the truth about the positive things in your life. Depression has a hard time hitting a moving target and most often hits the stationary target. Wow!! I never thought about depression like that!
So in the midst of this uncertainty today I am reminded of how God kept me moving. And according to his word he is not going to leave me or forsake me. These were the things that are the truth for me today.
This is what God allowed me to do to keep moving over the first year and combat the loneliness I so desperately felt during those winter months and still occasionally feel today.
1. I had one person tell me "Luann what ever you do keep filling your thought and minds with Jesus and sent me some cable channels of folks to listen to." I took heed to that advice while I was so alone and isolated during the winter months of last year. This was a great piece of advice.
2. I used Social media to connect with people when I was too tired to even think about moving. I created a blog which really helped. Many of my new friends are still my friends today (wink, wink!)
3. Moving your body when your body is too weak is hard to do. So I began moving with Leslie Samone's two mile walk. After my surgery I just shuffled back and forth for 5 minutes. Anything to keep moving some. Today I am walking every morning up a huge hill at work for about two miles.
4. I have never been interested in journals but I began doing that which also helped.
5. Downloaded some marching music on my IPOD from the Boston Pops Orchestra which is how I get my body moving today.
6. I have been on Femara for one week and am ok. Now this is a real praise! My new oncologist said that when they list the side effects for the Aromatise Inhibitors they are listed by women who have completed chemo therapy. So in truth they do not know if the side effects were caused by chemo or by the drug. Since I had side effects from the chemo i.e. bone aches, hot flashes, a bit of moodiness nothing has changed since I took the drug.
After I made my list of the truth of my situation I am reminded that God is for me and his Grace is enough. So although I am apprehensive about today, I look back on the truth and know that what ever today brings I will be ok.
Have you made your list today of the positive truth in your life?
Running the race with renewed strength! Luann
5 comments:
Hey just wanted to check in. Praying for you. I got to meet Kim!!!
As I have been on Femara for several months I thought it worth mentioning that I am in the 1.?% of patients that find themselves with a blood clot. Although I cannot say with absolute certainty that it has been caused by the Femara, it is the most likely cause.
Apart from that, and joint pain, my follow up PET scan showed incredible improvement. Maybe that is the price I pay.
That was a powerful blog post. You made me remember how it felt to be so isolated during treatment, second guessing whether I would be here this time next year. It was such a hard time to get through, and you've given those in your situation--or any trauma--some of the best ways to cope and move beyond. And yes, God is there, always.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
Great list Luann! The Cancer Support Community recommends 10 Tips to strive to achieve along your cancer journey. You seem to have figured many of them out! To see the full list check out this link: http://bit.ly/cTtm3a
Hope all your test went well.
As always, please share any additional insights that have helped you through at http://www.BreastCancerRegistry.org
Best wishes,
Lauren
Hi friend,
Somehow I missed this post, but so thankful for a few extra minutes this afternoon to catch up on some reading. You spoke such truth...thank you! My heart is so saddened that there are so many people on this journey called cancer, however, I am blessed as I have been able to meet wonderful people who are now friends. Blessings to you!
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