breast cancer survivor - how to live my life with ZEST. i've gone all complacent?

Question

Hi,
I'm a 32 year old breast cancer survivor, diagnosed15 months ago. I had 4 positive lymph nodes. I had a mastectomy with lat dorsi reconstruction & 6 months of chemo & 6 weeks of radiation.

I am now feeling 'normal' again, except some operation-site body discomfort.

Of course, I have no idea if I got the cancer early enough. Maybe I'm cured? maybe there's a few specks floating around that will resurface somewhere in a few years and my life will be cut short?
I'll never know.

how do i remember to LIVE EACH DAY FULLY?
I remember at diagnosis the immense feeling of mortality and how IMPORTANT it was to live each day with purpose & meaning, but now things seem back to normal, and I'm just back to 'normal' living.
I don't like this. I want an EXTRAORDINARY life, because if my life could be shortened, I don't want to die regretting things I never did & yet I find it so hard to put that into action by DOING what I really want to do.
Please tell me what works for u. any tips?

Answer 1

I'm sorry to hear about your illness, but happy about your recovery. Have you dug out your old "100 things to do before I die" list? That's the best place to start. Good luck.

Answer 2

Find a support group near you Most hospitals sponsor them.
I am 5 yr Ovarian cancer survivor. There are many moods that come with any health crisis dx..... Life goes on. My main aggravation is typing dyslexia. I never had that before but now I often type the letters mixed up. We are lucky to live in an age where the information is bountiful. Nutrition makes a big difference. I have gone to health foods, with no preservatives etc.
If is kinda weird in the I think I'm cured but not so sure space.
I had tons of support in the first year but by year three it's like old news... I look normal therefore everyone assumes I am fine.
You will have many moods and times when you are more active than others. Just find a few people you can connect with.
I totally love the American Cancer societies Navigators.
Everytime I have called them they were great and they know just what to ask to get you to open up and they can think of questions you haven't even thought of yet.
http://www.acscsn.org/
here is a link to the AM. Can Soc.
Best of life to you. Live strong, and long.
I be 51 and Dx at 45 I think I have greater likelyhood of longer life now than I did 5 yrs back... and me thinks you do too.
Humor helps allot...

Answer 3

First I would think how blessed i was to have this chance and that I did not die on the table, then I would listen to the song, "Live like you are dying" it's a country song and the lyrics are very meaningful to us cancer survivors because we never know. You have to live every moment to the fullest. I think for me it has become my goal to help others with lymphedema and cancer get the best possible treatment and always be there to listen, not just fake listen but really listen with my ears and my heart. I think what if I'm not here tomorrow what would I say to this person to help them and let them remember me. I enjoy foods I want to eat without worrying if I get fat, I watch what I eat yes to eat healthy but I enjoy a day each week of just what I want to eat too. I do things I want to do, not things I always have to do and the things I have to do, I do them with speed and meaning to get them out of the way for more fun things.

Since my cancer and lymphedema I started the website Lymphland.com and support group with the same name, I enjoy meeting other survivors and we help each other with friendship, support, information and we help newbies, we do 1 chat together a month because we want to. I spend time with people I want to and some I have to, and those I have to I do it with meaning to make it more enjoyable. I put myself in others shoes all the time and treat them as I want to. I try to rid myself of toxic thoughts and toxic people and do the best I can.

Answer 4

ok, I understand your question even although apparantly a number of the others the two do no longer or they didnt examine each and every of how by using i do no longer see them as heroes. I see them as furtunate survivors of a damaging ailment. particular the term Hero is tossed around way too plenty and it now no longer has the meaning it used to have. whilst i become interior the militia and become off base in my uniform, human beings could thank me for my provider (which I favored) yet some referred to as me a hero. I never did something that i could evaluate somewhat to any extent further heroic than my different conflict friends. for those varieties of folk knew, i could desire to have sat at a table or been a airborne dirt and dirt bag soldier who become stealing from the armory. so I agree, surviving severe well-being circumstances do no longer by using them selves make a man or woman a hero to any extent further than a man or woman being interior the militia makes them a hero. appearing a heroic act in self sacrifice i think make one a hero.

Answer 5

You must do what you really want to do. If your friends and family fail to support you, you ought to find others who will give you the encouragement that you need, to do what you find meaningful, and what will make you happy.

Your healing depends on you following your heart.

Answer 6

Hi i know this has nothing to do with you but i want to become a surgical oncologist (the doctor that removes the cancer) but i want to specialize in breast cancer because my mom passed-away from it in march. Do you know what i need to become that?

im 15