Are there any positives about getting cancer? Well the shock of that diagnosis does concentrate your mind and make you think hard about how you have been living your life in the past, if there are any changes that you need to make and whether you might wish to do some things differently in the future. For me the song Garden Party says it all, it isn’t a new one but there are some very wise words in the chorus.
Hi Feisty Flora,
I think there are many positives to be taken from our experience. We realise how strong and capable we are, and it helps us to appreciate our friends and family who have been with us every step of the way. It’s certainly shifted my perspective a little, there are some things that are no longer important. I also feel more confident in myself and more likely to speak out.
I’ll take a listen to the song you mentioned. I have a favourite song too it’s New Dawn, New Day by Nina Simone.
Onwards & upwards
Donna.x
Hi
what a brilliant thread, thank you for getting it out there. Being told I had cancer has completely changed my life for the better. Obviously wouldn’t wish it on anyone, and would rather of not had.
Although I am an exercise freak, I had been drinking far too much alcohol for some time, I stopped drinking immediately which has given me back several hours in the day. Bit complicated but if you drink a bottle of wine twice a week, you are either on another planet for a couple of days or fighting a hangover. Anyhow I stopped and I don’t miss it at all.
as a consequence of cancer my health has improved 100% . My BP and heart rate is excellent and I feel brilliant. My life was full of worry and anxiety, never stopping to appreciate today, the moment. Every day and everything is now precious. I do things for me now, which is something I have never done, it’s always been my children many work or my husband, but now I do things for me. That might just be going for a bike ride, but I do it when I choose to do it.
Also I understand better how much people care for me which I had taken for granted for many years. It brought out the “warrior” in me, cos I wasn’t going to let it change my life for the worse.
Love to all to all going through this awful phase in your life, there is a new way. Xxxxx
Feistyflora
My perspective on life has totally changed since my diagnosis, the things that I used to think were important I have realised in the great scheme of things they are not. I dont let people get to me the way I used to and I definitely do not allow their problems to be mine. I am sooo grateful to my friends, family and a particular lady at work who has seen me through all of this.
My best friend sent me a card which is always on the side in my lounge, for days when I am perhaps feeling a bit low, it says “You are stronger than you think and braver than you feel”, Says it all for me.
My favourite song is Albatross by Fleetwood Mac (oh dear showing my age), it has always been a tune that when I hear I feel happy and content, any worries I have just melt away.
Helena
Hi Patricia May,
So inspirational to read your post and hear the positive changes you have made in your life, the saying “every cloud has a silver lining” seems to sum it up.
We have the opportunity to learn and grow from experiences in life (however difficult they may be), and we have to grasp that and be that warrior! X
What a great thread, thanks for starting it, Flora.
Well, for me, getting a bc diagnosis was completely out of the blue, I had no symptoms, went for routine screening - nearly didn’t go & came back from holiday to find the ‘thick’ envelope for an appointment the next day. I was so convinced it wasn’t bc, that I was not even anxious when waiting for the biopsy results, then…
'Wot? Me? cancer? are you mad?!!! ??
So I did not go through the anxiety of finding symptoms, getting referred etc.
Around the time I was diagnosed, someone I knew who was younger than me, had a life changing stroke. In comparison, I had an early bc diagnosis where full recovery is the norm, so that certainly put it into perspective for me.
Overall, I have found my bc experience positive. Screening did its job, the team I had were reassuring, I now feel fitter than I was before & stopped the ?O’clock habit, although I certainly enjoy a wine when I have it!
I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, but, overall I have felt lucky & for me it has brought home the importance of making the most of what you have & valuing it.
ann x
This is a great thread and I can certainly relate to what others feel, like putting yourself first more, enjoying and appreciating the moment, feeling less tolerant of trivia and bad books etc! I was totally shocked that this could happen to **me**, isn’t cancer something that happens to other people? but now realise that cancer does not care who it chooses. I was a frequent drinker, within standard guidelines, but haven’t touched alcohol since my diagnosis and have made further improvements to my already healthy diet. I feel really fit and well and am ideal weight for height etc,
My favourite songs at the moment which keep me feeling good are Avril Lavigne: ‘Who Knows’ and 'Freak Out. I also like the old tub-thumping song “I get knocked down”