Mental Well-being during Breast Cancer and Beyond

Having a good mental attitude while dealing with breast cancer is crucial. No doubt when people discover that they have breast cancer or any life threatening illness it is a shock. I always found the times of not knowing what was next to be the hardest part to handle.

But, once you have an idea what you are dealing with moving forward is easier. This is not to say you should be looking forward with great gleeful anticipation to surgeries, chemo and radiation, but at least you can start making some decisions as to how you are going to live with all of the trauma that is going to be a part of your daily life for a few months or many years.

Knowing somewhat what lies ahead, but taking things one step at a time is a little contradictory, but it is the best way I found to cope with the many aspects of breast cancer.

Now, I am going to rant for a minute about some of the breast cancer forums and blogs. This is my own personal opinion and you don't have to agree with me. Stop the whining!!! It does no good whatsoever to join a group that continually bitches about all their problems. Negativity breeds more negativity. This does NO ONE any good at all.

The last thing you need right now is a 'poor me victim mentality.' You have cancer. Nobody made you get it. You didn't get it because you are a bad person. You got it because someone had to and your number was up. So there is no person or entity that you should be mad at. Stuff just happens.

Here are your choices as I see it. You can either BUCK UP! or let breast cancer define you. You do not have to be a breast cancer victim. You are a person that happens to have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

I'm sure people will say 'well how about when I feel so bad very part of my body hurts' or 'the medicine is making me so sick', or 'I can't stand another surgery' or 'What about the future, will I die?' My answer to that is; have a little or big cry, have a pity party or whatever you do but then wipe the tears and snot off your face and get on with your life. This is no time to be wishy-washy you have decisions to make and a life to live.

Being around negativity will not help with your mental well-being. If you do go to breast cancer blogs and forums for information good for you. Use them for the information. If you go to bitch, moan and groan then you are not helping yourself whatsoever. There are some positive blogs out there and I will make a list this week so that you can check on those sites.

If you want to really help yourself than be as active as you can whenever you can. This will not only keep your body stronger, it will also improve your mood. This doesn't mean you have to go out and run or even walk, if you have never done so before, this is probably not the best time to start. What you can do is some gentle stretching, yoga or pilates. Stroll around your neighbor or at the mall. Hang out on your porch or backward and listen to the sounds of nature. Try some deep breathing to helpf relax the tension in you body. Just do something. There will be days when you really can't and that is absolutely okay. If you weren't in touch with your body before now is a good time to get aquainted with it.

In closing just know that your mental well-being affects your physical self. So having the best attitude possible is going to help boost your recovery.

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You can e-mail me directly at kathy@confidentclothingcompany.com