In 2008, several months after my 65th birthday, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer.
Initially, I couldn’t move past the negative and fearful thoughts about:
- chemotherapy medications;
- radiation treatment;
- balding;
- dying slowly and painfully; and
- death, itself.
I didn’t see any value in expressing gratitude for the:
- early stage 1 breast cancer diagnosis;
- network of supportive family and friends; as well as
- access to quality health care and treatment.
Four months after the diagnosis, I learned about a local breast cancer support group and connected with a caring group of African-American women. Every month, we came together to:
- listen, empathize, and support each other; as well as
- plan activities and events to promote breast cancer awareness in the African-American community.
Five years ago, I retired and moved to Florida. Physically, 2,000 miles separate me from my breast cancer sisters. Emotionally and spiritually, I stay connected to Sisters4Cure. Through them, I opened up space to receive and accept that living life to the fullest is possible even with breast cancer.
Today, I neither fear:
- Breast Cancer, which entered my life in 2008, for it happened in my Past, nor
- Death, which will happen, but it is in my Future.
And, I am grateful for making the Choice to let go of Hopelessness and Live in the Present Moment.
SeasonedSistah 
I applaud you for making that choice. You are in important role model.
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Thank you, Karuna. I appreciate your comment and value you as a blogging friend.
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I value you as well!
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BTW……I just put up a post that has a song that I think you will like!
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Good to know you have been able to move on and embrace the positives of living. My sister and three first cousins had breast cancer and all still doing well. I especially see with my sister the positive effect surviving has had on her.
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Thank you for your comments. Wishing continued health for your sister and three cousins. Positive thinking followed by positive action has made a difference in my life.
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Brave words. I am glad you have kept in contact with your heart sisters as they will understand you more than anyone else. Blessings for the future x
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I appreciate your comments. Thank you for following my blog; and, I enjoy reading all that you share on your blog.
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Yvonne, has it been five years since you moved to Florida? How many since you left Madison? Time just moves on and we tend to get lost in the details of day to day life. Your determination to live in the present – recognize the past – and not be too worried about the future – is remarkable and very encouraging. I share your philosophy but not your daily focus. Gardening, even just sitting out there, takes up a large portion of my time these days. I keep my fingers in ‘administration/management’, by being active on the Board of our Madison Area Master Gardeners Association. I really appreciate your pics – especially your healing pots. Keep your positive attitude and your eyes skyward. Hello to Jim.
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Thanks for sharing your amazing journey from immersion in fear to your ability to live in the moment. You inspire me. ❤
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Its so beautiful to embrace something that you once feared. I think our spirit finds peace and happiness when we do that, which in its own can result in an improvement toward our health.
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Thank you for the encouragement, that’s one of the things that attracted me to you! You know how to live in the present and be thankful.
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