What helps a person to survive after two back-to-back tragedies?
Is it strength, attitude, or the simple will to survive the challenges of breast cancer and a broken neck?
The journey took everything.
She always thought the word resilience was a fancy “buzz” word. Cancer only happened to other people. And, accidents, well, they only happened if you were careless.
That changed in 2018 when with a breast cancer diagnosis. Life changed suddenly in a few words.
Tests confirmed the severity of the circumstances. It felt surreal.
Looking inward for strength, she allowed herself to depend on her family for help. Her husband, children, and twin sister became guardian angels, supporting her when she faltered, as the roller-coaster journey of cancer treatments began. Climbing through the lowest lows only to soar in to false hopes of recovery. Tests, biopsies, doctor’s appointments, surgeries, therapy, learning, praying, believing and repeat – the list went on.
The support of others fed her spirit and faith, building resilience. She was not going to let cancer get the better of her. She was fighting to win.
As the months of recovery and healing passed, she found her “new” norm.” The perseverance to bounce back and need to regain normality was intense. Her doctor told her to slow down because she was doing too much. But, she didn’t listen. She wanted her old life back, before cancer, where she practiced daily yoga, took long walks, and had the energy to be the wife, mother and sister she loved being.
Less than a week later, and after three weeks of post-reconstructive breast surgery, a work accident occurred. On a field trip to a Defense Fuel Support Point, she slipped on the concrete floor of a pump room and broke her neck. Facing another health crisis, she was scared and afraid.
Choosing not to be a victim, she kept fighting, refusing to give up.
By the grace of God, she didn’t need surgery. But, for six weeks, she had to endure wearing a large, stiff brace around her neck and was unable to drive. She found herself – again – depending on the assistance of her husband and her children (just 10 and 14 years old) to cope with daily living.
As she recuperated, she had time to reflect over the last year’s event. A firm believer that things happen for a reason, she realized that maybe, the work accident was a sign to slow down and listen to the doctors and to herself.
Every day, she would practice her daily mantra, “I am healthy and I am healed.” It was the self-acceptance that brought her solace. After six weeks of wearing the neck brace, her cervical spine healed and she began physical therapy.
While today’s norm is very different from a year ago, she’s learned to embrace life and not take anything for granted. But she knows she wouldn’t be half the person she is today without the support and love of her family and friends.
She embraced her journey in resiliency by:
· A positive attitude – smile in the face of whatever life throws you.
· Gratitude – be thankful for a breath and a heartbeat.
· You can’t do it by yourself. Learn to accept a support system – family, friends, co-workers, prayer chains.
· Faith and prayer – connect with something larger than oneself.
· Physical movement – the body needs blood and oxygen moving through it.
· A healthy, balanced diet.
· Breathe – it’s easy and it’s the one thing in life YOU control.
· Hope in each new day – believe something wonderful is about to happen.
· Don’t dwell in the past, or ask why me?
· Trust in your healthcare team – ask questions, take a friend with you, get a second opinion.
· Read, learn, apply – train the brain to learn something new – empower yourself.
· Live, Love, Laugh – do things that make you smile.
The amazing gift of resiliency has empowered her life and she shares it with others.
How do I know?
Because she is me.
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