You have cancer. It is amazing to me how these 3 words change everything. It doesn't matter what stage or what kind it's the same three words. I have heard many different reactions to hearing them, every opinion on how to "cure" it, and most of all a lot of I am so sorry.
I can't tell you how others reacted because that's their story. What I can do is tell you mine.
The day I got the call that confirmed all the fears and heard those three words was the first day of my new normal. I don't know how many times in chat rooms, from doctors and nurses I heard the words new normal after the diagnosis but I didn't fully understand them. Once I heard those three words nothing seemed to really make since. I lived in a fog and prepared for the worse while hoping and praying for the best. It wasn't until recently that I realized my new normal wasn't a choice it just happened. The fog days were the days of mourning for the life I had. My new normal is nothing like the life I had. My dreams are goals that I must achieve because I know tomorrow isn't promised. My pain physical sometimes mental are reminders that I am still alive to fight. The scar I see every day is my mark to remind me to be vigilant and prepared for the chance of more battles. Most of all every day is a blessing of life and I must live it. It's a drive to do more, see more, be more than what I have before. The problem is there are still days where I am tired and have to remind myself it's ok to rest. There are days where my scars hurt so much that I can't achieve what I want. While my drive is to complete my goals my body isn't ready. My new normal is a world where I have a huge battle with in myself. It hasn't been a year yet since my diagnosis so I will continue to hope it gets easier but if it doesn't I will still be grateful for the chance to continue to battle. Not everyone that hears those three words gets that chance. Their battle is over but their families still live it. You see no matter what the new normal is for the one diagnosed it is like a tentacle reaching out and grabbing a hold of everyone that loves that person. I see it in my spouse's face every time I hurt, every doctor's appointment, every new adventure where I find I am not ready it is there grabbing those around me. I remember the first time I called cancer a blessing my better half came unglued. It was the first real emotion I had seen since the diagnosis. For me it's the only way to look at it. I was existing in life instead of living it. It forced me to face my own mortality.
No matter what your story is...
Whether you have heard these three words or not today is the day to begin your new normal. Live life don't just exist in it and don't wait until you hear these words or words like them to decide your dreams are worthy of being goals. Don't wait for a loved one to hear these words before you reach out and be a tentacle of love. Forgive, love, and live. Be blessed to have today.
I can't tell you how others reacted because that's their story. What I can do is tell you mine.
The day I got the call that confirmed all the fears and heard those three words was the first day of my new normal. I don't know how many times in chat rooms, from doctors and nurses I heard the words new normal after the diagnosis but I didn't fully understand them. Once I heard those three words nothing seemed to really make since. I lived in a fog and prepared for the worse while hoping and praying for the best. It wasn't until recently that I realized my new normal wasn't a choice it just happened. The fog days were the days of mourning for the life I had. My new normal is nothing like the life I had. My dreams are goals that I must achieve because I know tomorrow isn't promised. My pain physical sometimes mental are reminders that I am still alive to fight. The scar I see every day is my mark to remind me to be vigilant and prepared for the chance of more battles. Most of all every day is a blessing of life and I must live it. It's a drive to do more, see more, be more than what I have before. The problem is there are still days where I am tired and have to remind myself it's ok to rest. There are days where my scars hurt so much that I can't achieve what I want. While my drive is to complete my goals my body isn't ready. My new normal is a world where I have a huge battle with in myself. It hasn't been a year yet since my diagnosis so I will continue to hope it gets easier but if it doesn't I will still be grateful for the chance to continue to battle. Not everyone that hears those three words gets that chance. Their battle is over but their families still live it. You see no matter what the new normal is for the one diagnosed it is like a tentacle reaching out and grabbing a hold of everyone that loves that person. I see it in my spouse's face every time I hurt, every doctor's appointment, every new adventure where I find I am not ready it is there grabbing those around me. I remember the first time I called cancer a blessing my better half came unglued. It was the first real emotion I had seen since the diagnosis. For me it's the only way to look at it. I was existing in life instead of living it. It forced me to face my own mortality.
No matter what your story is...
Whether you have heard these three words or not today is the day to begin your new normal. Live life don't just exist in it and don't wait until you hear these words or words like them to decide your dreams are worthy of being goals. Don't wait for a loved one to hear these words before you reach out and be a tentacle of love. Forgive, love, and live. Be blessed to have today.