We all know that we should listen to our bodies more and be in tune with them, but sometimes factors out of our control take over and stress and anxiety takes over.
I know that stress can be a silent killer as a past cancer patient and I do try to manage my stress levels but it’s not always easy.
Life has a horrid way of throwing curve balls at us, when you think you are in control or biting you on the arse (excuse the saying).
I read somewhere recently that ‘grief’ comes in many different disguises, whether a trigger of a smell or, something you have watched on TV, it can really throw you off course.
Only two weeks ago, I wondered why I was on edge in the hospital and more sensitive to everything and then I remembered it was the anniversary of Debs (aka Bowelbabe) someone who touched so many people. For me it was the day she left hospital for the last time to go home to be with her family, been pushed out past Wallace Wing reception by Sebastian and she looked over at me as I said goodbye and I just knew.
Also, the other day I found myself putting on a cardigan and realising its like a comfort blanket for me, as it was my mum’s and even almost nine years on, I can still smell her.
Recently, I have been asked by many people how do I volunteer in the Royal Marsden, a specialist Cancer Hospital and not find it sad or depressing. But it is not sad or depressing in the way they ask. It is an amazing place which gives people HOPE and it gives me purpose. Of course, I would not be human if I wasn’t affected by it but for me, I feel having been on the Big C journey myself and been part of the Cancer family that I can help people who need empathetic and genuine support.
One of the reasons, I started to volunteer in the March of 2017 as I came to the end of my treatment, was to give back to the hospital that saved my life following my diagnosis of stage four breast cancer. And, over the years I have found comfort in the fact that talking to people as people did to me, I have given people HOPE. It is not about my experience was worse than yours and I have even heard people say they feel like a fraud when they come in, having had one round of radiotherapy and its all done and dusted. But nobody is a fraud as it touches people in so many different ways.
Now, after six years of volunteering as a Friend of the Royal Marsden Chelsea, I have taken on the role of Vice Chair something that I felt extremely honoured to be asked to do and something that I know will be a challenge but I am ready for the next three years. But I am not alone, and formed the ‘Three Musketeers’ with two colleagues as we take on this new chapter for the charity, and hope that we can leave a legacy as our Chairs before us have and that the Friends have done over the last 81 years.
I say about only getting ‘one health’ and that means knowing when to take a break, when to slow down and when saying NO is ok. No isn’t a natural word in my world but something that cancer taught me was that its ok to say No and it is ok not to have to justify why you have chosen to say no and that I don’t need to feel guilty. Slightly easier said than done though and I really need to take a leaf out of my husband’s book on that one. He is forever telling me, he doesn’t need the stress, he can not do stress following his TIA. Even to the extent when I have my meltdown, he puts his fingers in his ears and walks away – umm.
Is it menopause, everyone around me seems to say it is, but is it? Well, I am going to have my hormone levels tested and see as one think I do know is that I can be horrible to the one person who has my back and that’s my husband.
I feel sometimes like I am an actress in a play with a mask. That the outside world sees one person and sometimes it’s a case of paddling frantically under water. I had a coffee with a friend the other day and we were talking about this and how people react in different situations and it is funny how many people have perceptions of you as a strong, independent woman but really you are firefighting the world to stay afloat.
I just keep telling myself, that its all about ‘balance’ and that I am number one and that nobody can protect me from what’s around the corner, I have to love myself and be at peace with myself otherwise I will fall.
Why, I am writing this blog today? Sometimes, for me I can not always say this stuff out loud so, writing it down and posting it means I have put it out their and even if nobody reads it, I have not kept it inside to create turmoil in my tummy.
So, remember to LISTEN more and talk less with friends and family.
Remember to CHECK IN with friends and ensure it’s a two-way street.
And, remember love yourself, be selfish once in a while and LIVE, don’t let obstacles define you.