Change Your Perspective, Change Your Life: How I Will Remember Radiation

It’s amazing how one’s perspective can change when dealing with any crisis in life, especially a health crisis.  The initial days are always the hardest, often filled with shock and a wide range of emotions.  As time marches on, we fall into a routine of a “new normal”.  This has been the case for every warrior that I’ve spoken to about their journey through breast cancer.

Initially, my doctors didn’t think I would need radiation.  We thought my tumor was small, so a bilateral mastectomy and chemotherapy would be my treatment plan.  I was very disappointed when the unexpected pathology report resulted in the need for radiation.  As time has passed, not only have I accepted the need for radiation, but I actually embraced it.

I had 28 treatments...every day...Monday through Friday over a period of  six weeks, ending last week.  The treatments took about 15 minutes and the side effects were general fatigue and skin irritation/peeling at the radiation site.  Minor, compared to chemo and surgery but 28 days of treatment was a significant amount of time. 

28 days...six weeks...how did I chose to remember my radiation treatment?  Obviously, I would have rather been doing something besides radiation.  I would rather not have cancer.  But those things are out of my control.  So, I made the best of my 28 days with the goal of inspiring my fellow warriors, family and friends.   I shared positive quotes, pictures and stories of hope with my followers during each of my 28 days of radiation.  I used my treatment time wisely while lying with my arm over my head, under a huge machine that revolved around my chest killing any dormant cancer cells.  I brainstormed and developed tidbits of inspiration and hope during that time and I shared them with via my blog, Facebook and Twitter.

I challenge each of you to change your perspective about a struggle you are currently having in your life.  Make the best of each day, because we all have a limited amount of days to live.  When you wake up each morning, ask yourself how you want to remember that day.  Let me know if you change some aspect of your life based on this idea...I’d love to hear the outcome.

Thanks for reading!

Beverly 

For more information about The Breast Cancer Warrior, visit my website at www.breastcancerwarrior.org.  Watch my video to learn how I became the Breast Cancer Warrior by clicking here.

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