Resilience: What Personal Strengths Do You Bring To Breast Cancer?

Like most of us, I was devastated by my breast cancer diagnosis at age 70. Fortunately, I have had good health throughout my life. I thought of myself as a positive person. I was relatively upbeat through my early treatment. After I was put on anastrozole, I became extremely depressed. I would go to bed at night and hope that I would not wake up. In an attempt to get my head on straight, I began to walk everyday. I bought a Fitbit to track my progress. I have walked 1020 days without missing a day. I feel inspired by pursuing this walking streak. It helps to clear my mind, makes me feel better and has resulted in some weight loss. It’s a simple strategy and you don’t need to do it everyday, but this is what works for me. I might add that I had many other side effects from anastrozole, so I decided to stop taking it. I think that was the main reason that I was no longer depressed, but by that time, my walking had become a healthful habit.
By taking an aromatase inhibitor, I was told that my risk of recurrence would decrease by 6%. IMO that is a doctor’s best guesstimate. We all have the right to make our own choices regarding treatment. I wish everyone best of luck as you make these difficult decisions and use the coping strategy that works best for you, as you deal with breast cancer.

The poet Gary Snyder says "walking is the great adventure." I'm glad you reminded us all of how helpful it is. I've walked almost every day in the funky semi-urban neighborhood I've lived in for 40 years--it is beautiful to me and I often see the unexpected.

Thank you for your reply. I’m impressed that you’ve been walking for 40 years. Many people drive to walking trails. I live on a 1/2 mile horseshoe street. I seldom vary my route. I also often see things that I hadn’t noticed before.
I’m going to google Gary Snyder’s poem, so I can enjoy it too. This a very supportive forum!

Resilience to me is the ability to look at this moment and not the next or the last. I was diagnosed in my 30s with an aggressive and sizable tumor. There really wasn’t a lot of great targeted treatments, so they threw the whole kitchen sink at me, and again a year and a half later. 15 years of endocrine therapy had some fun side effects that I am still navigating. I am also having some some late side effects from the original chemo and radiation now, wheeee. Lol
I have two advantages, one is the time I have lived since diagnosis, which is 20 years. It hasn’t always been easy, been it has always been worth it.
The second is animals, I have parrots and horses, and they live in this moment and help me to remember to do the same. I feel like I have learned the ability to remember that worrying about tomorrow steals my joy from today.

I love what you say about time lived. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer and given 1-2 years to live (I'm at 1 year and 20 months and so far so good) I was almost 50 years out from a near death experience and extensive hospitalization at 21. After that first--shocking & traumatic experience--I really learned to live the way that was best for me and not do things just because they were expected. I've always wanted a parrot! How incredible. I've had parakeets and bred finches, but little very pretty birds aren't that interactive. Thrashers live in the cholla cactus in my front yard and we do chat--they whistle if I play the Beatles. Thanks for what you wrote.

Congrats to all of you charismatic ladies. I merely forget that I have it, and live as if I don't. My prognosis at time of diagnosis was 5-10 years, and I am passed the 5 year date.

Like you I was widowed early, age 38, with 3 boys, and discovered I was pregnant a week after he died. Like you I had no choice but to carry on through great grief, but then joy as well with a new baby. At age 60 stage 3a breast cancer again was the challenge to either fold or live in grief and joy. My faith, family, church, job and community have all been the mainstays in my continued love of life now nearly 80 with recurrent cancer. Staying engaged socially, exercising, still working on projects that require use of the brain and some skills learned in my job all contribute to living life as fully as I can!

I am sorry you're part of that "club" of young widows--people tend to not know that much about what we go through. My 6 year old daughter certainly kept me going--I can only imagine how 3 boys and a new baby must have helped you "not fold." Everything you say resonates with me and I'm glad you have so much in your life. I certainly would never have chosen to experience this--but I went on to have a pretty great life so I'm content. Thanks for your thoughts and inspiration!

My journey with cancer began with a vulvar cancer diagnosis and surgery in 2010. I researched factors that positively impact healing and saw how important a positive environment is. As much as possible, I interact with positive people, watch uplifting tv and movies, read encouraging materials, etc. During my recovery of 7weeks, I was allowed to be up for two half hour periods twice a day, and I strengthened my faith. All of this has carried me through the 2 recurrences of that cancer, lung cancer, and now, breast cancer necessitating double mastectomies in March. I try to appreciate my many blessings and see the positive in people and the beauty around me.