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Resilience is a muscle

Posted by Denise @denisestlouie, May 6 12:40pm

Resilience is a muscle. It needs to be developed. Some people are born with more resilience than other people, but resilience has to be built through training to get the most use out of it. Just like a muscle its use it or lose it. All of us have been put into a position that requires us to call upon our resilience reserve. If you have had to practice being resilient in the past, then your “muscle memory” will take over. If you didn’t have the reason to build your resilience before you got sick, then you have to work a little harder in the throes of illness to build your resilience. But it is doable.

I’ve had a lot of practice being resilient. None of the reasons for that practice do I ever want to repeat, but they make me who I am. I have written with so much optimism that I’m almost reluctant to post my writing. I know that I am able to be optimistic because I have had practice being resilient. I didn’t do this on my own. I have a therapist who I consider my resiliency coach. I have this writing group that is my training team. I have my family and friends I call my cheerleading team. I’m going to be okay!

Denise

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | May 8 8:53am

Love this discussion ! No question that cancer brought out some tiger warrior in me…stand up to cancer, whatever ever you call that ! We each have our own internal images and they develop over time, never stay in one place as life moves forward.

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ffr | @ffr | May 8 10:17am

Good for you, Denise Louise! 👍 I didn’t put up with any crap, even as a kid, but I was unaware of Xena and had no female warrior role models growing up. Just attitude. 😉

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marina22 | @marina22 | May 9 6:27pm
In reply to @jenelleseaman "Today was dose 2 of the 4th cycle, of the 9th chemotherapy treatment. I’m able to..." + (show)
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Today was dose 2 of the 4th cycle, of the 9th chemotherapy treatment. I’m able to keep going because I have a HOPE that doesn’t depend on how I feel, or where my disease is up to. I have a Saviour that loves me, who I want to say “well done” to my face one day. He suffered for me, and what I have gone through gives me a small taste of what He has done for me. There is a purpose for everything, even my cancer. I may never find out why, but I know that I can help others that are new to this journey and give advice based on the experiences that I have had. Recently a friend called me a “cancer battle warrior”. I keep putting one foot in front of the other. There are good days, and hard days. Every day is another opportunity to say yes to whatever God gives me to do.

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@jenelleseaman
Stay strong and positive Jenelle 👍🥰. It will be 3 years of treatment for me in July for stage iv endometrial cancer. I have exceeded all expectations and my heavenly mum has put her bedside touch light on 3 times to remind me they are looking after us. You all have to stay positive no matter how dire the prognosis so our immune system stays strong to keep the ************ at bay. Love to you all 💪👊🥰🌈🦋

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Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | May 10 8:01am
In reply to @marina22 "@jenelleseaman Stay strong and positive Jenelle 👍🥰. It will be 3 years of treatment for me..." + (show)
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@jenelleseaman
Stay strong and positive Jenelle 👍🥰. It will be 3 years of treatment for me in July for stage iv endometrial cancer. I have exceeded all expectations and my heavenly mum has put her bedside touch light on 3 times to remind me they are looking after us. You all have to stay positive no matter how dire the prognosis so our immune system stays strong to keep the ************ at bay. Love to you all 💪👊🥰🌈🦋

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@marina22 What a lovely message. Bravo on exceeding all expectations. It’s the day to honor your mother, of blessed memory, who continues to remind you that you are in her heart. ❤️

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alohman08 | @alohman08 | May 10 8:57am
In reply to @denisestlouie "@ffr good question. In an interview Jane Fonda said she believes people are born with it...." + (show)
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@ffr good question. In an interview Jane Fonda said she believes people are born with it. I think that is a true statement, but I think it can be developed. I'm not sure if it can be taught because it so different for everyone. Resilience is attitude. You decide to be resilient. Then the skills need it to become resilient have to be developed. But if you do not have the attitude that you can withstand whatever gets thrown to you, then resilience will be beyond your reach.
I'm just making up my own theory really
Denise

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@denisestlouie I totally agree with your statement that resilience is attitude !! For me there has never been any question that I will deal with what is thrown at me and stay strong and as healthy as possible. I know what I have control over and and I choose to be well and grateful always. I do believe that my attitude and strength are what has allowed me to continue my life as it was before my diagnosis, chemo and my present and continuing treatment. I feel wonderful and have a very full schedule which includes, daily exercise, work, eating clean, time with friends and with family. I am blessed and always grateful for what I have !

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aurorasinmt2 | @aurorasinmt2 | May 10 10:40am

I used to think it was that I have a high tolerance for pain, which can be a blessing or a curse. I've moved forward with a focus on resilience and hope in both my physical and mental well being. I strive to use integrative health care whenever possible. Acupuncture helps me but doesn't work for everyone. I'm learning more about naturopathy through the Cancer Support Community Montana who offers a free monthly ZOOM session with a professional who has practiced as a PhD. for 18 years. And I have an awesome team of doctors who have helped me work through endometrial cancer and come out the other side feeling healthy and happy.

I am having a Mala made for me from a person who works at the acupuncture clinic where I go for treatments. What is a Mala? A mala is a strand of 108 beads traditionally used in meditation in Buddhism and Hinduism. 108 is a sacred number representing 108 earthly desires to overcome in the path to enlightenment. Reciting a mantra 108 times, starting and ending with the central Guru bead, is a practice in focusing the mind and cultivating inner peace. Each unique mala is made with crystals and gemstones to support a specific intention. As a knot is tied between each bead the person making the mala recites a Sanskrit mantra to completment the energies of the stones. The word I chose is "resilience."

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