Unexpected diagnosis: Breast Cancer
Annette took the news with a stiff upper lip. Underneath her calm exterior = fear.
Questions:
What stage? Will I require surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy?
As she went through her treatment she experienced many levels of discomfort. She dove into her own variation of grief - catapulting from despair to denial, then a millisecond of acceptance before ricocheting into a prolonged period of deep sadness and loneliness.
She had never really loved her body. Now Annette felt betrayed by it. The very part of her that gave her curves and added to her sense of femininity had been operated on - three times. She looked in the mirror and saw the bust line of a stranger. She recognized her own face but felt strangely disconnected from the body that was attached.
Body-image issues are common in women. Women with breast cancer fac
e an additional challenge. The good news is you don't have to go through it alone. I have the pleasure of knowing a health coach/RN who specializes in walking women through the painful process toward healing and vibrancy. Her name is Sue Bock and she is not only an RN with decades of experience, she has gone through breast cancer herself. As both a survivor and a medical professional, Sue brings a special skill set: expertise, compassion, and perspective. Her optimism and guidance can be just the gift you or a loved one needs to navigate back to the fullness of life.
Check out her website and her blog. I know her and trust her. If you need help - reach out. It's just an email or a phone call away.
Show/Hide comment form
