I talk about positive thinking around here. I like to feel positive and to put forth my best foot, my best attitude. It's a choice I make every day when I waken, about how is it I want to greet the day and what my expectations will be. In talking about my best foot, that would be my right foot.
But not every day is a sunny day. Some days are slow and tiring, some days I just don't have "it". The "it" is usually something physical that drags at me, slows me down, tries to permeate that good feeling and it's a challenge to keep the smiling inside to show on the outside.
As much as my cancer experience was a positive one on many levels and in many ways, there are drawbacks and lingering aspects that I deal with sometimes daily, sometimes I go days without this and only notice when the weather is "bad" or I'm tired, or I've done too much. Two years post all treatment you would expect the body to have bounced right back.
Well if I had been twenty years younger when I was diagnosed that might be possible. In my case, the taxane based drug was the hardest on my body. I had four rounds of taxol which affected my bones quite severely but I managed to get through it with the help of pain medication. It did leave me with one toe that is almost completely numb and does ache on a constant basis. At the time I was having the taxol it was quite debilitating and I overcompensated my walk to avoid using all of that foot as much as possible. That lead to tenderness and ache in that hip. I can live with it and I do and I adjust my schedule and my activities as needed. I never let it keep me down or prevent me from carrying on. I knew there would be side effects from chemotherapy, I knew some might be long term or permanent. Let's face it -- I was pumping poison into my body. That can't be good!! And yet, it was good, it did so much and the benefit was worth the cost of what I deal with now.
Today is one of those days. I have been doing too much over the last few days, I have had too many late nights and today my body is speaking to me loud and clear. I choose to hear it, but I still choose to find the joy in the day.
When given the choice, I hope everyone chooses to find the joy in the day.
18 comments:
Oh how I can relate to this post! Fatigue is the hardest thing..Creeps up on us when we least expect it and zaps us! If it helps I understand! Its been 8 yrs since my last treatment and I still get hit with it it at times and all you can do is take care of you when it hits.
Sending up prayers today for you.
Amen!
Joy To You, My Dear!
There is a definite joy in doing what is good for your body. Good for your soul. That doesn't mean go go going all the time, right ? Choosing to be gentle with that miraculous body of yours that has brought you through Hell and back, is such a perfect and joyful thing to do today, on a day when it really needs it ! I will think of you nesting, resting and being your joyful self as I fly...I will fly for both of us today, lovely, lovely friend of mine, and bring my treasures back to the nest for us to share.
I love you. Rest well.
Kim
That's great you are at a point where you can "accept" that this will happen once in a while, and go on with your day, even if it is a lot harder than usual :)
You know you're an inspiration, right? The choices we make have such an impact. I'll be praying for your body today...and that you find comfort and joy in spite of it, my friend.
Yes, we can do both – listen to and accommodate our bodies and find joy & laughter in the day. The one need not negate the other – it just sometimes requires that the choice be a more conscious, deliberate one.
Take care...take it easy...
I had a time like this recently. It's great to see it and accept it for what it is.
It isn't easy knowing what lies ahead but your attitude makes a difference and you have a wonderful one.
Take care of yourself.
Hi.
I'm not sure how I found your blog but I was just reading this post this morning and was encouraged by it. Just wanted to let you know ! I'm off to find joy in my day ... :)
We all have bad days and sometimes we just have to give in and admit it is one of those days. You know the secret though, never give up choosing the positive outlook. Takew a rest, have a nice cup of whatever soothes you and know that I'm saying a prayer that tomorrow is better:>)
It is so important to listen to your body... especially when it is yelling to you! ;) But I love your attitude... "choosing joy in the day"!!
"Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day." ~ Anonymous
When I found this quote it made a real difference in my view of life. I hated it when I was wished "have a good day"...what if it wasn't a good day? But when I stopped thinking like that and started finding the good in every day, it made a huge difference. Now I actively seek these "something goods" as I call them. Sometimes I don't have to look hard at all. I just wrote about this on my own blog. You provide much in the way of inspiration and insight and you shouldn't feel the need to be up and cheery all the time, but don't stop seeking that "something good."
And that is why I always end by saying...
Enjoy the day!
Erin
I hope you are feeling better by now. Hugs.
The choices we make affect us and the choice you had to make, for life, is what you now live with. But you know that, you basically said that in your post. This is a tough climate to live in too, the dampness, the cold - all that must aggravate the leftover scars. The price of living, I'm afraid. I'm glad you found joy in the day.
I hope you find lots of joy in your day. And I hope your body will be gentle with you.
Take care of you sweetie !
small pitstops - on our lives journey - are what we need now and then to make us listen
I`m sure you were told of all the effects that could be - and thought yes i can deal with it - when it arrives - positive thinking which you still have .
Knowing when to stop is often missed - when further dire consequences can result .
We all need to listen to our bodies more and reading about it , gives it more clout !!
Sherry, we are alike. I always push myself to the limit then my body screams at me to STOP! Like yesterday when my mum sent me to bed (at 42!!!). So sorry you have these nasty side effects, lets hope that they disipate with time xx
I'm so sorry that you are still struggling, but I'm happy for you, that you can still choose to find joy in a less-than-perfect day. I was just mumbling to myself because I'd spent 15 minutes working in the bathroom and now I can hardly stand (bad back, because of a injury due to a fall). I definitely wasn't connecting to my joy. Thanks for the reminder -- After all you've been through, if you can still choose to fin joy in your day, I can too!
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