How are you dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis?  Everyone deals with things differently and certainly, dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis is no exception.  Fear can be a very natural experience and it isn’t always the villain it is made out to be.  There are a number of things that you can do to deal with fear and move on with the treatment choices you opt for in an empowered way.

Dealing with Fear

“Believe you can and you are halfway there.”

Theodore Roosevelt

Fear got you to the doctors when you thought there might be something wrong and that’s what it’s supposed to do.  Fear is supposed to move us into action.  Fear can also move us to paralysis and this type of fear is not good.  “Getting stuck” can also be a byproduct of fear.  “Getting stuck” in unhealthy thought patterns that don’t serve you, is a sign that you need help.  So, choose to be empowered and go and get whatever help you need, when you need it.  When you have dark moments, know that you’re not alone and help isn’t far away.

Action Plan To Address Fear

Make a list right now of two or three or ten people or places you can turn to if you find yourself “getting stuck”.

This list will also help you avoid the unhealthy fear patterns, as you will already know that you’re not alone.  You already know where you can turn to for help, if or when you need it and can use this to shut down unhealthy fear.

 

Make Informed Decisions

“Be miserable.  Or motivate yourself.  Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice.”

Wayne Dyer

 

When you choose a course of treatment and medical staff, trust that it’s the right decision for you.  Do your research first; get a first, second and third opinion if you need to in order to get comfortable. Keep asking all the questions you need to, in order to have a complete understanding of the options.  Then, make a choice and when you do, don’t second guess it; don’t look back and don’t question it.  After all, you’ve got all the information, weighed it up and based on that, you made the best decision for you.  Now trust the process and put all of your effort into doing the best job you can to support that choice.  Second guessing yourself at this point will only serve to distract you from putting your energy into things that won’t help you get healthy again.

 

Action Plan For Getting The Information You Need

Make a list right now of the questions you need answered and where you think you can get the answers.

Make contact with these people and get the answers you need.

Make informed choices based on your research and support them.

 

Dealing With Other People’s Fear

“It’s during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”

Aristotle Onassis

 

People mean well when you’re dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis but a lot of the time they will talk to you from a base of their own fear.  What they’re scared of and give you advice or comments on are based on their experience, not yours.  A lot of the time, this has nothing whatsoever to do with you, but they can seem insensitive at that time.

So, instead of saying what they really think, “I’m scared”, “Why did this happen to you?” or “If it happened to you, it could happen to me”, they will say things like, “You must be so scared”, “It only happens to people who can handle it” or “My wife died of breast cancer”.

What To Do When This Happens (And It Will!)

Take a deep breath, then take another and another.

Recognise that this is their stuff, their fear, not yours.

Don’t step into their drama. That won’t serve you. It will only distract you from what you need to be focusing on, your health!.

 

Be Empowered

“Do one thing everyday that scares you”

Eleanor Roosevelt

These steps will empower you rather than disempowering you.  They will empower you to move when you need to get help.  To get help from the people or places that can answer your questions, rather than listening to everyone’s advice or fears.  To help you step back from the drama and focus on what you can control, rather than what you can’t control.

What are the actions you can control and focus on to be more empowered:

In moments of fear?

To get the questions you need answered?

To make informed decisions?

To deal with other people’s fear?

 

Please leave a comment, as that’s how we can all help and support each other.  What is your greatest challenge at the moment in dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis? How did you empower yourself through this challenge?

 

Love,

Gai