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- Fear of Sharing Your Diagnosis, Waiting for the Shoe to Drop, Cancer Identity
Fear of Sharing Your Diagnosis, Waiting for the Shoe to Drop, Cancer Identity
May 26-June 1
Amanda Butler
May 31, 2024
Here’s What you Missed…
Welcome Leslie, Mukhaye, Sheila & Sofia to Cancer Baddies 🫶🏽💖
On this weeks’ call we got a little deeper and really confronted some of our cancer fears and realizations.
A lot of us are sharing similar experiences and mutual emotions surrounding treatment, identity and grief.
There is almost always a fear that cancer will become our “identity” to others and how we will remain to be known. The fear of losing our old self and everything that we built within that life sometimes prevents us from sharing our diagnosis.
I even had the conversation yesterday around cancer shame and being afraid of what others will think when we tell them we have cancer. I think a lot of us experience this at the beginning and as time goes on we remember that cancer is not our identity and a lot of times, we’re overwhelmingly grateful for this experience.
Cancer is here to remind us that life is short. Everything is temporary. When the sun shines, man does it shine. Every little aspect of life we may have previously ignored suddenly becomes some of the most important parts of our lives. And just as everything is temporary, so is cancer, every experience that comes with it and this exact moment right now.
Yes, cancer is beyond challenging. Often we’re waiting for the shoe to drop and more bad news to flood in. There are times of immense grief and sorrow; learning curves that sometimes feel impossible. While other times there is gratitude, growth and surrender. Where there is stress, there is change.
So I say to you, don’t be afraid to share your story. There are so many people waiting to love you in ways that are currently unimaginable. You never know how many other women you will help/inspire/motivate. The relationships, support, and love you receive through cancer is monumental, all you have to do is open yourself up to it.
No more PTSD, we now have, “Post-Traumatic Growth” thank you, Sherri Alexander!
xo, Amanda
🍋PRODUCT OF THE WEEK🍋
I recently had my expander to implant + fat grafting surgery and have been strapped in this waist binder 24/7 for the last 4 weeks due to lipo on my flanks. I wasn’t sure how much I would like it but honestly, it is so comfortable, especially for laying around the house all day. If you leave and want to get dressed up or wear something a little more form fitting, I would suggest something like this instead. If you’re about to go through this surgery, I fully recommend the waist binder!
💪🏽WELLNESS TIP OF THE WEEK💪🏽
Therapy
If you are going through treatment or recently went into remission, I encourage you to find a therapist that specializes in cancer. I have been going to a therapist for the last few months and it has really allowed me to talk through my experiences out loud with someone who understands. If you are based in LA, Cedars has a program called, Magnolia House, at Tower and offers a ton of free resources. Check them out HERE!
🎵TREATMENT SONG OF THE WEEK🎵
The Greatest - Billie Eilish
🗓UPCOMING EVENTS🗓
🌟WED JUNE 12 - 5:30pm PST: BI-WEEKLY CANCER BADDIES CALL
🌟WED JUNE 26 - 5:30pm PST: Pelvic PT 101 w/ Dr. Aime Anagnostos (details to come!)
🌟SAT JULY 6: Cancer Baddies 1-Day Retreat in LA! Sign up details coming very soon!
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/98438840299 Meeting ID: 984 3884 0299
What other events/offerings would you like to have? Send me an email!
Going through chemo soon and unsure of what to expect? Well GOOD NEWS, I wrote a book just for you! I shared all the in’s and out’s of chemotherapy: what to expect, side effects, all things cold capping (and where to get a scholarship), egg freezing, and all the mindset tools to help you on your cancer journey. Get my interactive color PDF HERE or the Amazon Kindle version HERE.