The first Christmas after a cancer diagnosis can be an emotional time. We have done all we can (and continue to do so) to rid our bodies of cancer cells and make it much less likely to recur. At this time of the year the breast cancer sisterhood on dedicated breast cancer social media sites reaches out with good wishes and prayers and encouragements for things to get better or not to get worse. Some women post Christmas wishes, but their loneliness in their struggles can shine through.
We reflect on where we are, such as constantly watching out and being careful about activities. We can be easily frustrated about not being able to do things that we wouldn't have thought twice about before. We are worried about not having the same energy level as previously, or we may be battling side effects from medications.
We reflect on where we were, and it fills us with astonishment how far we have come. Here are a few reflections on some practical experiences from the gym:
- needing a pillow under the seat belt straps to protect the scars when driving to the gym
- needing a shoe horn to put on weightlifting shoes, because bending forward after a mastectomy is painful
- needing great abdominal strength, so that lying down to rest and recuperate and getting back up is easy during the training
- needing a helper to carry 10 kg weight plates and set up the rack to get ready for back squats every single time
- Being super, super grateful for the presence of other weightlifters, encouraging, helping, showing interest.
Christmas season is the time we can offer encouragement to other women with breast cancer, sharing our experiences and our paths, we can listen and offer our cyberspace presence, and hopefully alleviate some of the loneliness.
We also need to give ourselves permission not to be Superwoman to clean, cook, bake, shop, and prepare for the Christmas celebrations. Forge new experiences or new traditions by having faith in others and letting them do things their way!
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