Ovarian Cancer Pt.4

                                                                       Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                                        everyday is a journey.



Under Thy wings, my God, I rest,
    Under Thy shadow safely lie;
  By Thy own strength in peace possessed,
    While dreaded evils pass me by.
A. L. WARING  


Ten years, Who would have believed I would last this long? I certainly didn't! During that time, many changes have occurred. The entire experience of having cancer changes how we see and feel about our body. It certainly does alter your appearance, something I wasn't quite prepared for since no one has told me. In fact, there wasn't anyone that I could have spoken to on what I should expect. 

Which leads me to the next point: We all need an outlet. It doesn't matter what that outlet happens to be. It could be a support group or a dear friend who has been with you since your diagnose. It also could be a hobby or activity that takes your mind off the situation. Whichever it is, there has to be an outlet.I went in the direction of running a Crocheting Ministry and a blog. It saved me! It has become my therapy.  

 Many people asked me if I ever had counseling and I always answered no. Now when I think back, I believe that's not true, When I first was diagnosed, I encountered many health complications in my recovery and it was very slow. One of the things I had to deal with was taking care of my wounds like my fistula. I remember a nurse coming to visit me, showing me how to do my own IV and I literally threw up at the very thought of having to do all these things by myself.

I believe that my anxiety and personal acceptance of the disease manifested through taking care of these wounds. The hospital had on staff a cancer counselor who would visit me daily and we would talk about all the mundane things of life. Sometimes, we would take a walk in the hallways and other times, she would play music for me and help me relax through meditation. Each time, she appeared to me like a friend instead of a clinical counselor. We didn't speak of my childhood or even my disease. We just chatted with one another. 

So when I think about it, I do think I had some counseling, but I wasn't aware of it. To me, she seemed like a friend. Many of the nurses there would spend their break time visiting me. I think I spent so much time in the hospital that I thought of them as family. I think one should do what is right for them. There is no shame in therapy. We all need someone to talk to when in a crisis. This is a crisis.

Have a Blessed day everyone.