Thirteen Ways Cancer Changed Everything
- Exhaustion. Not ordinary tiredness, but a deep, constant fatigue that settles into your bones and doesn’t easily lift.
- Changes in Appearance. Hair loss. Pale skin. Catching my reflection and barely recognizing myself — along with comments from others that landed harder than they realized.
- Surgeries and Recovery. Physical discomfort layered with emotional weight, and the ongoing weariness of medical procedures.
- Emotional Whiplash. Sudden highs and lows with no warning — learning to hold on and keep going anyway.
- Motherhood on Overdrive. Six children, including a newborn. Yes — I was pregnant when I was diagnosed.
- Financial Strain. Medical bills arrive regardless of effort, determination, or circumstance.
- Sudden Hormonal Changes. Early menopause brought hot flashes, sleepless nights, and new challenges I wasn’t prepared for.
- Lingering Sensory Memories. Certain smells and experiences become etched into memory long after treatment ends.
- Restless Nights. Vivid, unsettling dreams that made rest difficult and mornings heavier.
- Daily Responsibilities. Cooking and caring for a family even on days when strength and appetite were limited.
- No Pause Button. School mornings still came early. Cancer didn’t excuse the bus schedule.
- Unhelpful Comfort. Conversations meant to connect but instead carried fear or loss that was hard to hold.
- A New Reality. Life altered in lasting ways — medically, emotionally, and on paper.
Thirteen Gifts I Didn’t Expect
- A Deeper Gratitude for Life. Not casual appreciation, but intentional and fierce awareness.
- Greater Patience. Still human, still imperfect — but more understanding than before.
- Less Judgment. Because everyone is carrying something unseen.
- Survivor Connection. A quiet bond with others who understand without explanation.
- Finding Small Wins. Quick showers and simple routines that became unexpected blessings.
- A Voice for Awareness. Speaking openly about self‑exams and early detection because they truly matter.
- Proven Strength. Not imagined, not theoretical — earned.
- Clarity About People. Knowing who shows up, and who doesn’t, brought painful honesty and unexpected peace.
- Faith Renewed. A deep sense that my story is still unfolding.
- My Youngest Child. A healthy, beautiful sixth blessing born during an unimaginable season.
- A Story to Share. One shaped by hardship and resilience.
- Unexpected Joy. Even pink found its place.
- Encouragement to Offer. Sitting with others and saying, sincerely: You’re not alone. You’re stronger than you think.
It took two weeks to write this. That alone speaks to both the cost — and the meaning — behind every word.
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