Читать книгу The Lighter Side of Breast Cancer Recovery: Lessons Learned Along the Path to Healing - Tammy Inc. Miller - Страница 6

Before I start my actual story of recovery, I would like to offer this list of 20 very important lessons I learned along the path to recovery. I will look at each of these lessons in greater detail as we progress through the book.

These are lessons I believe anyone can use, whether you are facing breast cancer, other cancers, illnesses, or any other challenge that life throws at us. These lessons serve as a reminder that we have choices in how we deal with whatever comes our way. I believe in many cases that we feel like we have lost control, but if we realize that we can make a choice, it can be the difference between just surviving... and thriving in any given situation.

I prefer to call these “lessons”, as this journey was a journey of learning. I learned about myself. I learned about others. And, I learned, most importantly, that I could play a major role in the tone of my own recovery. I ask that you walk with me down my path to recovery, and embrace these lessons and make them your own.

Lesson One – Don’t put off your yearly exams. Make the call– schedule the appointment.

Lesson Two – Trust your own instincts.

Lesson Three – Keep a record of everything that is happening.

Lesson Four – Develop a personal mantra to replace negative thoughts.

Lesson Five – Recruit your personal Humor Team! (No cost involved!)

Lesson Six – Be prepared to put up your own personal shield of protection.

Lesson Seven – Start and keep a “Recovery File”.

Lesson Eight – Find love and laughter everywhere.

Lesson Nine – Tell your closest family and friends of your diagnosis in person.

Lesson Ten – Be informed!

Lesson Eleven – Remain positive in every single way that you can – no matter how small.

Lesson Twelve – Write down the questions that you want to ask.

Lesson Thirteen – Look for the smallest blessings in each day.

Lesson Fourteen – Know that you have choices.

Lesson Fifteen – Remember, you are a unique person!

Lesson Sixteen – Celebrate the smallest victories.

Lesson Seventeen – Accept that there are some things in life we cannot change.

Lesson Eighteen – Keep your doctors and health care providers accountable.

Lesson Nineteen – Thank your healthcare providers.

Lesson Twenty – Live life to the fullest!

A Quick Reference for the “Cast of Characters”

Since I refer to the doctors in this story by the first letter of their last name, I will provide you with a “key” to the names for quick reference:

Dr. G – Initially read the mammogram at the Breast Care Center and detected a possible problem; advised against a needle biopsy for certainty; performed the pre-surgery procedures

Dr. B – My surgeon for the first two surgeries and my follow-up cancer doctor

Dr. M – The Anesthesiologist who performed the pre-surgery procedure

Dr. V – The Anesthesiologist in the operating room

Dr. W – The Oncology doctor

Dr. C – The OB-GYN doctor who performed the hysterectomy

Dr. D – The Radiation/Oncology doctor