
Bamidele Adenipekun, founder of Inspired to Soar shares her thoughts and practical tips on how you can continue to live well no matter how breast cancer has impacted your life.
A diagnosis of breast cancer is something that nothing can prepare you for. Whether you have read about it or heard of someone who went through it, the impact doesn’t become real until you or a close loved one becomes part of the club that no one signs up for. The chaos and upheaval that ensues are often exhausting physically as well as emotionally. As you go on the journey, it can be frustrating to realise there are many things out of your control.
The good news is that there are practical things that you can do to reclaim lost vitality so that you can live well no matter how breast cancer has impacted you. Before I dive into those, a bit about me.
Breast cancer has been part of my life for 31 years. First through my late mother’s diagnosis when I was her carer as a teenager until she passed away at the age of 46. Unfortunately, the rogue (that’s my name for cancer) struck again with my late sister and then my own diagnosis. At the age of 37, I underwent risk-reducing bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. I thought I was home free only for breast cancer to be found that didn’t show up on my previous mammogram. To say that I was shocked is an understatement. Thankfully, it was caught early so my prognosis has been good in contrast to my late sister who also passed away aged 46. After my diagnosis, I decided that I won’t be crushed nor defined by breast cancer. I wanted to thrive and flourish.
This set me on a path of rediscovery as I reclaimed my confidence, made important life changes and embraced life in a way I previously didn’t. This inspired me to pursue my dreams and equip those impacted by cancer with the tools to thrive after diagnosis.
You see, I believe that survival is a bus stop not a destination after all, you only live once.
With the above history, I have worn the shoes of patient and loved ones alike and I know how draining breast cancer treatment as well as its aftermath can be. This goes beyond the physical as breast cancer takes a hit at every part of your life.
Having practical tools to regain your strength is a crucial part of living well with breast cancer. Before you can start reclaiming your energy, there is a need to address a part that most people often miss after diagnosis: the energy-drainers.
By this I mean things that deplete you physically, mentally or emotionally.
This is a good time to pause for about 30 seconds or so.
Do you even know what your energy stealers are? Chances are, you probably don’t. That’s perfectly fine.
Now get a journal and pen to make a list of all the things, places and experiences that sap out your energy at the moment. You might be thinking that this is a long list but don’t let that stop you. The important thing is to make a start with whatever comes to mind for now.
Energy-stealers after diagnosis can be put into 2 categories:
With respect to unavoidable energy-drainers, here’s what to do:
With respect to avoidable energy-drainers, here’s what to do:
It is important to realise that the list of things that deplete you would change from time to time depending on what you are going through. So, what the list would look like 0 – 6 months after diagnosis would be very different for someone who is at the 7-year mark but still undergoing treatment.
I would advise that you revisit this list every couple of months. The tips can be applied regardless of whether the issues are physical, mental or emotional. Keep them handy for future reference.
You don’t have to merely exist after breast cancer.
You can thrive and live well daily.
Bamidele Adenipekun is an author, coach, speaker and founder of Inspired To Soar Ltd. She is a mother of a teenage daughter and they live in Swansea, UK
Find out more at: https://inspiredtosoar.co.uk/
The information and content provided on this page is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice.
Published 1 December 2021
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