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This past week has been a big turning point for me. I am a little over 1 year out from my last treatment for breast cancer and it took this long for me to finally feel like my old self. I was sitting in my car today getting ready for a run when the realization hit me and it feels good to be comfortable in my own skin again. This day has been a long time coming. When I was going through surgeries and radiation I thought I would have something to share/say about my experience to maybe help someone else but it eluded me for all this time, until today. It took getting back to me for it to come together.

I had a list of 10 or more thoughts that I put together to help someone manage through breast cancer but as I read through it, I realized there are just three things that are really important:

  • Don’t second guess yourself-Don’t let others make you doubt your decisions. I had no doubts on my decision of a surgeon but was lead to believe I needed a second opinion. That second opinion at a major cancer center was not for me but only to make others around me feel better about my decision. No matter what, if you truly believe in your decision, don’t let others sway you from your beliefs. This is about you, not others.
  • Accept others support for what it is-I have seen so many posts about what to say/not say or do/not do for women with breast cancer. There are no fucking rules here. I believe people do the best they can. Be grateful for those in your life who try to do the right thing. The causal acquaintances surprised me more with love and support then people who I thought were closer to me. Accept it, do not set rules and be grateful.
  • “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should”-Wise words from my GP. The oncologists and surgeon persuaded me to try Tamoxifen to help reduce recurrence. There are some not so nice side effects with this medication and I was resistant to begin taking it but there was the chance there would be no side effects. You never know until you try. Right? I gave in and about 6 weeks in, I totally tanked both physically and mentally. It was like falling into an endless hole. I stopped taking the medication and am willing to accept the higher risk of recurrence but I do everything I can to reduce my risk with diet, exposure to toxins and exercise. Make decisions that are right for you.

Remember, the uphills are always the toughest in life but the struggle to get over the top usually leaves us with new strength and knowledge about ourselves and what we are capable of. Once you hit that peak of a long steep mountain, there is always hope of an easy downhill on the other side with maybe just some rolling hills in life.

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lorettahoffman
My name is Loretta and I am a personal trainer, a group fitness instructor, Level I Triathlon Coach, endurance athlete and entrepreneur. But all of this is not a lifestyle that has been the core of my life forever – I worked in corporate for an international company for 25 years, was a fairly heavy smoker and was not really focused on my health. All of this passion for health and fitness only started 12 years ago when I was in my mid-forties and needed to do something to combat weight gain once I quit smoking. Twelve years and big changes in not just my body, but my mindset have brought me to this point that I completed several Ironman triathlons, marathons, and numerous other races. The most important lesson that I have learned during this whole journey, which I hope others can realize is this: IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO START.