“Mind over matter”. Many of us say this phrase when giving advice to others, but how many of us actually practice it. I am delayed in this most recent post because to be completely honest, I hit a wall the past day or two. The number of things that you process physically and mentally in these early weeks is unbelievable. I finally realized today that I have been tensing every muscle in my upper body for the past two weeks. Some of this due to stress, some due to the residual pain and bruising still lingering from the biopsy. When I finally felt the ability to take a deep exhale after this week’s activities, I could feel the tension finally let go and my muscles literally ached. When the “C” word enters your world, you become suddenly overly aware and sensitive to ever small feeling in your body. However, this release was full of the mental aftermath.
This diagnosis life-altering. It shatters the illusion of certainty so many of us are addicted to. It tests your faith and your ability to see the world in the same lens. Establishing a strong mental state is not just about stress relief—it becomes a vital component of healing. You cannot fight disease without creating a space for hope. The mind-body connection is powerful. Sustained stress floods the body with inflammatory hormones that compromise your immune system. To win this battle, you have to commit to putting your body into a parasympathetic state of rest and repair.
My first advice over all others is that you MUST disconnect from information overload. One of the first things I did was hunt a Facebook group for people with my exact diagnosis. After three days, I had to remove myself. The tone was one of pending doom and women who overwhelmed. Words have vibrations, either positive or negative, and I quickly realized that even reading these words was bringing my emotional and mental state down a level. Fortunately, UPMC provided a list of social media pages that they themselves monitor as admins. They screen content for informational use and moderate the negative or emotional posts. I suggest you stick to those resources that have been vetted. Also, Google can be a scary place to be. Be careful with your searches and prompts to avoid fear-based search responses. To be honest, I even refuse to say or type the “C” word at this point.
Seek out all aspects of integrative care available to you. I was pleasantly surprised when I got the call this week to set up my consult for acupuncture and massage. I was thrilled to know these are considered part of my treatment protocol. I have also been evaluating immune boosting IV therapy options for post treatment recovery. These are typically provided in a spa like atmosphere to promote relaxation. Don’t forget the importance of physical activity. Post surgery, I will be limited in the types of workouts I can do for a while, but even just a good walk does wonders for your endorphin release. Sunshine is not a bad thing either! On a positive note, I have lost eight pounds in this process. I am not entirely sure if it was the dietary changes, or just simply stress, but hey, I don’t mind the extra help on the summer bod.
Releasing emotional clutter is your biggest weapon. Find a safe outlet to release your anger, grief, or frustration. When it arises, feel it, sit with it, and then move it out. Find the things that lift you up, cut off the things that don’t. I have poured myself into a number of self-help books these past weeks. I am a speed-reading champion at this point. This is great opportunity to heal the things that need healed within you emotionally and mentally as well. The new perspective on what deserves space in your life is inspiring and you will start to open up space for so many incredible things in your life. I never realized how many things were no longer serving me in a healthy way. Gratitude also goes a long way. At the start of this, I told myself that if all I do is get up, shower, and handle what is necessary that day, that is enough for me to be thankful for when my head hits the pillow at night. I am also so grateful for the people who have shown up, in whatever form, to ensure I remembered who I am and of the love and support that exists around me. Some recommended reads for your list are below.
The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy
The Silva Mind Control Method by Jose Silva
Forgiving What You Can’t Forget by Lysa TerKeurst
The Emotion Code by Dr. Bradley Nelson
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