Introduction
As a survivor of Stage 2 Breast Cancer, I recognize the profound gift that each day brings. The absence of countless women who can no longer share their personal breast cancer journeys underscores the urgency for me to illuminate the path and instill hope for those currently facing this formidable challenge. The relief following the mastectomy of my left breast coexisted with the anxiety and overwhelm that accompanied the uncertain road to recovery. Unaware of the myriad challenges, hills, valleys, and unexpected turns that lay ahead, my personal journey with breast cancer unfolded with both surprises and uncertainties.
Despite the unwavering support from excellent natural allies, a dedicated medical team, and an oncology social worker, I grappled with a sense of solitude on my journey. To the best of my knowledge, none of my support team had navigated their own personal journey with breast cancer, leaving me feeling that, despite their presence, a certain level of understanding was elusive. While they stood ready to assist with the intricacies of daily living, the unique nuances of my experience seemed challenging for them to fully comprehend.
A Deferred Desire
My oncology social worker introduced me to a retreat designed for cancer survivors, and the prospect excited me. Unfortunately, due to constraints like my work schedule and childcare responsibilities, attending the retreat remained an elusive desire. As time passed and my schedule grew busier, the idea of participating in the retreat gradually faded into a distant memory.
Years rolled by as I pursued breast reconstructive surgery. Amid other health challenges and environmental factors, it felt like I would never reach the end of this process. Faced with numerous delays, I experienced a range of emotions—frustration, anger, sadness, depression, anxiety, and annoyance. It took seven years after the mastectomy to finally complete the bulk of the breast reconstructive process, though additional revisions are still pending.
Revelation Amidst Devastation
Amid one of the significant delays this year, which left me feeling devastated, I found an opportunity to pause amidst the pain and gain a fresh perspective on my purpose and passion. I halted my evasion of the diagnosis and my connection to breast cancer, realizing that it was my responsibility to be a beacon of light for fellow high-performing female breast cancer survivors.
Drawing upon decades of experience, education, and expertise in the mental health profession, I recognized the crucial need for self-care following physical and emotional traumas. Both my body and mind had endured immense pressure and trauma. While some might not categorize surgeries or cancer treatments as traumas, my personal experience—having a body part removed, undergoing radiation therapy, committing to a decade of preventive chemotherapy, expanding breast tissue, placing an implant, and augmenting the non-cancerous side—undeniably qualifies as "trauma" for the brain and body.
I understand that many other female breast cancer survivors share these sentiments. Even those with less dramatic journeys could benefit from self-care activities. Spoiler alert: it is a universal necessity for replenishing the mind, body, and soul to perform optimally. And individuals who have faced life-threatening illnesses, like breast cancer, especially require self-care regimens for ongoing health and healing.
The Spa Vacation Vision
After publicly sharing my journey as a breast cancer survivor, I had the opportunity to participate in a contest benefiting the National Breast Cancer Foundation, offering an enticing grand prize—an all-expense-paid spa resort vacation. Yearning for a break from life's daily stresses, I eagerly sought the win. Despite returning to my role as a licensed mental health therapist during my breast cancer journey and immersing myself in helping others heal, my own mental well-being had taken a backseat. Although I didn't secure the contest victory, the desire for that spa vacation lingered. Consequently, I've embarked on developing a retreat for breast cancer survivors, centered on self-care activities to relax, relate, and release—our time to reclaim life and live inspired, free, and transformed.
The retreat focuses on four key goals:
Relax and Rejuvenate: Free from jam-packed schedules and energy-draining responsibilities, this retreat is designed for unwinding and letting our hair down—or even taking it off! All activities aim to rejuvenate our minds, bodies, and souls.
Reimagine and Redefine: Amid relaxation, we tap into a state of flow, enhancing creativity to reimagine our desired life without constraints. Redefining how our lives look and feel, we outline strategies for reclaiming life on our own terms.
Relate, Connect, and Communicate: Building connections with our bodies and fellow breast cancer thrivers, we enhance positive relationships post-breast cancer. Authentic connections foster sisterhoods in survivorship, enabling effective communication of needs and desires for self-advocacy.
Cease and Release: Putting an end to activities contributing to mental and physical decline, we release toxic relationships with people, food, activities, and other vices. Shedding negative self-images and unrealistic expectations, we release thoughts hindering our ability to live inspired, free, and transformed.
Conclusion
The development of this dream vacation for high-performing breast cancer survivors is a long-awaited opportunity to create a haven for fun, rekindling passions, and connecting with kindred spirits who comprehend the journey we've traversed. It's our time to reclaim life and live inspired, free, and transformed.
LIFT After Breast Cancer Newsletter COMING SOON!
If this article resonated with you, and you'd like to stay informed about our community, upcoming events, and cutting-edge news tailored for high-performing breast cancer survivors, we invite you to pre-register for the LIFT After Breast Cancer Newsletter (click here). By doing so, you'll be among the first to know when our newsletter launches, gaining access to a wealth of resources, empowering insights, and fun-filled activities – including rejuvenating retreats -designed to help you Live Inspired, Free & Transformed after breast cancer.
If you or someone you know has recovered from breast cancer and would like to know more about LIFT After Breast Cancer LLC and our upcoming retreat, please contact us at info@micheledclark.com
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