Getting Back Out There After Breast Cancer
It is full-tilt summer and I went on my first vacation/ biz trip since March 2020! I went out of town!! I was gone for an entire week!!! It was in Vail, Colorado in the mountains!!!
I DID NOT WANT TO GO
"What? Of course you want to go..." said my husband, my team at work, and my daughter who was going to come along.
NOPE
and yes. I haven't been anywhere since I got sick in March 2020. I might get Covid again, I might have a flare-up while I was out of town, and honestly, just the thought of all the logistics was overwhelming.
AND I made it happen and I am back and soooo glad I went. I got to go and speak and a conference for surgeons, talking about self-care and how to take care of their bodies...in Vail!
How did I get the muster and the get-up and go?
Three Things to Help You Get Back Out There After Breast Cancer
1) Bring a Friend - Bring your favorite person who is gonna be calming and helpful and ok with all the things. You can ask for their help or feedback and when you are braving something new, you are not alone and that just makes it all better and less intimidating and all. My twenty-five-year-old daughter came with me and that was a godsend! A calming presence, I could check in with her about all things...how is this outfit for my talk? Can you go check us into the hotel?
2) Wiggle Room - Make sure you've got some wiggle room all over the place. A light agenda that has some ebb and flow. Bring your snacks so you've got options in the food department and all your favorite things from home that bring a little comfort and joy. Bring that rose quartz rock, your arm warmers, your favorite pillow, and your totally worn-in sweatpants! I could have flown but we drove the 13 hours. I got to just keep throwing things in the car! No airports or tons of people to be around on a plane! My daughter and I got some time together, playing DJ in the car, telling stories, and just being together. We didn't leave the house until 1 pm :-D Wiggle Room is key to getting back out there!
3) Celebrate Every Win - It's a big deal to get back to social and be in groups of people! To go to a restaurant for the first time in 2 1/2 years. To pack...It's been so long that I almost forgot how to pack:-) Celebrate Every Win!!! I had so many shoes, clothes, snacks, AND I had options (wiggle room) so when it came time for the many different events I was all set. Fancy dinner? Got it! Casual dessert party? (for real...amazing) Got it:-) AND I celebrated that I had all I needed as opposed to scolding myself for bringing too many things. I celebrated that I was able to adjust to the altitude, that I took afternoons off to just read Bridgerton:-D Yay!!! I did not feel pressure to go hike and all the things. Yay!! I was celebrating that I got out of my house, my state, my place of healing, and that I got back out there.
And the talk....it was amazing and the surgeons loved it and had questions and really were interested and feeling like we do...the lack of support in the health care industry is real for preventative and as you all know the aftercare.
That's where I come in. I can take you from the woes of recovery and help you get back out there. Coaching with me is knowing where you are and looking ahead to where you want to go and creating the steps to get ya there. You don't have to do it all alone! Not only do you feel supported in your recovery but you've got the accountability that keeps you moving forward.
