Ch-ch-ch-changes

Well, well, well. It's been about 15 months since I wrote a blog. Back at the end of 2020 I was still really struggling with PTSD and anxiety. My life has changed in ways I wouldn't have every imagined 15 months ago.

Fast forward to present day, and I swear to you, I am the same me just minus the severe anxiety! Is it a miracle drug? Nope. Just good-old-fashioned talk therapy! I found myself an incredible therapist back in 2020, and when my insurance changed in 2021 it took me a few tries, but I found another really wonderful therapist. Between the two of them, I was given the tools and confidence to take control of my anxiety. I have had the unique ability to not only overcome my PTSD, but also control my anxiety more than I've ever been able to before.

In addition to my two amazing therapists, I also formally became an ABCD mentor in December 2020. I think this helped the MOST with my PTSD and recurrence fears. I like to say that becoming a mentor gave the ugliest piece of my life meaning. I am helping others who are struggling with the BC diagnosis, because I have been in their shoes. It's a truly amazing thing to acknowledge that my journey is helping others through theirs. As of today, I have mentored 17 participants for various concerns through their journey. More information on ABCD and their work can be found here: abcdbreastcancersupport.org

Through ABCD, I was also asked to give an interview to the Institute of Beauty and Wellness for their annual fund raiser. All proceeds for the fund raiser go toward ABCD and helping to fund their amazing work. For the full fund raiser video you can follow this link (My interview is at the 1 hour 9 min mark): https://youtu.be/kxmR7xx5wMY

I also wrote a brief summary of my cancer journey for Susan G. Komen for them to feature on their blog and use in fundraiser blasts. When the marketing editor for Komen reached out to me for a photo, I debated sending a current picture, but in the end I decided that a photo from my last chemo treatment felt like a better fit.  That blog post can be found here: https://blog.komen.org/blog/the-hardest-year/

It's amazing the things I've been able to achieve now that my primary focus isn't on controlling my anxiety:

• got a promotion at my employer (woo-hoo)
  
• left that employer 4 months later for an amazing opportunity (yes, left my job of 6 years! I shocked even myself!)
• went back to college to finish my business management degree (Graduation is June '23!)
• decided to get back into my art (which took a dive after I was diagnosed) and even started a side gig as a photographer ( www.grandmaslittlegallery.com )
• getting monthly massages as a treat for myself
• am actually back to enjoying every day and not sweating the small stuff

I jokingly told my therapist last month that talking to her makes me a between wife, but in reality it was no joke at all.

I feel great, inside and out.

My next surgical check-up is 2/10, followed by my oncology appointment on 4/25. I have no concerns, and hope to keep it that way!