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By: Cynthia Johnson, Houston -based “For the Breast of Us” Baddie Ambassador

A cancer diagnosis changes everything.  Cancer by itself is a scary word.  Hearing you have cancer is an entirely different level of terror.  In an instant, everything changes.  In just a split second, there is a “before cancer” and an “after cancer.” You can recognize the line drawn in the sand.  With good reason, everything is focused on your physical health.  What can I do to get better?  How do I beat this? But just as, and sometimes more, important, is your entire well-being.  Your mental, emotional, and physical self needs tender loving care now more than ever. 

Here is what I did to help me on my journey, I hope it helps you too.

1. Journaling

I started journaling to document test results, questions I had for my care team, and things I wanted to remember, but it quickly became my outlet.  I journaled about the things I was feeling. It also helped me to examine why I was feeling certain things and what I could do about it.  I could reflect on my thoughts, and I felt lighter when I left it all on the page.  I could be brutally honest even when I thought I couldn’t be honest with those around me.

2. Meditation

When my anxiety spiked, I learned that even if I couldn’t hold perfect attention, meditation helped quiet my racing thoughts.  I turned to YouTube university and fell in love with guided meditation.  It helped me follow a set path to meditation rather than trying to figure it out alone.  I could choose the length and types of meditation I engaged in depending on my needs of the day.  I also really enjoy sleep meditations.  Sleep meditations allow me to sleep peacefully, knowing that my subconscious mind is thinking peaceful thoughts. 

3. Baths

Baths have always been my comfort place.  This is my downtime when I have no other priorities.  In addition to freeing my mind and spirit, soaking in hot baths also loosens up stiff joints and tight muscles.  During cancer treatments, it’s important that you find the energy to do the things that make you feel good. 

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4. Affirmations

Words mean things. Words heal, and words hurt.  I had to be more conscious of my self-talk during treatment.  It was easy to say my body was failing me, or I felt like shit.  While, in some instances, those things might be true, there is a better, more affirmative way to speak to and about myself.  Thanks to a person near and dear to my heart, I try to speak life and gratitude over myself.  I reframe my words to be more positive like, “I might feel like crap today, but I am also grateful that the medicines are working to kill the cancer cells in my body.” 

5. Apps

To help me keep a good balance and to stay on track with my self-care, I found apps to support my journey.  I have affirmation apps that keep affirmations rotating on a widget on my phone screen, I have a guided journal that provides different prompts to ensure that I am putting my feelings in a journal regularly, I have mood and symptom trackers and even meditation playlists that I can queue up at any moment.  These apps help me feel like I have a little more control over all the things that are happening to me.

Special note: For the Breast of Us will host its inaugural sneaker ball, “We Run This Gala,” during Breast Cancer Awareness month on October 15, 2022, at The Exception Event Venue located at 6704 Harrisburg Boulevard, Houston, TX 77011.

The Gala provides a platform where breast cancer survivors and thrivers are celebrated nationwide, along with those advocating and educating our community, and those no longer with us. This gala aims to mobilize support in the fight against breast cancer while connecting part of our favorite wear – sneakers – with elegance.

Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite: Search “We Run This! For The Breast of Us Sneaker Gala.” Click here for more information.