Maintaining Boundaries and Accepting Help During Breast Cancer Treatment

I can remember the sinking feeling in my stomach when I received a diagnosis of breast cancer several years ago. My world was turned upside down. Quickly, however, my naturopathic training kicked in and I found myself sitting on my living room floor considering the resources I had at my disposal to address this diagnosis. I felt powerful and confident in my ability to deal with this.

Then I entered the world of allopathic medicine where it felt like an assault, the intent of which was to disempower and make me feel small, frightened and powerless. At times, for brief moments, there was a temptation to turn off my brain and succumb to doing what I was told, despite the fact I am a health care professional. So, for me, the most important lesson I learned and the first one I want to share with you is this…You are in charge.,,of your health care and most importantly your body. So many times as women in this society we are fed messages that are in opposition to this. Please accept responsibility for being in charge of your own health. Certainly, as I did, gather up your resources, including people like me. 

That leads me to my second point…Trust yourself…trust your body. Your body knows what is best for you. You may not have previously practiced this but listen to your body and it will be your guide. 

Believe in your intuition…Tune into your inner wisdom. This requires stillness. Take a moment from the busy-ness of your day to reflect and just be…and Trust your gut… 

Don’t allow illness, life, or any person invade your space. Set your boundaries…And live by them. You need to take your place in the world, with a clear sense of what is acceptable to you and what is not. Make it clear and unmistakable. 

Far too often as women, we have grown up with the edicts “Be seen and not heard”, or “don’t rock the boat”, as if what we have to say has no importance… Well, I’m here to tell you that bottled-up, suppressed emotions simmer until they come to a rolling boil, and then blow, manifesting mentally or physically. Express your emotions…for your own health and sanity, and that of those around you. 

Accept love, accept help…You don’t have to be a super woman, doing it all single-handedly. If there are people around you, they can lend a hand. If someone offers help, accept it. Accepting help is not a sign of weakness. Giving and receiving love can change the world. 

And last…Embrace illness with love, for the lessons it teaches. Don’t think of sickness as the enemy against which you must battle, for you strengthen what you oppose. Shift gears, and see illness as the guide that it is. Thank it. Be open to its messages. Live in balance and harmony with all life and nature, and strive to see the oneness of all. Sometimes it takes great tragedy to come to these realizations…or you can choose to learn from those who have already been there.