Revealing Your Inner Strength

PJ Hamel is happy to be alive. As always. Been Through It Author, breast cancer survivor Writer, mother, wife, volunteer, and survivor: PJ Hamel joins the... Send Message Subscribe: PJ Hamel

Sunday, March 01, 2009
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Where will I find the strength?How many times have you asked yourself that? You’re packing up and moving to a new house. Mothering a colicky baby. Even confronting a truly daunting pile of laundry.And now, facing cancer.Fear of cancer and its treatment is entirely natural. Trust me, we all face...

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Untitled Comment
Phyllis Johnson
Sunday, March 01, 2009 at 02:18 PM

You are so right PJ. The strength is there. We ought to call on it more often. Why does it take a matter of life and death to bring it out in us? I hope your shoulder recovery goes well.

re: Untitled Comment
PJ Hamel
Sunday, March 01, 2009 at 05:19 PM

Yeah, Phyllis - too bad we have to fear for our life before we understand our strong inner selves. But it IS one of cancer's life lessons. Thanks for commenting - PJH

Amazing?
sue dyer
Sunday, March 01, 2009 at 02:46 PM

Inspiring words, PJ. Sometimes when I visit friends and colleagues at school they describe me as "amazing". It's nice to get a compliment and I smile and say thanks, but I'm usually thinking that, no, I'm just an ordinary woman. I see so many courageous and strong women on this website. We just don't know we have it until we're tested.

Sue

re: Amazing?
PJ Hamel
Sunday, March 01, 2009 at 05:21 PM

I know just what you mean, Sue. One of the friends who constantly marveled at my strength got melanoma, then brain cancer just 2 years later. I told him, "Back at you, John." He died with as much chearacter, strength, and pure grace as anyone I've ever seen... PJH

This came at the right time!
jj
Monday, March 02, 2009 at 04:44 PM

I'm having to find that strength again. My energy is wiped out again after reconstructive surgery. I was starting to feel good again after completing all my treatments, and now, just like that my energy is zapped. That same zap that makes me think twice if I really need to get out of be to go to the bathroom. I do, obviously, because I have to, but recovery makes things that much harder. I really liked the Reiki expression you included. I'm going to hang it on my desk at work, where I need to find the strength most of all!

re: This came at the right time!
PJ Hamel
Monday, March 02, 2009 at 05:43 PM

JJ, reconstruction is HARD. It's a tough recovery. Cut yourself some
slack; be good to yourself. No guilt; how you feel is how you feel.
Try to move around as much as you're able, because the more you lie
still, the harder it is to eventually get going again. But don't
think "I should feel better," or "I must be a wimp." Not true. Do the best you can; go to bed; get up, and do the best you can again. Most important, just keep putting one foot in front of the other. You'll get there - back to feling good again. Time heals, it really does.... Good luck - PJH

Untitled Comment
Cressida
Friday, March 06, 2009 at 09:33 AM

Hi PJ

I know where my strength came from when I was going through mastectomy,chemo and rad. I had to summon it up from within myself but you were my first inspiration. You said to me 'One foot in front of the other' and that's exactly what I did. 8 months post chemo and rad treatment I'm still fighting to regain my strength as well as accept the loss of my breast. I hope I'll get back my strength and never have a recurrence of cancer.Thank you, PJ.

Cressida

re: Untitled Comment
PJ Hamel
Friday, March 06, 2009 at 01:32 PM

Thank YOU, Cressida. Think how far you've come in a year... You found the strength within yourself - I simply asked you to look for it. And now YOU are the inspiraiton for every woman who ever said, "I can't do this." Because you can. You did. As can we all. I know you'll continue to regain your strength (it takes a long time - see my post, The New Normal). But you'll get there. And believe that cancer will never return, because chances are that's true. Good luck - I'm sending you healing energy. PJH

It's as if you were reading my mind.....
Cristina Smith
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 12:13 PM

    I am scheduled for a C-Section on April 8th, 2 weeks earlier than my expected due date, so I can finally start the radiation treatment that has been delayed since I was diagnosed and underwent surgery during the 4th month of my pregnancy.

    As the time gets closer, I feel myself having more and more anxiety at the thought of starting radiation just 2 weeks after the C-Section. I lay awake at night and wonder how am I going to go through radiation and take care of a newborn??

    My last thought before drifting off is always the same, "I have to do it, I don't have a choice, I will get through it and I will celebrate Mother's Day this year and for many years to come" Determination is putting one foot in front of the other when you don't even realize you are doing it!

re: It's as if you were reading my mind.....
PJ Hamel
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 12:23 PM

Cristina, I'm continually in awe of you moms who have to deal with cancer AND a new life - your child. If it's any help to you, I went through radiation without a single problem (other than having to go every day). Have you checked into MammoSite or brachytherapy? Both offer radiation delivered in just a week's time, instead of 6 weeks. Don't know if this would be easier or harder on your schedule, but I'd ask the radiologist if it's an option. At any rate - I hope things go well for you, and I love your spirit. You're right, one foot in front of the other. You'll get there; you can do this. The very best of luck to you, Cristina. PJH