Finallly coming to about Reconstruction for me

I have been bitten by the cancer bug for the past 10 years. I have had 2 reoccurences , going thru chemo time and time again. I am know finally after 7 years deciding on going thru with reconstruction.
I was unable to with my first bout go straight to reconstruction. My doctors ordered me to go straight to chemo and radiation, and I felt a need to at the time take their direction. So I did.
After dealing with a double mastectomy, and the healing of that, I could only think of getting as far away from anything I could of had to do with cancer or hospitals or doctors etc. etc.etc.
Honestly, I was still married at the time and my husband did not seem to care which made it easier for me to decide to let it go for now. So I did.
Three years later and now after my second reoccurence I am looking at the possibility of getting new breasts finally, Reconstruction. I have to say there is so much to learn about the subject, and everyone is different, body type, etc. Even doctors have different ideas of how to do it depending on how your body is shaped.
I have very little skin on my left side, it is so tight due to surgery and scar tissue , and on my right side alot more skin, a little fat, so I would imagine it will be different.
I am not afraid of the surgery but a little anxious on how it may look in the end.
I will keep you posted on my research and when it all comes to fruition.
Keep posted for now, it is a whole new ballgame from here, a whole new world will open up I am sure.
Maureen

Your values change you -- and the world.

Maureen, I must say, you're really getting the hang of this blogging thing!

I loved your latest post, Ways to change your life. It reminded me of a clip from one of my favorite books by Stephanie Dowrick, Choosing Happiness: Life & Soul Essentials.

In a chapter on how to let your values and goals work for you, she includes the following reminders on how those values we choose to, well, value and act on change the world:

Whatever you wish there was more of, be that.

Whatever you want your relationships and friendships to be, be that.

Whatever you want the world to be, be that.

If you want there to be less fear and more love in the world, start with yourself.

If you want there to be less stress, anxiety, depression and tension in the world, start with yourself.

If you want the world to be a more peaceful place, fairer, more generous and compassionate, start with yourself.

The rest of the book is filled with more sage advice, in manageable chunks and doses. The author's website has a free excerpt [pdf] from the first chapter (which deals with trusting who you are).

Ironically, the book mirrors our developing exchange here. Sections are written as a conversation between two friends...something that you and I are going to be doing here, too. Cool, huh? But, I guess that means we're not so original, Maureen.

Lots of people are working to bring positive and productive, healthy and healing change alive -- in themselves, in others and the greater world we all share. Pretty cool, indeed.

Note: Change Alive has no material connection to the above product and has received no payment for this endorsement.

Ways to change your life

Now you may or may not be a selfish person at heart but the fact of the matter is that anxiety and depression can make you selfish or at the very least make you seem selfish to others. Do you spend a lot of time wrapped in your own thoughts? Are you consumed by the next possible anxiety related disaster? Then chances are that you’re struggling to get outside of yourself and maybe even having trouble in your personal relationships. However, even if this is the case you can make a change and not only preserve your relationships, but also improve your anxiety symptoms in the process.

Solutions

• Practice compassion.
• Get outside of yourself and literally get outside as well.
• Communicate positively by being open and not making everything about you or your own problems. But also don’t be afraid to say what kind of support you need.
• Live in the present. Future thinking and regrets about the past are counterproductive. Make time for loved ones.
• Make an effort to be with those you love in meaningful ways.