I never would have imagined, in a million years, that Breast Cancer would touch my life....my existence... ever, but it did.
I wrote Smiling Thru The Tears as a way to express myself, to reaffirm my faith, to solidify my feelings about God, and to rebuke Cancer. I was firmly grounded in God's love for me. I told Cancer how I felt, what I felt, when I feltand where I felt; I would not be silenced. I was in Cancer's face every opportunity I got. I told that bum Cancer I was going to expose it to the world.
I told everyone there is life after Breast Cancer. I told everyone that you are a coward Cancer. I told everyone that you are a liar, a common thief and a sadistic killer. I told everyone the secret to slow your advance; the secret of how to control you. Your secret is now public knowledge Cancer. People now know that you like to condition your victims; people now know you like to get into the recesses of your victims minds. You rule by fear; you advance because of intimidation. Yes Cancer- you are a bully. You are a punk.You thrive on the scared; you flourish on the physically and spiritually weak individuals. You have no mercy. You show no compassion. You have no remorse. You have no conscience.
Breast Cancer Survivors know that Mastectomy is not the end of your world, not the end of your sexuality, not the end of your femininity. Breast Cancer Survivors know that the rest of the world will see you the way you see yourself. So see yourself as mesmerizingly beautiful. You are beautiful so don't be afraid to look in the mirror. Don't be embarrassed to face folks. Don't build barriers.Barriers keep you in its grip and keep folks securely locked out. You become a prisoner to a monster of the barrier you created. The barrier becomes your Frankenstein.The monster you create out of fear and uncertainty. Become your own cheerleader. Lift yourself up daily. Make self-compliments a part of your daily routine- let it become your daily affirmation. It works. It did for me.
You are a child of God. Believe in yourself, and in the power of the GOd you serve. Your true beauty transcends the removal of your breast/ breasts. My advice - regardless of the odds keep a positive attitude. Know that you can and you will...you will succeed, you will overcome, you will transcend, you will achieve. Be confident in God's love for you . Once you are- it will show in your being, it will show in your posture , your glow, your attitude, your speech. You won't have to say a word to anyone. It will be obvious to everyone. If you do not act differently, then no one else will. Step out boldly on faith. Hold your head up, square those shoulders, walk tall, walk proudly. The world is your Oyster so go out an claim it. Go out an attain it; go out and achieve it. You have only to reach out and touch it and it will be yours. Success is at your fingertips.
Always see the opportunity in the situation. Keep your eyes on the prize; never lose focus. God never gives you more than you can carry. When the trial or the tribulation comes look beyond it. There is a golden ring of opportunity within the confines of this unfortunate circumstance. Look for it and use it to your benefit. Look beyond your own situation to the trials and tribulations of someone else; see how quickly your situation diminishes in size and importance. Stand on God's word. Visualize yourself healthy and vibrant. See victory in your circumstace. Know that when you are down to nothing that God is up to something. He is preparing you for greatness. God is getting you situated. You are full of the love of God and nothing that is not of God can exist in you. Repeat that to yourself everyday. The truth will set you free.
The truth has set me free. I am not saying to anyone that this is an easy battle...fighting Cancer. What I am saying is regardless of how difficult it gets hold on tightly to God, His word, His love , His promise. Give the situation to God. Some problems are bigger than us. Humble yourself, recognize the problems that are beyond your realm of expertise or control. Humble yourself and hand your situation over to God. Let go and let go; stop worrying about the problems, the health, the bills, the situation and pray, pray, pray. I asked perfect strangers to pray for me- The Con Ed rep, the Keyspan rep, The reps at the Collection Agency, the Nurses, the Doctors, whomever the spirit led me to ask. They are Christians too. They go to church; they pray. As long as I felt moved to do it, I did. I have been included on lots of prayer lists, and they weren't all necessarily done by people I know, or by friends of mine or my family members.
When you are in battle you need every able bodied man on duty. When you are on the battle field you need protection from the enemy. You need the best state of the art ammunition. Do not prolong the fight. You need power to overcome the enemy. You need God. You need His might. You need His guidance. You need His blessing. Whether or not you want to believe it, you must realize you are in a battle for you life. You are fighting a war against Cancer- the Dictator, the Murderer, the Invader, the Plunderer. I know of what I speak.
" I fought with Cancer..Yes.. I fought the fight." .
METAMORPHOSIS NEWSLETTER
a free monthly publcation
by a Breast Cancer Survivor for Cancer Survivors.
Publisher/ Author/ Motivational Speaker/ Editor
Pamela deLeon- Lewis
visit: www.choonkanz.simplenet.com
the new home of Metamorphosis Newsletter which has grown
tremendously since its debut in February 2005.
The readers of Metamorphosis Newsletter are mostly survivors,
friends, family, caregivers and supporters of cancer survivors.
Wonderful folks who read the newsletter every month and who
email me every month with positive feedback. I am thankful for all the supportive emails.
Metamorphosis came out of my desire to fill a need, to put a smile on the faces of folks that I came
to know and love through their support for me at a time when I felt lost and uncertain of myself
and my future. I wanted to give back in some small way, to keep a link of love and support strong
and continuous. I remember how much it meant for me to have a place to go where I could talk
to folks who understood exactly what I was feeling; folks who could reassure me because\
of their experience and knowledge about what I was experiencing. I was so unsure and afraid
at the time. Forming that bond meant an alliance that boosted my self confidence. It also
reinforced my desire to keep fighting harder. It was wonderful to be understood. It was great
to shed the fears and the aloneness. I was able to get validation from wonderful online friends in
the cancer chatrooms on aol...It was a place to go and compare notes, and get hope.
I learned to share and support and laugh. I got very valuable advice, and links, and jokes, in
some instances from folks who were terminal. You would not believe the spirit and the love,
the humor and fun. The comraderie. This was a specila breed of survivors.
I had the best times when we had virtual parties. There were nights when
we met at nights to pray for for friends who were succombing to the aggression
of cancer of one kind or another. Some were losing the battle but were very alive in spirit.
They were still supporting and getting support. It was a special bond..a club...
The Pink Ribbons Club...survivors in remission and surviors still fighting.
Many of these wonderful friends I made in the chatrooms have crossed over,
but their lives have not been forgotten. Metamorphosis Newletter celebrates the lives
of survivors- those here and those who have passed on.
I ask for your indulgence as I launch Metamorphosis Newsletter website.
I ask for your continued feedback. The emails with health and wellness articles and
links, jokes, and articles of interest, poetry submissions, recipes, cartoons etc.
author/writer/poet submissions-to be featured -On the BookShelf-
All are invited to submit.
A heartfelt- Thank You- to the readers of Metamorphosis Newsletter. Click to view:-
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