Christina's Story: Journaling Helped Me Look Back and Appreciate the Journey
Christina is a Breastcancer.org community member in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
On June 19, 2023, I became a five year thriver which is a huge milestone for people diagnosed with breast cancer. And I have two ways to look back on my experiences from diagnosis, surgery, hormone therapy, and now survivorship.
Immediately after my diagnosis, I contacted a friend and colleague who is now an eleven year thriver. She gave so generously of her time and experience, including a picture of herself with tissue expanders, incisions, and drains so I could be prepared for my much changed appearance, and I’m so grateful she did that. I began to create a visual record of my progress through treatment, including pictures of my own appearance after my bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders, my adjustment to having implants with fat grafting (for awhile I looked like Dolly Parton until my body reabsorbed some of that grafted fat), and my 3D nipple tattoos which helped me to fully accept my much transformed body.
A second procedure to document my progress is keeping a journal which enables the writer to record experiences and, most importantly, release emotions. Immediately after my diagnosis I wrote in my journal almost daily and now to celebrate my cancerversaries. When I pull these books off the bookshelf and reread my journal entries, I cry when I wrote about a day that was particularly difficult and during which I cried. There are entries which contain the names of my Cancer Angels, a group of family and friends who have supported me for five years and who will continue to be by my side. When I read entries in which I describe the strength my husband — also a cancer survivor — inspired by me, I cry happy tears. Overall my journal enables me to look back to see what I have endured and accomplished with the help of my medical team, my family, and my friends. My progress to now living my best life is amazing, and it makes me proud.
So I would encourage those diagnosed with breast cancer to take pictures and, if so inclined, to keep a journal. Both have helped me in innumerable ways, and they might help others, too.
