How do you maintain hope?
Maintaining hope is difficult, especially after receiving a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. Some of our community members shared how they maintain hope despite living with or caring for a loved one with a terminal illness. We encourage you to connect and share your own stories and experiences about hope. We want to know what keeps you optimistic.
Some of our members shared:
"One day at a time and my family."
"I was depressed and then I got great news I’m going to be a great-great grandma 👵🏼 and gave me the strength to go on, I want to meet my great-great baby!"
"I try not to focus on anything bad going on and concentrate on the good."
"I pray, a lot, and realize some things are beyond my control. I try to let go and let God."
"I have been on my cancer journey since 2013. I have MBC, it’s spread to my spine T 9, 10 & 11, in my lower back, right femur & recently to my liver. Most days I have a great since of hope. Which I attribute to my faith. Then other days it’s an uphill battle. I feel completely lucky to have my husband, daughter & son. I also have a handful of life long friends & new friends that I know pray endlessly for me. So I would say hang on your faith, family and friends."
"12 years of fighting the beast called MBC. My mantra is never, ever give up. Better to be the victor than the victim."
"My faith in God ❤️ because at the end of the day... I know he's got this 🤗🤗"
"I was diagnosed with stage IV Triple Positive in 2018. Belonging to an in-person women's cancer support group has helped me. You don't feel so alone and it makes me feel good to be able to support others in their fight. And...it is a fight. I gave it up to God but find I often have to remind myself that I did."
What would you add? How do you maintain hope? 💛
thank you so much. I love this community and feel we are all a family.
I miss my husband, Mark very much, but I have good days. A sunny day makes me smile and seeing a butterfly does the same. I try to stay positive because life is better that way. Thank you both, you Jessica and Patty for your kind words. I truly appreciate them.
it warms my heart knowing you feel the sense of family that our community is. I can imagine how much you miss your husband. My heart goes out to you. <3 It sounds like you have a real connection with the beauty of the world around and focus on trying to find said beauty. Please reach out anytime- we're always here for you. Hugs, Jessica, Team Member
I have been living with MBC since July 2004. My kids were young and they kept me busy and distracted. I would do as much as I could and viewed cancer as an unwanted house guest. I was an active advocate for myself, and maintained open communication with my oncologist.
I exercise as much as I can, when I can and try to focus on being grateful.
I pray a lot. I connect with family and friends.
"When the world says, "Give up." Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."
I joined a group of survivors who are very active in a team sport. I am busy with them attending promotions, raising money for cancer research, exercising, and competing as a team. I am suffering with MBC, but I push through it to keep having an amazing life.
It sounds like this group of people (and the team sport) keeps you busy, for sure! What type of sport is it? I am so glad to hear that you have that team and community. Thanks so much for commenting here and sharing how you maintain hope. Wishing you a gentle day. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
Hello Christine, The group is a dragon boat team - a breast cancer survivor group of women, the only group in this division, The Prairie Dragon Paddlers,
in Illinois. Not even Chicago has a boat in this division. Our season has just finished because of the weather, but we still meet to stay social or raise money for breast cancer research. Our group consists of all ages although half the group is older.
We race other states and just came home from Kentucky with a second place medal where we were taken out of our division and had to race men. When we came in after winning a race, a man in a competing boat was heard to say, " We just got beat by a bunch of old women!" I have about 8+ medals and have been racing since 2016. We practice twice a week in season at Homer Lake, a beautiful wild area in the countryside. A dragon boat is about 42 odd feet long with ten seats. Paddlers number 20 with 2 sharing a seat. We have a person up front with a drum and a steerer with a big oar at the other end. A Canadian doctor felt the paddling action is excellent for breast cancer survivors. I couldn't agree with him more! I can be in pain and within 3 paddles I feel good. In fact we are going to New Zealand next April to compete in the internationals for Breast Cancer Survivors that occurs every 4 years. So excited as I was born in NZ and will get to see family as well. In 2013/14 I received treatment for Stage III and went through it all. In 2020 I found out I have MBC. I really want some more time to get my life in order and at this stage I am doing well. I can celebrate a beautiful life where I have experienced many cultures and wonderful people. The breast cancer community is indeed an important part of my life-experience. Thank you for reading!Hi I just wanted to say that I too joined a breast cancer dragon boat team and have to agree my team members keep me going. They are the most fantastic group of people. I'm hooked. Good luck in NZ, our team is going as well but alas I joined to late and the teams were already filled. If you see the Dragon Divas Say hi they are very welcoming and a fun group. Have a great time and Paddles up!!!! oh that's so great! I love that you've also found a breast cancer dragon boat team that has been so helpful and wonderful in your support. Thanks so much for being a part of the community. Wishing you a gentle day. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
