By Beverly Nelson Aging when you are surrounded by relatives and loved ones is hard enough. But when you have no one to turn to for assistance with everyday challenges, it can be especially difficult. That’s why we put together this list of information and resources for those who want to help seniors in their communities live safer, happier, more fulfilling lives: Financial DecisionsMany seniors have no retirement savings and are living on a fixed income. Nonetheless, it is possible to thrive under such circumstances. When helping a senior who is struggling financially, take a close look at their monthly budget with them and see where they can reduce expenses, whether it’s housing, transportation, dining out, and so on. If...
By Cat Phillips
In 2010 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and then breast cancer in 2011. I went through chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, as well as holistic and integrative treatments. The lymphoma quickly healed, but breast cancer continued to haunt me. I experienced several recurrences which resulted in excessive surgeries, treatments and cosmetic procedures.
I’ll never be able to replace what has been lost, but I have made new connections, built relationships, taken risks, listened more to my needs and taken time for myself. Loss is tough, but since moving past the denial, anger and depression (with a little help from therapy and medication), I have gotten to enjoy an amazing life that I have been blessed with each day.
So I Found Lump…
At the beginning of February this year whilst lying on the bed watching a bit of telly after work, I found a lump. Not sure why I even checked, but I must have felt uncomfortable. I was rubbing along the bottom of my breast, close to my ribs, where the underwired bit goes on your bra. It was not a big lump, and to be honest I had to check a few times. Then began this ridiculous back and forth from one breast to the other to see if I could feel the same on the other side, I could not.
People think that your life just goes back to normal or you pick up where you left off once you’ve finished treatment. You might think this too, because this is the part no one warns you about. No one prepares you for the stark reality of survivorship. So, you have absolutely no idea what you are doing and are just trying to figure it out as you go. This is a lonely place to be.
