POSITIVE THOUGHTS

 

On my way to bed last night, I thought perhaps I should think of some positive aspects of being 'set aside' in this time of recuperation. So, today I came up with this list. I'm sure I will think of more as time goes on. If you think of any, please let me know.

Positive things that happen to one who is recovering from a mastectomy:

1. You get to stay in pajamas all day and no one cares, not even you. You wear them until you decide you want to wear clothes again, and it's OK.
   
2. You can lie down or sit in a chair all day, every day, and you don't feel guilty – and no one judges you for being lazy.
   
3. Relax – and feel the difference – Yes, quite a difference from my previous pace.
   
4. There is no "what next?" other than, "I must have lunch or dinner," or "I must have a shower," or "I must stretch out in the chair and have a nap," or "I must read," or "I must watch TV," or "I must go to bed now."
   
5. People wait on you – you feel like a queen or a celebrity, you're not sure which.
   
6. You receive many wonderful cards, emails, flowers and gifts.
   
7. You build up your stash of chocolate for those cold winter nights.
   
8. You realize how wonderful your family is (especially your daughter and mother who clean your house and tend to your needs).
   
9. You realize the value of friendship and how your friends wait on you, too (and encourage you, of course).
   
10. You have time to think of others and pray for them.
    
11. You can watch old movies and appreciate movies from your youth, like "Charlie Brown's Christmas" and "Rudolph."
    
12. You have time to write.
    
13. You have time to register for fly-fishing retreats for breast cancer survivors, an elite group of which I am now a member.
    
14. You can research new ideas and stay as long as you like on a topic.
    
15. Your house gets cleaned (even your oven), and you didn't lift a finger.
    
16. Your laundry room gets decluttered by your mother, whom you tell you will 'love forever' after she offers to clean it for you.
    
17. You decide you want the energy of your mother when you get to be her age (not that she's old, because she isn't), and vow to keep yourself healthy like she is.
    
18. Your good friend D. goes to the deep woods and gathers branches and makes a Christmas arrangement for your verandah, and buys you the word "Angel" at the Dollar Store.
    
19. You can dance to "Dancing Queen" by Abba (albeit a limited dance due to your limited ability), and perform it for your friends. (It is on video, for limited release only. Send your requests to view via email). You keep the Abba CD playing all day long, as it takes you back to the time when you really were a dancing queen and could really dance.
    
20. You can listen to great music all day and do nothing but listen. Music that brings back memories of your teenage years when you were carefree and full of hope for the future.
    
21. You can watch your friends dance to "Dancing Queen" and see your daughter imitate your dancing (the 'Mom' dance, she calls it).
    
22. You receive beautiful new work-out clothing and bath stuff from your ministry partners.
    
23. You eat wonderful meals and never make a one of them.
    
24. You realize that playing the guitar may just become a whole lot easier.
    
25. You recognize that you have just completed one week of recuperation, and you feel better than you did one week ago.
    

Enough? Yes, enough for now.

Deb

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