I love that you finished off on such a postitive one. I also think it's worth noting what an achievement it was for you not to be self conscious about it all. We can get very caught up in our head about our appearance and difficulties, as we are constantly seeing them or struggling (and trying to eat is a pretty regular thing each day). So the fact that you kept it in perspective (that it was a work in progress, to be remedied) is telling about the strength of your mindset.
I think you should think about how much your attitude helped with recovery and progress. #WWWHimsy
Thank you so much M. It is always helpful to have an 'outsider's' perspective and you've been reading and viewing this oral cancer thing of mine for a long time.
I definitely intended this post to be a more positive one because it had a positive outcome.
I just needed, as I have mentioned before, to ensure I both acknowledged and accepted, the ways in which my body (and mind) were changed by the surgeries and reconstructions.
Today I felt my inner confidence return again by sharing the story of some of this with my hairdresser who marvelled at the surgeries and what the outcomes were.
Wow, such a huge physical, emotional and psychological journey Denyse and I take my hat off to you for coming through it to offer us your beautiful smile. It's very courageous to dig deep to explore the trauma we've held, but there's something that drives us to understand and hopefully let it go so we can feel a sense of lightness in our heart ❤️ x
Thanks so much K. I had wanted to make this post one of gratitude for my life and how well those people looking after me did with my mouth reconstruction too.
I got a lot of my inner confidence back post operatively because I now longer had to deal with the previous 18 months of uncertainty about 'what was wrong in my mouth'.
I am slowly regaining inner strength after the emotional exhaustion and am learning to be patient but also no longer to be fully healed before I get out and about again.
I am doing well and your words are so genuine and supportive I treasure them
Hi Denyse, you're such a courageous woman with all you've been through and how you've recorded it over time. It's good to look back and see how far you've come, but your positive attitude and trust in your doctors and help of your family have been beneficial in many ways. I'm in awe of you!
Thank you Deb. It’s been quite the ride alright! I know there were days it was very hard but there were many more where I did get to practise gratitude & learn how I could DO hard things. It’s been part of recovering after acknowledging the trauma that I’ve needed to write about it. And as the anniversaries go, this is it. I am touched by your kind words and know that you understand adversity well and what it teaches us. I’m looking forward to a more peaceful life as I continue to make a good recovery! But of course it’s not a smooth event either! Your support and care are always appreciated. Denyse x
Hi Denyse It’s quite a journey you’ve been on and it never fails to amaze me where you are now compared to after the surgery. The whole experience must have been hugely stressful for you. I know from reading your posts over the years that it’s been a mental journey for you as well as physical. Your strength and resilience are awe inspiring
Thank you Jennifer. There were 'moments' when it all seem so hard...but as I used to do, and still try to...you get back on the 'horse' right?
I have always had a great encourager in B.
I also learned a lot about myself during this time. It's been harder though to go through what I am now, or as I hope recovering from it, because there was/is much more than "just" the cancer story I am/have been grieving. Allowing it in has been hard in some ways but the body won't let us forget as they say.
I so appreciate the ways in which people like you, on line friends and bloggers, encourage and support me.
Hi Denyse, it's been quite the journey for you! You've overcome a lot and I know that looking back you must wonder how you did it. The older I've become and the more things I've had to go through I've learnt that we can amaze ourselves with resilience and courage we didn't even know we had when we need it, and you sure have spades of both. I hope that looking back over this phase of your life and recording it in this way will help you to move forward into a lighter and more joyful time in your life. Thank you for sharing with us at #WWWhimsy xo
Thanks Min, in your kind and thoughtful comment I do see the story even more clearly. There is no doubt however, that I have needed to write about the time in my life to help me through the emotional exhaustion.
I do know we can surprise ourselves at times with resilience and courage..but yet there can be a cost over time, as I found.
Hi Denyse - it's so good that you can look back at both the hard work and the great results that came from it. Our modern medicine is close to miraculous - but I think the patient plays a big role too....being positive, patient with the process, and proactive in your recovery would have definitely helped with your healing process.
Thank you Leanne. You've been following this story since it began I think. Your perspective is right, recovery is a two way event. I am very grateful indeed.
I love that you finished off on such a postitive one. I also think it's worth noting what an achievement it was for you not to be self conscious about it all. We can get very caught up in our head about our appearance and difficulties, as we are constantly seeing them or struggling (and trying to eat is a pretty regular thing each day). So the fact that you kept it in perspective (that it was a work in progress, to be remedied) is telling about the strength of your mindset.
I think you should think about how much your attitude helped with recovery and progress. #WWWHimsy
Thank you so much M. It is always helpful to have an 'outsider's' perspective and you've been reading and viewing this oral cancer thing of mine for a long time.
I definitely intended this post to be a more positive one because it had a positive outcome.
I just needed, as I have mentioned before, to ensure I both acknowledged and accepted, the ways in which my body (and mind) were changed by the surgeries and reconstructions.
Today I felt my inner confidence return again by sharing the story of some of this with my hairdresser who marvelled at the surgeries and what the outcomes were.
Thanks for being here and helping me through.
Take care,
Denyse x
Wow, such a huge physical, emotional and psychological journey Denyse and I take my hat off to you for coming through it to offer us your beautiful smile. It's very courageous to dig deep to explore the trauma we've held, but there's something that drives us to understand and hopefully let it go so we can feel a sense of lightness in our heart ❤️ x
Thanks so much K. I had wanted to make this post one of gratitude for my life and how well those people looking after me did with my mouth reconstruction too.
I got a lot of my inner confidence back post operatively because I now longer had to deal with the previous 18 months of uncertainty about 'what was wrong in my mouth'.
I am slowly regaining inner strength after the emotional exhaustion and am learning to be patient but also no longer to be fully healed before I get out and about again.
I am doing well and your words are so genuine and supportive I treasure them
Take care,
Denyse x
Hi Denyse, you're such a courageous woman with all you've been through and how you've recorded it over time. It's good to look back and see how far you've come, but your positive attitude and trust in your doctors and help of your family have been beneficial in many ways. I'm in awe of you!
deb #Teamwwwhimsy
Thank you Deb. It’s been quite the ride alright! I know there were days it was very hard but there were many more where I did get to practise gratitude & learn how I could DO hard things. It’s been part of recovering after acknowledging the trauma that I’ve needed to write about it. And as the anniversaries go, this is it. I am touched by your kind words and know that you understand adversity well and what it teaches us. I’m looking forward to a more peaceful life as I continue to make a good recovery! But of course it’s not a smooth event either! Your support and care are always appreciated. Denyse x
Hi Denyse It’s quite a journey you’ve been on and it never fails to amaze me where you are now compared to after the surgery. The whole experience must have been hugely stressful for you. I know from reading your posts over the years that it’s been a mental journey for you as well as physical. Your strength and resilience are awe inspiring
Thank you Jennifer. There were 'moments' when it all seem so hard...but as I used to do, and still try to...you get back on the 'horse' right?
I have always had a great encourager in B.
I also learned a lot about myself during this time. It's been harder though to go through what I am now, or as I hope recovering from it, because there was/is much more than "just" the cancer story I am/have been grieving. Allowing it in has been hard in some ways but the body won't let us forget as they say.
I so appreciate the ways in which people like you, on line friends and bloggers, encourage and support me.
Thank you again,
Denyse x
Hi Denyse, it's been quite the journey for you! You've overcome a lot and I know that looking back you must wonder how you did it. The older I've become and the more things I've had to go through I've learnt that we can amaze ourselves with resilience and courage we didn't even know we had when we need it, and you sure have spades of both. I hope that looking back over this phase of your life and recording it in this way will help you to move forward into a lighter and more joyful time in your life. Thank you for sharing with us at #WWWhimsy xo
Thanks Min, in your kind and thoughtful comment I do see the story even more clearly. There is no doubt however, that I have needed to write about the time in my life to help me through the emotional exhaustion.
I do know we can surprise ourselves at times with resilience and courage..but yet there can be a cost over time, as I found.
Take care, thanks for the link up.
Denyse x
Hi Denyse - it's so good that you can look back at both the hard work and the great results that came from it. Our modern medicine is close to miraculous - but I think the patient plays a big role too....being positive, patient with the process, and proactive in your recovery would have definitely helped with your healing process.
Thank you Leanne. You've been following this story since it began I think. Your perspective is right, recovery is a two way event. I am very grateful indeed.
And now, I need to find some new topics!!
Take care,
Denyse x