In the trend of sharing excellent overviews of this world we find ourselves in, I found that this reported voice, struck me as exactly how I feel. From Princess Kate in the UK:
"You put on a brave face during treatment, but the real struggle begins after" She was speaking about her experience with chemotherapy ( and large abdominal surgery. Her diagnosis has never been revealed, but her treatments certainly seem to follow our experiences )
"Once the treatments stop, the world expects you to bounce back. To smile. To go back to "normal". But the truth is that "normal" no longer exists. What follows is a deep emotional rollercoaster. The medical team is no longer by your side every day. The adrenaline of survival fades.
The exhaustion lingers. And you are left navigating a new version of yourself - physically, emotionally, mentally.
"It's a much harder process than I ever imagined."
This isn't just a story of resilience. It's a reminder: healing takes time. Not just the body, but the soul.
So, if you are in the space after the storm. Don't rush the calm.
Let it come slowly, gently - with grace.
And above all, don't expect to be who you were before.
You're becoming someone even stronger.
This is a woman who faces intense scrutiny and expectations to show up, look great, smile and support everyone else.
Any of you who have young children, are in a tougher balancing act than I face at 73, with grown children.
My heart goes out to all of you.
Her reflections, however, describe where I am right now. Everyone reflects that I " look great" and are so glad it's over. Meanwhile I navigate this new "normal" with it's challenges, changes and fears. Wouldn't it be lovely to turn back the clock to when cancer was something you never thought would happen to you. That healthy, active, busy woman you used to be.
Onward, my wonderful Warriors.....