After painful chemotherapy treatments or cancer removal surgery, a breast cancer survivor still has to battle the process of recovering from the cancer. The recovery process is different for each woman, or man, affected with breast cancer and depends upon the extent to which the cancer spread, how large or how numerous the tumors were and what steps were taken to remove the cancer. Through the recovery process the largest battle the breast cancer survivor will face is dealing with low self-esteem.
Instructions
1. Begin as soon as the cancer treatments or surgery is over, to keep a journal of your thoughts regarding your surgery and your new image. Record a list of the things that have you upset and feeling unattractive and also record a list of the things you are grateful for now that the surgery is over.
2. Share your journal with a close friend, perhaps a friend who has also battled breast cancer. Share your thoughts, your sadness, your thankfulness and allow your friend to share with you, to commend you, to reassure you.
3. Ask advice from your friends on how they would deal with their new self-image, their new loss of confidence and record these things in your journal as well so that you may read over them when you are feeling especially down. Keep a close friend on call at all hours for times when you need to talk about the things that have you upset.
4. Talk to your significant other, and expect them to listen and respect you. Tell them about how you are worried that they have lost some of their desire for you. Don't be afraid to cry and share all of the bad feelings you have been experiencing.
5. Take a friend with you on a shopping spree and ask them to assist you in finding clothing that you feel comfortable in as well as clothing that makes you feel especially attractive. Reassurance from your friends about your looks will help your recovery. Record every compliment you receive, reading over these when you're upset will help bring you into higher spirits.
6. Remember that your bad feelings of low self-esteem will not last forever. Recognize that there are ways to bring your appearance back to the way it used to look. Begin to wear a prosthetic bra to make your chest size appear as it used to. Surround yourself by positive, encouraging people.
Tags: breast cancer, breast cancer survivor, cancer survivor, close friend, clothing that, from your
