During my first remission I began work on After Cancer, a book to help patients understand and respond in healthy ways to the medical, practical and emotional challenges of recovery and long-term survivorship. The subtitle was Your Guide Back to Normal.
But as I struggled with my own aftereffects and then recurrences, I realized my original approach wasn't going to work well for me.
"A" Guide -- and not "the" guide -- because each patient forges his or her own unique path through recovery.
"New normal" because striving to reclaim your "old normal" is an exercise in defeat for patients like me, who must integrate unwanted changes and losses into everyday life if we hope to find happiness. Even if you can enjoy a complete physical recovery, facing your mortality can change your perception of the world -- and thus change your priorities, relationships and hopes.
Recently I responded to a call for authors of The Red Room "to blog about self-reinvention. [W]hat deeper transformative goals are on our members' agendas this year."
I submitted "The New Me," a 467-word post now featured on their site that offers insights and tips, such as "[P]aradoxically, I encourage you to let go of the old you and hold onto it... you may need to remember who you were while reinventing yourself."
To read post, click here. Enjoy!
Great essay. I especially loved the ending: In fact, every day is an invitation to reinvent yourself. Whether you are considering minor tweaks or striving for a complete turnaround, learn from yesterday, find some happiness today and nourish hope for a better tomorrow.
Hope you have a wonderful 2012, Wendy. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us.
Posted by: Lisa | January 15, 2012 at 01:43 PM
Just read your post "The New Me" and your advice, as usual, hit home for me. I'm in remission from Stage IV lung cancer (after 5 years of chemo) and just finished 6 weeks (30 zaps) of radiation the end of October. I know I must adjust to my new "normal" - it's certainly a challenge, but I'm trying to view it as an opportunity also. I enjoy reading your posts - they give me hope and help me to stay positive. Thanks, Wendy!
Posted by: Pat Johnson | January 17, 2012 at 04:20 AM
Dear Pat,
Thank you for letting me know. It motivates me to explore and write as fast as I can. With hope, Wendy
Posted by: Wendy S. Harpham, MD | January 17, 2012 at 07:32 AM
Congratulations! Many new readers will learn about your advocacy work, lectures and books. Stepping into the Limelight. Love, Debby
Posted by: Debby | January 18, 2012 at 12:27 AM