Most weeks, my writing process involves me going for a run, finding my inspiration and words for the week, and then recording them as promptly as I can. This week, however, we had a blizzard and since I was the only non-sick member of my family, I was the one who did the majority of the digging out. As I did so, I was fantasizing about owning a snow blower but knew that since we were still “digging out” of the financial hole cancer gave us, that was not likely going to happen. And bam- I had my inspiration for the week. The metaphor of “digging out” from the storm cancer (or any other life threatening circumstance) can create.
Let’s face it- facing a serious medical condition often involves a lot of drain, the draining of resources, time, health, stamina, and so forth. Many of us are blessed to have our family and community rally behind us during the period of acute crisis and active treatment, which is a blessing and helps keep the individual and their immediate family’s heads above water. When the crisis passes, hopefully you feel like things are eventually able to stabilize. During this phase, it is typically the immediate family that is working to keep its own head above water. Stabilization is important, but it’s not thriving.
For full recovery- financially, physically, emotionally, etc- we need to dig in in order to dig out. Dig into the emotions that you needed to suppress in order to make it through the health crisis. Dig out of the financial drain that the illness caused. And just like this recent blizzard was for myself, there are many parts of that journey that must be done on your own, because each of our experiences is unique to us- my cancer experience was different from my husband’s or my children’s or my friend’s and family’s.
It seems to be that each time I think I have dug out from a particular phase of recovery, a little reminder pops up to say- there is more work to do! Today’s reminder was a comment from my oldest son- asking about whether or not I might get cancer again. To honor the honesty he needs from me, I can’t promise him that I won’t, but I do take the opportunity to tell him all of the ways I am working to care for my health.
So you might ask yourself- what do I need to dig into or out of to help myself heal today? Find that question working it’s way into your body, mind, spirit or self. Grab a journal, a pencil or some of your favorite art supplies and let them speak to you on the paper. Give yourself the gift of time and space to breath some fresh air into those aspects of your healing that have felt buried. And if you find yourself stumbling, reach out for some guidance or give one of my individual sessions a try.
– Stephanie McLeod-Estevez, LCPC, is an art therapist and breast cancer survivor, who works as an oncology counselor at the Dempsey Center. She began Creative Transformations to help others who are healing from a life threatening illness or injury. Creative Transformations offers individual sessions, in person or via Skype, workshops, and this weekly blog. Sign up today so you never miss one by visiting our website, Creative Transformations, where you will also find the links to our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.