Shelley learned to tell her colleagues when she was not feeling well so that colleagues would understand her mood changes.
Transcript
I’ve been very open at work with all of the treatments, with the reconstruction that I’ve undergone here recently. We have many, many jokes and laughs about different things but people care, they truly do care and when I’m not feeling right for whatever reason, whether it’s tiredness, a new surgery is coming up or medical appointments that impacts me. And even though it’s a 6 month check, that week before I’m on edge and I don’t anticipate anything wrong but you never know. I didn’t anticipate cancer in the first place and I let my staff know as I do with family and friend of my up-coming appointments: “I’m sorry if I’m on edge I’m going to say sorry now in case I snap at you I don’t mean to,” they’re very good. I’m thankful, I’m so thankful to have relationships with not only my co-workers but my family to say “Yeah we know you’re maybe stressing a little bit more because of an upcoming appointment or test or whatever.” And they’ve been good, they’ve been good. Would I have asked for that in my previous life? I don’t know if I would have said to people “I’m not feeling good today leave me alone.” Or “I’m sorry.” I would have… I don’t know if I would have. I’ve had to learn to open up that side of my life through this to improve work relationships, to improve communication and to let them know where I’m at on a daily basis.
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- Positive effects on self – Shelley (2)Similarly, Shelley discovered that other family members were capable of doing housework and that taking better care of herself was actually better for everyone.
- Positive effects on self – ShelleyOnce Shelley opened up about her needs, so many people wanted to help that she and her family set up a blog in order to keep everyone in touch.
- Challenging emotions – ShelleyIt was difficult for Shelley to express certain worries or insecurities.
- Understanding the diagnosis – ShelleyEven though stage 3 scares Shelley but she also feels that there is too much emphasis on numbers. Shelley does the best she can so that she won't have any regrets.
- Testing and diagnosis – Shelley (2)It was difficult for Shelley's family to wait for the diagnosis. It took time to get answers.
- Testing and diagnosis – ShelleyShelley asked for another test when her test came back benign.
- First symptoms – ShelleyShelley and a friend both felt a burning sensation when she was doing Reiki on her friend.