One Excellent Thing Breast Cancer has Taught Me

It’s not very easy to find the good in having had breast cancer. But, there is one excellent thing breast cancer has taught me.

You are never too old to change or try something new.

My breast cancer diagnosis resulted in my loss of employment. This loss greatly impacted our finances. It forced us to move from our beloved Floral Park neighborhood to a more affordable area on Long Island. (I am still angry about this.)

The size of our house shrunk significantly, as did our “things,” since there was no place to put them. I learned the art of purging. While it felt awful at the time, it became pretty freeing once I came to grips with it.

My Outwitting Life mantra started to emerge. I had to figure out how to best deal with the changes in my life. Thank goodness for the internet. It became my go-to resource for everything.

Outwitting Life

It is comical to me that I use the internet daily. Especially since I am no longer working in a corporate environment.

My first few jobs involved inter-office mailing envelopes. Does anybody remember them? There was no internet. You typed a memo, printed it, and physically placed it in an envelope that would get delivered the following day via the internal mailroom. How archaic!

Can you imagine having to wait days for someone to answer an email? In today’s world, it’s typically minutes. Okay, so I showed my age in the previous paragraph; and that’s the point!

After my cancer treatments, I lost my identity. I had no idea who I was without having a career. I became socially awkward when previously I would “own a room.” I didn’t want to go anywhere or do anything. I was satisfied enough to be alive.

Thank the Lord, that was just a phase! I seriously used to think I was too old to wear trendy clothes, spike my hair, or put on makeup. Truthfully, the only real option I had was to spike my hair when it was first growing back. It made me feel self-conscious for a long time.

When I was younger, I never mastered the art of makeup. Sure, I would wear lipstick and mascara, but that was about as daring as I would go. And, I never blazed any fashion path either. I suppose I dressed appropriately for my age, but I certainly wasn’t stylish or trendy.

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Look Good, Feel Better

The American Cancer Society has a free program where they teach you how to apply makeup. Finally, at the age of 57, I was taught how to put on makeup effectively. They showed me the importance of eyebrows and lipstick. Their motto is “Look good, feel better.” Surprisingly, they were right!

Like a good student, I started wearing makeup. I also found a few influencer websites and purchased some trendy clothes. It turns out I like wearing dresses. My wardrobe has changed, and I love it!

I bought a blow dryer last week. I threw mine out during treatment (when I lost my hair). It was a rebel, angry move. Now, 4.5 years later, I do not need to keep spiking it. Admittedly, it is fragile; however, I am grateful to have enough hair to style again.

So, I have learned to apply makeup, find trendy clothes that fit well, and style my hair while approaching retirement age. I am learning something new every day!

Had I not gotten breast cancer, I would most likely still be working in technology sales. How boring!

New Things I Do Now

• Participate in Clubhouse meetings centered on faith, social media, current events, and manifestation.
• Manage my website https://outwittinglife.com and an Instagram Account http://@lrederscheid.instagram.com
• Network with other website writers
• Take on-line social media classes
• Do home decor projects
• Visit with a friend’s housebound mother

My life has become so much richer after having had breast cancer. That’s not to say it hasn’t been very hard at times, as you know from previous posts. I still have good days and bad days, but I am constantly changing and learning something new.

I wish I didn’t wait for breast cancer to strike to pivot into these other areas. Please don’t be like me. Look at the resources around you and imbibe in a few of them. It doesn’t matter what age you are. As Nike says, “just do it.”

In the comment section below, would you kindly let me know if anything I’ve written resonates with you? Have you made any recent changes to your life? Were they forced due to illness or tragedy? Please tell me; I love hearing from my readers.

P.S. Please do not forget to thank a Veteran this week! https://www.outwittinglife.com/why-you-should-thank-a-veteran-today/