So there you are, by yourself because you really didn’t think it would be a big deal, and your specialist tells you, «I’m as sure as I can be without a biopsy that you have thyroid cancer.»В «Excuse me?» you say, but you say it quietly in your mind because your mouth isn’t ready to make words yet.В He looks apologetic and rambles on for awhile about odds and figures and testing and how simple the surgery is, etc all the while the word «cancer» is ricocheting through your brain like a stray bullet in Hell’s Canyon.В He hands you a shiny pamphlet and shuffles you toward the surgery scheduler who blah blahs for a minute about what to do and what times are available for a biopsy and in a sort of haze, you agree to something then walk outside.
At this point, you’re sitting in your truck with entirely too many thoughts clamoring for attention and this, my friend, is the point where this guide will begin to come in handy.В Instead of trying to sift through all those thoughts to find the most important one, let me help, because I was there just a couple of weeks ago so I’m practically a «You Might Have Cancer-ologist!»
Step One: Go Buy Something.
Preferably something you don’t need, that looks great on you or makes you feel wonderful.В I chose lip gloss, eyeshadow, a sundress and a peacock print bikini.В : ) В В It wasn’t terribly expensive, but I was ridiculously pleased with my purchases and by the time I was finished meandering around various stores for an hour or so, I was much more calm and collected.В While I wandered, I called my parents, my brothers and my husband to tell them the news, which was nice because it gave us all time to get used to the idea before I came home.В Further, when I got home, instead of sitting around and lamenting my possible future, I got to do a fashion show in the living room.
In life, attitude really is everything whether you might have cancer or not.В Buying something frivolous is a treat, just for you, a little gift to yourself to say, «Self, I love you and not only are we going to get through this, but we’re going to look fabulous while we’re at it.»
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MY COUSIN IS SLEEPING WITH MY WIFE в
