A new journey…
I was in recovery from my ten -year marriage to misery, and just able to stand back up straight after the effects of my poor choice for the antidote: an inebriating, unhealthy online ‘relationship’.
I was finished with poor choices. I was ready to let go of negativity. I confidently embraced the life ahead of me.
Then I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
I thank God every day that I was on the other side of these ordeals before I had to begin this new fight. Stress can damage our systems and leave us unarmed. It can steal our soul and destroy hope.
The National Cancer Institute tells us that that although “psychological stress alone has not been found to cause cancer…psychological stress that lasts a long time may affect a person’s overall health and ability to cope with cancer.
If I had not divorced my husband when I did, I probably never would have. I worry about those who are stuck — diagnosed before they have a chance to break free of a bad situation.
I had bad days through chemotherapy, but I could smile. I could breathe. I could rest when I needed to rest, and take care of myself however I felt best. I could focus on getting better without having to also field the insults, rejection and daily degradation of an emotionally bankrupt man.
For that I am fortunate.
Loving 
Although the medical community won’t come right out and say it, I believe that long-term, chronic stress can, in fact, encourage dormant cancer cells to come alive. I just wrote a post about this the other day. That’s why I focus on healing the whole body, along with the mind, when recovering from abusive relationships. The stress and trauma of mental abuse pours out into our bodies and damages our DNA…
My sister is a cancer survivor. She is in complete remission, so never give up hope 🙂