Resilience Trait 2: Resilient People Have a Realistic Awareness of Self
Read some of our survivor’s inspiring messages about how they identify with resilience. The words of encouragement and strength they provide offers a glimpse into the passion and hope they’ve used to approach their challenges.
I believe having an optimistic attitude is key to living a quality life and surviving!
Susan Kirshner
You never realize till you face a life and death situation how strong and resilient you are. Everyone who experiences it has a new perspective on life.
Wendy Cagigas
Surviving creates a person of strength and self-awareness, optimistic about the future.
Martha C Reinert
I was very lucky because I had Stage One breast cancer.
Susan Berman
There have been many bumps along the road on this journey but optimism and faith in God are critical in continuing the fight.
Rose Martin-Fuls
Wow. That’s a lot to fit into this space. I am still in treatment and a new survivor, and during this pandemic especially, social connections and self compassion have been extra important! But I believe resilient people need to be adaptable, and optimistic! Hope comes from optimism. All along I have made a conscious effort almost daily to be grateful for the good that has inevitably come along with the bad. There is so much fear in being a survivor, without self compassion, and optimism how do you get past it? But there is also an element of pragmatism….I have to be willing to accept and admit there is the hard stuff, but can’t dwell there. I am not sure I am getting my point across! I could literally go on and on. A huge part of my survivorship is also spreading love and smiles among everyone in my treatment center. I’ve been a fundraiser since losing my mom 20 years ago, and feel better DOING something about it…my own survivorship has been the same, with even more importance now.
Andrea Fishlock
I am so blessed and very fortunate. My husband had lost his job with our health benefits in October of 2017. I had a mammogram scheduled for May 2018. I planned on canceling because I have always been ‘normal’ and figured I would be fine. I consider myself a pretty healthy person. Thank God my husband started a new job in April 2018. My husband getting a new job literally saved my life. I was able to keep my mammogram appointment. This was when my cancer was discovered. Fortunately for me it was caught early. With my family’s love and support, I decided that cancer would be part of my life, not my life. I tried to live my life like I did before cancer. I was back at the gym the week after my surgery. I wanted to prove I was stronger than cancer. I was crazy! Sometimes I would have my daughter drop me off at my radiation treatments and I would run home which is just under 3 miles. Even with Covid I am trying to maintain a normal life doing everything socially distanced.
Carin Johnson
I’m optimistic that my cancer will never return.
Philomena Reph
I did a lot of research on breast cancer. I also kept a diary of my feelings and progress. Took one day at a time. Prayed a lot.
Cathy Kavounas
Optimism is vital along with adaptability.
Brenda Traa
I am a 2 time breast cancer survivor and have had to adapt to the changes in my body and stay optimistic that what my doctors have prescribed for me would help me beat breast cancer. A number of years later my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was afraid to tell me because of what she saw me go through. Through my compassion for her feelings I encouraged her to listen to the doctors and follow their advice. Her road to recovery was much more difficult because of her age which led to other medical problems. My strength and optimism helped her to fight as long as she could.
Kathy Bogart
When I got my diagnosis I was shocked but even more felt like I was resolved- I was going to beat this and not let it get me. This has been a motto for my life- God is faithful, He walks beside me, and through each of my struggles I grow and have become a better person.
Kim Warrington