How Do I Allow Myself to Rest While Dealing with Illness?

My life radically changed 4 month’s ago when my biopsy came back which stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. At age 77, I pictured being in bed most of the time. How wrong I was. No mastectomy or surgery, the cancer had spread too far, but a couple of well-targeted pills a day and I’m walking 7000 steps a day, grocery shopping and staying active (with plenty of relaxation time in my recliner too.) My body gets the rest it needs to fight, but I get the activity I need to enjoy life. Hopefully you will find this kind of balance also.

You are so right. Keeping active and fit is essential. No bed during the day. Enjoy the spring flowers and sunshine

I have no problem staying active, just the opposite. I never stop till I fall out because I have always been the one who took care of everyone. I beat myself up because I no longer have the energy to do the dishes after a full day at work. I know I can't stop but I need to allow myself some grace.

Just do what you can. Listen to your body and when it’s says “take a break”…do it. I’m on treatment 15 of 16. I have not napped nor stopped moving. I did Pilates twice a week until my body said “no” about three weeks ago. Now I just do long walks. Keeping active helps, but also give yourself a break and rest when needed.

Angie M. So you didn't have to go thorough chemo? Or radiations? And you are enjoying life? I can't stand the thought of having poison pumped thru my vains and killing me from the inside out. I can't help but think that the Dr's in this country have been trained only one way.

Angie you are so right. They are trained with money on their minds. If my cancer comes back i will be taking Ivermectin. No more hospitals moms or chemicals to make you miserable. It is known to heal cancer, i take black seed oil, sour sop oil every day. Its all natural and has helped ne tremendously along with my faith in God . Im 77 and i will not go thru it again. I did 5 years and that is all I’m doing. I have read and researched enough to do it my way. With God by my side i will be fine.

We are fighting stage 4 HER2+. I pissed the dr off when I laid down the law, and my husband backed me. There will be no chemo! I have not spent the last 3 years in college learning alternative medicine to fall back into the money hungry, closed-minded treatment plans that they pass out like we are all the same make and model. I have started deep dives into different treatments that show high promise, and that is only after an hour of reaching.

When someone tells you *your Strong* * you Can beat this* do you ever want to cringe?

Yes i did , every day i went into be radiated. Then a year later i got a different kind of cancer in my other breast. I would not take chemo, you die of chemo, before you die of csncer. I listened to a pathologist who said every person he had worked on after death, died of chemo not the cancer. Everyone i knew who had cancer who took chemo died at least 6 mo later after a terrible 6 mo of their life. My sister fought colon cancer for 5 years, she was miserable, they slashed her open from here to yonder. It was a terrible way for her to die. The chemo was what killed her. I decided then and there, no chemo in my life. I dont want to scare you but its your body.

@Diana 👋I'm 67 i was dx 8/23 tnbc stage 2 grade 3 ..I chose to have DMX few lymph nodes had cancer but I skip the Chemo but agreed to 30 rounds of Radiation. I exercise 4-5 × a week.. my 2 year survival is coming up.. I have a few days that this cancer crap..Just takes over my mind.. I'm a Christian and I try my best to leave it in he's hands.. But it's like idk. I think will I ever have me again? Then wipe my tears away and carry on 🙂

Diana and Peggy thanks , it is good to hear others that have my same view. I have spent 15 years as a chef in Healthcare. I have seen MANY post chemo. That is just not for me. My support team ( hubby, dads, and bestie) all back me. Friday, we see where the dr stands. If he continues to force feed me his choice, then he is not right for me. What pissed me off the most was his first pro for chemo was, " With the new chemo, you more than likely will jot lose your hair." Like that is what is weighing heavy on my mind right now. Bitch please! At this point, anything but chemo.

I love God more than anything, he is first in my life, he has promised that he is always with me. They tried to tell me after 4 years of being on tamoxifen that the cancer had come back in my right breast again. I was scheduled for a biopsy, i had been praying fervently , every morning having my coffee with God , i told him im not going thru this again on the day of my biopsy, i told God I’m expecting you to do something today. I went back to bed slept 5 hours, had not done that in a long time. Went to the hospital got on the table , laid there for 30 min. I could hear their mumbles in the background. I said to the Dr. when is this gonna happen. She walked around to me and said not today, we cant find it, its not there. I set up and i said praise God he’s healed me. You see i know how the lady felt in the bible, when she was healed by touching Jesus garment. I walked out singing He touched me , oh the joy that fills my soul, something happened and now i know he touched me and made me whole.i give God the glory every day for what He has done and does for me. I cant ask him for anything more than his healing i claim it every day. Im going to be 78 soon and God has worked wonders in my life.Praise his precious name. for his healing. My faith is sufficient for what he has done for me. All we need to do is call on him! He answers!

Mother Mary has been holding me a lot the past year. I feel so incredibly blessed to feel her with me

My faith is a bit different than yours but I do know I have to release this to a higher power. I accept blessings from every deity of every belief.

Angie , Keep the faith! Prayers for all. I read the other day, more women have cone down with breast cancer since the covid shot. I believe, that shot was of the devil. But, less women are dying from it. So sonething good is happening in the cure.

Patricia. I was just diagnosed 6 months ago and I’m still in shock as I feel fine as well. I am 73 with mBC as well. I have taken up yoga and weight training. I am still leading a busy life and do stop to smell the roses once in awhile.

I want to die can’t get pain meds tired of fighting Walgreens CVS for my meds

No one cares no one helps my family ignores a disabled women! My god have mercy on their souls

Lisa: You are not alone and there are people who care about your well-being and want to help. Please contact your doctor or go to an urgent care clinic or emergency room. They can assess your symptoms and help find ways to relieve your pain. If you feel overwhelmed, please seek immediate help by calling a crisis hotline in your area. In the U.S., you can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which is available 24/7. They can offer support and connect you to resources.

Learning to rest when dealing with health challenges can feel incredibly difficult, especially for someone who's used to staying busy and taking care of everything. Many people in similar situations find that giving themselves permission to slow down and accept help is actually an important part of taking care of their health - and letting a supportive partner step in with household tasks can strengthen relationships while allowing energy to be saved for what matters most.