This annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month is one many other steps towards women’s health. More to it. Without doubt, it builds yet another layer of knowledge and awareness of life around you. You become more empowered by other women’s stories and experiences. The stories and experiences that we all share when we land a willing ear to consume, and learn, and live vicariously through somebody else’s joys and tribulations.
Stacey Aaron Domanico is the author of a book “Where Do You Spend Your Heartbeats.” The book is her journey through two bouts of breast cancer and mid-life crisis. Using Stacey’s words, that traumatic experience forced her to find the wheel to turn onto a different track made just for her. And it was exactly the time when her healing began.
I would like to share with you some of Stacey’s discoveries during her personal transformation process while going through disease and changing her internal mind sets. To me, these findings are some of the most precious nuggets of knowledge applicable to any life’s situation. Read on and comment with your opinions and reflections.
How To Be Your Own Health Advocate
You are the CEO of your body: How I advocated for my health
Nobody knows your body like you do. When something feels “off”, Trust yourself, trust your gut.
If you are told “it’s nothing,” and you believe differently (because nobody knows your body like you do), keep asking questions until you are satisfied. Go for second opinions if you need to. Call back as needed.
You have one body and one life. Nobody has ever had regrets over pushing and advocating for their health.
As CEO of your body, you are also responsible for what you put in it, who you surround yourself with and what you accept in your life. We have the power as CEO’s to keep our company/business/body healthy.
Using Time Wisely By Spending It With Intent
Viewing life as a bank account filled with heartbeats, and how to determine with whom and how you spend them
You only get so many heartbeats in this life. If you picture these beautiful heartbeats as you picture money in the bank, you can be very careful where to spend them.
In fact, this visual helps each person to put value to where she chooses to be. Is it worth taking these heartbeats out of your bank account? Is this a worthy transaction? Let the answer be your guide to a life full and well lived.
Finding Path For Healing From Trauma
How to find a path to healing when you’re going through a catastrophic situation or trauma
My mantra continues to be “This too shall pass, and in this moment, all is ok.” Because in the very present moment, all usually is ok. It is when we attach the “fear” and the “what if” rabbit hole that tends to get us in trouble.
In addition, I always ask myself “what can I learn from this situation?” It brings me out of the fear and allows me to have a bigger picture view of what I am learning from this situation.
Easier said than done, however, it is one of the most powerful questions I can ask myself. Maybe the question is “what changes do I need to make in my life?” And depending on the answer, the trauma can eventually become a life lesson and a gift.
I am very careful to call situations a gift at the moment, however, when I work with my clients, and I ask them about a previous challenge, we can always find growth out of the challenge.
Where Do You Spend Your Heartbeats Book
This book by Stacey Aaron Domanico is a powerful experience sharing. She tells you first-hand how she became a cheerleader in her own grim situation of going through breast cancer. And how she directed her thoughts to lift herself to manifest and live life she wanted for herself.
You can buy the book on Amazon as a Kindle or Paperback version HERE.
Check out some of the best products for women for breast cancer awareness month and beyond.
19 thoughts on “Breast Cancer Awareness: How To Advocate For Your Own Health”
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The most important thing to do is stick up for yourself. Research everything and talk with the doctor. Don’t be afraid to say something.
Indeed it’s VERY important to remember that there is not a doctor on earth that knows your body better than you. When something is off, and your provider says it “looks okay”, YOU know that something is wrong, something is different. If your doctor doesn’t get the point, get a different doctor ASAP!
It’s hard for everyone especially the one diagnosed to be able to adjust to the situation when you are given news such as breast cancer. That sounds like a great read and thanks for the share.
Angela,
Anybody could be left in stupor with such new.
The right resources and support are what make it possible to handle the situation with more peace, confidence, and energy.
This looks aware for sure and will have to check it out for myself 😉
Melissa,
This book is a beautiful gift to yourself and anybody else!
This book sounds amazing. I completely agree that one needs to be their own advocate for their health.
Renee,
For many it comes later than sooner. Really an awesome book to consider for reading. And gifting.
One does not have to be under stress and trauma to need to read the book. Many don’t have time for reading.
Being prepared and aware are the best support for any woman, and man, too.
I love this part “You only get so many heartbeats in this life”. We have to be very careful not to waste every single heartbeat we have left. Spend them wisely.
Natalie,
Raising the level of awareness of what’s happening in life is a huge plus of using your the heartbeats wiser.
This looks like a great and inspiring read. My bestfriend was just diagnosed with cancer and honestly, we are all a bit lost. It would be nice to gain perspective from someone who went through it. Thank you for sharing this.
Clarice,
Any diagnosis is not a candy. And when we have some support, tools to help us through it, let’s use them!
I would recommend the book for any woman to read.
The listening to your gut part is so hard. I realize how important it is to do so but I struggle and as soon as something feels off, I work at ignoring it instead of listening to it. I need to change that! Thanks for the inspiration.
Melissa,
It’s always hard to do something new or work through changing an old habit.
But when you feel something acknowledging that precious sense is already a powerful way to live. Thank you for sharing this with all of us.
Advocating for yourself is so important, especially when it comes to your health. I’d love to read that book too. Memoirs can be so powerful.
Monica,
I find reading books that fall back on the stories, experiences, memoirs very insightful.
And the book “Where Do You Spend Your Heartbeats” is one of these books.
It makes a good gift to yourself and any other person.
So many great tips. Living in the mountains, we don’t have a lot of options. I’m trying to find help with our local hospital for a test, since the doctors charge too much for me to be able to do it. Thank you for the info. Reminds me to give them a call.
Jamie,
Thank you for your feedback.
Living in the mountains has many beautiful advantages. And yes, disadvantages the population has to deal with, like adequate medical care.
And yes, it is a good thing that you are going to phone them up. Do it, GRL!