Cancer

Create a new post for topic
Join the Conversation on
Cancer
184K people
0 stories
9.3K posts
About Cancer Show topic details
Explore Our Newsletters
What's New in Cancer
All
Stories
Posts
Videos
Latest
Trending
Post
See full photo

The present moment

Please remember to give yourself permission to be exactly where you are in life. Whether things are as you want them to be or not, they will change. Rest in this space, where you are right now, and know that you can use every moment of your whole life as one big mental health exercise to practice being at peace with yourself. Does anyone practice keeping yourself in the present moment instead of letting thoughts drift you away? How do you do this?

The last mental health video response I made was about how to explain or justify your actions to others. If this sounds useful to you, you can check out the video here:

www.instagram.com/thomas_of_copenhagen

Otherwise, if you have any questions about mental health, please post in my group or comment below and I will make a video response specifically for you.

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

#MentalHealth #MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Addiction #dissociativedisorders #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Fibromyalgia #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PTSD #Cancer #RareDisease #Disability #Autism #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RheumatoidArthritis #Suicide #MightyTogether

Most common user reactions 2 reactions
Post

My personal perspective

I think I have a unique perspective I can provide, having suffered two severe illnesses, one generally considered a mental illness and one physical.

I’ve suffered from both Chronic Major Depressive Disorder & Breast Cancer. Both of which I still suffer from and take medications for daily. I’ve been through the wringer with both illnesses. I had 18 ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) treatments for depression but unfortunately the results didn’t last for me. I’ve tried every antidepressant there is and have even been hospitalized at one point.

With cancer I had a double mastectomy and 3 reconstructive surgeries… they basically took my body apart and rearranged it… the recoveries were an absolute nightmare I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I had 16 chemo treatments and 32 radiation treatments resulting in 3rd degree burns. And now am suffering from PTSD. In addition to all that I had to be alone for my DMX bc of the pandemic. Then I got long covid the week after I finished chemo which I was still suffering from when a hurricane paused my radiation treatments in the middle, and all of this happened during my 37th birthday.

But in case you were ever wondering which is worse… mental illness is 1000 times worse. And you receive 1000 times less support and sympathy.

So please stop stigmatizing your friends and family with mental illness and stop blaming them for their disease. You’re not encouraging them to do better, you’re telling them they’re not good enough.

Most common user reactions 9 reactions 5 comments
Post
See full photo

How to explain or justify your actions to others.

Hey everyone, my latest mental health video is about how to explain or justify your actions to others. If this sounds useful to you, check it out here:

www.instagram.com/thomas_of_copenhagen

Also, if you have any questions about mental health, please comment below, and I will make a video response just for you.

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

#MentalHealth #MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Addiction #dissociativedisorders #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Fibromyalgia #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PTSD #Cancer #RareDisease #Disability #Autism #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RheumatoidArthritis #Suicide #MightyTogether

Most common user reactions 16 reactions 7 comments
Post
See full photo

The Sound of Silence, the beginning and end.

A recent article that I read, compelled me to share my story. As an introvert child, I recall so vividly how I always avoided attention from others, and that included being engaged in activities as well as conversation. Hiding ME, to not allow anyone to know the real me. As young as I can remember, as a small child, I remember my parents saying (in a joking manner) “I wish you would shut up”; and as a child I would simply look up and just smile. I would respect others who ask me a question by giving them an answer, but my answer would be very basic. I never gave more information than I needed to, to prevent further engagement. I recall during family gatherings, always sitting in a distance, while my siblings and elders were engaged with each other in conversation and/or chaotic-yet fun activities; watching, listening, studying their behaviors (body language, actions, tone of voice, attitude). Intuitively consuming the reality of who these people really are and how I relate to them…intellectual compatibility, which always lead me to feel very different from the rest. They were all very condescendingly open about who they are, so it wasn’t difficult to understand them. When I did speak, I felt like a display in a museum that others look at with confusion. Which often resulted in no response from them, crickets, then they’d turn away and continue the conversation with each other. Often times, I would get a hostile answer to a question, before I could even finish asking the question. I never felt completely included, only tolerated. I learned at a very early age that my voice fell on deaf ears…my needs, desires, thoughts, feelings, convictions (values and beliefs) didn’t resonate with them, didn’t phase them, and didn’t concern them; and that my silence would enable me to live among them with the peace that I created in my own world, despite the disconnect from those around me. Unless I was physically ill and they were able to visibly “see and confirm” my pain or discomfort, I have always been misunderstood. And today is no different regarding my family in particular.

Fast forward several decades later…with maturity, and self confidence, I gained a voice. And after a lot of trama - horrific experiences; I learned more about my family, including so so many deep, dark, secrets that goes back generations and ultimately destroyed our family as a whole and as individuals due to history that repeated itself. With that voice, I became aware of the importance of my own existence, and fiercely strived to influence my family with my convictions, to shake them into reality. I discovered that anything that regarded “them personally” created toxic conflict, and anything that regarded “me personally”, still fell on deaf ears. But more than anything else, the biggest lesson that I learned is that I wasn’t placed within this family to save “this family”. I was placed in this family to have certain experiences to be inspired to help save others, and in various ways. I learned that I am able to share myself with a few people who do care enough to “invest in me”; and for those who don’t, it’s in my best interests to remain silent.

Music has always been my go-to through the years when processing issues, and especially when I had very little support growing up. I always turn to the song “The Sound of Silence”, and I particularly love the cover by the band called “Disturbed” because it is sung with such passion, and instrumentally it depicts the darkness from which the message is expressing, and I feel the emotions of that message with every fiber of my being! It’s regarding the inability to communicate. Quoting part of the song…“People who talk without speaking…people who hears without listening…people writing songs that voices never shared…and no one dared disturb the sound of silence…Like a cancer, silence grows…But my words, like silent raindrops fell, and echoed in the wells of silence.” Discribed my experience with my family.

Thanks for reading my story. I hope this helps others who have struggled to effectively communicate with certain individuals. To know that there are a few who do know you deep down, who do care about you deep down, who you can be yourself around them, you can tell them your deepest thoughts and feelings, at the very least on Mighty! Finding even one, is better than walking alone. If you haven’t yet found that person, stay hopeful, and keep searching, they are out there. #MightyTogether #Depression #Loneliness #Anxiety

(edited)
Most common user reactionsMost common user reactions 17 reactions 12 comments
Post

Never give up HOPE & always search within

Multiple mental & physical "DIFFERENCE'S"#Depression , #CPTSD , #Cancer , #immune deficiency, #bothtotalkneereplacements , #lower back5--discsreplaced, #bonegraph , #rods onbothsidesofspine, #HeartAttack , #platesover eachhip, #AnxietyDisorder , #PanicAttacks , #Celiac , #ChronicMyeloidLeukemia , #coloncancd So you learn to live with yourself, & only share with those who are comfortable talking to you & listening to you. Otherwise, let them go !! I'm at peace within, but on the tough days, I share with one's that CARE !! SIMPLE...YET NOT !! BE AT PEACE WITHIN !! GIVE LOVE, expect nothing in return, & you will be GRATEFUL !! PEACE TO ALL

Most common user reactions 4 reactions 2 comments
Post
See full photo

New beginnings

Instead of dwelling on the past and wishing things had happened differently, remember that life tests us so we can grow. We can use what we know to make the best of where we are and what is yet to come. It's never too late to reinvent yourself or let go of a bad habit. Is anyone out there going to start a new beginning for themselves to further live their best life?

The last video I made was about how to get what you need in life. If this sounds useful to you, you can check out the video here:

www.instagram.com/thomas_of_copenhagen

Otherwise, if you have any questions about mental health, please post in my group or comment below and I will make a video response specifically for you.

~ Thanks to all. Thanks for all. ~

#MentalHealth #MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #BipolarDisorder #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Addiction #dissociativedisorders #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Fibromyalgia #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #PTSD #Cancer #RareDisease #Disability #Autism #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #RheumatoidArthritis #Suicide #MightyTogether

Most common user reactions 41 reactions 9 comments
Post
See full photo

So thankful to have This chosen family. I want each of you to know that I am Thankful for You. We all have a special connection that is very real.

If You don’t think you are special, then why would I make You this collage and on a holiday🤗

Extra appreciation for everyone that has been joining this group of mine, Yay🙌🙌🙌🙌 We’re growing!

“We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.”

“It’s the friends we meet along the way who help us appreciate the journey.”

Ok, so you all need some of my tools like right now 😊

These 3 powerful words Will
Always help you to come back to only the present moment:
“Be Here Now”

I can’t emphasize enough that The most powerful tool that you Always have for self-regulation of all of your emotions and for pulling some energy out of nowhere when you are fatigued and depleted is Conscious (Deliberate) Breathing.
And it is also about taking control of what's going on in our bodies. Being aware of our breath or our heart rate.

Let’s do some deliberate breathing together:

Think these simple & fun mindful words with me:
As you inhale “Breathe in the good”
As you exhale “Breathe out the bad”
Make it a deep and strong inhale and an even longer exhale

“Just Take Care Of Now.”
This is a short but very calming go-to sentence when you are overwhelmed and or running on empty, so out of gas.

This is my quick & empowering go-to statement as well to remind myself fast that I am not a mind reader and thoughts are not always facts…
“I choose to judge nothing that occurs.”
This in technical terms helps with -
—Nonjudgment of inner experience and
—-Nonreactivity to inner experience (Creating That Space/spaciousness of mind)

We will be talking about this and so much more in here in my group “Resilience and Mindfulness” so if you haven’t joined us yet - click that Join button and keep this group on your radar.

May this help your Thanksgiving day and everyday bring you Ease, Calm, Peace, and Balance.

#MentalHealth #WarmWishes #Mindfulness #MajorDepressiveDisorder #Depression #Anxiety #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder #ChronicFatigue #ChronicPain #Selfcare #Selfharm #Grief #SuicidalIdeation #SuicidalThoughts #SuicideAttemptSurvivors #Suicide #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDepression #MoodDisorders #BipolarDisorder #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #PTSD #Trauma #Agoraphobia #Cancers #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #Headache #Migraine #ADHD #Addiction #AnorexiaNervosa #EatingDisorders #Autism #RheumatoidArthritis #Disability #ChronicIllness #RareDisease #IfYouFeelHopeless #Cancer #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #dissociativedisorders #MightyTogether #DistractMe #CheckInWithMe #SocialAnxiety #Relationships

(edited)
Most common user reactions 10 reactions 5 comments
Post
See full photo

So thankful to have This chosen family. I want each of you to know that I am Thankful for You. We all have a special connection that is very real.

If You don’t think you are special, then why would I make You this collage and on a holiday🤗

Extra appreciation for everyone that has been joining this group of mine, Yay🙌🙌🙌🙌 We’re growing!

“We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.”

“It’s the friends we meet along the way who help us appreciate the journey.”

Ok, so you all need some of my tools like right now 😊

These 3 powerful words Will
Always help you to come back to only the present moment:
“Be Here Now”

I can’t emphasize enough that The most powerful tool that you Always have for self-regulation of all of your emotions and for pulling some energy out of nowhere when you are fatigued and depleted is Conscious (Deliberate) Breathing.
And it is also about taking control of what's going on in our bodies. Being aware of our breath or our heart rate.

Let’s do some deliberate breathing together:

Think these simple & fun mindful words with me:
As you inhale “Breathe in the good”
As you exhale “Breathe out the bad”
Make it a deep and strong inhale and an even longer exhale

“Just Take Care Of Now.”
This is a short but very calming go-to sentence when you are overwhelmed and or running on empty, so out of gas.

This is my quick & empowering go-to statement as well to remind myself fast that I am not a mind reader and thoughts are not always facts…
“I choose to judge nothing that occurs.”
This in technical terms helps with -
—Nonjudgment of inner experience and
—-Nonreactivity to inner experience (Creating That Space/spaciousness of mind)

We will be talking about this and so much more in here in my group “Resilience and Mindfulness” so if you haven’t joined us yet - click that Join button and keep this group on your radar.

May this help your Thanksgiving day and everyday bring you Ease, Calm, Peace, and Balance.

#MentalHealth #WarmWishes #Mindfulness #MajorDepressiveDisorder #Depression #Anxiety #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder #ChronicFatigue #ChronicPain #Selfcare #Selfharm #Grief #SuicidalIdeation #SuicidalThoughts #SuicideAttemptSurvivors #Suicide #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #BipolarDepression #MoodDisorders #BipolarDisorder #ComplexPosttraumaticStressDisorder #PTSD #Trauma #Agoraphobia #Cancers #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #Headache #Migraine #ADHD #Addiction #AnorexiaNervosa #EatingDisorders #Autism #RheumatoidArthritis #Disability #ChronicIllness #RareDisease #IfYouFeelHopeless #Cancer #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #dissociativedisorders #MightyTogether #DistractMe #CheckInWithMe #SocialAnxiety #Relationships

(edited)
Most common user reactions 10 reactions 5 comments