10 Comments
User's avatar
Ellen Keesling's avatar

While my breast cancer journey was not the same as yours, I also blogged to process for myself and to share with others. Two years cancer free and I’m stepping in lots of opportunities to be an advocate, supporter, connector and fund raiser. Thank you for sharing your journey and helping us see what regrowth looks like. There really isn’t a return to normal for many of us. 💕

Expand full comment
Emma Vivian's avatar

Thank you so much! 🧡 I’m so glad you’re stepping into advocate roles, too! I’ve done a lot of that as well and it gave me so much purpose.

And you’re right… for many of us, there is no return to ‘normal’!

Expand full comment
Brenna's avatar

Your dog is so so so cute 🥰 love reading your story

Expand full comment
Emma Vivian's avatar

Aw, thanks, Brenna! He is very cute but very naughty. Both things bring me much joy :)

Expand full comment
Sheridan Cass's avatar

This is such a powerful post. Your experiences trying new things and enjoying them despite sometimes sucking is a fantastic life lesson everyone should learn. So many of us (myself included) miss out on amazing experiences because we think we're going to suck at it and embarrass ourselves or let someone else down. When the most important thing is really to just experience life.

Expand full comment
Emma Vivian's avatar

Thank you, Sheridan! You’re absolutely right. I should say that I needed a lot of encouragement to try these things. I used to have the mindset you’re talking about… that I’d embarrass myself or not be good enough. I’m so glad that my husband and friends encouraged me, though, because, as you said, I had fun even when I sucked! It’s been a huge lesson to me that sometimes fear ought not be listed to :)

Expand full comment
Sheridan Cass's avatar

YES the fear of embarrassing yourself can have such a big impact on our lives. It creates avoidance and stops us from even trying. We all need people in our lives who can encourage us through that potential embarrassment and make it less frightening 🙌

Expand full comment
Emma Vivian's avatar

I am fortunate to have some wonderful friends who push me to try. I only hope I can be that friend to others in the future! :)

Expand full comment
Laurie Morin's avatar

This is such a tribute to your resilience and positive attitude! I love all the ways you are being rebirthed and I can’t wait to read your book. I just write a chapter on my own diagnosis with cancer, so if you need beta readers I am all in. 💝

Expand full comment
Emma Vivian's avatar

Thank you so much, Laurie! That’s so kind.

Congratulations on your own journey with writing about your cancer. I’ve found it so healing. And thank you for your offer of being a beta reader! I’m actually almost at the stage of querying agents, so hopefully, when you read it, it’ll be because it’s been published :)

Expand full comment