16 Comments
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Cristina's avatar

Thanks, Emma, for sharing your experience. I had a brain tumor removed in 2018(30 y/o) & find myself relating to what you say. One thing I'm still working on is not letting fear stop me.

I wish you all the best for your future. Thanks once again.

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Emma Vivian's avatar

Thanks, Christina, and I'm so sorry to hear about your brain tumour. Letting go of fear is a daily challenge!

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Cristina's avatar

Thanks Sis 🙏

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Jonathan Blees's avatar

Thank you for your courage, insight , wisdom, and inspiration!

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Emma Vivian's avatar

Thanks so much for reading, Jonathan. It means so much to me that you took the time to comment :)

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Leonard Scriven's avatar

I’ve had more than a couple of lifequakes but the growth, insights, and wisdom gained has been immeasurable

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Emma Vivian's avatar

Yes, they come with wisdom if you let them! Let me ask you a question, would you give back the wisdom if it meant you could undo the life quake?

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Leonard Scriven's avatar

What about you?

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Emma Vivian's avatar

I agree with you. Some yes, some no. I wouldn’t undo the cancer, I don’t think. I would choose it again, but I learned a lot from it. I’d rather have my best friend back though.

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Leonard Scriven's avatar

This question stopped me in my tracks and really made me think. Some of them yes, so of them—line my sister suddenly passing away—I think I’d rather have her back ❤️‍🩹

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Emma Vivian's avatar

I’m so sorry for your loss, Leonard 🧡

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Viv McGrath's avatar

Beautifully said ❤️

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Abruptly Biff Contemplates's avatar

Having been diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in my forties, with four children - the youngest being 7 - I can now tell you, 20 years after the initial diagnosis and years of horrendous (but obviously life saving) treatment, that eventually the cancer itself becomes background noise. Our mutilated bodies won't let us forget completely, but be assured with time our psyche heals, allowing the memory to fade.

It consumes your life at the beginning, but if all goes well, it simply becomes a phase in our history.

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Emma Vivian's avatar

Thank you so much for your kind and insightful comment. I’m so sorry to hear about your stage 4 diagnosis, but I’m also blown away by your strength and that you’ve been stable/NED for 20 years! I have dear friends who are living with Stage 4 breast cancer, and it truly gives me hope to hear stories such as yours. Thank you so much for sharing! :)

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Ros Barber's avatar

You’ve been through so much but all these things are SO valuable to learn and plenty of people never learn them. You’ll have so much more joy in your life as a result of coming through the shadows.

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Emma Vivian's avatar

I agree! I can’t say I’ll ever be grateful for having had cancer, but I am thankful for my new perspective. Thank you so much for reading! :)

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