If I might share another poem...

[HoneyBadgerLady]

This poem was shared on Facebook. I'm not familiar with the author but the words ring true. I am exhausted from putting on a strong face and have become a real introvert. Thanks for listening.

“I dream of never being called resilient again in my life.

I'm exhausted by strength.

I want support.

I want softness.

I want ease.

I want to be amongst kin.

Not patted on the back for how well I take a hit. Or for how many."

— zandashe' l'orelia brown

[NPmary]

Thank you, l very much appreciated the last poem you posted. Glorifying resilience can be harmful especially for people like us with a disease that cannot be cured, that is 'terminal' that daily is present sometimes with pain, sometimes with progression, sometimes with treatment/s, with decision making, with losses of abilities, work, friends . . .

I guess this turned into a rant.

A quote from psychotherapist, Lordes Dolores Follins:

"We're constantly imbibing this idea that you got to be strong, you got to be hard, you got to be on a grind all the time,"

But words like "strength, tenacity and resilience" puts the onus on the person suffering rather than the environment and systems in which they live.

Wishing you comfot,, support, acceptance and love. Mary

[HoneyBadgerLady in reply to NPmary]

Thank you for the 'rant'. I appreciate your words. It's ok to vent sometimes; not doing so is part of the "you have to be strong all the time" stuff.

[NPmary in reply to HoneyBadgerLady]

Thank you. I almost apologized for ranting then didnt, knowing it was ok to do so here. ❤

[HoneyBadgerLady in reply to NPmary]

It was a polite rant

[AuntC in reply to NPmary]

I think we all have right to rant every once in awhile. One thing that helps me is that some oncologists call MBC a chronic disease that (can) be treatable for many years. It might just be a softer way to describe it, but that's what I prefer.

[kokopelli2017]

I love this. great description of how I too often feel. thank you for posting.

carole XO

[OneLump22]

Amen