10 Comments
User's avatar
Maureen C. Berry's avatar

Hi Elizabeth! I am so glad you are here and you are sharing your words and your heart and your soul. Because we do need to hear your story! One of my favorite phrases in your essay is, my God, my attitude! As if attitude could cure us of cancer lol though it really does but not in the medical sense or a glib pull your bootstraps up and get on with life kind of thing. Cancer gives us a weird, awful, strange, and wonderful community to belong too. It could be worse — we could be on the other side of the dirt. I’m looking forward to getting to know you better soul-sister! ❤️ We were meant to find each other on Substack!

Expand full comment
Elizabeth Bohannon's avatar

Yes, yes we were. I wondered who would catch that line. You, of course. How many times have you heard, “attitude is everything .” I get that they mean well, but it’s not my damn fault when my cancer roars. My attitude alone won’t cure me, and sometimes, well, sometimes I want permission to have a shitty attitude, ya know?

Expand full comment
Maureen C. Berry's avatar

Operative word: permission!

Expand full comment
Elizabeth Bohannon's avatar

True! Just claim the shitty attitude. Who needs permission? Anyway, at the moment I am lounging in a post chemo haze. ❤️

Expand full comment
Jen Lee's avatar

Hi Elizabeth!

I'm here because I resonated with your comment on the Isolation Journals this week. I am also a former nurse whose life has been interrupted more than a few times, and I too thankfully stumbled upon Suleika's newsletter and memoir at a time when I truly needed her words.

Thank you for writing this! I am excited to follow along.

A club I never asked to join is unexplained chronic pain, and I am now slowly walking the journey of being diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder. I have learned so much about myself and suffering and the world and God, and there is so much more to uncover. I think the biggest thing right now is finally learning to enjoy rest and slowness, since I have been made to due to fatigue and joint instability. It has been a true gift. I could not have learned it any other way, so passionate for productivity and work and living quickly was I.

I wish you well on your journey and hope that you see some good days soon:)

Expand full comment
Elizabeth Bohannon's avatar

Welcome, Jen! I am so glad you are here! Ahhh, yes, learning to listen to the body and give it what it asks for. It’s a profound act of unlearning all that our society tells us is important. I think unlearning is much harder than learning. I hope you’ll share your wisdom here. ❤️

Expand full comment
Paula Kapurch's avatar

Elizabeth, inspiring as always. Sending love and prayers your way.

Expand full comment
Elizabeth Bohannon's avatar

Hi, Paula. How are you doing? Thanks for being here!

Expand full comment
Paula Kapurch's avatar

I’m doing very well. I feel like I’m getting stronger every day. Trying to stay positive. Reading your sub stack posts is very inspiring. Thank you. Wishing you all the best.

Expand full comment
Elizabeth Bohannon's avatar

That’s why I’m here, Paula. Building a community for those of us navigating the hard things. Sending you love.

Expand full comment