Elephants and Tea - June 2022 - 4

Conversation LESSONS LEARNED WITH LISA
You're Not Alone If...
Lessons
Learned
with Lisa
I
4
see you. I see you swiping through old photos
on your phone . . . you know, the ones of you
before cancer entered the picture. Those
photos that you stare at with widened eyes,
wondering what the " old you " was thinking
about at the exact moment the photograph
was snapped. I see you and I understand you
because I am you. Feeling torn about thinking
fondly of glossy memories with loved
ones while also mourning the loss of ease with
which you smiled in front of the lens. The burning
question pops into your mind: Will I ever
be that person again? Quite simply, no. We are
different. We are broken in ways, but believe it
or not, we are stronger. We have seen darkness,
but it is that darkness that makes the light shine
brighter. Be thankful for the " old you " in the
photo, deep down that is who got you here. As
long as we have air in our lungs, may we continue
to seek out the many reasons to smile.
... cancer taught you more about
yourself than you ever knew before.
... cancer changed some major
plans you had for your life.
... you have wondered " why me. "
... you have a hard time looking at
pictures of your life before cancer.
LISA ORR IS A PROUD WIFE AND MOTHER OF TWO BOYS, AGES SEVEN AND FOUR, WHO LIVES
JUST NORTH OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. SHE IS A THREE-YEAR TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST
CANCER SURVIVOR AND A FORMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER, WHO NOW DEVOTES
HER TIME TO HELP OTHER YOUNG ADULTS FACING A CANCER DIAGNOSIS THROUGH HER
WORK AS THE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER FOR THE STEVEN G. CANCER
FOUNDATION AND ELEPHANTS AND TEA MAGAZINE AND THROUGH HER PODCAST, THE
" DON'T CALL IT A JOURNEY PODCAST " (STREAMING ON APPLE PODCASTS AND SPOTIFY). IN
HER FREE TIME SHE LOVES TO WRITE, COOK, TRAVEL, AND ENJOYS SPENDING TIME WITH
HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
ELEPHANTSANDTEA.COM
JUNE 2022
http://www.ELEPHANTSANDTEA.COM
Elephants and Tea - June 2022

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