Losing Roles

I realized, a couple days ago, that I’ve saved every email I’ve received from a person since my diagnosis. This was entirely subconscious. I was aware that my inbox has 1500 messages. I thought the messages started back in 2001 when I opened the account and moved to NY.
I do have some from 2001, but only the really memorable ones.
Apparently, when I was diagnosed with cancer, I stopped being so concerned with the contents of my inbox. I had a precious, small amount of energy that needed to be conserved. I don’t think my email was high on the priority list.
With a sickness that causes the level of fatigue I have, I quickly prioritized where I would use my energy. Deep house cleaning went out. Our Aunt, Becky, offered to clean for us. She’s been a huge blessing.
The cleaning was not completely about a messy house, our version of “messy” is clean for a lot of houses. It was about keeping issues out of our marriage. Every sick woman should have a housekeeper.
Mowing the lawn. Taking out the trash. Most the “man” duties that I was happy to complete before, I decided were not my problem. I continued to take care of my family’s health care and anything my son needed.
I also, at some point, stopped cooking. The nausea and fatigue were too much to even look at food. My family got fed anything from a can or in a box.
Simultaneously, I lost my roles as career woman, bread winner, party girl, house keeper, grounds keeper. I lost the ability to be the wife and woman I thought I would be. I was no longer a cook or caregiver.
I lost friends.
I haven't been able to coach my son for a complete season. I wasn't able to coach my niece. I would really like my husband to do these things on his own. It's always been me pushing for that kind of involvement, but I think he gets how important it is to xander. Xander needs something he can rely on for stability and enjoy.
I think I can convince my husband to sign him up for basketball this year and to help coach. I'll make it worth his time.
I really struggled with what roles I had to give up as a cancer patient. It’s something I’ve dealt with long ago in the past. It was the cause of many tears.
I felt useless, inadequate. I felt like I was dewomanized, and on some days, I felt dehumanized. Supportive, loving friends and family help in this transition process. They are what need to be focused on when this time in a person’s care rears its ugly head.
So maybe, someday, I’ll break out my written history of the past couple years, but for now, I’m going to stick to the simple steps I’m taking.