Putting Me First: Part Five.
Part four, part two!
(Previously on Putting Me First: I had wanted to cold water swim/dip, signed up for a March challenge but kind of hated my first dip in the sea)
So, after my first dip in the cold February sea, and signing up to the cancer research charity dip for accountability, I was set!
When march 1st came around I had a cold bath - and it was horrid! The days that followed were mostly cold baths and showers, which kind of felt like rubbish - however, I was part of the charity Facebook group and everyone there was showing up for everyone else. It gave me a huge amount of support and confidence.
Over the month of March I went dipping in the river and sea as well as having cold showers - and my body got used to it. As did my mind. It was cold, and uncomfortable, but as someone who teaches and practices mindfulness I knew they it’s only temporary.
Also, I was doing it for cancer research. For those of you who don’t know, my mother in law died of cancer in 2016 and was tested for the BRCA2 gene mutation - she was positive. It’s a genetic gene mutation which means you have a higher % of getting certain types of cancer, and both of her children have it. It was due to her diagnosis that so many of the family were saved - cancer was caught early and the gene mutation was diagnosed. My husband has the gene, which means regular cancer tests, my sister in law has the gene too which means she has undergone a full hysterectomy and double mastectomy.
The BRCA2 gene mutation is pretty bad in women, it’s genetic, and my husband has it. Which means there is a 50/50 chance my girls have it.
What that means for their future is by no means bleak - it means we know and we can keep an eye on it. But it also means that for me personally, research into cancer treatment and care (and a cure) is a big old deal!
Being in that cold water was nothing in comparison to the hell my husbands family has gone through, so I could do it.
Putting myself first in this way has taught me so damn much - it’s taught me I can be committed to something. It taught me that discomfort isn’t anything I can’t handle. And unfortunately for my water disliking husband - it reaffirmed that I am indeed a water baby!
Putting myself first in this way also benefitted other people, in direct and indirect ways. And I learned so much about myself and my limitations.
Right - next week I’ll spilling the tea (at almost 41 am I too old to say “spilling the tea”) about putting myself first by putting others first… Intersted?
I’ll see you then!
L xx
