Lightning strikes are a powerful and a natural phenomenon that occur frequently during summer storms. These flashes of light, are a reminder of the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the weather. Likewise, Life can be unpredictable similar to the weather. As a result of those unpredictable changes in life, we have a choice to “Ride the Lightning” or weather the storm in other ways. Read on to learn more about my personal “lightning” experience with cancer and how our own personal health OR life challenges can alter our trajectory.

Summer Storm Season

One of the instant visuals of a summer storm is lightning. Lightning releases electricity in the form of a bright flash of light. Lightning strikes are fast, moving at the literal speed of light! When lightning occurs, the atmosphere is trying to correct an imbalance within. If you see lightning, it’s time to take cover.

Lightning strikes are extremely powerful. The energy potential of lightning is 5 times greater than the heat of the sun! The impact of a single strike can be devastating.

We recently experienced a powerful storm on the evening of July 8th. Lightning tripped an electrical breaker and luckily only our internet connection was lost. We ended up having to replace our modem and had our internet restored 24 hours later.

Shortly afterwards of a lightning flash, one might hear the impactful sound, of Thunder. Roar… Boom! Sometimes the noise of thunder resonates through the windows of the house and the rattle of the thunderstorm is heard…the physical audible power and strength of the upcoming storm ahead.

Thunder is the sound lightning creates… the air has been superheated and expanding, creating a compression wave of sound, Thunder.

Both of these natural phenomena are part of the summer storm cycle that we are privy to each summer season… dynamic and unpredictable.

“Ride The Lightning”

I had a conversation with a good friend recently, and in that moment, he described life recently… “I’m just riding the lightning”. I laughed at that statement, but understood the meaning behind it… Finding those “electrifying” moments or events in daily life and simply working through them, building resilience.

After a bit of thought, following that conversation, “Ride The Lightning”, might be a good description of my journey with Cancer after treatment and moving towards cancer survivorship.

Life after cancer has become a journey of resilience and adaptability. Just as lightning can be both beautiful and destructive, so too can the challenges of cancer recovery.

Life After Cancer… Lightning Strikes

The last five months after completing cancer treatment, has not been a straight line moving forward into full recovery. The “thunderstorm” has lingered overhead.

The visible Zig Zag lines of lightning ⚡️… has definitely marked my cancer journey. Some days I can only zig. Other days I can zig zag. Cancer fatigue and heat have not been friends with me this summer.

Lightning streaks across the sky, creating a powerful show from the heavens. They say lightning never strikes twice, but in this instance it has… Menopause resurgence. Let me explain a bit further.

Estrogen slowly declines during natural menopause. Under normal conditions, when women go through menopause, estrogen levels drop from about 100-200 units to less than 25 units. In that natural process, body systems slowly adapt and women continue to monitor these ongoing changes and adapt as best as they can. I had already been through that adjustment, of Menopause, prior to my cancer diagnosis.

After my active treatment was completed, one of the medications I needed, was an Estrogen suppressant. These are commonly called AI’s or Aromatase Inhibitors. Since my breast cancer was strongly estrogen positive, one of the ways this cancer reoccurrence is managed is through estrogen suppressant medication. Most women on AI’s take these for 5 years, some must take them for 10 years.

After being on this new medication for only a few days, I quickly realized I was in a tornado of sorts. The goal of these AI’s are to drop your estrogen levels towards 0. This medication has been brutally unforgiving… My lightning in the storm.

The estrogen suppressant medication immediately caused a literal wreck of several of my body systems like “lightning” hitting a target. Boom! I was extremely surprised how quick and swift how my body systems reacted virtually overnight.

Like a powerful lightning storm, this AI medicine was creating havoc within multiple body systems simultaneously.

Those of you who have experienced breast cancer or have taken estrogen suppressant medications, can understand this analogy!

I have read that close to 40-50 percent of women choose not to finish their estrogen suppressant medication cycle due to the amount of side effects experienced from these medications. This form of “lightning menopause” is definitely different from a normal cycle of menopause.

Menopause is not something women go through and get over. This is a true life phase. Over time, the side effects may lessen in nature, but the body has changed forever without the estrogen… your bones, joints, muscles, skin, hair… just to name a few all have changed.

Riding out the Storm

After a few days on the new AI medication, I felt like I was walking into the eye of a hurricane. My body was dramatically different. I tried to adjust to these radical changes, by Zigzagging with the lightning, but the results for me have been quite mixed. Some days are better than others. Impactful Side effects like (sleep disturbances, heat intolerance, fatigue, joint/bone pain, brain fog/forgetfulness, and hot flashes) have been associated with these types of medications. I’ve personally experienced most of these symptoms.

Finding A New Normal After the Storm

The intense Menopausal Lightning strike had hit hard. I had to adjust to a “new daily normal” after active cancer treatment.

I soon had a lightning realization that it was virtually impossible to get back to the way things “used to be” prior to cancer right now. I’m still experiencing the Zig and Zag of the lightning. It is not a straight line to completion.

Ultimately, things will always be different as a result of my Cancer diagnosis and treatment. AND I knew my life would change as a result of ongoing scans, bloodwork, changes in eating habits, rest requirements, slower mornings, needing weight management, etc.

Cancer recovery is a lifelong process. Cancer recovery doesn’t end after active treatment and it can look very different for each individual based on their experience with cancer.

Cancer itself is the perfect storm, often no warning signs are present. It takes the body time to adjust and heal from the trauma like any huge health event. The lasting impact of cancer lingers on like a tornado or hurricane touchdown in a small community. The impact is felt for years to come in every single aspect of life.

Help Arrives During the Storm

My medical team has served as the umbrella ☂️ for the storm. That same group of professionals has helped me navigate the havoc, dealing with each new “lightning” problem. I’m deeply thankful for their guidance during this difficult transition. My medical team has truly dedicated themselves daily to cancer care, recovery and survivorship, I feel blessed to be in their care.

As a result, I’ve been able to find ways to manage ongoing side effects through the aid of supplements, acupuncture, and a change in my AI, estrogen suppressant medication.

A Storm Watch

It’s always good to know when a storm is approaching, especially if it is going to be severe in nature. Local weather channels will often call for a storm watch prior to the outbreak of a storm. This allows people time to prepare! No one enjoys Power outages from downed trees, or lightning strikes. Storm flooding can be devastating, and costly. Seeking shelter is a must during a storm.

A few people have said to me recently, “I thought you were good now since cancer treatment is over”. The long, but short answer is NO. Recovery takes time, it is not immediate for everyone experiencing cancer. I’ve faced a few challenges personally.

Storm Warning Issued

Once a storm warning has been announced, it’s time to bunker down and await the arrival of the storm. Likewise for me, the lingering impact of cancer fatigue, combined with high humidity and temperatures, and other side effects, has slowed my recovery progress dramatically.

Along with the those factors and the impact of Lightning Menopause has been my biggest obstacles in recent months… like a fallen tree during a storm. Simply delayed recovery.

Sleep disturbances have been more frequent than I like to admit. Sleep is one of the cornerstones of maintaining a healthy balance in life.

Managing Weather Impact Days

Our local weather forecasters love to use the term Weather Impact Day on the 7 day forecast. This terminology gives everyone a heads up about the coming weather for that impactful day. You can plan your activities accordingly and adjust to hopefully avoid any bad weather around that Weather Impact Day.

Here’s a quick tidbit about the importance of Estrogen and how the body uses it. As estrogen is depleted out of the body, during natural menopause, several key areas of the body are changing and not necessarily in a healthy way…. Cardiovascular, muscular, cognitive, and pelvic just to name a few. The body quietly recalibrates itself as estrogen slow declines in natural menopause, BUT in a “Lightning Menopause” scenario, this process is brutally quick. The AI medication drops your estrogen levels to near 0.

Why is this Important for all women, not just those on AI’s???? Estrogen keeps your blood vessels flexible, cholesterol particles small, and blood pressure lower. As the menopausal process begins, the loss of estrogen can lead to more increased health risks! More women die of heart disease in later life (after menopause) than cancer. This is a definite storm warning for us all!

Should we just stand by and await our fate, as estrogen slowly drains away? I think not, we should prepare for severe weather storm. Meet the Weather Impact Day with a full concept of what is happening!

Also, it is critical that we note changes in how we feel, being mindful of what is going into our bodies as far as diet, remembering that sleep is restorative, and movement is key! Seek the advice of medical professionals if you are having difficulty weathering the storm.

Don’t hesitate to contact another medical professional if you feel you are not being heard. Yes, I once had a medical professional to tell me to not to ask any more questions about Menopause. I have since moved on to find a new provider.

I do realize that it is difficult to explain the Cancer Storm unless you have been in it and sometimes people grow weary of the Storm, seeking the sunshine and brighter days instead. My message today is for all women, not necessarily those who are experiencing cancer. Menopause is a life phase and the body systems change dramatically and can impact your health moving forward. That’s the storm warning, we all need to understand and comprehend.

Hope inside the Storm

After all the chaos of the last 5 months, I find there’s hope, in the storm. Rain offers a chance for nature to hit the reset button. I have found that to be the case for me as well.

Rain… brings restoration to the earth and the physical body, allowing time to heal and rest. I have found that rest is a MUST during the midst of a stormy day. Retreating into the safety of a shelter, getting out of the elements of a harsh storm with thunder, lightning, wind and heavy rains offers a refuge.

Rain… also brings the opportunity for growth. Without needed rainwater, plants and flowers can’t grow and thrive.

Which brings me to another thought, storms do come to an end. Thankfully, severe thunderstorms don’t last forever!!! Blue skies eventually return!!!