Let me begin to introduce myself. My name is Natalie, I am the sister of Nikolien. I am 43 years old and a working mother of two children (a teenager and an almost teenager). This is my story. My life turned upside down.
Four years ago, just before Easter 2019 and shortly after my 39th birthday, I discovered a strange lump in my right breast one evening after showering. A lump I hadn’t felt before. I knew immediately that this was something I needed to take seriously. The family doctor referred me (on Holy Thursday, that is) for further examination without any problems. The doctor would not comment on whether it was indeed bad news, but when he wished me the very best and good luck for the third time, I had an idea that I should prepare for the worst.
The dreaded answer
A period filled with uncertainty and investigations began. Finally, the dreaded answer came: 2nd stage breast cancer. Easily treatable, but it had to be treated agressively. That meant first two kinds of chemotherapy, then a (breast-conserving) operation, and finally some radiation. A process that together would take almost a year.
I began the therapy in good spirits. After all, everyone reacts differently and maybe it wouldn’t be so bad for me. I came back from that very quickly. Chemo was very intense. After each treatment I thought I had reached the bottom of the well, only to find out after the next treatment that the bottom could still be lower.
The most difficult phase
But it was not all doom and gloom. I also received a lot of love and support, often from very unexpected places. My neighbor across the street, who managed to pull me out of the doldrums with cell salts and energy work. Dear friends who came to cook. My mother who, despite her own experiences with this disease, accompanied me every chemo. Together with them and with my family, my rock and my reason for getting up every day or dragging myself off the couch, I got through this.
After treatment actually came the most difficult phase. A phase that is often forgotten. The cancer had disappeared, but so had my energy, not to mention my condition. I really needed the last few years to build that up again. The first weeks in the gym were terrible, I really couldn’t do anything. I didn’t recognize myself anymore. That is getting better now. But I will never be the same.
Two versions of me
There are two versions of me, the version “before the disease” and the version after. This whole process does something to you, it changes you. And it makes you think about your life, about what is really important now. The things I used to worry about don’t seem important at all now. I have experienced how your whole life can be turned upside down in no time, and how important it is to get everything out of it. To be grateful for every day you have, and to feel that you are way stronger than you think. And to leave a legacy.
And that’s why I started asking myself: what is my soul mission, my Purpose? Where can I really make a difference, what makes me happy and what can I leave behind for my children?
Fortunately, Nikolien now has a program for that, a Soul Plan Reading that I am going to try out this week. I can hardly wait to discover what I am really made for. Because I am ready to start living the new version of me.
Would you also like such a reading? Go to https://www.momsandmore.nl/soul-plan/ and receive a nice introductory discount.
