Page 23 - October 24 LuxeFactor

Financially, this journey takes its toll as well. Even on a job with amazing insurance, the bills did pile up. The paperwork for assistance can be overwhelming, and while I didn’t receive much financial help from outside agencies, A grim reminder of just how many people are facing this battle daily. I did receive a tumbler, which I carry as a badge of honor and a reminder that I’m not in this alone. It reminds me every day of how far I’ve come. And through it all, the support of family and friends was everything, even though they could never truly understand what I was going through. It’s okay to feel like you want to be alone, or to want company. It’s okay to feel resentful when you’re tired, and someone pushes you to keep going. Just remember, it’s all part of the process. You will get through it. One day, one minute, one breath at a time.
As for love, it’s complicated. My partner has yet to see me nude since my surgery, and while I once struggled with what he might feel, I’ve come to terms with it. I have peace now—peace with who I am, with the body that fought for me, and with the journey I’m still on. This is my story, but it’s also the story of countless others.
Stay positive, pray often, laugh when you can, and feel everything. Allow yourself to feel all the emotions—the joy, the pain, the relief, the fear. Don’t shy away from them. But most of all, find peace. Find your strength in the quiet moments when no one is watching. You are more powerful than you know. You are alive. And that is everything.