I’ve had trouble with insomnia for about 10 years, which had gotten worse after my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in 2013. Things started to change almost immediately after arriving in Avène. I’m not saying that all of a sudden I was sleeping like having just bitten into a beautiful poisoned apple… I’m still struggling, but there is a difference. You see, there’s a “double whammy” effect caused by insomnia. First, the stress that comes from the lack of sleep. Second, there is anxiety that comes with fearing that you are not going to be able to sleep… which makes the insomnia even worse. It’s a vicious cycle that feeds on itself until you feel helpless. The difference I’m already noticing, is that even though I’m still not able to sleep through the night, the stress of whether or not I’m going to be able to sleep through the night is disappearing. It is already making a difference in the quality of the sleep that I am getting. I’m experiencing less stress and there is a noticeable presence of “bright eyes” and a “bushy tail”, if I do say so myself :). I think the sleep factor is important to mention because bad/lack of sleep plays a major role in having a healthy immune system.
Am I seeing a difference in my skin lesions? I think so. But, that could be me wanting to see a difference. But, I find myself not really focusing on that. There is a sense of faith within me… not a blind faith that occurs when you’re desperate and have exhausted all options… but a kind of, how can I explain it, a “scientific faith” because you know that there is something occurring that is beyond your personal, limited sense of comprehension. It’s a feeling and a voice resonating in me that says:
“I’m supposed to be here… no matter what the outcome… I’m evolving into a spiritually and physically healthier person which will continue to evolve long after I leave”.
It’s amazing to have this serenity by my 3rd day. This place just “is”…there is no need to be convinced of the effects of the treatment. There is no need to be “open-minded” to be able to reap the benefits of it. You arrive, and you almost immediately become part of this energy that just “is”.
I do hope that I’m making sense…its a bit of a difficult phenomenon to explain.
So I’m going to end this post by letting you know that I will be sharing photos (occupational hazard :)) of my surroundings, adventures, and of the beautiful people (fellow patients, incredible caregivers, and new friends) who are already playing an important role in this journey.
Shirin In Avène 