My Heart Loves Fall, My Body Dreads It

Even though it’s been an exceptionally beautiful Fall season this time in Colorado, I can’t help but feel the familiar dread that washes over me as the leaves start to turn colors and the temperatures begin to cool. It was this time almost eight years ago that marks the beginning of my life with cancer. I’m having what’s called an Anniversary Reaction: a normal grief response around the date of a traumatic event. In this episode, I talk about Anniversary Reactions, what they are and how to cope with them. I also explore how the Pandemic has created the potential for some of us to experience extended and recurrent trauma responses given the duration of this epidemic.