The Voice
Transforming the Trauma of Cancer and Its Aftermath
I was 32 and a brand-new mom when I was diagnosed with lung cancer. At the time, it was a complete shock and seemed so unexpected. How could I, an otherwise healthy young woman, with no significant tobacco history, have lung cancer?
Over time, however, I began to understand how much of what I had experienced in my life, up until that point, had set the stage for coping with a major health crisis like lung cancer. Because I had an interest in alternative ways to help with healing, I followed my instincts and explored acupuncture, Chinese herbs, massage, therapy and reiki to help support a deeper healing. I learned more and explored mind/body connections through the work of pioneer Louise Hay and her book, “Heal Your Life”, where, according to her mind/body theory, “Unexpressed grief and depression can get stuck in the lungs.” I thought about this deeply. With this intense focus on mind/body healing, I felt in my heart that all the trauma and abuse I had experienced had weakened my body and devastated my health. While shocking, my diagnosis made sense as viewed through a mind/body lens. How thought, beliefs and perspective can help to influence the body for the better or for worse.
I have learned a great deal about focusing on wellness, despite cancer and traumatic circumstances. I have worked for years as a patient advocate, and collaborated with Upstage Lung Cancer on helping to share patient voices at Spring, Sing Out Concert series. Recently I recorded a podcast for Backstage @ Upstage.
It is now twenty-five years since my shocking lung cancer diagnosis, and it feels like the perfect time to share all I have learned through a new organization I have created Resilient Souls, an online resource and platform for women who have received a diagnosis of any type of cancer. In addition, I am launching a brick and mortar studio, Resilient Soul Yoga, in Colorado. The goal is to aim for resilience!