Talaya’s Guiding Light: Fostering Hope and Holistic Healing for Cancer Patients

When faced with the monumental challenge of cancer, where do you turn for solace and guidance? This week, we're honored to host Talaya, a cancer doula whose mission is to light the way for those fighting this battle. Miss Dendy’s profound insights into navigating the healthcare labyrinth, paired with her personal experiences, offer listeners a beacon of hope. Her tender approach to empowering patients and their families through informed decision-making shines a spotlight on the necessity of taking one's time to truly understand treatment options, rather than being propelled by fear into hasty choices.

Venturing beyond traditional medical support, Miss Dendy emphasizes the significance of holistic care in the cancer journey. Drawing from her own life, she illustrates how embracing practices like yoga and journaling can not only mitigate treatment side effects but also provide a profound source of emotional strength. The conversation inevitably turns to the sometimes thorny integration of such holistic advocacy within the medical system, underscoring the critical need for clear communication between patients and healthcare professionals. It's a reminder that every individual grappling with cancer deserves to be seen in their entirety, with their spiritual and emotional well-being held in the same regard as their physical health.

In our final moments together, we uncover the remarkable healing power of connection and affirmation, especially in the age of virtual gatherings. We talk about how platforms like Zoom can transcend physical barriers, offering a sanctuary for sharing experiences and nurturing a community of support. Talaya introduces the uplifting world of affirmation cards, designed to bolster the spirits of both those undergoing treatment and their caregivers. Her parting words echo the theme of resilience, urging listeners to hold on to hope, remember they are not alone, and breathe deeply in the face of adversity. This episode is an invitation to find strength, purpose, and companionship on the journey through cancer.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

one Thank you to Leia for coming on Gentry's journey. I do really appreciate your time To. Leia is a cancer doula and she's going to explain all of that to us. We're going to open up inspiration with an inspirational scripture. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen, and that is Hebrew 11 and 1. Now to Leia if you will explain to the audience what is a cancer doula.

Speaker 2: 0:43

Yes, ma'am, thank you for that question. So what I'll start off by doing is explaining what a doula is, because there are some people who are not aware. So a doula is someone who supports another person through a major life change or a significant health related experience. Most people are familiar with birth doulas. I always say that they focus on the beginning of life. They help women bring new life into the world. There are also deaf doulas, who are becoming more known as well.

Speaker 2: 1:16

They help people transition at the end of life and, as a cancer doula, I focus on the present and what I do is to help my clients face this thing in front of them called cancer, and I walk with them and guide them on their cancer journey so that they're not alone.

Speaker 2: 1:35

I help them to work through their anything that they can be struggling with when it comes to mindset, communication, their overall health and also just really, some people don't know how to navigate the health care system, so, hoping them to understand how to navigate the health care system, get their questions answered. Sometimes people want a second or third opinion. Many people don't know how to go about doing that. So, as a cancer doula, I support my clients holistically, providing very personalized support based on their needs, and it's something where you're getting support from someone who has been through and had to face cancer before, and so, in a nutshell, that's what I do as a cancer doula I walk with my clients and guide them and providing emotional support and helping them to navigate cancer, as well as the health care system.

Speaker 1: 2:36

That is awesome, and when you were speaking, and you were speaking regarding guide them through and emotions, the one that came up in my mind was fear, because it's the fear of the unknown and I'm sure they have a lot of questions and may even be hesitant to let you know that they are afraid. But we know that comes with the territory, and not just with cancer, but anything someone gives you a diagnosis of that you're just not sure about. Now do you run into that a lot?

Speaker 2: 3:17

Absolutely, caroline. That is a big thing and because there is so much uncertainty related to cancer and any diagnosis, really people automatically think that they're going to die when they hear the word cancer.

Speaker 2: 3:33

That's related to a lot of the stigma surrounding cancer. That is related to a lot of the images that are tied to cancer. Typically, you see people who don't have any hair, they're very frail, they're pushing an IV pole down along Hospital Hallway, and that's not the case these days anymore. Some people you don't even know how they have cancer. But, yes, fear is huge because you don't really know what's going to happen, especially if you have not experienced cancer before, whether it was a loved one or a friend. You don't know what you don't know, and so I say, with cancer, it is a huge learning curve. But one thing that I say is, when you get a diagnosis like cancer, try not to be overwhelmed by emotions, because one thing you don't want to do is make decisions about your health, your life, based on fear.

Speaker 1: 4:38

It's a time to make informed decisions that are best for you and the outcomes that you desire that was so powerful and the reason I say that and I have encouraged family members and friends and it doesn't have to be a cancer diagnosis. What's the rush? Why are you rushing the treatment modality at this point in time? You need to sit back and absorb. Now this is me and I want you to correct me if I'm wrong. You need to absorb what you have been told. You need to pray about your situation. You need to ask additional questions about your and your situation. You need to have someone with you Now. Have you done all of that and I know that's adding more to their plate, but I would rather you be informed, know and do, and if you're not going to go through all the recommended steps, why take one?

Speaker 1: 5:58

You know with. I know with it is either radiation, possibly chemo, to shrink the tumor and then to excise it. You know for it to get smaller and some people just run in want to have the surgery and don't do the rest of it. That's why I say that.

Speaker 2: 6:25

Yeah, well, you know, carolyn, it's really person specific. There are cases, for example with breast cancer, where some women they can just have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy and they're fine. Their doctor says, okay, that's all you need to do, there's nothing else to worry about Some women they are recommended to have the surgery, radiation and chemo. So it really depends on the person, their situation, the stage of cancer. But I do wholeheartedly agree with what you started out with and that is take time to absorb, to get in touch with what you're feeling, to really understand what your options are.

Speaker 2: 7:10

Talk to more than one doctor. I always tell people you know, no matter how great you feel about your oncologist, always encourage people to get a second opinion Because you know this other doctor that you talk to. They may be aware of something that your current doctor is not and that might be something that's more in alignment with what you want your outcomes to be. You know, when you finish treatment or whatever care plan they give you. So I always encourage people you know, once you get that diagnosis, great, you got some information from one oncologist, one doctor, but why don't you just take it a little bit further and talk to a second doctor?

Speaker 2: 7:53

Because, yeah, you just don't know. Doctors don't know everything. They don't practice the same things you know. For example, doctors in California may take a more holistic approach, while a doctor in New York may not. I'm just giving examples.

Speaker 1: 8:09

Oh, absolutely.

Speaker 2: 8:11

Yeah, I just want to be aware of what's available to you, and I think you know you do yourself a disservice when you just say, okay, this is what the doctor said, yes, but what is it that you want, and is it in alignment with your values? You know your health outcomes. All of these things matter, and I think a lot of people, when they rush into it, sometimes they feel regret, like, oh, I wish I wouldn't have done that. I didn't understand everything that came along with that form of treatment, and so that's why I encourage people, like you said, to take your time, learn as much as you can. If you cannot absorb all that information you know as a friend, a caregiver, an advocate, to sit there and gather the information for you and then share that information with you.

Speaker 1: 9:07

I agree, because once you hear certain terms, certain diagnosis, you are so fearful you have blocked out a lot of things and that's just human nature. That is not a negative on an individual. And the reason I say don't rush, because the diagnosis is the diagnosis, but take your time and make a more informed decision. I'm not saying wait six weeks. I'm not saying wait six months. I'm saying do you have to have this surgery today with just the information you have today? That's one of my things and I know everybody wants to hurry up and get well.

Speaker 1: 9:51

But, as I tell my patients, this is a marathon, this is not a sprint, and they understand that as they go through the process, as they go through the process because I am basically walking with them through the process and they are feeling much better once they get to not no pun intended on the other side, okay, exactly, and they do, they feel better.

Speaker 1: 10:24

And they tell me if I didn't have you calling me, if I didn't have you, you know, you know talking me through or talking me off the ledge, you know it's just some days I just felt like giving up and I was like, but you're not the only one, it's just that it has hit home and that's why you're all over the place. So I'm here to help gather you into one spot, you know, so that we can talk this out, think this out, and I know you have a good team working for you, you know. But I am very objective, you know. I'm on yours. I'm not, you know, trying to get in front of anyone. So please, let's listen to the treatment plan, you know. Take your husband, like you say, take a friend, take a parent, take a sibling, whomever is willing to go and who's willing to be connected to you enough to listen to what's going on.

Speaker 2: 11:19

That's so true. That's critical, because when you're going, when you're walking around and carrying that must stress, worry, grief, even you're not going to be able to remember everything. And that is something that I encourage my clients to do is you know, have someone there who can take notes for you.

Speaker 2: 11:37

I mean that's something I can do, but then also make sure you come with your questions pre-prepared so you don't have to try to think about and remember all these things on the fly. Another thing, carolyn, that I must make a comment on is that you know I don't provide medical advice. You know I'm not a doctor, I'm not a physician, so I don't provide medical advice.

Speaker 2: 12:03

I do provide guidance, I do provide resources and I do provide credible information so that people can make the best decision for themselves, and I also want to note that I don't replace anyone on anyone's health care team. I am working specifically for the client and I am an addition to, complementary to the care team that they have at their hospital or cancer center.

Speaker 1: 12:31

Yes, and I definitely understand that, because my role. I always tell them your doctor is the doctor, he drives the ship. I am just here for support and education and anything else you need to get off your chest. But I can't, I can't get your treatment plan, but no, I'm here for you if you need to talk, when you need to talk and when I do my check up calls. So, yes, you do have to put that out there so that you know. So. You know patients are patients and you know we have to be specific and we have to, because they're in this accelerated thinking mode. They don't hear it a lot and you may have to repeat it again and again and again until they get it.

Speaker 2: 13:24

Yeah, and you know, carolyn, I just want to add to your point. You mentioned that the doctor drives the ship and really it should be a partnership with the doctor and the patient, that's true.

Speaker 2: 13:37

Yeah, because the patient is the one who has to live with whatever is going to happen, and so they, the doctor, can give them their best advice, they can recommend a treatment plan, but the patient ultimately has the right to say you know, that's not something I want to do, true, or yes, that's something I want to do, but you know what are my survivor survival rates?

Speaker 2: 14:05

You know what have people that have taken this treatment before me? How long did they live, you know? And so it's a partnership and there should be mutual, mutual respect on both sides. And so I think a lot of patients struggle because they feel like they're having something done to them, as opposed to being able to say, yes, I agree with that, or no, I don't want that form of treatment.

Speaker 2: 14:31

You know, and I just wanted to really point that out, because a lot of times patients get this diagnosis and they feel powerless when that is not the case.

Speaker 1: 14:45

I agree with you and, like I say, I constantly have to reiterate you need to check with your physician, you need to check with your health care provider, you need to leave a message, you know, but this is what you need to do, because he's the one who's writing the order. He or she is the one writing the orders for you and if they don't know what concerns you, they won't ever address it. So I mean, and you have to, just, you know, just talk, just talk with them. Now, miss Alayla, what inspired you to become a cancer duo?

Speaker 2: 15:26

Yeah, so actually, because of my own experience with cancer in 2011, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma out of the blue and I always say out of the blue because I was never really sick before. You know, I the most sick I ever was was like the flu. So I was really knocked off my feet by this diagnosis and thankfully, I had a very great oncologist and what I just mentioned. We were able to form that partnership with each other and we were a team. And so, even though I had a great oncologist, great health care team, there were so many gaps in my care. There was no one who looked like me getting cancer treatment. There was no one my age. There was no one I could talk to who understood what I was going through. I had tried to go to a support group one time and they were all older people who were just complaining about everything, and I was there for about 10, 15 minutes and finally my body and my cells were screaming like get us out of here. We want to live. We don't want to hear this.

Speaker 1: 16:42

That I can agree with you. I can't be in that negative environment it does something to me so.

Speaker 2: 16:49

I agree with you, yeah.

Speaker 2: 16:53

So after you escaped that room, After I escaped and saved my life, I had just really started doing research about ways that I could support myself, and so I started learning more about mind body connection, mindset, just different things that I could do for myself. For example, I learned about yoga, I learned about all these other modalities that could actually help support me, and especially support me when I was suffering from side effects from the treatment. And then also I just I was always doing journaling, but because of working things like that, I had kind of slacked up a bit, but I started journaling more because I really understood the importance of it and just looking at all these different things that I could do to help care for myself. And so I said, you know, once I was done with treatment and everything, I said, wow, reflecting back, that was a lot. And you know, I'm someone who I like to learn, I like to research. So taking in all that information about cancer, my diagnosis and all of that was fine with me. I actually wanted to learn all those things. I wanted to learn how I needed to talk to my doctor, I wanted to understand what he was saying to me and all these things.

Speaker 2: 18:23

But I recognize that everyone's not like that there are people who are really struggling, who you know. Even though I had a great oncologist, I struggled a bit, you know. I didn't have the kind of emotional support I needed and I said, well, what about the people who just have a horrible healthcare team or horrible oncologist? They are really struggling. But then I also realized that, you know, it's not just me feeling this way, other people are. And so, because of my experience and because of wanting to give back, that is why I became a cancer doula. I want to bridge the gap between the medical and emotional sides of cancer and ensure that people diagnosed with cancer are being cared for holistically, not just treating the cancer but caring for the person. What are their spiritual needs? You know? What kind of career aspirations or changes are they looking to make? Are they trying to rediscover or discover their purpose in life? There's so many different things. Cancer impacts every area of your life and people are not aware of it into what happens to them or someone they love.

Speaker 1: 19:37

Hi, I'm Brian. I mean, we hear the word a lot, but until it touches home is when you really get that eye-opening experience.

Speaker 2: 19:48

You know.

Speaker 1: 19:49

so that is so true. Yeah, now how do you go about collaborating with the healthcare professionals to ensure a holistic approach to the patient?

Speaker 2: 20:02

Yeah, so what I do. I would really love to talk directly with the healthcare providers. However, they have not been really receptive to the support that I provide, so my information comes directly from the client. What they do is they sign an agreement saying I'm comfortable sharing my healthcare information with Telea and together we walk through that and then you know, if there's a lot of things that they are not sure on or clear on, I try to clarify that for them. If I can't, I help them to come up with questions to make sure that the doctor answers their questions. But really my main focus is on supporting the patient.

Speaker 2: 20:49

Now there have been some instances where I have been able to talk directly to my client's healthcare provider and it really depends, carolyn, on the doctor. Some doctors are open to, you know, talking to advocates, such as myself. You know people who are doing the kind of work that I do, and some are not. They just feel like the patient doesn't need a Telea. So it really depends. But really a lot of that is coordinated with the client. You know the client will talk to their doctor and if the doctor is open to it, then the doctor and I will either communicate via email or phone, but unfortunately, carolyn, a majority of doctors and healthcare providers in the healthcare system have not been open to speaking with someone like me.

Speaker 1: 21:42

Well, telea, I will tell you this. I've been in nursing for several years and the hospital hired a wound care nurse. Every physician ran from her, would not speak with her Because it was relatively new, would not speak to her, and she shared this with me and I was like but you're still here, you know, you're still here. They would not don't touch my patient, I don't want to talk to you, and they would literally run from her. So one day, after maybe a year or so, this physician wrote the order have the wound care nurse assess this patient. And even nursing administrators were like yes, you know, yes, we finally.

Speaker 1: 22:35

So it is a struggle. I don't know if it's because they don't want another person on their team or they don't truly understand the purpose. Ok, because when hospice first came in, that I'm aware of, they weren't getting a lot of referrals either, and they weren't. And it just takes them a minute to do to get accustomed to what is new and different and innovative out here. No one's trying to take your place, no one's trying to take your patient. We just want, I just want to work with you and be able to rapport with the patient, because it's like this commercial that used to play. If you don't trust your doctor, you won't get well. Well, if the doctor doesn't trust you, you won't be able to see the patient, and sometimes they need someone who's going to listen for more than 15 minutes. They just need that. I get upset with my patients when they talk about everything but themselves. When the doctor comes in, you don't need to.

Speaker 1: 23:51

Hey, you know, it's OK to be formal and polite and ask about his wife and his children, but that has nothing to do with your care. And then, when he leaves out, because you're telling him I'm fine, and then you tell me oh, I'm hurting. I hurt all night, you know. And I'm like why didn't you? Now, if I see a physician go in one of my rooms, I'm tipping in right behind if I can't, because I know I need to be able to interpret what he said and I just had to. I've had to be a little stern.

Speaker 1: 24:25

It's nice to ask about his family, but you are the patient, you're in the hospital. Your questions need to be geared towards you. Now, when I call him and tell him you're hurting, he's going to be upset with me. I said, well, there's definitely not going to be with me because you have him in here and so. And when I called the dog, he was like why didn't he tell me? I said I have no idea. He's too busy asking you about your kids. He was too busy talking about the game, you know, and I really have to push and encourage my patients to say you are the priority. You need to ask him this.

Speaker 1: 25:05

And I said, and write your questions down, write them down. You know, I'll bring you, I'll bring you a little tab, a little notepad, write your questions down. So while you have him in here you can check off the questions that you've asked and if you don't get a thorough understanding, you can say I don't really understand. But that's why a lot of times I like to be in the room so that I can help them interpret what was said. After he leaves out, he or she leaves out, correct, you know. So that I think would be the head One of the hesitancies, because I, like us, have seen it in the past.

Speaker 2: 25:41

Yeah, and I understand that it's new. You know, quite frankly, there was a need. I said I'm going to step up and fill it. I didn't wait for anyone's permission. I created something that I know will benefit many people and it has benefited the people that I've helped so far. I really can't wait for the healthcare system or doctors or whoever to catch up, because there are people out there who need my help and would like my help. I'm going to help them. Hopefully one day it will be more acceptable, but for now I'm just going to keep going and really focusing on the people who would like my help.

Speaker 1: 26:30

That is the best thing to do. You have to push through. Just because a person doesn't understand you or doesn't believe in your dream does not mean that that dream will not be a reality, because you've been able to help patients before. It's just the number. You're going to help many more. You just have to be persistent. I've seen physicians not want to talk with pharmaceutical reps. I don't have time for that, you don't have time. Tell them I'm busy. Well, they aren't busy, but they want to focus on their patient. But sometimes and I'm not being ugly the control. They don't want to lose the control Because some of these physicians have had these patients over a number of years, so that patient is near and dear to their heart. But, like I say, the change will come. It will be slow, but it will come and tell us about on the other side.

Speaker 2: 27:43

Yeah, if I could just add one more thing.

Speaker 1: 27:46

Sure, absolutely you can.

Speaker 2: 27:48

Ok, before answering that question, I think to the doctors don't really realize how having someone like me working with their patient, my client, because it can actually help save them time. Unfortunately, a lot of doctors are not trained to really focus on supporting patients emotionally. They're trained on treating whatever cancer, whatever illness or disease the patient has and, like you said, they just don't have the time to really sit there and listen to a lot of the things that the patient needs to get off of their chest. And so I think too, when that realization happens that, oh, this person can actually save me time to better care for my patient and their patient, my client, I think when that realization happens, they will be more receptive.

Speaker 1: 28:48

So I really believe that because I have seen physicians who deliver the news to the patient that they had the diagnosis of cancer and they just blurted it out. It was no emotion there. The patient fell back in her bed. She instantly became diaphragm ready. She went pale. I'm there, I'm holding her hand, I'm holding her arm. You know I'm like it's going to be OK, but his delivery was so sterile. It was so sterile. I was so upset with him.

Speaker 1: 29:29

Yeah, you know, but it's one way to deliver news, but it's another way to deliver news. And if a do-well can be at your side when you're delivering the news, then that's when you come in, introduce yourself and say, hey, we're going to get through this. I know my role is to do this, that and the other, so that, I think, would be perfect. You know that would be a perfect time because time is of the essence with the physicians and you know their need to treat and see their other patients. But when you have someone that you really need to speak with and you can't, that's when your do-a-little would be the person that would be there for you and they can go ahead and see another patient while you're over here encouraging and introducing yourself to the new client. Yeah, so I can see it working. Honestly, I can, I definitely can see that working.

Speaker 2: 30:44

Yes, yeah, and thank you for adding to that, because you know you work directly in the health care system, so I appreciate that.

Speaker 1: 30:54

You're more than welcome.

Speaker 2: 30:55

Yeah, and so on the other side is a cancer navigation enterprise where, as I mentioned, I support individuals and families who are facing cancer. I help them to overcome their challenges, and so, in a nutshell, on the other side is a cancer navigation enterprise walking with clients, helping them to navigate cancer and the health care system. I do want to know that most of my services, unless there's a special request, are offered virtually via Zoom or there's an option to have a phone call. The other thing I want to mention is because HIPAA is very important to me. Some of my clients, you know, prefer not to be on Zoom, so there is a particular software that I use that is HIPAA compliant other than Zoom.

Speaker 2: 31:48

So that is something else that I think is important for people to know.

Speaker 1: 31:53

That is good, because I have now a page we can all learn from everyone. And one of my patients she said I am Murphy Combs too. And I was like what does that mean? She said you have you heard of Murphy's Law? I went yes, I have. She said, well, if it can happen, it's going to happen to me, but it's going to happen times too. And I was like what's going on now? Because she did have a lot of health issues. But she kept a decent approach to it, you know, mentally, and she kept herself encouraged and her husband kept her encouraged and she needed to have something done. And I was very smart, very intelligent.

Speaker 1: 32:36

I said have you thought about going online and getting in a group of people who have had this procedure done, because it wasn't really an invasive procedure? And she, the next time we talk, she said oh, carolyn, they had the best advice and it came from real patients who had been through this. And I did it, carolyn, and I had good results, you know. She said I think listening to real people going through the same thing helped me and I think that is beneficial. You know, like you said, you went into this room and it was just blah and negativity. Now, if you go into a room and people have give you the pros and cons of what they've experienced, that helps as well. Right, you know. So I can definitely see the unique software that you have and having your people via Zoom, because they do need that touch, they need to be able to express themselves and they want to do it. You know, where there is truly no judgment.

Speaker 2: 33:49

Yeah, so true. They want to be heard Absolutely. The other thing is, I think, that to me, in my opinion, what makes this so special is that when they're talking to someone like me who has experienced cancer I'm almost 13 years out from my diagnosis they can see what's possible, they can gain hope. You know, from saying, well, wow, this woman, you know she had cancer 13 years ago. You can't even tell, you know, and so I think that's another thing too is just being an example of what's possible. True, you know, having faith that you're going to get through it and being able to see other people who have and how they've moved forward, you know that can be very provide so much hope and encouragement to people.

Speaker 1: 34:42

So it really can. Now you have some affirmation cards that you give your clients, and let me read a couple of them if you don't mind.

Speaker 2: 34:56

Okay, please do. Thank you.

Speaker 1: 34:58

I am here for a reason and I have a purpose, and the way you have it set up today's affirmation, so that means they can read an affirmation a day or as many times that they that they would like.

Speaker 2: 35:10

Yes, that's correct.

Speaker 1: 35:12

I am investing in my self care because I am worth it. When I was reading these, I was like awesome. It's absolutely awesome because, thank you, when you speak that positive word into people, you're more than likely to get positive results. So the cards are absolutely phenomenal.

Speaker 2: 35:35

Thank you. Thank you, and I've created a card decks for cancer patients. I've created card decks for caregivers. I am looking to hopefully create some for healthcare professionals as well, because they need that in inspiration and encouragement Also their human beings as well. So those are some other cards I'm looking to create.

Speaker 2: 36:01

But I just want people to understand the benefits of affirmation cards for Please.

Speaker 2: 36:06

Those cards are not familiar and they actually can help to reduce stress levels, increase happiness, improve mood, boost ones confidence. If someone's feeling really low or they're just not feeling good about themselves, lest issues cancer patients when they start treatment, their body changes, their appearance changes and they're no longer looking at the person that they're used to seeing. That can really impact their confidence. And so using these affirmation cards on a daily basis, as well as journaling with these affirmation cards, can really help people move past those negative feelings and improve their confidence. Just being able to read a card that says I deserve to be here or I'm living a healthy life, or something like that, they're speaking life into themselves, they're speaking healing, they're speaking into themselves, they're putting it out there, and so when you bring in those positive affirmations, that just can boost your mood, that can take you to a better place, put you in a better thought pattern, and so I just really think it's important for people to understand some of the benefits of affirmation cards and affirmations in general.

Speaker 1: 37:31

That was perfect, because I think a lot of people don't understand and people say well, I'm going to affirm this today. I'm going to affirm this today, don't just talk about it, take it in. Take it in with that affirmation. That's saying, make it personal and I hope we're doing good on time. But I want to read from your mindset tips for cancer patients and caregivers, if you don't mind.

Speaker 2: 37:58

Yes, please do OK.

Speaker 1: 38:00

Take responsibility. Now this is mindset tips for cancer patients. Take responsibility for your health. Surround yourself with positive people and positive energy. Refrain or change the way you look at a situation or think about a fault. The situation doesn't change, but you do. Nurture yourself and enjoy your passions. That is for the cancer patient. Now this is for the caregiver, because a lot of people forget about the caregiver. Know your limits, practice self-care, get your rest, find humor, laugh and release those in door fence. And it tells us for more tips on mindset. Visit on the other side or contact T'Leah, and it has your number on it and T'Leah at ontheothersidelife, so that is another way we can get in touch with T'Leah and she has brought some great tips to us. Now do you have any closing remarks please?

Speaker 2: 39:22

Yes, thank you, caroline. I just want to say that I understand how hard it is when you or your loved one gets a cancer diagnosis. I understand that there are so many negative stigmas tied to cancer, but I just want to encourage people because more people are surviving cancer now more than ever.

Speaker 1: 39:47

True and.

Speaker 2: 39:49

I just want to encourage you, when you get that news, if you get that news, to just breathe, center yourself, pray, give yourself some time to just sit with what you've heard. Try not to immediately think about dying, but thinking about why you want to live. What are?

Speaker 1: 40:14

your reasons.

Speaker 2: 40:14

What are your whys? Plant yourself, plant your, get grounded on those whys, because those whys are going to carry you through the really tough days. There's going to be some tough days and so get really clear, crystal clear on your why. What are your reasons for wanting to continue to live? Because more than likely, you will and think about the quality of life that you want when all the treatment's done. What kind of quality of life do you want? And focus on that as well while you're healing. Focus on your healing. Surround yourself for positive people who are going to support you, and don't try to do it alone. But again, when you hear the words you have cancer. Hopefully you won't, but if you do, just focus on why you want to live and use that as your anchor to carry you through.

Speaker 1: 41:13

I agree with you totally. I agree with you totally. That is absolutely what we need, and I know you have time constraints, so I'm going to close with a prayer.

Speaker 2: 41:26

Thank you.

Speaker 1: 41:27

Heavenly Father, lord God, we just thank you for Tolia today. Lord God, we just thank you that she has not seen it all, that you will give her overflow, you will give her an opportunity to help your other children, that your children who need her. Lord God, you will grant her favor, you will grant her preferential treatment. Lord God, and for the people who are going through not just cancer but any illness, lord, give them strength, give them peace, give the care, give her strength and peace. These are other things we ask in your son, jesus' name. Amen.

Speaker 2: 42:05

Amen, I receive it. Thank you so much.

Speaker 1: 42:09

Oh, you're more than welcome. You're more than welcome and thank you so much for being a part of Gentry's journey. And the best of the best, and I know we haven't heard the last of each other, ok.

Speaker 2: 42:22

No, we have not, Ms Carol.