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My biggest cancer treatment regret was stopping physical activity. I was diligent about mental health through journaling but abandoned exercise which had always helped me through difficult periods.

• Participating in a 9-month cancer exercise research study with structured fitness classes and group discussions
• Learning that our bodies adapt differently to exercise after cancer and require modified training approaches
• Discovering Dr. Kerry Cornia's profound statement: "If you've had cancer, you should be exercising like your life depends on it, because it does"
• Realizing that challenging physical activity—not just gentle movement—is crucial before, during, and after cancer treatment
• No healthcare professional discussed exercise throughout my entire cancer treatment journey
• Exercise might be as important as chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and therapy
• Three recommendations for post-treatment exercise: consult your oncologist, establish a daily movement routine, and sign up for physical challenges
• Using accountability through classes, workout buddies, or scheduled events like 5Ks to maintain consistency
• Focus on increasing not just lifespan but also health span through regular physical activity

If you want to be part of a virtual workout group for accountability, head to hikelikeawoman.com and click the tab that says "join our training group" where we'll keep each other motivated.

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What goes through the mind of someone who has had cancer when they return to the cancer center for routine follow-ups? For many, these visits trigger a complex mix of emotions that healthcare professionals might not fully appreciate. Drawing from personal experience, this episode offers critical insights for oncologists, nurses, and support staff about improving patient care beyond the medical aspects of treatment.

The psychological impact of cancer treatment lasts far beyond the final chemotherapy session or radiation treatment. Something as seemingly minor as conducting lab draws in the infusion room can trigger anxiety and traumatic memories for survivors. Similarly, measuring progress by hair growth rather than overall wellbeing can feel reductive to someone whose illness has affected every aspect of their life. These perspectives highlight how small adjustments in standard protocols can significantly improve patient experiences.

Mental health support often disappears once active treatment ends, yet many survivors experience depression and anxiety during recovery. When healthcare providers dismiss medication side effects or fail to coordinate care across specialties, patients feel unheard and overwhelmed. The episode advocates for a holistic approach that acknowledges the full spectrum of cancer's impact—physical, emotional, and psychological. For healthcare professionals, these insights offer a road map to more compassionate care that prioritizes health span over lifespan and treats the whole person rather than just the disease. If you work with cancer patients, these five recommendations could transform how your patients experience care at your facility.

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Have you ever had someone completely misunderstand what you're going through after cancer? That moment when a well-meaning comment reveals just how wide the gap is between their perception and your reality?

When my nurse casually remarked I was "lucky" not to have periods anymore after chemotherapy, it sparked deeper reflection on how cancer forces our bodies onto timelines we never chose. That presumed "convenience" actually represents profound loss—the natural rhythms and feedback mechanisms our bodies use to communicate with us.

Before cancer, my menstrual cycle wasn't just a monthly occurrence but a reliable barometer for my overall health. As an athlete and during military deployments, changes in my cycle signaled when I needed rest or better nutrition. Losing this connection at age 45 created an unexpected void—one of many ways cancer survivors experience disconnection from bodies that feel like they've betrayed us.

This disconnection extends beyond menstruation. A friend who underwent mastectomy later faced the heartbreak of being unable to breastfeed her newborn. These moments highlight cancer's double cruelty: first the disease itself, then the permanent alterations to our natural life progression.

Yet within this altered timeline, we can find ways to reclaim agency. For me, this means replacing my monthly cycle with yearly adventures—specifically, leading expeditions to Mount Kilimanjaro. These self-chosen physical challenges rebuild trust with my body and create new rhythms on my terms.

If you're navigating similar post-cancer terrain, know your feelings of grief and loss are entirely valid. And if reclaiming your physical power appeals to you, consider joining our 2026 Kilimanjaro climb. Registration opens June 10th—perhaps the perfect opportunity to write a new chapter in your relationship with your body.

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Watching my eighth-grader run the anchor leg of a relay race transformed into an unexpected mirror of my breast cancer journey. Despite being a full lap behind when he received the baton, my son never quit—he ran his heart out with no hope of winning. This powerful moment crystallized what life after cancer truly means.

When treatment ends, many survivors feel perpetually "a lap behind" as we witness how the world continued spinning while our lives were on pause. Careers advanced, relationships shifted, and we emerged into a reality that suddenly feels disorienting. Yet within this challenging transition lies profound wisdom.

Running your own race becomes essential after cancer. The pressure to "catch up" or return to your pre-diagnosis life can be overwhelming, but healing follows a deeply personal timeline. I've learned to release comparisons and embrace my new pace, finding strength in simply moving forward. Cancer forged resilience I never knew existed—a hard-earned gift amid the struggle that became my foundation for navigating life afterward.

Perhaps most transformative was redefining victory itself. Before cancer, I measured success by external achievements, constantly trying to "lap everyone around the track." Now, winning means being fully present for each moment—a practice my yoga teacher calls "being where your feet are." Whether I'm training for Kilimanjaro, watching my son compete, or sharing dinner with family, true success is showing up completely.

The next time cancer makes you feel impossibly behind, remember those anchor leg runners. The goal isn't crossing the finish line first—it's finding the courage to keep moving forward at whatever pace works for you. Your unique journey isn't a competition with others but a profound opportunity to discover what truly matters.

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The emotional landscape after cancer treatment catches many survivors off guard. What most people don't anticipate is how something as seemingly benign as a comment about growing hair can trigger a cascade of complex feelings.

My experience walking down that cancer center hallway—gray, curly hair growing back after chemo, feeling like a stranger in my own body—revealed just how unprepared I was for the emotional aftermath of treatment. When that nurse called out "your hair looks great" and responded to my ambivalence with "just be glad you have hair," I was thrust into a whirlwind of shame, anger, and confusion. Why did I feel so sensitive? Why couldn't I just be grateful?

Through therapy and reflection, I discovered what many cancer survivors eventually learn: healing involves giving yourself permission to feel everything. The anger at what cancer took from you. The sadness over changes to your appearance. The frustration when others expect you to maintain a perpetually grateful attitude. These feelings exist alongside moments of joy, relief, and genuine gratitude—and all are valid parts of the recovery journey.

For anyone supporting someone through or after cancer, remember that asking "how are you feeling?" creates more meaningful connection than commenting on appearance. And for fellow survivors navigating this complicated terrain: your feelings are valid, your journey is your own, and you're doing remarkably well navigating a path few truly understand until they've walked it themselves. The real healing begins when we acknowledge the full spectrum of our emotions without judgment.

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Words shape our reality, especially when facing life-altering diagnoses. My cancer journey began December 7th, 2021—terrible timing for a small business owner with three ventures heading into the holiday rush. But beyond the logistical nightmare was an unexpected challenge: finding language that authentically described my experience.

Days after my diagnosis, while working alone in my shop trying to process genetic testing decisions, a well-meaning stranger approached. He insisted I was already a "survivor," though I'd barely begun facing cancer. As he continued his unsolicited pep talk, I felt increasingly disconnected from this label thrust upon me. The discomfort only deepened as others encouraged me to "stay in the fight" and "kick cancer's ass." Having served two deployments in Iraq, these battle metaphors rang hollow—I'd entered war feeling prepared and trained, while cancer left me feeling utterly vulnerable and unprepared.

Throughout treatment, I struggled to find accurate terminology. After surgery removed the tumor, I couldn't say "I have cancer," but "I had cancer" didn't capture my ongoing experience. What surprised me most was discovering that despite cancer's prevalence, we lack nuanced vocabulary for describing this complex journey. While some find empowerment in "survivor" or "thriver" labels, these terms can also create pressure or minimize ongoing challenges. The language that finally resonated for me was simply "someone who experienced cancer"—acknowledging what happened without letting it define me. What matters most is allowing each person to choose their own cancer terminology, honoring the deeply personal nature of this journey and the power of language to shape how we heal.

What terminology resonates with your cancer experience? Join the conversation and share your thoughts.

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