+168
human connections now at 2,442 a/o 5/31/23
One goal of the trip was to make 10,000 human connections. Although I came in a little shy of that number, I continue this effort and shift my goal to reach 10,000 by the end of 2023. How? With more course offerings, an upcoming book and more advocacy work.
The 2,201 connections that did happen in 2022 left me both awestruck and inspired. They happened quite organically. Some from threads of connections being pulled forward from the past, others from new stitches as I met people in my travels. Although the original effort was to find people to connect with in order to raise awareness in the health care system of the emotional, psychological, and physical healing that needs to take place in the after cancer, many connections were with people whose lives had been jolted in some way, many touched by cancer, all looking for positive change in life after their experiences. It has been an honor to walk with other humans on their path of growth in a one-on-one coaching environment, speaking in person, on Zoom and just holding space on a bench at a dog park. I’m grateful for each and every connection and look forward to watching these connections grow and reverberate to more people ready and looking for this work.
inspiration behind my 10,000 Miles of Thriving
Short version. Advocate for quality of life issues after cancer. First, I want to be a catalyst for change in the way patients pass through the threshold between sickness and health in their experience of cancer. Second, I found myself overwhelmed by a need to feel alive and connected after a year of lockdown. Third, I knew first hand what it meant to suffer silently with the side effects of the very treatment that kept me alive. I found a way to overcome that suffering and it is my mission in this second chance to share this information with those who have just entered that dark forest, so they do not have to go so deep or stay so long. I was aching to connect with people more deeply. I was tired of being an Avatar on a screen and receiving emojis from other Avatars.
+ Read More
Long version. There is a tradition in some hospitals where a patient is invited to ring a brass nautical bell to celebrate their final treatment. This act is meant to signify the restoration of balance, harmony, and life energy. Wait. What?
When treatment is done our balance, harmony and life energy is restored? Hmmm. This was not my experience. Was it yours? After doing some research I discovered the ringing of a nautical bell at the end of treatment is attributed to U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and Navy Seal Irve Le Moyne. In 1996, on his last day of treatment at the MD Anderson Center in Houston, Texas he brought with him a brass bell and a poem. The story goes that sailors rang a similar bell to signify a job was done. Before ringing it to signify the completion of his fierce battle with neck cancer he read his poem:
"Ring this bell. Three times well. Its toll to clearly say, my treatment’s done, this course is run, and I am on my way!"
I have deep reverence for Rear Admiral Le Moyne. He served our country for 35 years and was one of the nation's highest-ranking Navy Seals and a founder of the United States military joint special operations command. In 1996 finishing chemo was something to celebrate, and a time to offer hope to others and gratitude for those that helped you fight. It is 2022. According the the American Cancer Society, an estimated 16.9 million individuals with a history of cancer were alive on January 1, 2019, in the United States. The majority of cancer survivors (67%) were diagnosed 5 or more years ago, and 18% were diagnosed 20 or more years ago. Understanding the quality of life issues after cancer requires the safe and supported crossing of a bridge. In crossing the bridge we will find the bell to celebrate the restoration of balance, harmony and life energy.
The end of treatment can be the beginning of something extraordinary. But it is a bridge, not a bell that is going to take us there. The first step is to become aware that the bridge exists and there is additional healing necessary. It is a time of disorientation and reconciliation.
"Bridge engineering not only requires a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of design and construction techniques, but also demands that the challenge of the long-term behaviour and maintenance of such structures is met. This requires an innovative, multi-disciplinary approach built on a sound foundation of experience and research."
– Robert Lark
Connect with me on instagram
