My Full Personal Cancer Journey: The Unfiltered Story
ABOUT ME: My Journey to Guiding Yours
My journey with this work began, as so many do, with my own battle. At 41, life was full – I was immersed in a demanding 20-year career as a freelance producer, newly married, and embracing life with two wonderful stepdaughters. I was the "hardcore yoga practitioner," the green-juice drinker, someone who prioritized wellness. Then came the diagnosis: Stage 3 colon cancer.
When "Wellness" Wasn't Enough
Suddenly, that carefully balanced life felt impossible. My producer instincts kicked in – "action mode" for surgery – but hearing I needed chemotherapy brought me to my knees emotionally. The desire to maintain normalcy while juggling treatment, career, and family felt crushing. Wellness, once a priority, seemed out of reach.
The physical toll mounted – profound fatigue, strange side effects like extreme sensitivity to cold – making even simple tasks exhausting. My usual yoga and Pilates routines no longer fit the body I was in. This wasn't just about physical hardship; it was about losing the familiar ways I cared for myself.
Searching for Understanding in Isolation
More than the physical challenges, I felt isolated. I desperately searched for resources – wellness practitioners, stylists – who truly understood the unique needs of someone navigating cancer treatment. While well-meaning, many lacked that specific knowledge. This search for understanding became a frustrating journey in itself.
Compounding this was the discomfort cancer brings up in others; conversations often felt stilted, deepening the sense of isolation. Traditional support systems, I realized, simply fell short in providing the nuanced, practical understanding I craved. And like many, I often hesitated to burden my family, wanting to appear strong. I needed a space to vent, to be truly heard without fear of complaining too much – highlighting the crucial need for support outside one's closest circle.
The Unseen Challenges of "Cancer-Free"
The challenges didn't magically end when treatment did. Declared "cancer-free," I faced the daunting task of rebuilding a life that felt foreign. The constant support of my medical team vanished, leaving me feeling like a shell of my former self, unsure how to even begin.
My body had changed – weight gain, weakness, no stamina. I vividly remember wanting to cry while struggling through a short walk on a beach with a friend. My appearance was affected, impacting my confidence. It took nearly five challenging years, navigating not just recovery but also the unmentioned complexities of perimenopause, to feel close to my old self again. This period taught me that healing is an ongoing process, far beyond the end of medical intervention.
From Personal Need to Professional Mission
It was through this long journey that this work was born. I realized how profoundly the right kind of support during treatment can impact life after treatment. Having personalized guidance, practical help, and a knowledgeable, empathetic ear doesn't erase the struggles, but it can set you up for a stronger recovery and a more supported path forward.
I knew I had to create the resource I so desperately needed. My mission became clear: to ensure no woman has to face these multifaceted challenges alone – from the shock of diagnosis through the rigors of treatment, and especially into that crucial, often overlooked, post-treatment phase.
Producer Skills, Reimagined for You
For over 20 years, making complex things run smoothly was my job as a producer. I managed budgets, schedules, and diverse teams for top brands, honing my skills in coordinating resources, anticipating needs, and providing calm, reliable support under pressure. I founded my own company, Allswell Productions (allswellproductions.com), in 2013. Think of me as a professional problem-solver, skilled at bringing order to chaos and setting up an environment where people feel at ease and things get done efficiently.
These are the exact skills I now channel, combined with the deep empathy of lived experience, into something deeply personal. I understand the overwhelm, the fear, the logistical nightmares, and the deep emotional currents. I'm comfortable having the real conversations, even the hard ones about life and mortality, because facing those truths is part of the journey. Just as I managed complex productions by breaking them down into manageable parts, I'm ready to help you manage the non-medical complexities of your cancer experience.
My Commitment & A Little About Me Today
My passion is helping you navigate this challenge, breaking it down bit by bit, so you can focus on what truly matters: your healing and well-being. Today, I find my own grounding walking in nature with my dog, connecting with friends, and embracing a new kind of strength lifting heavy weights alongside an amazing community of women. These practices remind me of the resilience we all hold.
If you're reading this and feeling overwhelmed, please hear this message, born from my own experience: Take it one day at a time. Remember, you always have choices in how you navigate your journey and the power to choose the path that feels right for you.
If my story resonates, and you're looking for a partner to help lighten your load and bring clarity to your journey, I invite you to the "How I Help/Services" page to learn more about how we can work together.
