Tag: Journal Prompts
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Limbo Springs Transition
Limbo was brought up in our last meeting. We all have experienced this at some point in our lives, and cancer can exacerbate the intensity of limbo. The feelings of limbo between appointments can seem vast and overwhelming. We can linger in limbo as we wait for lab results or to hear back from our…
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Healing and Self-Care
Cancer has this way of forcing us to face what we need, becoming our own health care advocates at times, while allowing ourselves to be taken care of by others. Individually, we have learned about various forms of self-care to cope with different sources of stress in our lives. Today, we will explore these various…
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When Words Heal
“…expressive writing has downstream effects not only for those who have endured very negative experiences, such as trauma but for almost anyone.” DiMenichi et al., 2019. The farther away in time I get from my diagnosis and surgeries, the less I identify as a cancer patient, and increasingly I can see myself as a cancer survivor.…
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December: Full-circle On D-Day
Vulnerability as a coping tool I made it through yesterday, and here I am ready to face today. Key learnings: I will take care of myself; I will not neglect myself. I can make healthy choices. I will find struggle and I have the mindset to move through a spectrum of emotions; feeling, reckoning, rumbling…
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November: Expressing Gratitude
Transformation, Resurrection, and Gratitude There is much healing to be found in belonging to oneself, in belonging everywhere and nowhere at once. To find peace in a moment and find that peace reflected in the hearts around you is to pass that peace amidst a universe of chaos. Well, I showed up for my appointment,…
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October: The Story…
Writer’s Feedback: The Story You Need to Tell: Writing to Heal from Trauma, Illness or Loss by Sandra Marinella, MA, MEd “There is nothing so wise as a circle.” – Rainer Maria Rilke Thank you all for your understanding of my absence last month; I needed a mental health break. I am grateful for the…
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July: Finding Meaning in Change
July 9, 2021 Cultivating post-traumatic growth as we heal Last month we wrote about crossing the threshold in our healing journey, accepting change in our lives, and finding traction along our path. This month we will write about living with changed conditions and how our beliefs shape our path. Some days I feel sprung with…
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April: Honoring Our Mentors
My heart is heavy with the news that our dear friend is in hospice. This news triggers multiple overwhelming emotions: sadness and fear, empathy and sympathy, and a loss for words. I want to honor these feelings and reach out to tell her how much she means to me. Tell her how much I’ve learned…
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Cancer and Sexuality
In my healing journey, I faced childhood trauma triggered by my experience with ovarian cancer. Through therapy and support groups, I found the courage to face this trauma and developed the emotional tools and resiliency to openly speak about my experience.
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How we see ourselves – A Body of Work
Cancer taught me that I need to be in my body and listen to it; I need to work on myself. After my diagnosis I started to turn the wrenches and grease the gears and give myself routine maintenance, so to speak.
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Write Your Own Myth
Today, we come together with a fresh slate and a wide-open road before us. We write as a tool to heal and for the gift of sharing our experience.
write/heal/live 