Navigating Life’s Unpredictable Voyage: Diving into My Stage 4 Cancer Journey

A profound journey awaits as I pivot from my usual podcast content to share a deeply personal battle with a recently diagnosed stage 4 cancer. An unexpected twist in life's unpredictable voyage has led me to redefine the format of Sailing Through Life, inviting you along as I chart the unknown waters of this cancer diagnosis. The familiar current of inspiring and empowering content will be enriched by a deeper level of sharing and reflection, an intimate exploration of resilience and positivity amidst life's storms. As we navigate together, I remain determined in promoting self-care and healthy habits, the anchors that keep us steady when the seas grow rough.

Your unwavering support has been a beacon in the darkness, filling my sails with the strength to forge ahead. With this life-altering diagnosis, I'm re-orienting the podcast to include raw and real insights about the face of cancer and the voyage beyond it. My hope is to cast a line to anyone feeling adrift and remind them that even in the heart of fear, we can find serenity.

Your questions, thoughts, fears, and hopes are welcome on this shared journey - they are the vital winds that fuel our collective resilience. Together, let's set sail into the next chapter, tethered by the enduring bonds of our experiences. Remember, we're not just sailing; we're sailing through life.


How do you sail through life? Join me on this endeavor! Support the show. I would love to grow this amazing support community.

If you have any thoughts on today’s episode, or topics you’d like me to further touch on, reach me through my WEBSITE at SailingThroughLifePodcast.com

Stay Anchored ⚓

Music Credit: Alex_MakeMusic

 

** Sailing Through Life Podcast is intended to educate, inspire and support you on your personal journey and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is for general informational purposes only. If you are suffering from any psychological or medical conditions, please seek help from a qualified health professional.

Episode Transcript

Lorie (00:00):
Surviving cancer is a battle I never expected to face
in my life.
Ever.
Yet here we are.
Life can take unexpected turns,leading us down paths we could
never anticipate.
In this episode, I share myexperience and the lessons I've
learned along the way.
Join me in finding strength andhope through this storm of life

(00:24):
.
This journey is as real as itgets.
Hello and welcome to SailingThrough Life.
I'm Lorie, your host and friend.
Join me as I shareconversations that give you hope
through the storms of life.
You'll find inspiration throughthe experiences of my guests,

(00:45):
as well as hearing my own crazy,wonderful adventure.
Create the life you desire bydiscovering new ways to focus on
your health and well-beingthrough modifying your habits
and improving your mindset.
Set sail with me on thisjourney to realize the strength
and resilience you have inside.
Let us show you how, as yousail through life.

(01:07):
Welcome aboard! Want to be apart of the crew.
If you feel like this showprovides value, consider
contributing to support us so wecan make a difference in
someone's life.

(01:28):
You can learn more atsailingthroughlifepodcast.
com.
I've spent the last six monthscreating a series for you to
learn about skin cancer andmelanoma and how serious this
diagnosis is or can be.
It was really close to my heartto express this because I know

(01:50):
of my own experience withmelanoma.
I know what I went throughpersonally.
I understood the potential thatsomeone else might not
understand or might be goingthrough the very same thing, and
hearing my journey firsthandwould help.
I wanted to give them hope and,even with this diagnosis, let

(02:13):
them know there's still a lifeto live, so it doesn't get any
more real than this.
I have some news to share thatI've been kind of keeping under
wraps for a while now.
A few months ago I was told mycancer was back.
I've been diagnosed with stage4 melanoma and ironically this

(02:36):
all came smack dab in the middleof recording this series for
skin cancer and melanomaawareness.
So I had a routine scan thatshowed a mass internally and
this led to getting anultrasound biopsy done.
I got the results from thebiopsy, which took about a month
to get those back, and it waspositive for melanoma.

(03:00):
So the next phase of that wasgoing in and having surgery done
, and I had a series of scansand they were able to confirm
what they wanted to do, and so Iwent in and about a month ago I
had that surgery done and itwas a pretty aggressive tissue

(03:21):
removal and unfortunately, afterwe were all said and done, I
need to have the surgery again.
If you've been through this,you know what this is all about.
You know that it comes down tothe clear margins and that's
what we're working toward.
But I also have to wait tillI'm fully healed to have the
surgery again Now because thetumor showed up at a distant

(03:46):
location from the original siteof melanoma on the side of my
leg.
This has escalated inseriousness.
As a result, I've made somechanges to my podcast.
I've had to.
I won't be able to do what Idid before.
I won't be able to record newepisodes in the same format as I

(04:07):
used to, but instead I'll besharing more personal updates
and reflections on my journey.
I've been contemplating how tomake all this work.
I don't know that.
I don't know.
I just I hope that peopleappreciate the show and I think

(04:28):
they know what I'm trying to doand the support and
encouragement that I offer tothe listeners.
I'm going to tweak this a littlebit because I need to also
focus on what I need to do formyself, which is what I teach
health, wellness, growth andmindset yeah, all the things

(04:52):
that I need to apply to my ownsituation right now.
So for me, it's important totake a break to recover from a
diagnosis, because everybodyneeds a break.
You need to take that time torecharge your batteries and come
back refreshed and ready totackle whatever comes your way,

(05:14):
to lessen stress and feel morepeace, to gain perspective on
the challenge and come up withnew solutions.
It also allows you time toconnect with friends and family
for support, which is what isreally important.
That community aspect isincredibly important Doing

(05:37):
something you enjoy which canhelp improve your mood and
outlook.
So painting, reading, restingthese are all things I want to
start really working into mydaily routines, practicing
self-care, which is essentialfor your overall well-being.
You need plenty of sleep, youneed to eat healthy, you need to

(06:00):
move.
The thing I've had to overcomeis knowing that taking a break
doesn't mean I'm giving up.
It just means I need time toregroup and to come back
stronger.
So I want to assure you thatI'm fully committed to providing
you with the best informationthat I can and will do what I

(06:23):
can to continue to give you aquality show that will inspire
and empower you to live thatincredible life.
This time is a little differentthis time.
This time, I'll be doing italong with you.
I understand that this news canbe concerning, but I also know

(06:43):
I'm doing everything in my powerright now to get through this
and get better.
It's been a tough journey sofar and I am doing my best to
stay positive and fight this.
I am receiving medical attentionfrom a super team of doctors.
Oh my gosh, I'm so thrilledthat I have this medical team

(07:04):
and that I have been absolutelyblessed and I have complete
confidence in what they're doing.
So every week, you'll still getto hear what's going on with me
, or a fresh take on an episodeto kind of sink your brain into.
For some reason, if there is aglitch and I can't do a show, I

(07:27):
appreciate your patience and Iknow if you've been through
anything, you understand what itmeans to take a step back and
take that break.
I always want to be here toassist you in any way possible.
I want to be real and honestwith you, so providing updates
through the show, my website andsocial media will help keep you

(07:49):
updated and engaged in what'sgoing on.
I've also been exploring ways tocreatively fill this time
because I have no idea what toexpect.
So I'm planning for the worstand hoping for the best.
I'll just keep modifying, Iguess, as I go along, and I'll

(08:12):
just make sure that it's alwaysa topic that continues to bring
you real and honest information.
So get ready for the real andraw face of cancer, along with
some incredible insights.
I look forward to the growththat happens within me and
within this community.

(08:33):
I look forward to the shiftthat's going to take place.
I look forward to the adventureof what's around the corner,
and that's kind of hardsometimes.
Even though I truly dread beingin this situation in so many
ways, I also know there's anincredible healing opportunity

(08:55):
for me.
I'm so grateful for all of yoursupport over the years.
I love sharing my thoughts andexperiences with you, so all I
ask of you is to please continueto support me and the show by
listening, sharing and giving mefeedback, telling me how you

(09:16):
feel.
If you have an issue, let meknow and we can work together to
get this resolved, and if youhave any questions or comments,
please feel free to reach out tome on my website at sailing
through life podcastcom.
I hope in my heart you continueto listen and support me as I
go through this.

(09:37):
So much love to you.
Stay anchored.
I'll see you next time.