In this deeply heartfelt episode of INDY Foundation: Connecting Through Cancer, host Kayla Keenan explores what it truly means to surrender during a cancer journey.

Drawing from her personal experience as a caregiver to her fiancé Kyle, who battled stage four colon cancer, Kayla shares the emotional, mental, and spiritual challenges that come with letting go of what we cannot control—money, image, control itself, timelines, and even the illusion of safety.

Topics covered in this episode:

• The emotional toll of losing control after a cancer diagnosis
• How community and employer support helped ease financial stress
• The struggle of maintaining identity and image during illness
• Processing uncertainty around treatment outcomes and timelines
• Journal prompts to help you surrender expectations and find peace
• A vulnerable look into caregiving, grief, and post-diagnosis life

Whether you’re a cancer warrior, caregiver, or someone facing life’s unexpected turns, this episode will help you reflect, breathe deeper, and maybe—just maybe—let go.

Journal Prompts from the Episode:

1. What are you gripping tightly right now—control, money, image, or expectations?
2. What would happen if you loosened your grip by just 1%?
3. What’s something you’re trying to force that just isn’t working?
4. I’m afraid to surrender because...
5. But I know that if I released it, I would gain...

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761

The episode addresses the personal struggles that can often overshadow the joy of holidays, particularly for those affected by crises like illness or loss. The speaker introduces a new series reflecting on life's challenging chapters and how such hardships shape and prepare an individual for what comes next. Sharing a deeply personal story about her husband's diagnosis and passing, she discusses the emotional journey and coping mechanisms, emphasizing that crises are opportunities for growth. The episode concludes with journal prompts designed to help listeners process their experiences and emotions.

00:00 Introduction: Navigating Personal Crisis

00:39 The Hardest Chapters: Personal Reflections

01:22 Life-Changing Moments: Kyle's Diagnosis

03:11 Finding Meaning in Crisis

04:10 Journal Prompts for Healing

05:45 Conclusion: Preparing for the Future

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761

In this Thanksgiving-themed episode of the INDY Foundation: Connecting Through Cancer Podcast, we reflect on gratitude, connection, and the strength of families facing cancer. The episode highlights the story of a young family from Central Minnesota navigating the challenges of stage three breast cancer, emphasizing the vital support provided by the Indie Foundation. Through emotional narratives and heartfelt messages, the podcast underscores the importance of community, donor contributions, and volunteer efforts, showcasing how these elements bring hope, relief, and moments of joy to families during difficult times.

00:00 Welcome to the INDY Foundation Podcast

00:28 The Struggles of Families Facing Cancer

00:51 A Story of Hope: Central Minnesota Family

02:04 INDY Warrior Check Presentation

03:19 The Impact of Community Support

03:56 Gratitude for Indie Warriors and Supporters

05:35 A Call to Action: Supporting Indie Warrior Families

06:10 Closing Remarks: Thank You and Happy Thanksgiving

INDY is short for "I'm Not Done Yet," a phrase often said by the late Kyle Strand during his courageous battle with colon cancer. Kyle's four-year journey was both extremely challenging and profoundly beautiful. Though he lost his battle in July 2017, his legacy lives on through his two dying wishes: to establish the INDY Foundation and to inspire others to live every day to its fullest. In August 2017, the INDY Foundation was born, continuing Kyle's mission to support and uplift cancer warriors everywhere. Find more information here: www.indy-foundation.org

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ImNotDoneYetMN

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/indyfoundation/

Join our INDY Tribe - Inner Circle FB Group. A group for those affected by cancer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/202854020588761