What are allies on your cancer journey, and how can you find support in unexpected places? In this episode, we explore the concept of allies as more than just people who show up for you.We dive into why traditional support systems sometimes fall short during cancer, and how expanding your definition of "ally" can open up entirely new possibilities for feeling held, resourced, and nourished. From nature walks to warm soup, from movement to music, from gratitude to simply being willing to try something new, allies can show up in countless forms.Key topics we cover:• What allies really are (people, places, things, and actions)• Why some people disappear during your cancer journey and how to navigate that• The concept of attachment and what healthy support actually looks like• Why you are your own best ally• How to recognize what truly nourishes your soul• The importance of being open and willing to receive support in new forms• Why trying something new (even if it doesn't work) is valuable• The fluid nature of allies and why that's actually freeingWe share personal stories, including an experience with wooden trolls in a garden and how nature became a powerful source of healing. We also discuss the practical side of building your list of allies so that when you're feeling low or slipping into the pit, you have concrete ways to shift your energy and find your way back to yourself.This conversation is for anyone navigating cancer as a patient, survivor, thriver, or caregiver. It's for anyone who has felt alone even when people are around, or who is searching for more ways to feel supported on this journey.Remember: you're more powerful than you realize.Connect with The Cancer Journey: www.thecancerjourney.comTopics: cancer support, cancer allies, cancer journey, emotional support during cancer, finding support, cancer caregivers, holistic cancer support, cancer empowerment, self-advocacy, cancer communityChapters: 00:00 Introduction and PESH Check-in 02:15 Defining Allies Beyond Just People 08:30 When Expected Support Disappears 15:45 Attachment and Healthy Support 22:10 You Are Your Own Best Ally 28:35 Examples of Unexpected Allies 35:20 The Process of Discovering Your Allies 42:15 Flexibility and Grace in Finding Support 48:30 Final Takeaways and Closing PESH

Resentment hides in the shadows and builds from things you tell yourself are too small to mention, until it eclipses the love in relationships that matter most. In this final episode of our Hard Emotion Series, we explore why resentment is so common on a cancer journey and how to address the "pinch" before it becomes unbearable.#CancerJourney #Resentment #PatientAdvocacyWHAT WE EXPLORE IN THIS EPISODE:Resentment is that knot in your stomach that starts as a ping—something small like dishes left on the sink or a dismissive tone from your doctor. Each time you swallow the feeling and tell yourself it's not worth mentioning, you add another layer. Before you know it, you're bitter, avoiding appointments, or considering walking away from relationships that actually matter.On a cancer journey, resentment shows up constantly. You're expected to be grateful for everything anyone gives you, even when it's not what you need. You don't want to "stir the pot" with your medical team. You silence yourself because "it's not worth making it a big deal." But that's gaslighting yourself: if an emotion came up, it matters.We discuss why passive aggression is often resentment trying to find its voice, how power dynamics in medical relationships make this worse, and practical ways to notice when something "pinches" so you can address it before resentment builds. The key insight: if a relationship can't stand up to you having your voice, was it worth having?This conversation offers guidance for cancer patients navigating difficult medical relationships, caregivers feeling unheard, and anyone learning to advocate for themselves without passive aggression or silent suffering.

In part three of our Hard Emotion Series, we explore Disappointment—the heart-dropping-into-your-stomach feeling that makes you want to blame yourself, fix it immediately, or avoid feeling it altogether.This episode offers compassionate guidance for anyone navigating the inevitable disappointments of a cancer journey while maintaining hope and finding new paths forward.Join our community at: thecancerjourney.com#CancerJourney #Disappointment #HeartEmotionSeries #Hope #EmotionalHealth #CancerSupport #ProcessingEmotions #Grief #Resilience #CancerCoaching #Healing #Authenticity #CancerCommunity #CancerAwareness #CancerSurvivor