Intro (0:00)
- This episode is about my journey for my new listeners.
- I have shared a lot of other stories with others, but it is rare that I share my story often and my Ostomy journey.
- What led me into having an Ostomy.
- What I have done over the years.
- Cancer and ending up in an Ostomy.
- My mindset and my growth.
How It Began (2:19)
- Back in September of 2015 I was working in direct sales, built a large business, and joined a company with Tyra Banks in her cosmetic line.
- I wanted to be a part of her affiliate program.
- Was selected as the first 200 people to start that company in the direct sales route she was taking.
- I was busy all the time and building my team, but something didn’t feel right.
- I was 44 years old at the time and my periods started hurting and were very painful. Sweating a lot so I just assumed going through menopause.
- Summer of 2015 I earned a trip to go meet Tyra in person, but couldn’t go to meet Tyra not feeling good.
- The doctor did an exam and immediately saw something. Thought it was just a cyst, but because of family history they thought I should just go and see an oncologist.
- So I went to meet Tyra then came home for my doctor's appointments.
After The Trip (5:42)
- Doctors' appointments after I got back showed that I had something called Lynch Syndrome.
- This leads to Colon Cancer, Uterine Cancer, and those types of cancers.
- The oncologist said we can do a full hysterectomy and take everything out. Test it and make sure it's not cancerous.
- Had surgery and a full hysterectomy. And everything there was clean with no signs of anything.
- However, they didn’t get the “blob” out. It was still there.
- So far embedded into the pelvis floor that they could not reach it.
- The colorectal surgeon said to leave it there while I heal from surgery. And then they can do some testing on it to see what is there.
- Biopsies, CT scans, and samples were sent off to another hospital to be tested.
- Looked like a soft tissue sarcoma. And wasn't sure the type of tumor it was.
- 2 months of its just cysts, no big deal.
- 2nd surgery date was January 15th
- Between that kept going back and forth wondering if it was cancer.
- And knowing what the outcome could be, I did not want to be in a bag. I wanted to be able to beat it without having to remove everything.
Mindset Spirituality (10:20)
- Had too much living to do and things I wanted to do in life. Could not let this take me away from that life.
- Meditated for years, and would just meditate to understand why I was going through this.
- I sat with myself a lot to just listen and find my purpose as to why this was happening.
- Ask the tumor why it was here, what was I to learn from it?
- Slow down, stop working so hard, spend more time with family.
- The only way to save my life was to end up in a bag.
- Had a few successful businesses, top 1% of direct sales.
- Came with a lot of work.
- Day and night
- Had a lot of stuff, but at the end of the day, stuff doesn’t mean anything. Money is great but I needed to slow down.
- I would meditate on my body being healthier, running health through my veins.
- I prayed a lot. I am a spiritual person and I prayed so much.
- I started reading the Bible and through those months and that year, I read the entire Bible.
- I tried to understand the words and I meditated on those words and passages.
- There is something bigger out there and more than where we are today.
- There is something more that we cannot see, but it is very close to us.
- I could feel the energy around me at times.
- I felt closer to God than I have in a while. Had a connection to Him right before surgery. I could feel Him touching my shoulder, and I felt a sense of peace and calmness run through my entire body.
- I knew no matter what happened out of this, it was going to be okay.
After Surgery (17:40)
- Came out after a 9-hour surgery.
- And immediately asked the doctor if we got that blob!
- And I knew at that moment I was in an Ostomy bag.
- I fought this so badly. I THOUGHT it was ugly, I thought it would ruin my life.
- I got up walking and moving because I wanted to get to California to see Tyra again for the 2nd time.
- Out of the hospital Tuesday and on a plane Saturday!
- I needed to do that. I believed there was something bigger out there and for us, I knew I had so much I needed to share.
- My journey wasn't over.
- Came back from California and shared my story, but I am not running as hard.
- Moved to NYC for 3 years, and stopped working so hard in the direct sales.
- Don’t want to build a team right now, but still share products with a company I am in and I share what I love.
- My journey isn’t there anymore. It's here with you guys talking to you about my Ostomy and doing this podcast and bringing awareness to this lifesaving medical device.
- At 51 years old I just signed a contract with an acting and modeling agency. And this brings me to the point of our lives never over. Our journey and our lives are ever evolving.
Closing (22:00)
- There is a reason why we ended up in an ostomy and why we are in one.
- Slow down your life? Or live bigger?
- Someone you will inspire?
- Whatever that is, there is a reason you are here and give us a second chance at life.
- You are in this position for a purpose and you are making a difference whether you know it or not.
- I thought it was important for me to share my cancer journey with you all!
- “Regardless of whatever is going on, we are beautiful and it does not matter. So know that life doesn't have to be different. Yes, there are going to be struggles, yes, there's going to be things that you're going to have to overcome. But it's through that journey that you learn how strong you are and on the other side you are always so good!”
- What you believe is true and you can do anything you put your mind to.
