Thank you for sharing all of this - it's super helpful to me personally right now. And as a fellow Substacker, creative, and Janeite just want to say how much I appreciate your talents and energy here in this space, I'm glad to find you. You seem to have made your illness into a super power in some ways - you have some things that have made you stronger and that you'll carry with you. Good for you! Wishing you strong health, massive fun, sparkly romance and all good things 💮🌷
I'm so glad that these words resonated with you during this season of life AND I'm so glad that our paths have crossed! I really appreciate your kind words. The thing about illness and cancer is that there's really no other option but to move through it and to answer the invitations that come along the way. I'd have much preferred not to have this super power :) I receive your beautiful wishes and hope the very same for you!
I am so happy for your anniversary! My health challenge is quite different but I can relate wholeheartedly to your section about being in a different place from your friends. I felt the same way when I was diagnosed with my disease at 21. I felt the gap widen and it was excruciating, but it's gotten less painful over the years.
Thank you, Chris! I really appreciate you sharing your own story, too. That gap is painful at any age, but I imagine it would be just devastating at age 21, just as you're stepping into adulthood. I'm grateful to hear it has gotten less painful, AND...I know that these things ebb and flow. Wishing you great joy amidst the valleys.
Thank you so much, Stacy! Yes, the push and pull is so very real. It looks like you're having some very important and under-addressed topics over at Cancer Culture! I don't typically seek out cancer content at this stage of my journey, but I'm grateful to know where to go if and when I do.
WHEW. Witnessing your willingness to feel and acknowledge it all for the past year+ has been so beautiful. Your vulnerability sings on the page here, thank you for sharing the truth of your experience in such honest and layered ways. 💛 Just so proud of you for all that you've managed to navigate.
Hi! You don’t know me, but I think I started subscribing to your emails because of Clarity on Fire - I think you were a guest on one of their podcast episodes? I can’t remember how long ago it was, lol. But I enjoy reading about life changes, personal growth, etc. and connecting with people who are still trying to figure things out. Glad you healed from cancer! I like that you said “Even though I can’t always see my progress, I trust that I am in motion.” So true. I have been struggling with health issues for a while and actually just got on disability because they were affecting my ability to work. I’m not even sure what I’d want to do for work again if I figured out how to get better. But getting better is my main focus, so if clarity comes at a future point, so be it. I just can’t force its hand. I’m sure you can relate because that seems to be what you often write about. I look forward to seeing what happens in your journey! Best wishes <3
Marianne! You are right—I was a guest on CoF many moons ago! I'm so glad you're here and I am honored that you shared a bit of your story with me. It's the MOST unsatisfying answer ever, but you're right: you can't force clarity. I do find that surrendering to what is, instead of clawing at clarity, is the quickest way to actually receiving it, even though it never, ever gets any easier to do so! I am cheering you on as you continue to focus on your health and holding the faith that beautiful, joyful change is inevitable for you (and me!).
Marissa I LOVE this posting. It really speaks to my soul, probably because I can identify with so much of what you've written. Your vulnerability is very powerful! Thank you for being you! - Laura
Thank you for taking the time to comment, my dear friend! I know you get this more than most anyone else <3 As much as I hate that cancer found both of us, it also bonded us together even further and I am eternally grateful for that. Here's to this next season of health, vitality, and magic for both of us!
Thank you for sharing all of this - it's super helpful to me personally right now. And as a fellow Substacker, creative, and Janeite just want to say how much I appreciate your talents and energy here in this space, I'm glad to find you. You seem to have made your illness into a super power in some ways - you have some things that have made you stronger and that you'll carry with you. Good for you! Wishing you strong health, massive fun, sparkly romance and all good things 💮🌷
I'm so glad that these words resonated with you during this season of life AND I'm so glad that our paths have crossed! I really appreciate your kind words. The thing about illness and cancer is that there's really no other option but to move through it and to answer the invitations that come along the way. I'd have much preferred not to have this super power :) I receive your beautiful wishes and hope the very same for you!
❣️🌷❣️
I am so happy for your anniversary! My health challenge is quite different but I can relate wholeheartedly to your section about being in a different place from your friends. I felt the same way when I was diagnosed with my disease at 21. I felt the gap widen and it was excruciating, but it's gotten less painful over the years.
Wishing you continued health 🙏
Thank you, Chris! I really appreciate you sharing your own story, too. That gap is painful at any age, but I imagine it would be just devastating at age 21, just as you're stepping into adulthood. I'm grateful to hear it has gotten less painful, AND...I know that these things ebb and flow. Wishing you great joy amidst the valleys.
Thanks Marissa! Wishing you the same.
Happy Anniversary. This was a beautiful distillation of the push and pull of survivorship. We would love to have you over at Cancer Culture!
Thank you so much, Stacy! Yes, the push and pull is so very real. It looks like you're having some very important and under-addressed topics over at Cancer Culture! I don't typically seek out cancer content at this stage of my journey, but I'm grateful to know where to go if and when I do.
WHEW. Witnessing your willingness to feel and acknowledge it all for the past year+ has been so beautiful. Your vulnerability sings on the page here, thank you for sharing the truth of your experience in such honest and layered ways. 💛 Just so proud of you for all that you've managed to navigate.
Thank you for being right there with me through it all <3
Marissa, what an incredibly powerful piece, and what a momentous anniversary. I feel humbled that you've shared these reflections with us here.
Cheers to everything you have accomplished—and will accomplish!
Thank you so much, Maddie! I'm so grateful to you for reading it and sharing in this mixed bag alongside me. I'll absolutely cheers to that!
Hi! You don’t know me, but I think I started subscribing to your emails because of Clarity on Fire - I think you were a guest on one of their podcast episodes? I can’t remember how long ago it was, lol. But I enjoy reading about life changes, personal growth, etc. and connecting with people who are still trying to figure things out. Glad you healed from cancer! I like that you said “Even though I can’t always see my progress, I trust that I am in motion.” So true. I have been struggling with health issues for a while and actually just got on disability because they were affecting my ability to work. I’m not even sure what I’d want to do for work again if I figured out how to get better. But getting better is my main focus, so if clarity comes at a future point, so be it. I just can’t force its hand. I’m sure you can relate because that seems to be what you often write about. I look forward to seeing what happens in your journey! Best wishes <3
Marianne! You are right—I was a guest on CoF many moons ago! I'm so glad you're here and I am honored that you shared a bit of your story with me. It's the MOST unsatisfying answer ever, but you're right: you can't force clarity. I do find that surrendering to what is, instead of clawing at clarity, is the quickest way to actually receiving it, even though it never, ever gets any easier to do so! I am cheering you on as you continue to focus on your health and holding the faith that beautiful, joyful change is inevitable for you (and me!).
Marissa I LOVE this posting. It really speaks to my soul, probably because I can identify with so much of what you've written. Your vulnerability is very powerful! Thank you for being you! - Laura
Thank you for taking the time to comment, my dear friend! I know you get this more than most anyone else <3 As much as I hate that cancer found both of us, it also bonded us together even further and I am eternally grateful for that. Here's to this next season of health, vitality, and magic for both of us!