Today’s podcast is going to focus on choosing a guiding word. We recognize that we are already well into 2023, and many people choose a word at the new year, but we also want to remind you that you can select a word any time. You set the intention that you will be focused on that word from point A to B and you it as a guidepost.    Think back over the last few months or a year. What is something you want to be better at or you need a reminder to get you back on track with.  What do you want to achieve in the next few months or by the end of the year? We all want to be successful at accomplishing our goals, but consider instead of a resolution, or along with your resolution, you choose a word that helps guides you.  Please don't forget to leave a review. We greatly appreciate it! 

It is safe to say that being a cancer survivor comes with certain levels of fear and anxiety at times. It’s normal to feel like this, but do not get stuck here. Work through it, manage it, and do not let it consume you. Fear creeps in when you are diagnosed, have a scan, sitting in the chemo chair - really anything related to a cancer diagnosis is scary!  It is obviously not just cancer either. Fear comes from a lot of things in life… Any illness creates a level of fear. Making a big change in your life, like a job/career can trigger fear, ending a relationship, dating. Some fears can be exciting as well as scary - like skydiving!  

Welcome back listeners to Sips With Survivors! We are excited to bring you new episodes and officially launch Season 2.  We decided in March of last year that we were both feeling the need to take a bit of a break from recording. We are honest around here, and we know that in order for us to keep showing up for you in the future, we needed to rest and reset. The break was a bit longer than we anticipated, but we are back.  We took the last 10 months and focused on enjoying our lives and spent some much needed time with our families.  We are back to recording, and plan to continue to share tips for navigating a cancer diagnosis, treatment, life after a diagnosis, tips for caregivers, and support for anyone navigating something difficult in life.   

We are using this episode to mark the end of our Season 1 of Sips with Survivors. April 12th will be the anniversary of our very first episode. We have had some incredible guests and talked through more topics than we can list! Thank you for tuning in each week, providing feedback, reviews and topics for the podcast. We appreciate each and every one of you!  One thing we want you to hear is that we’re not going away, we’ll be back with Season 2 soon.  Like many of you, we need to hit the pause button for a bit, reflect on this last year and all of the things we’ve accomplished.  Remember it’s okay to say no, it’s okay to say “I need a break”, it’s okay to hit the pause button, breathe and then get back after it, refreshed and ready to hit the ground running. You will hear us again on Season 2... Send us a DM with any episode ideas. Where could you use some more help in this community? What are you struggling to find info on?  You can find us on Instagram @SipsWithSurivors Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sipswithsurvivors/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/SipsWithSurvivors/_created/    

This week Randalynn and Vicki are excited to introduce you to an incredible human. She is a fellow podcaster, a writer and a professor with a PhD in English- Meghan Hurley Powell. Meghan has so much to share with the world, but on this episode we had her deep dive into journaling and how to approach writing your own book - which she just did! So many survivors in our community want to work through journaling but do not know exactly how to start. On this episode we chat about getting started.  Meghan helps us tackle some ways to journal and get pen to paper so to speak. She even has prompts to get started, guides on her website and a webinar - all for free!  Her book is now available for pre-order - "Guide to Journaling" She has such an incredible heart that part of the proceeds funnel directly into a scholarship for young women to apply to college. So incredible!  She is also the host of a podcast “The Power Within Her” is all about helping women seek self-empowerment to live a life that makes us excited! The goal is to be intentional about embracing the power of critical thinking and personal growth in order to achieve those dreams on our hearts. We’re going to break free of societal expectations, create new stories that serve us, and have some fun with the process of growing into the type of women who embrace the incredible power within ourselves. Find out more on Meghan here: The Power Within Her Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-within-her/id1551513632 https://www.meggymarie.com/ FREE STUFF - https://www.meggymarie.com/free  https://www.meggymarie.com/guide-to-journaling https://www.instagram.com/dr.meggymarie/  

On this episode the ladies are chatting about Anxiety, Stress in relation to check ups, Scanxiety…whatever you want to call it. The stress and anxiety around the time of your checkups is real. Why is that? The reality is many times the worst has happened…when you were least expecting it, especially when you’ve been told you have cancer. A check up could turn into a reoccurrence or another ailment. It is stressful and even though we don’t want to, we play out worst case scenarios because the worst many times seems to have already happened to us. On this episode Randalynn and Vicki will dive into some recommendations on things that may help you to manage some of the anxiety and emotions you my be feeling. From revisiting breathing techniques from a few weeks ago, exercise, listening to music, to creating a plan with your Dr. on how you best receive results, and a few more . 

On this episode Randalynn and Vicki are diving into what is Lymphedema, tips for managing it and tips for a proper diagnosis. We are chatting with the incredible Kelly Sturm (Reed), PT, DPT. We found Kelly not that long ago, as Vicki has been dealing with lymphedema issues from some of her recent surgeries and her past cancer surgeries. She is a wealth of knowledge and sharing it with the cancer community.  Kelly is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and she specializes in oncology and lymphedema, as well as pelvic health. Her YouTube channel is FULL of so much information! If you have not checked it out yet, you need to - right now! Her channel focuses on various treatments and education for the management of the side effects caused by cancer and its treatment. It is also full of tools for those with lymphedema (like many of us after a diagnosis) to help reduce and manage swelling. She also shares tips and information around women's health topics for overall wellness. There is something for EVERYONE on her channel!  https://www.youtube.com/c/cancerrehabpt https://www.instagram.com/cancerrehabpt/ Here are some of the resources mentioned on this episode  To find a local Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT-LANA): www.clt-lana.org To help advocate for Legislation for insurance to cover compression garments and supplies for Lymphedema: www.lymphedematreatmentact.org Ninjas Fighting Lymphedema Foundation: https://winourfight.org  

It’s something we all do in the beginning after a life changing event… we live in fear. On this episode Vicki and Randalynn chat about how we can learn to live WITH fear… instead of IN fear all the time. There comes a point where we have to accept and process the fear, but we also must not allow it to control our lives.  If we constantly live in fear, how do we continue to live our lives?  How can you transition from IN fear to WITH Fear:    Having someone who’s been through a similar situation to talk with. Someone that understands where you are at, and can help you work through the fear. Seeking professional help. A therapist or counselor can help with tools to help you get move through or even past the fear you may be having.  Practice self care and move your body. This can help reduce anxiety, depression and help with the feeling of fear.  We know that we cannot remove all the fear from our lives, but we also want to work toward a life where we can focus on LIVING! It’s something that you have to stay mindful of. It can come in waves at time. You may be doing great for awhile and then it creeps back in some how. We know that it does not go away, but we can work to reduce the impact it has on our everyday lives.  Make sure you are following along with us on Instagram and Facebook.  https://www.instagram.com/sipswithsurvivors/ https://www.facebook.com/Sips-With-Survivors-103249108875275

On this week's episode Randalynn and Vicki sit down with Tanya West, an incredible woman who has been diagnosed with 4 different types of cancers over the years. Melanoma, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Basal Cell, and Glioblastoma. She has turned her journey into a quest to provide other survivors with the knowledge she has gained as an entrepreneur and works to share her health tips for body, mind, and spirit. October of 2020 she had emergency brain surgery and was diagnosed with Glioblastoma…and was told that this cancer was… Incurable. She shares that fear took over and she felt hopeless. She soon realized that she has always wanted to help others, so if NOT now then when?  Tanya is also an author "You Are Stronger Than You Realize" is available now. In her book she focuses on working through the 4 Principles of Healing, called M.I.N.D. M - Mindset and Medicine I - Increase Your Immune System and Strengthen Your Body N - No More Dirt! Detoxify Your Life and Heal Your Spirit D - Discover Your Destiny by Raising Your Vibration You can learn more about Tanya here: https://tanyawest.ca/strongerbooks  https://www.instagram.com/gowithwest/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/strongerthanyourealize

On this week's episode Vicki and Randalynn are chatting the importance of therapeutic yoga and breath work with the incredible Breanna Stutheit.  Breanna shares with us that the #1 complaint from most of her students is fatigue! The best way to combat that is with moderate movement. You need to listen to your body, and build a mindfulness and awareness so you can address the attention it is needing from you.  Did you know that your breathing is the only reflex you have control over...? (Learn something new everyday). Breanna walks us through a 5 minute relaxation exercise at the end of our episode - you do not want to miss it!  You can learn more about Breanna and even sign up for a private lesson at: https://breannayoga.com/ Follow along with her on Instagram here:  https://www.instagram.com/therapeuticyogawithbreanna/