These are all very helpful tips. Thanks. How does a person reintegrate into her old life, start where she left off? I know you had specific challenges because of the nature of your work. Can you talk about that a bit?
It's hard for many. I say in Getting Things Off My Chest,you feel like the lion cub Elsa in the movie "Born Free" after being in the care of doctors for so long you are released to fend for yourself. This is when post-traumatic stress can take hold, which is a common post treatment side effect. It can last for a few months to a few years.
I decided to close M. Young Communications the end of 2010. There was no pleasure - only aggravation - and the company was not in sound financial health. I felt the stress of running a PR was not healthy. Today, I have a smaller more manageable consulting business that helps businesses - and individuals- build their brands. Otherwise, my focus now is building a successful writing, speaking and coaching career and my two radio shows.
My advice to anyone finishing treatment is to take it slow. You can't just hop back on the horse and start galloping off. Your mind and body need time to heal and this takes much longer than you will ever realize. Take time out for yourself everyday and learn to recharge your emotional batters and physical energy, release your anger, reconnect with what brings you joy and gives you reason for living and reframe what happened to you in a better light. These tips are the basis of my second book. Fearless Fabulous You! Lessons on Living Life on Your Terms which deals with emotional healing after a setback.
It's may be a little early to have much feedback yet on Fearless Fabulous You! but Getting Things Off My Chest has been out for a while. What kind of response have you gotten?
The response has been very positive and uplifting. . People tell me the book was like having their best friend hand hold them through treatment. People have thanked me for not sugar coating anything and really being honest about what to expect. I am especially gratified by the thank you emails I receive and praises on websites like Amazon.com. This is my first book and it was written from the heart with my common sense approach and my personal style of wit to face challenges head on. Getting Things Off My Chest is the book I wish I had as my guide when I was facing my own decision about my cancer. And it was a huge honor to receive both the 2014 International Book Award and USA Best Book Award for Cancer Health topics. Honestly, I believe every breast cancer center in the country should have this book available to patients. It's like the Lonely Planet Guide to taking a trip through Cancer Land.
Indeed! It sounds like those big awards for Getting Things Off My Chest was the icing on the cake. Fearless Fabulous You! is more general in tone, not cancer-specific. What about your two radio shows? What are they about?
My two iHeart radio shows cover two areas I am passionate about:
With Fearless Fabulous You!, I interview inspiring women, including entrepreneurs, activists, doers and influencers and discusses issues on women's health, wellness and nutrition with a range of experts. The show airs live Mondays 9pm ET on W4WN.com - the Women 4 Women Network and is podcast on iHeart.com. I love connecting with women who inspire and whom I admire.
The Connected Table LIVE!, co-hosted with my husband David Ransom, profiles the dynamic people work front and center and behind the scenes in food, wine, spirits and hospitality. Over the last 27 years, I have worked with and come to know so many people who have shaped the food and beverage industry. This is a great way to share their stories The show airs live Wednesdays on W4CY.com and is podcast on iHeart.com
Yes, when I wrote Fearless Fabulous You! my intention was a simple motivational book for anyone who feels stuck or has faced a setback, or who is contemplating reinvention who needs a dose of inspiration and fresh way to look at themselves and their challenges. I always kept these kinds of books by my bedside to reach for nightly or when I woke up to set my intentions, so that's what I thought about as I wrote.
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