Sips With Survivors

Two ovarian cancer survivors and breast cancer previvors navigating life after cancer. Sharing experiences from diagnosis to survivorship, and everything in between.

S2 E5: Intentional Rest 04/05/2023

S2 E5: Intentional Rest On this week's episode we Vicki shares why we need rest and how to be intentional with it. She also shares tips to get intentional mental and physical rest. First of all, what is REST…. It is freedom from activity or labor. It is a state of motionlessness or inactivity. This includes not moving your body, and resting your mind. Many times, our minds and our expectations of ourselves are that we need to do it all. We need to read that book, meet that friend, go to the gym, walk the dog, and so on. We then ignore the need to rest our bodies and our minds. How do you know you need more rest? Always on the go? Constant stimulation at work and home? Stressed? Stress is usually the reason most people do not get the proper mental or physical rest. Remember, just because you are not physically moving, does not mean you are properly resting. Sitting and scrolling on your phone, that is not rest. That is engaging your brain, forcing it to process information and therefore not giving it a break. /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/26450031

S2 E4: Mommy Has Cancer 03/22/2023

S2 E4: Mommy Has Cancer On this episode of Sips with Survivors, Randalynn takes the show solo. She will dive into how she shared that she was sick and that she had cancer with her then 3 and 7 year old children. She shares when she decided she needed to tell them she was sick, how much she wanted to tell them and exactly what she would share with them. Navigating all of this as a divorced mom, she had to share with her family and her ex-husband. Randalynn wanted them all to understand what the kids knew, how it should be communicated and when they needed to let her know. If you or anyone you know is ever diagnosed with a severe illness like cancer, think abut the following when you need to share with your children: Who needs to know? What do they and your children need to know? When do they need to know it? Communication and understanding when it came to all those involved was key. Think about those that your children are in constant contact with besides you. One key component Randalynn realized, were their teachers. These are people that may not be close to you, but they spend a majority of the day with your children. They should have some understanding of what may be happening at home and how this may impact the kids, as well as you as a parent. Teachers really can be a key to how your children deal with your diagnosis. Randalynn reminds us, and her kids that Everything is Understandable /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/26291976

S2 E3: Choose a Guiding Word 03/08/2023

S2 E3: Choose a Guiding Word 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! /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/26150907

S2 E2: Navigating Fear/Anxiety 02/22/2023

S2 E2: Navigating Fear/Anxiety 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! /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/26004750

S2 E1: Welcome Back 02/08/2023

S2 E1: Welcome Back 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. /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/25863120

48. Let's Pause for A Moment... 03/31/2022

48. Let's Pause for A Moment... 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 Facebook - Pinterest - /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/22635848

47. Journaling with Meghan 03/23/2022

47. Journaling with Meghan 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 FREE STUFF - /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/22538555

46. Navigating Anxiety and Check Ups 03/16/2022

46. Navigating Anxiety and Check Ups 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 . /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/22462673

45. Facing Lymphedema With Kelly Strum 03/09/2022

45. Facing Lymphedema With Kelly Strum 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! Here are some of the resources mentioned on this episode To find a local Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT-LANA): To help advocate for Legislation for insurance to cover compression garments and supplies for Lymphedema: Ninjas Fighting Lymphedema Foundation: /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/22385867

44. Living WITH, Not IN Fear 03/02/2022

44. Living WITH, Not IN Fear 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. /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/22305128

43. Meet Tanya West 02/23/2022

43. Meet Tanya West 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: /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/22225490

42. Just Breath With Breanna Stutheit 02/16/2022

42. Just Breath With Breanna Stutheit 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: Follow along with her on Instagram here: /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/22147796

41. Positive Pants 02/09/2022

41. Positive Pants On this episode Vicki and Randalynn are chatting about focusing on positivity. We joke about putting on positive pants, but it sure can make a difference. We know it can be difficult at times to maintain a positive attitude, and sometimes you need to let yourself sit in your feelings no matter what they are. We need to feel the things impacting us. But we also recognize that we need to consciously focus on being in a positive place, to drive a happier life. Start the day with something positive that makes you feel good (working out, puppy snuggles, journaling) Enjoy the simpler things in life and appreciate those moments - Ice Cream anyone? Make sure you have a hobby that brings you joy Always have something planned that you are looking forward to Enjoy $5 off with code - SIPSWITHSURVIVORS /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/22071707

40. Asking For What You Need 02/02/2022

40. Asking For What You Need In this episode Randalynn and Vicki discuss how to ask for what you need or want in relationships. Sometimes it can truly be difficult to ask for what we need, or speak up when we feel we deserve something other than what we are receiving. This can be at work, in a marriage and in friendships. Saying what we need or want from a relationship is half the battle of achieving a successful one! So many times we do not want to have that awkward conversation with a friend, or spouse, but we not doing ourselves or them any favors by holding in what we need. Find yourself some friends that let you talk things out, and that you feel comfortable sharing with. Let them do the same with you. There are going to be times in our lives where we need to rely on others, and we need to work to ask for the support and help we need. But we also have to remember there will be times when those friends will need the same from us. Vicki is chatting about her Further Foods on this episode as well. Enjoy 15% off on us with this link and code "SWS" /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/21974204

39. One Day to Remember 01/26/2022

39. One Day to Remember On this episode Randalynn and Vicki sit down with Rachel, formally an oncology nurse and now the incredible founder of One Day to Remember. One Day to Remember is a non-profit dedicated to giving families with children impacted by a parent's diagnosis, one fun day to make memories as a family. One Day to Remember strives to provide a curated experience that is individualized for each family at no cost to them. These can be at home or at local attractions. Their goal is to give families dealing with a life-limiting illness the opportunity to make lasting, positive memories. Listen in as we discuss what a typical experience can look like, how to apply, who qualifies and how you can contribute to this amazing organization. Find out more about One Day to Remember here: /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/21883271

38. Dear Me.. This is my grief letter 01/19/2022

38. Dear Me.. This is my grief letter This week Randalynn and Vicki dive into writing a letter to yourself and letting some of the grief you feel for your past self go. /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/21748859

37. What If You Could... 01/12/2022

37. What If You Could... This week Vicki and Randalynn are diving in and talking about What if you could... So many times we stay in a place of comfort. We know we can do this, so we stay here. You've done this before, you know how to do it and you are comfortable. This can be anything... a job, a relationship, exercise program or lack there of. /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/21748715

36. New Year... and Goal Setting 01/05/2022

36. New Year... and Goal Setting Goals can be big or small, and most importantly, they are whatever you want them to be. Setting the goal or intention allows us to work toward achieving things we truly want to accomplish. Remember we don’t have to live every single moment of our lives planned out. Allow for spontaneity and fun! Goals are a means to guide us to accomplishments and achievements. They are stepping stones and mile markers. /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/21667625

35. Navigating Grief 12/15/2021

35. Navigating Grief After a few recent losses in our cancer community, we have decided it was time to dive in and chat a bit about grief. There is never a good time to talk about this, but there is no time like the present as so many of us know. /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/21401048

34. Navigating the Holidays 12/08/2021

34. Navigating the Holidays The holidays are a tricky time of the year for anyone... But when it comes to a cancer diagnosis or illness that impacts your immune system, it can be even harder to navigate. /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/21401021

33. Cap & Conquer 12/01/2021

33. Cap & Conquer On this episode Vicki and Randalynn sit down with a few of the ladies from Cap & Conquer. We are excited to introduce you to 3 of the founders, Ali (breast cancer survivor), Janet (ovarian cancer survivor) and Taylor (her sister is a Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer survivor). Each of them will share a bit about their diagnosis, how they know one another and how they came to be part of the amazing team that is Cap & Conquer. /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/21337100

32. Catching Up 11/17/2021

32. Catching Up Thank you to all of the amazing women that have shared their diagnosis stories with us the last two months. We celebrated ovarian cancer thrivers in September and breast cancer thrivers in October. Thank you for sharing your stories of diagnosis, struggles, triumphs and so much more. We appreciate you all so much! /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/21188819

31. Meet Survivor Dana and Founder of AnaOno 11/10/2021

31. Meet Survivor Dana and Founder of AnaOno Dana has been a light in the breast cancer community. She has shared her gift of fashion and design, ultimately enhancing the lives of those impacted by cancer. Thank you Dana for sharing your story, some laughs and your journey with us. /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/21109685

30. Meet Ruth: Survivor and Founder of Ears To You 11/03/2021

30. Meet Ruth: Survivor and Founder of Ears To You This week the ladies are chatting with Ruth Crane - A thriving Triple Negative Breast Cancer survivor and founder of Ears To You. Ruth shares with Randalynn and Vicki about her her cancer diagnosis and how she started her non-profit. Not only is she a cancer advocate, a blessing to the cancer community, but also a caring, thoughtful Mom. /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/21031718

29. Meet Survivor Kelly (talkischeapxo) 10/27/2021

29. Meet Survivor Kelly (talkischeapxo) This week the ladies are chatting with Kelly Thomas - A thriving stage 3C TNBC - Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor and the founder of TNBC Thrivers. Kelly is 2 years NED and sharing her story, growth after cancer, encouraging other TNBC Thrivers and showing up for her community. /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/20956196

28. Meet Survivor Melissa (Cancer Fashionista) 10/20/2021

28. Meet Survivor Melissa (Cancer Fashionista) This week the ladies of Sips With Survivors are introducing you to the Cancer Fashionista, Melissa Berry. She is a fashion and beauty publicist, who also happens to be a breast cancer survivor. After her own diagnosis, Melissa decided to take her experience with cancer and help women feel good and feel beautiful. /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/20858381

27. Bonus: Episode: The Chick Mission 10/16/2021

27. Bonus: Episode: The Chick Mission Vicki and Randalynn chatted and sipped with Tracy Weiss, a cancer survivor and got to learn about her cancer story, as well as an introduction into who and what The Chick Mission is all about. You don't want to miss this episode. /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/20833205

26. Meet Survivor Ashadee (dearcancer_itsme) 10/13/2021

26. Meet Survivor Ashadee (dearcancer_itsme) On this week's episode Vicki and Randalynn sip and chat with breast cancer survivor and thriver Ashadee Miller. She is loving mother, wife and fitness enthusiast. She has been and continues to be an amazing advocate and speaker for health and fitness within the breast cancer community. /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/20785259

25. Meet Survivor Anna (My Cancer Chic) 10/06/2021

25. Meet Survivor Anna (My Cancer Chic) This week Vicki and Randalynn sip and chat with Anna Crollman. She is not only a breast cancer survivor, but also an amazing Mom, thriver and beauty lover. /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/20713616

24. Meet Survivor Sara 09/29/2021

24. Meet Survivor Sara After seeking a place to feel like she belonged in the ovarian cancer community, she decided to create one herself. Young Ovarian Cancer Women is a space for young women diagnosed with ovarian cancer to share their story. She encourages women to come for support, share tips, tricks and even hosts zoom get togethers /episode/index/show/sipswithsurvivors/id/20638622

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