Hi everyone! Thank you for following our podcast, filled with short interviews that we hope will inspire and inform. We will feature a new story every Sunday and Thursday! This story was the second story that I wrote - to help me come to terms with a failing marriage. I used a lot of metaphors in this to illustrate my feelings and I really hope you enjoy listening to this! I know that all of the Story Crafting participants get real vulnerable, so thank you for allowing us to have this platform to speak what is on our hearts.

If you would like to see the video version of this story, visit our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3-5D2GKUiw&t=26s

Thank you to Guardant Health for sponsoring this podcast! Blood is the center of transforming cancer care! With over 500,000 of their blood tests performed by 12,000 doctors to date, Guardant's commercially available tests help inform treatment decisions for patients by holding insights that can improve clinical outcomes.

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY. To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories. Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story? Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

Hi everyone! Thank you for following our podcast, filled with short interviews that we hope will inspire and inform. We will feature a new story every Sunday and Thursday! This story was the second story that I wrote - to help me come to terms with a failing marriage. I used a lot of metaphors in this to illustrate my feelings and I really hope you enjoy listening to this! I know that all of the Story Crafting participants get real vulnerable, so thank you for allowing us to have this platform to speak what is on our hearts.

If you would like to see the video version of this story, visit our YouTube channel:
https://youtu.be/A-zhwGbWeXM?si=PxS1KhOlfzp8_6Xu

Thank you to Guardant Health for sponsoring this podcast! Blood is the center of transforming cancer care! With over 500,000 of their blood tests performed by 12,000 doctors to date, Guardant's commercially available tests help inform treatment decisions for patients by holding insights that can improve clinical outcomes.

Hello! I'm Lisa McKenzie, the Founder of You Night Events and the "We Lift You Up" fund 501c3 public charity dedicated to helping cancer survivors find a path forward after a diagnosis. Life is never the same after hearing the words, "You have cancer." For many, the trauma of the experience can interfere with living life to the fullest. Our "Story Crafting" Program helps individuals deconstruct a challenging life event and reconstruct it. Listen in!

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY. To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories. Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story? Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Zita's story: "Joy and sorrow can coexist, so let your precious tears fall like diamonds on the floor for there is healing in releasing this built-up pressure, like the white teardrop that emerges from beneath the broken heart of the flower plant. There is value in emotion as in diamonds. It is the release and relief that cleanses, restores and balances the mind, body and soul. As brother Mike said as I lay crying one day, “It’s okay and important to feel the hard emotions and cry.” We are all just walking each other Home. So mom, when we see you again in Heaven one day, it’ll be our turn to say, “Put on the water, let’s have tea!” ~ granddaughter Kristina. To my husband Gerry, thank you for loving all of me 143. My beautiful family, friends, coworkers and healthcare team- Thank You!"

Hello! I'm Lisa McKenzie, the Founder of You Night Events and the "We Lift You Up" fund 501c3 public charity dedicated to helping cancer survivors find a path forward after a diagnosis. Life is never the same after hearing the words, "You have cancer." For many, the trauma of the experience can interfere with living life to the fullest. Our "Story Crafting" Program helps individuals deconstruct a challenging life event and reconstruct it. Listen in!

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY. To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories. Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story? Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Jenna's story: "Throughout my journey, feeling like a square peg, my husband Rich has been my cornerstone. He is my Superman. Rich is compassionate, caring, loving, non-judgmental and could make me laugh during the darkest days. He gives "tough love" even when I don't want to hear it. Rich made some very tough medical decisions that I would never have agreed to, but I am very grateful that he did. He reminded me constantly that we had two very young sons that needed both a father and a mother. Even if I didn't want to fight or be strong any longer, he would have me look at our boys. This gave me the strength to keep on fighting every time. My family has been my motivation- my husband, my boys, my parents and my sisters. Without their help, support and motivation, I do not think I would still be here.

You need to look out for number one. You need to take care of yourself. You need to be your own advocate. You need to do what is best for you, physically and emotionally.

As time passes, the square peg keeps trying to fit into the round hole. The hole begins to get bigger and bigger, to the point where the square peg does fit into the round hole. We all are beautiful and are enough just the way we are. We are born worthy of love and acceptance. Love your little square peg- love yourself no matter what."

Hello! I'm Lisa McKenzie, the Founder of You Night Events and the "We Lift You Up" fund 501c3 public charity dedicated to helping cancer survivors find a path forward after a diagnosis. Life is never the same after hearing the words, "You have cancer." For many, the trauma of the experience can interfere with living life to the fullest. Our "Story Crafting" Program helps individuals deconstruct a challenging life event and reconstruct it. Listen in!

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY. To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories. Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story? Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Maureen's story: "My sisters were also my light. During my first diagnosis, my sisters would be there during my chemotherapy. One would drop me off, and another would pick me up. My oldest sister would go with me to appointments, pull out a notebook, and take copious notes. During my second diagnosis, she would change her work schedule to be with me during my chemotherapy. She would take me out to lunch or shopping after my infusions. When I lost my hair, my sisters lined up to have their heads shaved. They reasoned, I did not have a choice about losing my hair, but that they did. During my second bout, my two brothers got into the act and shaved their heads too!

My family tried to encourage me, especially when I was down. This past April, I had what you could call “survivor’s guilt.” Two friends passed away from cancer about a week and a half from each other. I kept thinking, “Why am I still here? I have had cancer twice and am still here. Their deaths do not make sense.” My sisters encouraged me to look at the positive and not dwell on the negative. They told me to think how lucky I am to remain here. Like the butterflies that come out of a dark space, so did I."

Hello! I'm Lisa McKenzie, the Founder of You Night Events and the "We Lift You Up" fund 501c3 public charity dedicated to helping cancer survivors find a path forward after a diagnosis. Life is never the same after hearing the words, "You have cancer." For many, the trauma of the experience can interfere with living life to the fullest. Our "Story Crafting" Program helps individuals deconstruct a challenging life event and reconstruct it. Listen in!

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY. To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories. Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story? Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Audrey's story: "My guiding light has been my children and my now husband. My son, at the age of fourteen, was wiser than he knew. The day I received the call for the biopsy, my son looked at me and said “Mom don’t worry, you will be just fine.” My son and daughter helped in every way possible- from learning to change the dressings to taking care of the radiation burns. My son would come to radiation with me so I wasn’t alone and I had a puppy to keep me moving. I took my puppy for walks since I could not just let him out into a yard. My future husband came to stay with me and asked me again to marry him, but again, I refused. He persisted and proved to me that he was the one. We married after my treatment was finished, in the Gloria Gemma office, with Maria as a witness, my two children and Gary Calvino officiating. I have learned from life experience that strength and wisdom can come from the places and people that you would never expect. I have grown into a beautiful pink tea rose with many, many petals.

You can overcome anything with the help of friends and family."

Hello! I'm Lisa McKenzie, the Founder of You Night Events and the "We Lift You Up" fund 501c3 public charity dedicated to helping cancer survivors find a path forward after a diagnosis. Life is never the same after hearing the words, "You have cancer." For many, the trauma of the experience can interfere with living life to the fullest. Our "Story Crafting" Program helps individuals deconstruct a challenging life event and reconstruct it. Listen in!

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY. To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories. Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story? Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com

An excerpt from Jamie's story: "My battle against breast cancer wasn't just about survival, it became a catalyst for change- igniting a passion within me to redefine my life's purpose. The journey was far from easy. It has been filled with many tears, therapy sessions, soul-searching, and of course art, creativity, and now photography. I am working to redefine my core values, set boundaries to protect my well- being, and chase my dreams with an unwavering determination. I am working to get my sparkle back.

As I walk on this path of healing and transformation, my message for others is to break free from the monotony of everyday life, to live each day with passion, and to embrace the present moment as if it was your last. Create a bucket list, cross things off your list, tell the people you care about that you love them.

Above all, love yourself, just as you are today, in this very moment."

Hello! I'm Lisa McKenzie, the Founder of You Night Events and the "We Lift You Up" fund 501c3 public charity dedicated to helping cancer survivors find a path forward after a diagnosis. Life is never the same after hearing the words, "You have cancer." For many, the trauma of the experience can interfere with living life to the fullest. Our "Story Crafting" Program helps individuals deconstruct a challenging life event and reconstruct it. Listen in!

Support the show

Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY. To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories. Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story? Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com