If you’ve ever been to the hospital and seen someone hooked up to a monitor you see the lines go up and down and hear a beep.  While they may be sleeping or wake up off and on the machine tells the staff they are still breathing, and they are still here.  Have you ever felt like you’re still breathing but you’re tired? I know discouragement can set in along the way so let’s talk about it.  What do you do when you’re simply - tired?  You C.A.R.E. cry, assess, remember and encourage.

Don’t forget to leave a comment or drop us an email at [email protected].

Available on podcast platforms (Apple, Spotify, Anchor) and YouTube channel (Patricia Russell). Like, Subscribe, Share and leave a review.

Relationships as most of us know don’t grow when things are only rosey. The marriage relationship is one that will definitely go through good times and bad.  Well on this episode I’m sitting with my husband, Wayne as well as Vince and Anita Alexander  we call them framily (friends/family) who we’ve known for 19 years.  It’s a candid conversation and I feel there will be a part 2 down the road! It went too quickly.

The Alexanders are candid and transparent about getting used to the nuances of marriage, struggles with infertility, and life events. They are two of my favourite people because they shoot straight. You’ll have to let me know if you want to hear more from them so don’t forget to leave a comment or drop us an email at [email protected].

Available on podcast platforms (Apple, Spotify, Anchor) and YouTube channel (Patricia Russell). Like, Subscribe, Share and leave a review.

It is not unusual for many of us when diagnosed to think that we’ve done something to cause our situation to happen. When it comes to a cancer or health diagnosis we often ask this. I know I did.  In this episode we’ll address this question and other myths that come with the questions of “why is this happening to me? Was it my fault?”.  Does this sound familiar? Caution on who you listen to and what you read.  Remember that everything that happens has the potential to help us become resilient so spend time doing what you enjoy and will bring you joy.

We would love to hear from you if you have questions or thoughts or even topic suggestions  You can email us at [email protected].  Available on podcast platforms (Apple, Spotify, Anchor) and YouTube channel (Patricia Russell). Like, Subscribe, Share and leave a review.

One of the lines in the hymn “What a Friend we have in Jesus” states “take it to the Lord in prayer”.  Can I tell you that prayer is a lifeline. God wants us to talk with and to Him.  He doesn’t want us to replace Him with anyone else.  It’s been proven that those who pray go through treatment and recover quicker than those who don’t. That’s some pretty powerful information right there. In this episode, we talk about the power of prayer  A few scriptures I make mention of are as follows:

2 Chronicles 7:14  (NLT) Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

Hebrews 11: 6 (NLT)  And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Phillipians 4:4, 6  4 (NLT) Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

(6) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

If prayer is not something you do, you can easily learn because it’s a conversation withGod. That’s it, but do remember that conversations involve talking and listening.  Don’t forget listening and waiting are also involved in prayer. Don’t give up, but pray.  As my Mom says “pray about everything!”  Share this with at least 3 people and comment below.

We would love to hear from you if you have questions or thoughts or even topic suggestions  You can email us at [email protected].  

Available on podcast platforms (Apple, Spotify, Anchor) and YouTube channel (Patricia Russell). Like, Subscribe, Share and leave a review.

This thing called cancer is not a solo affair.  Yes you may be the one experiencing this in your body but I’ll tell you - your family may not be feeling all but of the effects but they are part of your journey.  If you’re married, your spouse is going to deal with their own feelings.  So go easy on them.  Extend patience and allow them to feel their feelings.  I’ve got some suggestions:

Be patient - they don’t know what they don’t know

Allow them to process what’s happening - it really is not all about you!

Give them a chance to express their thoughts with you.

They may not always have the stamina to be warm and fuzzy

I’m speaking with my beloved husband, Wayne Russell and he’ll give you his perspective and what it felt like to be on the other side walking this journey.  So sit back and lean in!

We would love to hear from you if you have questions or thoughts or even topic suggestions  You can email us at [email protected].  

Available on podcast platforms (Apple, Spotify, Anchor) and YouTube channel (Patricia Russell). Like, Subscribe, Share and leave a review.

We’ve all had bad hair days but for the person going through breast cancer it’s a whole different thing when you talk about a bad hair day.  Most if not all people on any form of cancer treatment will experience one, two or months of this.  Let’s talk about what that looks like but also maybe having another perspective on the whole “hair” thing.

Here are some companies you can check out for hair coverings you can purchase for yourself or a friend. If you know someone who is going through treatment these are great options.

Curl Story Co. (Canadian) https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/CurlStoryCo. on

Cokanna (Canadian):  https://cokanna.ca/

Loza Tam (U.S.):  https://lozatam.com/

We would love to hear from you if you have questions or thoughts or even topic suggestions  You can email us at [email protected].  

Available on podcast platforms (Apple, Spotify, Anchor) and YouTube channel (Patricia Russell). Like, Subscribe, Share and leave a review.

If you’re an athlete and you’ve been in a team sport, you understand what it’s like to have a good team.  Teams have to work together for the end result which is to score and win.  You can do that when everyone plays their role. When that team works together, you’re bound to win.

On this episode we talk about the importance of having a team around you while going through a cancer journey.  Even if you yourself are not experiencing this you can learn the impact your presence can have on someone who is going through this.

Connect with people who

We would love to hear from you if you have questions or thoughts.  You can email us at [email protected].  Your squad, your team really makes a difference on how you move through this so choose carefully.

Available on podcast platforms (Apple, Spotify, Anchor) and YouTube channel (Patricia Russell). Like, Subscribe, Share and leave a review.

How much are you listening?

So many times, our body is speaking to us. It’s telling us something is happening, but we ignore the whispers. We’re moving so fast that we don’t take the time to clue in and check to see what is happening.

How often have you ignored an ache, pain or feeling? When should you go to your practitioner? You have one body. Are you hearing the signals.  Are listening?  How are you responding.

Available on podcast platforms (Apple, Spotify, Anchor) and YouTube channel (Patricia Russell). Like, Subscribe, Share and leave a review.

Welcome to the Becoming Resilient podcast where you’ll find encouragement, education and empowerment to keep moving forward whether you’ve been diagnosed with cancer or any other challenge.  Everything that happens to you is not just for you so the lessons you learn should be shared.  Your host, Pat Russell believes resilience is a muscle that is built from the lessons we learn. She will share thoughts learned along with guests to help you on this journey called life.

When facing a diagnosis, the way you push through begins in your mind.

Make the decision on how you are going to face this challenge. Some of the decision includes what we listen to and who we listen to. There are so many voices from friends and relatives to articles and celebrity experiences.  Be mindful but determine out the gate to fight and win

Available on podcast platforms (Apple, Spotify, Anchor) and YouTube channel (Patricia Russell). Like, Subscribe, Share and leave a review.

When you hear a diagnosis of cancer it can stir up a variety of thoughts and misconceptions. We’ll consider what it does not mean for you. You can be assured that it can be better than you think!