Cancer Healing Journeys by ZenOnco.io & Love Heals Cancer

Chrissy Lomax is a Polestar Pilates instructor, a personal trainer, a musician and a breast cancer survivor. Ironically, the drug she took to beat her cancer was the same one she raised money for through the Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation/UCLA.

In addition to her philanthropic work, Chrissy is a talented singer and songwriter. She has released several albums, including “2 Hands on the Wall” and “I’m Not Ashamed.”

You can find out more about Chrissy and the projects she is working on by visiting her website: www.chrissylomax.com.

Renuka was diagnosed with triple-positive Breast Cancer in the year 2020. Initially, she had severe pain in one of her breasts. After further tests originally, there was no conclusion. Then she started noticing a discharge from her breast. She then consulted a cancer institute, and on other tests, it was diagnosed as Breast Cancer. She underwent 14 cycles of chemotherapy, lumpectomy and four weeks of radiation therapy as a part of the treatment. She had a supportive family and friends throughout her treatment. Renuka says," No matter how good or bad the situation is, be kind to yourself and your surroundings. Be thankful".

When business performance coach Melanie Holscher learned she had stage 4 ovarian cancer, it sounded more like a sentence than a diagnosis. And fighting the disease demanded more than she thought she could give. Waiting for doctors, waiting for test results and waiting to see how her body would respond to treatment. The uncertainty was terrifying, and her mind slipped into unfamiliar darkness.

But Holscher was determined to fight back. Tapping into the same coaching techniques that helped thousands of business professionals, she ratcheted up her mental game. She prepared herself to overcome the most significant challenge she had ever faced. The result is Becoming Ovary Jones—a guidebook for developing your mental strength throughout your cancer battle and a message of hope: that mindset truly impacts outcomes.

Melanie says, "challenge and expand your thoughts, along with concrete "Actionable Hopes"—every cancer fighter should bolster their courage and reclaim their healing mentality."

Vanessa Ghigliotty was just 28 years old when she was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer. The trauma of having to tell her son, who was 11, is what inspired her to become an advocate for awareness. The first oncologist felt chemotherapy would not make that much difference. Her world crumbled to pieces. She sat in the cold hospital room, looking out a huge window at a catholic school and a cross, where a bird was so peacefully perched. It wasn't until the bird flew away that she realized what about her son!? "You never know how strong you are until strong is the only choice you have".

Tara Williamson is a nine-year Breast Cancer survivor, nurse, Internationally recognized certified Areola, 3D Nipple & Scar Camouflage tattoo artist. She founded Pink Ink Tattoo LLC in 2014, working alongside excellent plastic surgeons across the country. She is honoured to help post-mastectomy clients with a natural, realistic appearing Areola, 3D Nipple and share her specialized skills with her fellow breast cancer survivors, helping them feel whole again. Tara was featured on NPR Radio, ABC, CBS, NBC, and in Oprah Winfrey, O Magazine, CEOMom Magazine, Wildfire Magazine, etc.

Christopher Geal is a Colorectal Cancer survivor. He is also a mindset coach at Breakout Survivor and Leadership Coaching. Once his doctors told him point-blank that he had an advanced form of Cancer, it was a life or death situation.

For many who have experienced Cancer, this is a difficult time–the uncertainty can be brutal and the emotional impact overwhelming. Running has always been part of his life, but never more than during Cancer, and certainly never more than after it.

He would run the 10 kilometres to the hospital to have his Chemo and Radiation treatment a few times a week. Many would see a normal-looking runner on the outside. But, If they look closely, they can see the Chemo IV line over his shoulder and cleverly hidden inside his hydration pack.

"Studies have shown aerobic exercise of any kind is one of the most effective interventions at managing fatigue after Cancer. It's all about mindset. I feel in control when I run like Cancer never had a chance and still doesn't. Now I coach survivors on how to harness that same mindset."

The Rational Exercise Program (REP) is a component of the BREAKOUT METHOD, a coaching experience designed to help survivors break the cycle of low energy and fatigue. It enables survivors to get moving again.

But it is the mindset that enables this and the mindset that flows from it; it is that simple.

German Lam is an award-winning chef and a Nasopharyngeal cancer survivor. He graduated in 1986 from Newbury College with a degree in culinary arts and completed the prestigious American Culinary Federation Les Dames d’Escoffier apprenticeship program in 1990. His awards include 1989 Ritz-Carlton Hotel Employee of the Year, 1989 Boston food Show Gold Medal and 1999 Epicurean Club of Boston Junior Culinary Team Coach – Bronze Medal.

German’s freestyle cooking and lifestyle philosophy gave him the tools he needed to survive cancer and survive the complex recovery process. It meant both unleashing his inner dragon and channelling Bruce Lee, “becoming like water.” German has set out to help and inspire others to find that balance, sharing his story and philosophy as an author, speaker, and coach. His venture Glam Foods, aims to illuminate the path to good living through eating right.

Dr Jamal Dixon is an internal medicine physician based in Atlanta, GA. He is a graduate of Meharry Medical College and completed his medical residency at Grady Hospital via Morehouse School of Medicine. He is also a cancer survivor-thriver after being diagnosed with rare stomach cancer during the final year of residency in 2017. During his experience as a patient, he witnessed the blind spots present in healthcare regarding the wellbeing and support of familial caregivers. He also witnessed how the mental and emotional traumas that patients experience from diagnosis and treatment were under-acknowledged within the healthcare space.

Parampreet Singh was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at 20 years while in his third year of college. His initial symptoms were a painless swelling on the neck, fatigue, coughing and night sweats. He underwent twelve chemotherapy sessions and fifteen cycles of radiation therapy as a part of the treatment. Parampreet says, " Stage 4 is not the end of cancer. The internet gives a lot of negativity regarding stage four cancer. Therefore it is important to provide necessary awareness, so people become more and more educated."

Manish Mandiwal is a stage 3 colorectal cancer survivor. Initially, he had irregular bowel moments, which he did not take seriously. Later he noticed white mucous during bowel motion. He underwent surgery, 28 rounds of target radiotherapy, and oral chemotherapy as a part of the treatment. He was blessed to have a supportive family and friends throughout the treatment. He says, "Cancer stigma is still a predominant issue, but it is essential to provide awareness. Do not fall into the trap of so-called "Sympathy"."