I Am a Survivor: The Janice Holliman Story of Hope and Strength

In this deeply moving episode of Pages To Impact, we sit down with Janice Holliman—a woman who has faced unimaginable health challenges with unwavering faith and resilience. Overcoming Crohn's disease, toxic mold exposure, 14 blood clots, toxic gut syndrome, multiple life-threatening surgeries, a devastating miscarriage, and a lung cancer scare, Janice has not only survived but thrived while maintaining her signature smile and hopeful spirit. After more than 45 years of marriage and a journey that would break most people, Janice shares how she discovered strength she never knew she had and transformed her pain into purpose through her autobiography I Am a Survivor.

Key Takeaways:

The early signs of a fighter: Janice's journey began before birth—her mother was advised to have an abortion due to complications, but she survived and thrived. As a teenager, she nearly died from illness but was saved by her mother's quick action.

The Crohn's disease diagnosis: In 1998, Janice was diagnosed with Crohn's disease—a chronic, incurable autoimmune condition—after initially being misdiagnosed with "helicopter bacteria" and told she had cancer. Doctors dismissed her pain, but she found the courage to seek second opinions.

A heartbreaking pregnancy and loss: Scheduled for surgery, Janice discovered she was unexpectedly pregnant despite previous medical advice that she couldn't conceive. At four months, she suffered a miscarriage of a baby girl—a loss that still deeply affects her today.

Relentless health battles: Janice has survived 14 blood clots, toxic gut syndrome, multiple surgeries (including removal of part of her small and large intestine), two car accidents within 20 days, and walked for three months unaware she had a broken back and neck.

The toxic mold nightmare: Janice lost 40 years of possessions twice after living in mold-infested apartments for a decade. Her body became so sensitive to mold that she can now detect it before seeing it, forcing her to start over multiple times.

Her philosophy of resilience: "I don't ask 'Why me?' I ask 'What can I learn from this?'" Janice lives by nine core words (focus, hope, joy, peace, endurance, etc.), viewing every trial as a test that makes her stronger.

Caregiving while being ill: Despite her own suffering, Janice has been a caregiver to three people—including her husband, mother, and brother—demonstrating extraordinary strength in supporting others while managing her own chronic conditions.

The power of mindset: "Healing begins with the mind. What you put into your mind becomes your reality." Janice reveals how her positive outlook and faith have sustained her through the darkest times.

Writing as healing: Inspired by her gastroenterologist (who noted she was the only Crohn's patient among 10 not to develop full-blown cancer), Janice wrote I Am a Survivor as a testament to hope and resilience.

Her message to those in darkness: "You cannot do it alone. Find someone to talk to. Don't let your pain make you bitter—protect your inner goodness. Focus on who you want to be remembered as."

Resources Mentioned:

I Am a Survivor—Janice's autobiography featuring 22 original poems and her nine guiding principles (available on Amazon)

Janice's poetry book with "roses all the way through"

Viral Book Nation (marketing agency supporting Janice's book promotion)

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