Stories of Survival - Book Series Part 2

Book Title: The Evolution of Me: From Trial to Triumph Through Breast Cancer

Author:  Anastasia Stevenson | Visit her online at www.evolutionofmellc.com

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Robinson and her cohost, Trauma Therapist Simmone Kilgore, speak with Author & Breast Cancer Survivor, Anastasia Stevenson about breast cancer and what led to writing her book: The Evolution of Me. She speaks of being a thriver versus being a survivor and continuing to push through the adversities of breast cancer.  She shares how her book was formed through her journal entries but was God-ordained.  She talks of the insanity of breast cancer and being diagnosed at 34 years of age and shares her perspective as a wife and mother.  The trauma of hearing “you have breast cancer” but talks of the support received from her husband. Sharing intimate details that put her marriage to the test. Survivor trauma bonds and a diagnosis that led her son to also write a book “Mommy has cancer.”  Her heartfelt inspirational story touches the heart and soul. In her parting words, she shares that evolution is about overcoming any obstacle."

Stories of Survival - Book Series Part 1

Book Title: Overcomer, Stronger than the Storm

Author:  Denise Sneed Williams

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Robinson and her cohost, Trauma Therapist Simmone Kilgore, speak with Author & Breast Cancer overcomer, Denise Sneed William about cancer journey and book: Overcomer. The candid conversation about her journey and how she came to write her book. She speaks of mentally balancing the news of hearing those fatal words “you have breast cancer” and conveying her past and present shock of receiving the diagnosis. Denise shares the pain after receiving 30 rounds of radiation treatment; and reflects on both the mental and physical effects of her battle. Having the right medical team of doctors and being the leader of that team. The impacts of trauma and where we hold pain and those lived experiences, expressing the darkness of trauma. She is led by her passion and leaves the audience with parting words of “Live Now!

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Special guest: Saffiyah Poole, Health Professional   | Are there inequities in public health?  

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Robinson and her cohost, trauma therapist Simmone Kilgore, introduces us to Saffiyah Poole. She is a public health professional who has a degree in Cultural Anthropology from Howard University. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Health from St. Louis University and a Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration from Webster University. Her main focus is to create an equitable health outcome for those at the margins.

Today, they all talk about the crisis facing people of color. One of the topics they talk about is Health Equity which is an important topic especially for those who are not getting the best health outcomes. They share their personal experiences with various topics relating to fairness and equality and how it affects people of color nowadays. It’s important to understand what each of us is facing in our lives.

Episode Highlights

06:26 When you hear “health equity”, it is the need of everyone. Giving everyone exactly what they need in order to have the best health outcomes.

10:03 When you have that one size fits all approach, it is the reason why our society is where it is today.

11:06 People are tired of hearing about racism and things of that nature but racism is real.

23:48 It is perceived that we, black women, handle a diagnosis of stage four breast cancer twice very differently than all other women.

26:48 You can advocate until you’re blue in the face with a provider that does not look like you, but you’re still receiving inadequate care and you still walk away feeling unsafe.

27:34 It’s really important to be armored with knowledge and information, to be aware of what you’re up against as an individual.

Contact information and other resources

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In this episode, Dr. Nicole Robinson and her cohost, trauma therapist Simmone Kilgore, talk about the battles you go through when battling breast cancer. You need strong support when battling such illness and they talk about what the realities are facing this battle. They share their experience with the illness, may it be personal or through someone close to them. We cope differently with the different negative instances in our lives but it’s important to always remember that there is hope and we are strong.

Episode Highlights

02:24 When we talk about inequities in education or healthcare, the social determinants of health, let us understand that black and brown people suffer from all illnesses or diseases far worse than all other races and nationalities of people.

05:44 So with the audience, please, early detection is key. You have to recognize when things are happening in your body.

09:44 But every time I have to think about and relieve that conversation of stage four, it’s a mental health trip. It’s like my reminder, my trigger, that I’m still going through this thing.

14:28 You are not Cancer. You are not Breast Cancer. You are not stage four. It is not you.

15:12 You want to recognize it for yourself. The work that you do to encourage other people, you have to recognize the toll it takes on you.

Contact information and other resources

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In this episode, Dr. Nicole Robinson and her cohost, trauma therapist Simone Kilgore, talk about some safe coping when you’re suffering in silence. You got to figure out how you get through the suffering. Most people cope. But not all coping is safe. We have to change our mindset about how we cope. Coping plays an important role in a time of crisis. It is temporary. We cope to quiet the emotions that are rising. But pretty soon we have to address them. We have to deal with them, process them, and develop a self-care plan to take care of ourselves.

Episode highlights

02:16 – There is a specific difference between self-care and safe coping.

05:00 – Coping allows us to deal with difficulties in the short term, while self-care is something that we maintain over a long term, or life span when we integrate new behaviors, new habits, things that help us to feel better.

12:45 – To avoid unhealthy coping practices develop a self-care plan – now. You do not have to wait till you have a diagnosis or a traumatic event. Build a reserve, now.

14:16 – It is very important that you value yourself. You cannot value yourself and not take care of yourself.

17:15 - Create positive addictions. Be positively addicted to taking care of yourself. Because you are worthy.

Contact information and other resources

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In this episode, Dr. Nicole Robinson and her cohost, trauma therapist Simone Kilgore, talk about self-care. They talk about what self-care is and how it would benefit us. They talk about coping, about taking care of ourselves by developing some habits and making healthier choices. They talk about what we need to do when it comes to self-care, how can other people or our family members help us in this area, and they share some tips about self-care practices we need to incorporate in our daily life. Self-care is a choice. It provides a balance. It encourages. Do not be bitter and resentful towards others because you did not integrate self-care into your life. Be encouraged and set a self-care plan – today!

Episode highlights

03:34 – We need self-care because it provides a balance. It also teaches your loved ones that you are worthy and they also know how to treat you.

06:31 – You have to figure out how it would benefit you, and you do that by understanding what you value. It is important to gift yourself.

10:53 – Self-care is important because it puts us in a position where we build up our reserve.

11:45 – Put together that self-care plan, and remember to keep putting yourself first.

12:15 – Journaling is a self-care technique as a way to release emotions and reduce stress and anxiety.

Contact information and other resources

Our cohost today was Simmone Kilgore. Simmone is an experienced Crisis Counselor and Crisis Intervention Screener and now Trauma Therapist; a licensed Professional Counselor, focusing mainly on the Neurobiology of Trauma, Trauma-Informed Care, Trauma Specific-Interventions, Community Trauma, Culturally Specific Outreach, Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Self-Care. She understands how trauma impacts a survivor’s neurobiology, which dictates how survivors process information and mediates behavior. She currently consults and contracts with Children’s Hospital, Milwaukee Public Schools, Sojourner Family Peace Center, Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention, local churches, and youth group homes sharing information relating to trauma, trauma reactions, emotion-regulation, healthy relationships, and safety planning.

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On this premiere episode of Sisters Saving Sisters Podcast, your host Dr. Nicole Robinson welcomes Simmone Kilgore, Trauma Therapist at Advocate Aurora Health Care. Nicole and Simmone share from their personal experience about trauma, suffering and struggles we all have when we go through difficult times in our lives. They talk about how to deal with tragedies (like divorce, death, or illness), how to recognize trauma, how to break barriers and open up.

According to Simmone, trauma has a way of blinding a person. You cannot see anything but the trauma, and how it relates to you. You have to unpack it first for yourself. When you choose not to be silent about your pain, or your confusion about the pain, share it with your loved ones. And hope is always available. As long as you are breathing, there is hope.

Contact information and other resources

Our guest today was Simmone Kilgore. Simmone is an experienced Crisis Counselor and Crisis Intervention Screener and now Trauma Therapist; a licensed Professional Counselor, focusing mainly on the Neurobiology of Trauma, Trauma-Informed Care, Trauma Specific-Interventions, Community Trauma, Culturally Specific Outreach, Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Self-Care. She understands how trauma impacts a survivor’s neurobiology, which dictates how survivors process information and mediates behavior. She currently consults and contracts with Children’s Hospital, Milwaukee Public Schools, Sojourner Family Peace Center, Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention, local churches, and youth group homes sharing information relating to trauma, trauma reactions, emotion-regulation, healthy relationships, and safety planning.

Connect with Simmone Kilgore

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Podcast Host:  Dr. Nicole Robinson

Nicole is a Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer patient and advocate. She is also the founder of Hatz 4 Hearts Foundation, which she started after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. Her organization provides supportive services to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, breast health awareness, and education. Nicole believes that the simple gesture of giving provides HOPE to patients battling cancer.  Her passion for impacting change and advocacy efforts are a part of sharing her journey which she credits finding purpose through her cancer diagnosis.

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