Ep. 5 Joanne VanderVies - Chronic Illness Warrior

When you conquer a brain tumor, you get to go on with your life. When you get a second one, life means something different. And if it leaves you with profound fatigue, you need radical acceptance to send your independent streak packing and get some help. Tenacity and faith hold things together for Joanne VanderVies as she cherishes her “second second chance.” She knows what’s important — relationships over roles — and makes the best of whatever time’s left with her loved ones. Takeaways 1. Mortality moments show you what really matters. 2. With profound fatigue, it doesn’t matter how much sleep you get, you’re still always tired. 3. If you know a chronic fatigue warrior, think of what you do in your house; it’s probably on their to-do list too. 4. It’s a skill to know how to change directions when things don’t work out. 5. It’s unhelpful to tell someone “You don’t look sick,” or “Why don’t you just do it?” 6. Radical acceptance is accepting what is — it’s important when you can’t do what you want. 7. Self-care is the main job of a person with chronic fatigue. If that doesn’t happen, nothing else will. 8. Courage is facing up to what life is. 9. Asking for and receiving help is THE top priority for someone with a chronic condition. 10. There’s hope even when there’s bad news. 11. People can be much more unwell than they look. Don’t make assumptions. 12. Not everyone will understand what you’re going through. Even people close to you. Even when they know. 3. The biggest mistake for someone with a chronic condition is not asking for help. Bio Burning through various careers, Joanne VanderVies searched for who she was at her core. Many roles became part of her identity, and Aunt Jo and Great Aunt Jo leave the rest in the dust. A brain tumor survivor challenged with profound fatigue, she currently works as a nurse and personal support worker. Her hot off the press project is hosting the podcast "The Sun Rises — Hope for a Bigger and Better Life." Joanne’s mission is to help people in whatever way she can. Podcast https://anchor.fm/joanne-vandervies/episodes/The-Sun-Rises-Podcast-Trailer-e19tt1i Instagram https://instagram.com/great_aunt_jo Facebook Joanne VanderVies Julie’s Contact Julie’s Tough Stories Workshop https://www.courage-ignite.com/Tough_Stories_Workshop_waitlist Bold Becoming-Identity Retooled Private Facebook Group (free) https://www.courage-ignite.com/Bold_Becoming_FB - [email protected] https://instagram.com/juliebrownecourageignite Music - Happy African Village by John Bartmann