Episode 273: Alyce's Mom

When today's guest, Izumi, lost her young daughter, Alyce, to cancer, she felt like she had lost her identity as well. Izumi had given up her corporate job during Alyce's cancer treatment thinking that she would be able to go back after Alyce recovered. Unfortunately, that day never came, and Izumi felt like she had become a completely different person. Izumi no longer fit into the role. She struggled to imagine what her future would look like.  A friend approached Izumi, wondering if she might be interested in training to become a life coach. Not having many options at that point, she decided to apply and was even granted a scholarship. The coaching classes changed Izumi's life once again. She started the classes to try a different career path. What she found instead was a truer understanding of herself. She understood her grief and pain more fully. She could identify things that would activate her pain. She felt like, for the first time in her life, she knew her true self.  Around that same time, Izumi started attending virtual support groups for bereaved parents and eventually in different in-person groups. The first groups were specifically for parents whose children died of cancer, but Izumi then attended a general child loss group, where she learned that she could bond with bereaved parents no matter what their child's age or cause of death. Through Izumi's coaching training and support group participation, Izumi discovered a new purpose in life. The coaching class helped her find her true self, and Izumi knew that she wanted to share that knowledge with others. Additionally, Izumi wrote a book focusing on the child loss portion of her journey. She titles the book, 'Writing to Heal After the Unbearable Loss of a Child.' It is described as 'a book, journal and a conversation. If you're grieving, consider it your steadfast companion through the pain. If you're supporting a grieving friend, let it be your guide when words fail.' The book is available on Amazon and an initial complementary call for coaching can be scheduled here.