When Strong Is The Only Choice You Have - with Katie Coleman

In this episode I have the honour of chatting with Katie Coleman, who shared her incredible journey after being diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer. Katie opened up about the emotional and physical challenges she faced, navigating the healthcare system, and the profound impact her diagnosis had on her life and marriage. We discussed the importance of self-advocacy, resilience, and finding joy in the little things, even during tough times. Katie's story is a testament to the power of love, community, and the human spirit. Her memoir, "Too Young for Cancer," offers hope and inspiration to anyone facing adversity in the most unexpected ways.  You can check out Katie's new book, Too Young For Cancer, here!   Want to Kate to come and speak at your event? Visit https://www.theresiliencespeaker.com  Check out Kate's personalised online coaching programs for women: https://www.theresiliencespeaker.com/coaching CLICK HERE to PRE ORDER Kate's new book "Okay. Now What?" - How to Be Resilient When Life Gets Tough. For daily inspiration and tips, follow Kate on instagram: @kategladdin   =Introduction to the Episode (00:00:00) Kate Gladdin introduces the podcast and expresses excitement about the special guest. Welcome to Katie Coleman (00:01:20) Katie Coleman joins the show, sharing her gratitude for the introduction. Reflecting on 2020 (00:02:08) Discussion about significant life events in 2020, including marriage and health concerns. New Year's Eve Diagnosis (00:02:24) Katie recounts the moment she was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer. Initial Reactions to Diagnosis (00:05:07) Katie describes her surprising relief upon receiving her cancer diagnosis. The Importance of Being Believed (00:07:54) Discussion on the power of being taken seriously in the healthcare system. Understanding the Cancer Type (00:09:32) Katie explains the confusion surrounding her cancer diagnosis and its rarity. Complications from a Bleeding Disorder (00:11:50) Katie shares challenges faced due to an undiagnosed bleeding disorder during treatment. Resilience Through Treatment (00:13:24) Katie reflects on her determination to keep fighting despite a grim prognosis. Motivation from Love and Purpose (00:15:36) Katie discusses how love and honoring friends influenced her will to fight. The Duality of Cancer Experience (00:18:12) Katie emphasizes the complexity of emotions and motivations during her journey. Reflection on Grief and Purpose (00:19:18) Kate discusses the power of sharing personal stories of grief as a source of strength for others. The Importance of Community Support (00:20:10) Katie emphasizes how vital community and support groups were in her journey through cancer. Finding Common Ground in Unique Experiences (00:22:17) Katie shares how connecting with others, despite different experiences, can provide encouragement and hope. Creating Personal Definitions of Grief (00:23:20) The speakers discuss the importance of forming individual understandings of grief based on personal experiences. Trusting Intuition in Healthcare (00:24:31) Kate asks Katie about trusting her intuition when facing medical decisions during her treatment. Overcoming People-Pleasing Tendencies (00:28:08) Katie reflects on her struggles with people-pleasing and how it affects communication with doctors. Recognizing and Communicating Symptoms (00:30:39) Katie discusses the importance of accurately describing symptoms to healthcare providers for effective treatment. Fear and Pain as Universal Experiences (00:33:01) Katie explains that fear and pain are relative and can be genuinely felt regardless of the situation's severity. Advocating for Oneself (00:34:03) Kate and Katie discuss the necessity of self-advocacy in healthcare and everyday interactions. Living Authentically After Cancer (00:37:31) Katie shares how her cancer experience taught her to live authentically and pursue her passions. Katie's Birthday Programming (00:39:13) Katie discusses how her diagnosis changed her perspective on enjoying programming on her birthday. Living True to Yourself (00:40:08) Katie emphasizes the importance of authenticity and pursuing what brings joy, regardless of societal norms. The Power of Resilience (00:40:20) Kate reflects on resilience, highlighting the significance of responding purposefully to life's challenges. Sharing Stories of Hope (00:41:03) Kate expresses gratitude for Katie's journey and the inspiration it provides to others facing similar struggles. Connecting Through Shared Experiences (00:42:14) Katie shares insights on the importance of shared experiences and how they contribute to personal growth. The Only Way Out is Through (00:43:23) Katie discusses the theme of perseverance in her book, emphasizing that sometimes you just have to endure. Post-Traumatic Growth (00:44:54) Kate talks about the concept of post-traumatic growth and the necessity of navigating dark times for personal development. Book Release Announcement (00:45:21) Katie announces the release date of her book "Too Young for Cancer" and shares where to find it. Resources for Cancer Patients (00:46:22) Katie provides information about her website, which offers resources for cancer patients and shares her writing journey. Acknowledging Support (00:47:10) Katie expresses gratitude towards her editor, Laura, for her essential role in the book's creation. Continued Connection (00:48:04) Kate and Katie express their desire to stay connected and support each other moving forward. Coaching Offer (00:48:20) Kate introduces her personalized life coaching services for women seeking to regain control of their lives.