Monique Patè, Post-Cancer Revival Coach

03/11/2022

What scares you?

Recently asked, what is the number one question on a post-cancer survivor's mind?

What can I eat to avoid relapse?

During recovery and after a bout with cancer, survivors seek ways to restore their health.

Some people aim to change old habits and adopt new ones to improve the quality of their lives

However, we can get overwhelmed by the excessive information on how to eat to stay healthy.

I recall a past client, a breast cancer survivor, putting enormous stress on herself and her family during meal times.

She insisted that the family ate only vegetarian meals. Mealtime became a battleground instead of an enjoyable time together. Her anxiety about recurrence was affecting her relationship with her family.

The fear of a recurrence is real and can affect every aspect of our lives. Although we can't predict if a recurrence will occur, we CAN do things to improve our chances of staying healthy and being well.

What can you do?

• Focus on WHY you eat and WHAT you eat. These can help you understand your relationship with food.

• Pay attention to your beliefs about nutrition, supplements, and vitamins. What we believe influences the choices that we make.

• Eat what agrees with you at this particular time of your life. Listen to your body. We often eat for the sake of eating, but our bodies always send us signals.

• Do not change your diet out of “fear” or “should.” Be conscious of your emotions and your inner dialogue.

Commit to doing what you understand to get well and stay healthy.

What are some things that you do to stay healthy?

13/10/2022

How many thoughts do you have a day?

“In 2005, the National Science Foundation published an article showing that the average person has

between 12,000 and 60,000 thoughts per day
Of those, 80% are negative;
and 95% are the same repetitive thoughts as the day before.

In 2020, psychology experts at Queen's University in Canada stated that an average person, in a single day, typically has more than 6,000.

What do these numbers tell us?
people spend their thoughts on unhealthy beliefs
people's thoughts and behaviors are in autopilot mode

Our thoughts/beliefs influence our feelings affecting our health and interactions with others.

During my cancer journey, days were spent in excessive thinking that led to exasperated feelings of fear about my future, worries about the chemotherapy treatments, and self-doubt if I had done everything within my power to take care of myself.

The inner dialogue was one of constant pressure and stress that started with prompts like:
I must
I will
I shouldn’t /should

My mind was in autopilot fight or flight mode like a scratched record.

Looking back, I've learned from my training and working with clients the importance of having an inner dialogue of possibilities, hope, and internal peace without the strain and pressure of expectations.

Phrases that start with
I can
I get to
I give myself permission

Come from a place of love, compassion, and kindness.

So remember, the next time you engage in an inner dialogue, pay attention to your words.

What you say to yourself MATTERS.

What words/phrases do you use to keep your inner dialogue healthy?

07/10/2022

I hear you

A cancer journey is like an unwinding road.

Full of unforeseen dips, turns, and twists.

One moment you feel you can handle everything that comes your way.

The next, you feel like a failure because you collapse from the pressure.

Regardless of where you are, never lose track of yourself.

YOU ARE STRONG.

October is

Support women's health and ensure we receive the care that WE deserve.

It is our RIGHTS.
IT IS OUR BODIES.

For more information on how you can help go to https://lnkd.in/epHyZMzU

30/09/2022

I'm grateful and honored to be a speaker on October 15th.

Join us for the 6th Annual SURVIVE and THRIVE CONFERENCE. If you're unable to attend virtually, then we ask that you make a donation to Survive and Thrive Cancer Recovery to help raise $20, 000 for cancer recovery:

$10 $25 $50 $100

bit.ly/donateandthrive

30/09/2022

Men don’t need self-care

Speaking at a Multiple Myeloma support group a few months ago in Florida, the focus of the evening was on self-care, a healthier lifestyle, and mind shift.

The audience, predominately men 60 and over, were in different phases of their cancer continuum; recovery, recurrence, and maintenance.

But I’ll never forget what I witnessed.
Vulnerable, sincere, and willing-to-talk men open to sharing their side of the story.

They felt frustrated by the pressures of society’s expectations of men in the face of adversity.

“Be strong. Don't let people think you are weak.”
“Don't let anyone see you cry. It's a sign of weakness.”
“Don't ask for help. People will think you are a wimp.”

And the list went on.

As I listened quietly, I wondered:

How often did they cry alone instead of with friends or family for fear of being called "weak?”

How often did they go to appointments alone instead of asking someone to appear strong?

How often did they remain silent and are called selfish when they didn't want to seem like a burden?

We talked about self-kindness, the myths about self-care, and ways they could be comfortable practicing self-care without the social stigma.

As the evening came to a close, I asked the audience to share their takeaway.

They wrote:
“I’m allowed to."
“I do what is good for me now."
“Asking for help is a sign of strength."
"Take time for yourself without guilt."

One man came up to me and said, Thank you, it's not only women who need self-care, but we do too."

As month ends, continue the practice of it, and remember everyone needs self-care, including men.

27/09/2022

Did you know

20% of all multiple myeloma cases are African American
6% of African Americans are patients in clinical trials

Why are so few African Americans included in clinical trials?

According to the International Myeloma Foundation, disparities exist in caring options for African Americans.

These disparities factors are healthcare-provider and patient-related.

What are the issues?

Healthcare-Provider
· Unwillingness to refer patients for trials
· Fear that clinical trials create a financial or administrative
burden on the practice
· Lack of clinical trial availability
· Few minority investigators
· Lack of knowledge
· Cultural differences

Patient-Related
· Mistrust of the medical or research systems
· Perceived risk of harm
· Cost
· Comorbidities
· Lack of transportation
· Lack of education about clinical trials
· Time commitment and conflicts
· Fear of clinical procedures
· Family issues

How can these disparities be overcome?

The responsibility of healthcare professionals is to provide educational information about clinical trials and new drugs.

Patients can empower themselves by advocating, asking questions, and researching. Joining a support group can be a wealth of resources for their care plan.

Although concludes, let's remember that blood cancer affects everyone regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, and age.

For more information on how you can make a contribution check www.myeloma.org

22/09/2022

“Here you go!"

Said my friend Mindy as she handed me a tiny silver heart.

"Joy fills every cell in my body."

I looked at it and smiled, touching the writing on the heart as if I were reading Braille.

"THERE’S MORE!” she said in a bubbly voice. I flipped my object over, and the writing on the back took me by surprise.

"Every cell is alive with love."

Teary-eyed, I reflected on my Multiple Myeloma journey.

I keep my tiny silver heart near my bed stand as a constant reminder to be grateful, loving, and joyful to my cells.

As we raise awareness for in September, may every cell in your body be filled with love.

What is something a friend or a family member has given that reminds you of gratitude, love, and joy?

,

19/09/2022

Are men and women equally prone to getting Multiple Myeloma?

Although studies have shown that men are more likely to suffer from Multiple Myeloma than women, it is unknown why.

According to the , some of the risk factors that can affect someone getting MM are

Age
Gender
Race
Family history
Obesity

More funded research is needed to understand the causes of MM for those affected by this dreadful disease.

September is . You can help by donating to ,

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15/09/2022

Self-care takes too much time!

September is National Awareness Month.

Here is a simple tip that takes less than 5 minutes, gets you grounded, and connects you with your inner self.

Draw a symbol or dot on your finger or hand
Whenever you look at your symbol, ask yourself:

How am I feeling right now?
What can I do to get better?
What can help me feel good now?

Take a deep breath, exhale, connect with your breath and listen.

This tool was introduced to me when I started my oncology counseling training. At first, I thought it was strange, but now, it's part of my daily practice to check in with myself throughout the day. I share this tool with my clients and have expressed how much more conscious they are of their feelings.

By making this a daily practice, you are reminding yourself how important it is to acknowledge your feelings, be present with them, and do something about them.

By following this simple tip, you can take steps to better your emotional state and take care of yourself.

12/09/2022

This article was shared on LinkedIn.

Hopefully, this will be the future for identifying multiple cancers with more research. Often, symptoms aren't visible until it's too late.

September is month. Show your support by donating to ,

To learn more, visit www.myeloma.org, www.lls.org
, ,

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/sep/11/galleri-blood-test-multiple-cancers-before-clear-symptoms-study

Doctors hail new era for cancer screening as major research shows effectiveness of Galleri test

08/09/2022

Do you remember the first time you learned to ride a bike?

Excitement and fear ran through your body as you wobbled and struggled to turn the peddle to keep from falling off the bike.

After several scraped knees and elbows from repeated falls, you want to give up.

But you don’t.

Then one day, something magical HAPPENS
You get FOCUSED
You find your BALANCE
You take a deep BREATH
YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

And with your feet on the peddle and hands on the bar handles, you TAKE OFF.

Wherever you are today, get grounded, find your balance and keep moving forward.

05/09/2022

Have you ever had a FIGHT or FLIGHT moment?

A few days after a standard stem-cell transplant procedure for Multiple Myeloma, I developed a skin rash and a high fever. Gasping for air in the middle of the night, I felt a sharp pain in my chest.

Rushed out of my hospital room, I could hear the desperation in the nurse's voices.

Question to self: Am I dying?

Lying in my bed in the cardiology ward with wires hooked to my chest, I had no idea what was happening to my body.

I was fighting for my life.

My medical doctors were baffled and unprepared for the unexpected chain of events. Through networking with medical specialists, they found the treatment that saved me.

I had developed Engraftment Syndrome, an unexplainable reaction of the body rejecting a stem cell transplant which can be fatal.

What complicated the matter more was that my body rejected MY stem cells.

I’m lucky and blessed to be alive.

As we focus on month, I invite you to donate to support research, cures, and new studies that can save and improve the quality of life of others.
, , , ,

To learn more, visit www.myeloma.org, www.lls.org

To those in the US: Happy Labor Day!

01/09/2022

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/showing-up-perspectives-on-cancer-in-person-event-tickets-378360264737
This wonderful event is happening in person and it's FREE. Come join and connect with others to share your stories, feel supported, and be inspired!

The Showing Up: Perspectives On Cancer in-person event brings together cancer survivors and supporters to share their stories & be inspired.

01/09/2022

Do you remember when your doctor said the “WORD?"

Dr: “You’ve got Multiple Myeloma.”
Me: Uh…, did you say Melanoma?
Dr: “No, Multiple Myeloma.”
Me: “Never heard of it.”

All I knew was that I had "Cancer.” My life would never be the same again.

Seven years cancer-free, I’m grateful to be thriving after my cancer journey.

September is Month. So often, blood cancers are unknown until it personally affects you or a loved one.
Blood Cancer does not discriminate against race, gender, age, or sexual orientation.

Keep the hope alive for cures, treatments, and research trials by donating to

To learn more, visit www.knowmyeloma.org

30/05/2021

The Simonton Center will be running a series of free meditations for individuals dealing with cancer in Italian. If interested, contact the link below.

Cari amici, siamo felici di annunciarvi che il 31 maggio partirà un ciclo gratuito di immaginazioni guidate! Il percorso si svolgerà per quattro settimane e sarà tenuto da Terapeuti e Counselor certificati SCE.
Per tutte le informazioni e per iscrivervi vi rimandiamo al link qui sotto.
https://immaginazioneguidata.simonton.eu/

13/11/2020

Everything we need is provided by Mother Nature. How does nature nourish your soul?

​As I headed toward my backyard (which happens to be the woods) to go on my daily walk, I was amazed by how much the scenery had changed. The corn fields have been harvested possibly for making the...