Coaching Unity. For cutting edge articles and insights.

Modelling the success strategies of cancer survivors - Tim Goodenough
17 November 2007

Cheryl Lucas and I have had the privilege of modelling out the success strategies of cancer survivors in a Johannesburg workshop today. The workshop is the brain child of two Meta-Coaches Derek and Paige Aarts, and is a further extension of Derek’s drive to make a difference for people with Cancer, for more information on his work check out http://www.cancersupport.co.za

We had two modelling interviews, and then feedback, questions and contributions from the audience who were either supporters of people with Cancer, Cancer survivors or people who had recently been diagnosed with Cancer. Although we discussed a relatively small subset of people’s experiences, and what we uncovered is not necessarily, THE success strategy for people with Cancer – several common themes emerged.

Cancer can be a positive (although unpleasant and difficult) experience, specifically in terms of the opportunity it provides to face what is, to be real and value life in all its forms and experiences.
Cancer needs to be discussed, debated, talked about, with nothing being out of limits, out of scope. As someone said, “I don’t have leprosy – you cant catch it, so hug me, talk to me.”
People with cancer need to go through their own process, in their own time – and that includes facing what is, including the anger, fear, guilt, rage and blame that may be associated with it, “For 3 days I stomped my feet and wanted to break glasses and dishes – I was angry! Once I faced it, and lived it, it too passed.”
It is incredibly difficult for people who are supporting people with cancer, they want to guide the process, to do what they think will help, and instead sometimes need to give space, and to ask what support will be beneficial.
It is important to be able to express what you want and dont want, to say if something or someone is making you angry, to say Yes or No when required knowing that your friends will still be there, and people who dont stick around after hearing your truth werent friends anyway.
Pay attention to your body, listen to what it may be telling you. Your body knows.

Please contact Derek Derek@cancersupport.co.za and support his Cancer Support initiative if it is a passion of yours.