Cancer, Chemo & Currywurst

Fleur
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health

Cancer, Chemo & Currywurst is a cancer survivorship podcast about the part of cancer recovery no one prepares you for...the afterlife. When the medical appointments slow down and the support drops off. When everyone expects relief, but you feel unsettled, different, or quietly anxious. When your body doesn’t feel predictable anymore and your identity feels like it’s shifting under your feet. I’m Fleur, a trauma and somatic coach who has lived this too, an English woman living the expat life in Berlin, Germany (hence the Currywurst). Here we talk about the psychological aftermath of cancer, managing scanxiety (the fear of cancer recurrence), and the nervous system patterns that linger after chemotherapy treatment ends. We dive into the raw topics like beating chemo brain brain fog, handling the grief that hides inside comparison and jealousy, and the strange, beautiful task of life after cancer. Most importantly rebuilding a life that actually fits who you are now. Some episodes are just me, speaking honestly about the messy middle of post-traumatic growth. Some are conversations with guests who understand what it means to be reshaped by something life-altering. This is not a space for warrior narratives or forced positivity. It is a space for truth, nuance, curiosity, and learning how to live fully in a body and life that feel different. If you are navigating life after cancer treatment and want language, understanding, and real conversation, you are in the right place.

  1. Sep 22

    Ep 71: Feeling flat, hormonal impact on the mind

    Life after Club -Your free online community -apply below. https://forms.gle/pQbc68yQhrs2TnEA9 Fleur discusses her experience with flatness and lack of motivation after cancer, attributing it to hormonal changes and brain chemistry. She emphasizes the importance of being gentle with oneself and finding joy in everyday moments. Takeaways Hormonal changes after cancer can impact brain chemistry and lead to feelings of flatness and lack of motivation.Being gentle with oneself and finding joy in everyday moments is essential for navigating life after cancer. Chapters 00:00 The Aftermath of Wisdom Tooth Woes03:27 Entering a New Era of Healing and Story07:02 The Impact of Hormonal Changes on Brain Chemistry09:50 Struggling with Flatness and Lack of Motivation20:40 Finding Joy in Everyday Moments

  2. Sep 17

    Ep 70: Medical Menopause - what is that?

    LIVE EVENT IN NOVEMBER https://canva.link/piey0z1z3fb09pn Fleur shares her journey through life after cancer, discussing the impact of medical menopause, reframing exercise and training, nutrition, recovery, compassion, seeking support, and empowerment. Takeaways Navigating life after cancer involves understanding the impact of medical menopause.Reframing exercise and training as an investment in the body's capabilities is essential for longevity and health. Chapters 00:00 Life After Cancer Event02:15 Navigating Medical Menopause05:06 Understanding Menopause Impact14:32 Reframing Exercise and Training17:15 Nutrition and Recovery21:03 Compassion in Recovery23:02 Seeking Support and Empowerment

  3. Aug 6

    Ep 69: Who decides when you recover?

    The conversation delves into the gap between being medically recovered and emotionally integrated, the expectations and assumptions after cancer treatment, returning to work and social expectations, defining recovery on your own terms, and the ongoing process of recovery. Takeaways The gap between being medically recovered and emotionally integrated is significant.Recovery is an ongoing process that varies for each individual. Chapters 00:00 The Gap Between Medically Recovered and Emotionally Integrated03:28 Expectations and Assumptions After Treatment05:31 Returning to Work and Social Expectations10:10 Defining Recovery on Your Own Terms17:30 The Ongoing Process of Recovery

  4. Aug 3

    Ep: 68 Pressure to find purpose

    The conversation covers the topics of life after cancer, survivorship expectations, and the pressure of making cancer mean something. It explores the purpose after cancer and the definition of life after cancer, emphasizing the freedom to choose one's path without feeling obligated to meet societal expectations. Takeaways Life after cancer is about finding a path that feels good for the individual.Survivors are not obligated to transform their lives or share their stories if they don't want to. Chapters 00:00 Life After Cancer Club05:20 The Pressure of Making Cancer Mean Something10:24 Survivorship Expectations13:19 The Purpose After Cancer17:30 Defining Life After Cancer DAY EVENT https://canva.link/piey0z1z3fb09pn LIFE AFTER CLUB https://forms.gle/iUekSmZYJ49BchgQ8

  5. Jul 17

    Ep 67: What about the boring grief?

    In this episode, Fleur discusses the concept of 'boring grief' and the everyday challenges faced by cancer survivors. She explores the impact of mundane tasks, medication, and routine admin on the emotional well-being of survivors, highlighting the often overlooked aspects of grief and loss in the post-cancer experience. Takeaways Boring Grief: Fleur delves into the concept of 'boring grief' and sheds light on the emotional impact of everyday tasks and routines on cancer survivors.Acknowledging the Ordinary: The episode emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing the 'boring grief' experienced by survivors, providing validation and understanding for their emotional journey. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Stormy Berlin02:09 Exploring Boring Grief04:18 Realization of Forever05:04 Impact on Daily Life07:02 Grief Around Survivorship Admin08:05 Loss of Carefree Freedom15:18 Adapting to Scars and Identity25:11 Language and Invalidation27:21 Acknowledging Boring Grief

  6. Jul 8

    Ep 66: Beyond the Diagnosis: Rebuilding Identity and Embracing the ‘And’ with Cheyenne Heflin

    The conversation covers Cheyenne Heflin's journey from diagnosis and treatment of osteosarcoma to her educational and career journey, mental health and therapy, transition to counseling and clinical psychology, cancer recurrence and treatment, and surgery and recovery. It also explores the impact of childhood trauma on mental health and the resilience after medical trauma, as well as the psychosocial elements of life after cancer and the process of rebuilding identity and self-discovery. The conversation covers the themes of resilience and recovery, identity and self-discovery, emotional well-being and healing, and support and growth. It explores the challenges of navigating life after a cancer diagnosis, the impact of cancer on identity development, the role of the nervous system in trauma, and the unmet needs and healing process. The guest's journey reflects resilience, self-discovery, and the importance of support in healing. The conversation delves into the challenge of holding space for others, especially in the context of illness and trauma. It also explores the power of embracing the 'and' in one's identity, acknowledging that individuals are more than their experiences and traumas. Takeaways Resilience after medical traumaPsychosocial elements of life after cancerRebuilding identity and self-discoveryThe impact of childhood trauma on mental health ResilienceIdentity Development Holding spaceEmbracing the 'and' Chapters 00:00 Surgery and Recovery30:33 Navigating Life After Cancer Diagnosis32:46 Impact on Identity Development42:05 Nervous System and Trauma48:16 Unmet Needs and Healing53:19 The Challenge of Holding Space56:08 The Power of Embracing the 'And'

  7. Jul 1

    Ep 65: What if you've never felt safe?

    FREE WEBINAR LINK No-one Prepared Me for Life After Cancer https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PJktLOu7Q_CCqvUNnFN1bg The episode delves into the impact of trauma and survival mode on life after cancer, highlighting the amplification of self-hate, anxiety, and trauma responses. It explores the struggle with safety and trust, the impact of an unsafe environment on the nervous system, and the process of nervous system healing with support. Takeaways Amplification of self-hate and anxiety after cancerImpact of an unsafe environment on the nervous system Chapters 00:00 Survival Mode and Trauma08:33 Amplification of Self-Hate and Anxiety16:21 Struggle with Safety and Trust

  8. Jun 24

    Ep 64: I thought I'd be happier than this

    The conversation explores the disparity between expectations and reality after cancer treatment, the process of rebuilding and recreating a new life, and the permission to embrace complexity and ambiguity in post-treatment life. Fleur shares her experience of feeling guilty about not feeling happier after treatment and the realization that recovery isn't about returning to the past. She emphasizes the importance of adapting to a new reality and granting oneself permission to be exactly who they want to be. Takeaways Recovery isn't about returning to the past; it's about rebuilding and recreating a new life.Embrace the complexity and ambiguity of post-treatment life and grant yourself permission to be exactly who you want to be. Chapters 00:00 Expectations vs. Reality12:06 Rebuilding and Recreating27:23 Permission to Be Exactly Who You Want to Be

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Cancer, Chemo & Currywurst is a cancer survivorship podcast about the part of cancer recovery no one prepares you for...the afterlife. When the medical appointments slow down and the support drops off. When everyone expects relief, but you feel unsettled, different, or quietly anxious. When your body doesn’t feel predictable anymore and your identity feels like it’s shifting under your feet. I’m Fleur, a trauma and somatic coach who has lived this too, an English woman living the expat life in Berlin, Germany (hence the Currywurst). Here we talk about the psychological aftermath of cancer, managing scanxiety (the fear of cancer recurrence), and the nervous system patterns that linger after chemotherapy treatment ends. We dive into the raw topics like beating chemo brain brain fog, handling the grief that hides inside comparison and jealousy, and the strange, beautiful task of life after cancer. Most importantly rebuilding a life that actually fits who you are now. Some episodes are just me, speaking honestly about the messy middle of post-traumatic growth. Some are conversations with guests who understand what it means to be reshaped by something life-altering. This is not a space for warrior narratives or forced positivity. It is a space for truth, nuance, curiosity, and learning how to live fully in a body and life that feel different. If you are navigating life after cancer treatment and want language, understanding, and real conversation, you are in the right place.

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