Cancer, Chemo & Currywurst

Fleur
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  • Mental Health
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Cancer, Chemo & Currywurst is a podcast about the part of cancer no one prepares you for...the afterlife.  When the 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 live in Berlin (hence Currywurst). Here we talk about the psychological aftermath of cancer, the nervous system patterns that linger long after chemo, the grief that hides inside comparison and jealousy, and the strange, beautiful task of rebuilding a life that actually fits who you are now. Some episodes are just me, speaking honestly about the messy middle. 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 and want language, understanding and real conversation, you are in the right place.

  1. 2d ago

    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'

    1h 14m

  2. 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

    17 min

  3. 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

    24 min

  4. Jun 17

    ep 63: Everyone moving on, while you stand still

    Fleur celebrates her two-year cancer-free anniversary and reflects on the journey of healing and transformation. She discusses the silence surrounding life after cancer, the emotional impact, and the need for self-compassion and permission to process. Fleur emphasizes the importance of rebuilding and finding community in life after cancer. Takeaways Celebrating milestones in the journey of healing and transformationThe need for self-compassion and permission to process in life after cancer Chapters 00:00 Rebuilding and Finding Community in Life After Cancer

    22 min

  5. Jun 9

    Ep 62: Why do I feel guilty all the time?

    In this episode, Fleur discusses the pervasive feeling of guilt that many cancer survivors experience after treatment. She explores the various aspects of guilt, its origins, and the impact it has on survivors' lives. Fleur also emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and understanding this guilt, and the need to challenge the unrealistic expectations placed on survivors. Takeaways Guilt is a pervasive and unexpected emotion experienced by many cancer survivors.Survivors often feel guilty for not meeting unrealistic expectations and for their own struggles and successes. Chapters 00:00 Understanding and Challenging Guilt

    23 min

  6. Jun 4

    Ep 61: Fitness, Nutrition & our Nervous System after Cancer with Sherry Shaban

    In this episode, Fleur welcomes special guest Sherry Shaban, an osteopath and anti-diet health and life coach. Sherry shares her inspiring journey of overcoming chronic pain and redefining her fitness identity. The conversation delves into the relationship between the nervous system and food, highlighting the impact of trauma and medical treatment on eating behaviors. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding fitness as a journey and the role of the nervous system in shaping our relationship with food. The conversation delves into the concept of emotional eating and its connection to dysregulated emotions. It explores the impact of fear-mongering on health and the importance of mindset and identity shift in recovery. Practical steps for recovery and the significance of embracing change and self-compassion are also discussed. Takeaways Fitness as a JourneyNervous System and Food Relationship Emotional eating is a coping mechanism for dysregulated emotions.Reconnecting with the inner child can help address emotional eating and past trauma. Chapters 00:00 Nervous System and Food Relationship29:14 Understanding Emotional Eating35:02 Impact of Fear-Mongering on Health41:59 Mindset and Identity Shift48:22 Practical Steps for Recovery54:34 Embracing Change and Self-Compassion

    56 min

  7. Jun 2

    Ep 60: Reconstructed with Erin Henry

    The conversation delves into the life after cancer journey, exploring the world and hiking treks, cancer diagnosis and treatment, moving through cancer mentally and physically, expectations after active treatment, support and trauma recovery, recognizing PTSD symptoms, and a framework for trauma recovery. The conversation covers the journey of rebuilding strength and confidence post-cancer, understanding the modality of DBR (Deep Brain Reorienting), the impact of DBR on healing, the process of writing 'Reconstructed' and its themes, post-cancer identity and joy, personal transformation and capacity for joy, impact on clinical practice, personal reconstruction and expansion, and encouragement for those in active treatment. Takeaways Life after cancer involves unexpected challengesRecognizing and addressing PTSD symptoms is crucial for post-cancer recovery. Rebuilding strength and confidence post-cancer is a journey of empowerment and grounding.DBR (Deep Brain Reorienting) has a significant impact on healing and trauma processing. Chapters 00:00 Life After Cancer Journey08:23 Moving Through Cancer Mentally and Physically14:27 Support and Trauma Recovery20:35 Recognizing PTSD Symptoms28:28 Framework for Trauma Recovery36:48 Impact of DBR on Healing43:45 Writing 'Reconstructed' and its Themes53:20 Personal Transformation and Capacity for Joy58:37 Personal Reconstruction and Expansion https://www.amazon.com/Reconstructed-Healing-Journey-Breast-Cancer/dp/B0GW6XMYHH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=D3VW9MGMZU54&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VFWfVog_yOJ-Ua97lgvmPQ.F_afilOX1MN8WPQxvQLf4EPj85sYZbuDyBef1_hSyAw&dib_tag=se&keywords=reconstructed+erin+henry&qid=1780423658&sprefix=reconstructed+erin+%2Caps%2C238&sr=8-1

    54 min

  8. May 26

    Ep 59: Cancer highlights your patterns

    The episode explores the impact of cancer on existing coping strategies and patterns, amplifying them and creating new challenges. Fleur shares personal experiences and insights, highlighting the need for self-compassion and awareness of these patterns. Takeaways Cancer amplifies existing coping strategies and patterns, creating new challenges.Self-compassion and awareness of these patterns are essential for navigating life after cancer. Chapters 00:00 Exploring Coping Strategies and Patterns08:03 Impact of Coping Strategies on Control and Anxiety23:51 Desire for Validation and Identity as the Strong One

    23 min
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About

Cancer, Chemo & Currywurst is a podcast about the part of cancer no one prepares you for...the afterlife.  When the 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 live in Berlin (hence Currywurst). Here we talk about the psychological aftermath of cancer, the nervous system patterns that linger long after chemo, the grief that hides inside comparison and jealousy, and the strange, beautiful task of rebuilding a life that actually fits who you are now. Some episodes are just me, speaking honestly about the messy middle. 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 and want language, understanding and real conversation, you are in the right place.

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