Skip to content Walking with God through Cancer (with Lauren Daugherty) Apr 30 · 54 min ...more
Walking with God through Cancer (with Lauren Daugherty)
April 30, 2026 · 54 min
At 18 years old, Lauren Daugherty received a cancer diagnosis that would change her life. In this episode, she shares her honest and powerful story of navigating fear, treatment, and the unknown—and how God met her in the middle of it all.
Lauren opens up about the role of family, community, and faith during her hardest moments, as well as what led her to share her journey publicly to encourage others. Through it all, her relationship with the Lord deepened in ways she never expected.
This conversation is a reminder that even in life’s most difficult seasons, we are not alone – and we can trust God with the unknown. He is present, faithful, and our true source of hope.
Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.
So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.
Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.
Listen in to learn more
[0:03:00] Diagnosis at 18 and Radical Surrender
[0:10:53] Choosing Trust Over Anger and Fear
[0:12:04] After the Chemo: Survivorship Shock and Anxiety
[0:17:52] Identity Shift and Embracing a New Self
[0:39:28] Turning a Cancer Journey into Ministry and Media Impact
Lauren Daugherty resources
Connect with Lauren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifewithlaurenmae
Hope for the Heart resources
Connect with Hope for the Heart on social!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart
Learn more about the ministry and resources of Hope for the Heart: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/
Learn more about Hope Talks and catch up on past episodes: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/hopetalks/
Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night
God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/
Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://hopefortheheart.donorsupport.co/page/hope-talks
--------------
Bible verses mentioned in this episode
Psalm 144:1 – “Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.”
Proverbs 16:9 – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
Romans 8:18 – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Series Hope Talks
Hope for the Heart is a worldwide biblical counseling, coaching, and caregiving ministry founded by June Hunt in 1986. We’re passionate about helping people
April 30, 2026 · 54 min · Hope Talks
At 18 years old, Lauren Daugherty received a cancer diagnosis that would change her life. In this episode, she shares her honest and powerful story of navigating fear, treatment, and the unknown—and how God met her in the middle of it all. Lauren opens up about the role of family, community, and faith during her hardest moments, as well as what led her to share her journey publicly to encourage others. Through it all, her relationship with the Lord deepened in ways she never expected. This conversation is a reminder that even in life’s most difficult seasons, we are not alone – and we can trust God with the unknown. He is present, faithful, and our true source of hope. Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit. So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything. Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart. Listen in to learn more [0:03:00] Diagnosis at 18 and Radical Surrender [0:10:53] Choosing Trust Over Anger and Fear [0:12:04] After the Chemo: Survivorship Shock and Anxiety [0:17:52] Identity Shift and Embracing a New Self [0:39:28] Turning a Cancer Journey into Ministry and Media Impact Lauren Daugherty resources Connect with Lauren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifewithlaurenmae Hope for the Heart resources Connect with Hope for the Heart on social! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart Learn more about the ministry and resources of Hope for the Heart: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/ Learn more about Hope Talks and catch up on past episodes: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/hopetalks/ Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/ Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://hopefortheheart.donorsupport.co/page/hope-talks -------------- Bible verses mentioned in this episode Psalm 144:1 – “Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.” Proverbs 16:9 – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” Romans 8:18 – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ...more Show the full description Show less At 18 years old, Lauren Daugherty received a cancer diagnosis that would change her life. In this episode, she shares her honest and powerful story of navigating fear, treatment, and the unknown—and how God met her in the middle of it all.
Lauren opens up about the role of family, community, and faith during her hardest moments, as well as what led her to share her journey publicly to encourage others. Through it all, her relationship with the Lord deepened in ways she never expected.
This conversation is a reminder that even in life’s most difficult seasons, we are not alone – and we can trust God with the unknown. He is present, faithful, and our true source of hope.
Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.
So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.
Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.
Listen in to learn more
[0:03:00] Diagnosis at 18 and Radical Surrender
[0:10:53] Choosing Trust Over Anger and Fear
[0:12:04] After the Chemo: Survivorship Shock and Anxiety
[0:17:52] Identity Shift and Embracing a New Self
[0:39:28] Turning a Cancer Journey into Ministry and Media Impact
Lauren Daugherty resources
Connect with Lauren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifewithlaurenmae
Hope for the Heart resources
Connect with Hope for the Heart on social!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart
Learn more about the ministry and resources of Hope for the Heart: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/
Learn more about Hope Talks and catch up on past episodes: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/hopetalks/
Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night
God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/
Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://hopefortheheart.donorsupport.co/page/hope-talks
--------------
Bible verses mentioned in this episode
Psalm 144:1 – “Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.”
Proverbs 16:9 – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
Romans 8:18 – “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
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In this video 0:00 Faith Forged in the Fire of Diagnosis16:01 Survivorship Shadows and Surrendering Fear28:25 Physical Toll, New Normal, and Lifeline of Support37:24 Miraculous Moments, Scripture Power, and Eternal Hope
Faith Forged in the Fire of Diagnosis 0:00 My faith has never been stronger than when I was going through cancer. Because when you are so desperate, when you go through something that makes you realize how human you0:12 actually are, how much little control you actually have over your life. It makes you so desperate for the 1 that knows everything, the 1 that knows what's gonna happen next.0:23 Welcome to Hope Talks. We're your hosts. I'm Haley Scully, along with Dustin Anderson, and we wanna give you every reason for hope for every challenge in life because hope means everything.0:35 On a very special episode of Hope Talks, It's a new kind of guest day because it's guest day, but it's also a guest that is 1 of us. So Dustin, tell Hope Talks who0:47 our guest is.0:49 Yes. We have our dear friend Lauren with us who serves on staff here at Hope for the Heart. Welcome to the podcast, Lauren.0:55 Hi. Welcome to the podcast, Lauren.0:56 Thank you. Excited to be here.0:58 Quick little bio. Lauren Dougherty, dear friend, cancer survivor, influencer, and the social media manager here at Hope for the Heart. Through social media and your YouTube channel, you've1:10 just candidly shared your cancer journey with a lot of people, but always pointing people to the hope of the gospel, to the hope of Christ in our trials and in our struggles. And there was a verse that came to mind as
1:22 we were preparing it, like, literally as I was walking in here, and I just wanted to share it because it just reminded me of you. In second Corinthians 11 verse 3, Paul talks about having this pure and undivided devotion
1:33 to the Lord. Some translations say sincere and pure devotion to the Lord, and it's just reminded me of you. Because just you do such a great job around here, but also I think what shines through you is just this kind of
1:45 pure, simple, undivided devotion to the Lord. And so I wanted to say that upfront, and I appreciate that about you.
1:51 You guys make it so easy to have fun here. Every day at the office, it's something new. I love it.
1:56 Lauren, we'll educate you on how hope talks work. As Jessica said, we didn't even put it in the outline, but you have been so open about your story even way before you came to Hope for the Heart.
2:08 And so having opportunity to get to know you a bit and then just kind of waiting until the time is right when you were ready to kind of share it in this way. But Mhmm. Allowing you to share your hope story here
2:20 Mhmm.
2:20 As cancer survivor, that's 1 piece of your life. You are so much more than just that story, but the hope that you've had in sharing that has been awesome. So that's gonna be our question to you
2:32 too. And for people that maybe just listening to Hope talks for the first time, that's what we want. We wanna make hope real. How did you have hope in the midst of that diagnosis at such a young age? So our
2:44 question for you is Lauren Dougherty
2:47 Yeah.
2:47 What is your hope story?
2:49 Yes. My hope story honestly really starts in high school, but has honestly been written throughout my whole life. I grew up a Christian, grew up in a Christian
3:00 home, but I never really started pursuing that personal kind of relationship with the Lord until I got to high school. My friend had invited me to do a Bible study, which turned into youth group, which
3:12 turned into Sunday service every weekend. And then I just before I knew it, I was going to church anytime I could and got to serve on the worship team and got to go on just a life changing mission trip to Puerto
3:24 Rico in 20 18 and got to serve a foster kid at foster camp 1 summer. And I feel like the Lord really was just building such a strong foundation of faith during that
3:36 time. It was my sophomore year of high school when I started going back to church, and I really feel like that was, like, the strong foundation he was building because right after high school, when summer camps ended, my
3:47 health kind of took a turn for the worse, started having some weird symptoms, ended up in the emergency room, and the doctor kind of pulled up a chair. I was sitting in the hospital bed. My family was
3:59 sitting next to me, and my mom, my dad, and my brother were there. And, you know, he says the words like, we are so sorry, but you have cancer. He had the screen pulled up and it was a CT scan of my
4:11 chest and my lungs, and my right side was just, like, totally clear. And then the left side was totally cloudy and my heart was just compressed. And in that moment, I was just kind of, like, shaken to my
4:22 core. You know, there's not more of a moment that just makes you feel more human, more limited in your understanding of the future. And we were talking before we started recording, and
4:34 I found Proverbs 16 9 that says, the heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. And I feel like we can plan out as much as we want into the future, but in the end, like, the Lord is
4:46 the final author. And that reality hit me. And so, yeah, I totally had to change all my plans for the next 6 months, a year of my life, but my faith has never been stronger
4:59 than when I was going through cancer. Because when you are so desperate, when you go through something that makes you realize how human you actually are, how much little control you actually have
5:10 over your life, it makes you so desperate for the 1 that knows everything, the 1 that knows what's gonna happen next. And so I just I surrendered that situation to God, and I was like, Lord, I don't know what's gonna
5:22 happen. I don't know if I'm gonna survive. I don't know if, you know, I'm gonna have to deal with this for the rest of my life, but I know that you're sovereign, and I'm just gonna surrender it to you. So I went through
5:33 6 months of chemo and was just very blessed to have a successful treatment and went into remission 6 months later. And it was a huge blessing. But the 1
5:45 thing that I really wasn't anticipating is how hard survivorship would be. Right after I got done with treatment, got my clear scans, the pandemic hit. So we were all isolated. Right. And it
5:57 was just the perfect time for me to have way too much time to think about everything that I just went through. And I feel like NME really used that as his little playground. And really for the past 7 years, I have
6:09 just lived in so much bondage and anxiety. And it wasn't until this year that when I started working here, Shameless plug. Okay. Shameless plug. But I was reading
6:21 the content and making, like, the videos and sitting in on the book podcast. And I was like, wow. These are things that I need to hear, and I do actually need to get some help for the trauma that I've been through. So
6:33 I started going to counseling. And in the past few months, I feel like the Lord has just really fully started to redeem the situation. And I feel like I finally the devil doesn't have that hold
6:44 on me anymore. And I'm able to step into the purpose that God wanted for this whole situation. And so, yeah, really the Lord is still kind of writing my hope story. And I think that's kind of the same thing
6:56 for like all of our lives is that he's always writing the next chapter. But
7:01 yeah,
7:01 I would say that's my hope story.
7:03 So, okay. Well, amen.
7:05 Yeah, that was kind of long. Sorry. No, that is
7:07 It's first of all, it's so cheap to say how glad we are that your treatment worked. And, you know, I mean, just going through those things, it's
7:19 just not even enough to praise God for your healing and for bringing you through that time and just your willingness even to share that. So I kinda have 2 things. 1 thing I
7:31 can really relate. It's not just working at Hope for the Heart. We're just a place like anywhere else, but I was kinda the same way. I kinda knew the motions, but when you get here and our constant everyday is about
7:42 digging in and rooting up fears and rooting up what we're angry about or worried about or stressed about. It's like in doing the work, if you worked at a pizza place, you'd eat pizza for
7:54 dinner sometimes, you know? And I think that's 1 of the great blessings of being in this type of ministry and this type of work. We have all the same weirdnesses and issues that any workplace is gonna
8:05 have. But our end goal being that desire to connect people with God's word where they're hurting, because we all are in some weird way, I can really relate to that coming
8:17 here exposes Yeah. Those raw nerve endings Mhmm. And part of the blessing here. I've told people before, it will either wreck you and you are out Mhmm.
8:29 Or because it's a lot. It's a lot to be exposed constantly to our needs and God's solutions. Like, it's a lot. It's totally the wreck us and we don't last
8:41 or we get some freedom in it in ways that we get to testify to others that it's possible. So I love that. The other thing I would ask, you know, you were really young when that happened. You said it was the, like, the
8:51 summer before? I was 18. Yeah. That is such a young age Yeah. To process life and death. What do you all of the things that I'm sure you had to process
9:01 Mhmm.
9:01 What kept you? And this is a question we ask a lot. You have options at that moment. You either love the concept of God's sovereignty
9:11 Mhmm.
9:11 And you lean into him for hope. But sometimes you understand God's sovereignty and you're like, why did you let this happen? It can go, like, towards hope or it can go towards anger.
9:22 Mhmm. What do
9:23 you think helped stabilize you to go towards hope and get through that time in such a positive way?
9:29 I think there are really 2 paths you can take with that. And I've seen both. I've had friends that I've seen praise God through it and and use that situation for good. And I've seen other friends get angry and
9:41 turn away from God. And Mhmm. To that, I just wanna say it is totally okay to be angry. I remember very vividly having 1 night I had, like, just shaved my head and I was really
9:53 feeling like I looked like a cancer patient. And I just had a wrong moment with God. I was like, why did this have to happen to me? Like, I was just about to go up to college. I had all these plans. Now I'm gonna have to
10:04 watch all of my friends move on to this next stage of life and have so much fun while I'm here getting chemo and, you know, feeling like my life is on pause. So I had those real raw moments, and I think
10:16 that's totally okay. And God wants us to be honest with him. But I think the thing that really helped me have a positive mindset is that I wanted to help people, and I wanted people to
10:28 know that the only option wasn't to blame God, but that he promises us that we're gonna have redemption 1 day. And in Romans 8 18, I love this verse. It says that our
10:40 present sufferings aren't worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us. And it's just so true. This life is just so temporary, and the Lord has made such a promise to
10:52 us that this life isn't it, and that we do have that eternal life promised with him. And so, yeah, I think that's like the hope that kept me going through it. And I just wanted to
11:03 communicate that with other people that like you could turn to God, you didn't have to put the blame on Him and the blame could go to the enemy that, you know, he's the reason why all these bad
11:15 things happen in life is Yeah. From the very beginning, the curse on the world. So, yeah, I would say that's how
11:21 I think 1 other thing I kind of relate to, and I'd like to hear your thought on Yeah. And then I'll pitch it over here. But I am like, when the crisis hits, when things are crazy, I'm like go time. I feel like
11:33 strong in the mess of things. And then but for me, it's a little bit after. Like, after I've like, okay, the battle just was won, and that's kind of when I feel
11:45 weak and tired. And, you know, you said kind of after you were cleared and you were in remission, that's when you began to feel the anxiety and the fear. So tell us how that kind of
11:57 shifted. How did that come out in your life? And, ultimately, hopefully, how has God been lifting that for you?
12:04 Yeah. Oh, my gosh. Well, you're totally right. Like, 1 of the, like, the first things I felt when I got that diagnosis was just, like, survival mode, fight or flight. I had no other option but to survive
12:16 in this moment. And so most of the treatment just kind of felt like a blur because I was in survival mode.
12:22 Yeah. And you're getting it done.
12:24 Just trying to get through it. And then there's also this kind of weird sense of comfort you get from just the structure of it all. Like, you're constantly being monitored. You go in for blood work
12:36 every week. You know when your next round of chemo is gonna be, like, you know you're getting the medicine that's literally saving your life and making you better. So in a weird
12:45 And tended. You're being tended to. Yeah. You're like, either did the doctor's
12:49 medicine. Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. And so I found a weird comfort in that. That kinda, like, became my safety net in a way. And so when it was over, I got my clear scans. They were like, okay. See you in 3 months.
13:01 Have a nice life. I felt like that safety net had just been ripped out from under me, and I was just free falling every single day. And I vividly remember waking up 1 morning and in treatment, wake up, oh, I have a blood
13:12 draw today. Oh, I have chemo tomorrow. Like, immediately there was something to worry about, and it became my new normal. So I woke up after treatment, and I was like, what do I have to worry about today? Like, I have
13:22 nothing going on. I'm not getting medicine anymore. Like, something could go wrong in my body. Like, my body could turn on me again. All of these anxieties just started piling, piling, piling on top of each other.
13:34 And I did not know how to cope with it. On top of isolation from the pandemic and everything, I had nobody, and I was just in bondage to fear. And I
13:46 really feel like I was being held back from what the Lord wanted to do. I looked at Job's story and how when Job went through his trials, God restored everything and gave
13:58 him 2 times as much of the blessings as he had before. And I just I was kinda like, God, where's my blessing? I feel like I'm carrying more weight now than I was before. And we had Megan Faith
14:10 Marshman on the podcast recently, and I read her book restored. It's all about Proverbs 3 5 through 6, trust in the Lord with all of your heart, everything, every aspect of your life. And I was reading a
14:21 chapter in there about, like, trusting the Lord with your future, your circumstance. And it just hit me that I didn't trust God with my future, and that is why I carried so much anxiety. When
14:33 the doctors give you all this paperwork with all of these what ifs, what if I'm not able to have children? What if I have heart failure? What if I don't live as long as I thought I would? You know, I convinced myself I
14:44 was just gonna die younger than I thought. And that is kind of what I spoke over myself for so many years, and it just held me back. And in that moment, when I was reading that book, I realized that it was
14:56 because I had a lack of trust in God. And she said a line in there, it was like, do you know that you can literally go to God with the things that you don't trust him about? And I was like, let me write that down. So I
15:06 wrote I grabbed my journal. I wrote it down and I was like, God, I'm so sorry. I haven't been honest with you. Like, this is so silly. Because you know my thoughts in my mind before I even say it out loud, like you
15:17 already knew that I didn't trust you. You were just waiting for me to be honest with you. And when I was finally honest with him, that's when I felt so much transformation. And since then, I've I mean, I'm not fully
15:29 there, but I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders trying to carry my future in my hands. Like, it's not up to me. It's not up to the doctors. God has the final say, and I will be
15:41 here on this earth as long as I still have a purpose and I can put my trust in that. Yeah. So that is really what grounded me through all that.
15:49 Well said. Well said. I think our book is relaxed. Right? Like Yes. Relaxed. That God is relaxed. And so understanding that and being able to take that ship. I've never heard that before, but it makes
Survivorship Shadows and Surrendering Fear
16:01 such good sense that you felt like somebody was watching you and taking care of you. Yeah. And then when that was over, it's like, okay, wait a second. Yeah. You feel so kind of vulnerable Mhmm. And all the
16:13 what ifs and those questions. And that just that makes a lot of sense. Yeah. I can imagine people who've been in your circumstances are probably Yeah. Really relating to that right now.
16:23 Yeah. And I wish that's Unfortunately. 1 thing a lot of people knew because people that are supporting somebody with cancer, obviously, I had such a good support system
16:32 Mhmm.
16:32 Through my treatment. Like, people would come to the hospital with me and visit me and everything. But I think people don't realize how hard it is afterwards and just carrying all of those what ifs and then those fears.
16:44 So I wish that's 1 thing people really knew more is how hard it is. So
16:49 Yeah. That is 1 of the things I wanted to ask because I think it feels like everyone knows someone with cancer Yeah. Unfortunately. Exactly. But at the same time, there's this kind of weird, interesting thing
17:01 where it's like but even though we know someone, we don't know the experience
17:06 Mhmm.
17:07 What it's like, and we don't there's something about cancer that just feels initially, I think, for a lot of people, like, I I just don't wanna talk about it. I don't wanna think about it. I just wanna get through it.
17:15 And so I was wondering if you could share a little bit of just, like, the broad question is kind of, like, what do you wish people knew more about that experience of going through cancer? But then also, like, what were
17:26 some of the changes? What initially comes to mind for me is, like, the immediate concern is, like, the physical, the treatment, am I gonna get through this, all of that type of thing. But then you've kind of already hit
17:38 on, like, the emotional impact. I would assume it impacts all of, like, your plans, your friendships, your family, things like that. So what were just some of the outside things that had
17:50 changed? Because I imagine it kind of changed everything.
17:52 Yeah. I mean, it obviously changed me physically. About 2 weeks after my first round is when I lost my hair. So that's like 1 of the big moments where you're like, okay.
18:04 I look like a cancer patient now. And, actually, before I got sick, I was an athlete. So I was on varsity and club volleyball. I would, like, work out multiple times a
18:16 day. I was the strongest, the best shape that I had been in in my whole life, which I was just a huge blessing because I think it helped me stay physically strong when I was going through it because it is so physically
18:28 demanding. But, you know, I remember when I got home from my first round, I tried running up the stairs and, you know, before I could like skip steps and just run right up the stairs. And I remember stopping in the
18:38 middle and, like, my knees just gave out and I fell down and I was like, oh, woah. Chemo is really gonna affect my body. And then later that same day, I was taking a shower and, you
18:50 know, had the hot water on. I was trying to wash my hair. And then I just started seeing stars, and I literally, like, tumbled out of the shower and yelled for my parents. I was like, mom, dad, like, I'm feel feel like
19:01 I'm gonna pass out. And I, like, just laid on the bathroom floor trying to remain conscious, basically. And both of those, like, situations were really traumatic. Like Mhmm.
19:13 Those moments, they really hit me. I was like, oh, okay. I am sick. This is gonna take a toll on me. Because before when you have it and you don't know it yet, you obviously don't really feel very different until you
19:23 start getting your symptoms and stuff, but the treatment really just adds on to that. So I definitely did feel that physical impact and that physical change a lot.
19:32 Do you feel like it kinda impacts, like, your sense of identity? Like, you had mentioned, I was this athlete. Mhmm. I know that can bring a lot of, like, meaning and purpose and sense of, like, identity and
19:42 things
19:43 like that. And then now it's like, I'm in this complete opposite situation.
19:49 Yeah. I think it affected that. But then even also when I was done for so long, I tried to get back to that person. So I was almost comparing myself to myself, to
20:00 the old version of myself. So I don't know if that has to do with identity or more of, like, comparison, but I learned very quickly that I wasn't gonna go back to normal. I was gonna have a new normal and my
20:12 body was gonna look different. I lost a lot of weight because I was weak, and I had so much muscle before. So, you know, I was constantly just, like, comparing my old body to my new body, and I think that definitely
20:24 affected my identity and my confidence for a while. And then I just kind of had to accept 1 day that I was different. And, hey, let's stop neglecting this new version of you, but let's start to
20:36 get to know the new version of you. Like, you're different. You have more fears now, different fears and anxieties, but you're also way stronger and you have a new outlook on life and you have more faith in God. Let's
20:48 focus on that instead of what you wish you could go back to. So Okay. I don't know if I answers your question, but that's kind of, like, the identity in comparison that I struggled with.
20:58 No. That is very insightful because, yeah, like, that idea of you didn't say the word loss, but there's kind of a lot of losses that seem like it goes with this. I had to change my plans,
21:10 like, change in body, appearance, things like that. Yeah. Then but then also learning to understand, I like that phrase, this new version of me Mhmm. And accepting that and
21:22 then focusing on how God's working in and through that situation. Yeah. And so and you mentioned as well some of, like, friends and family. Like, what was kind of your support system like, and how did they
21:34 Mhmm. Just kinda help you through that? Were there any special moments or things that stood out in your mind that just the way people helped you? Yeah. Because I think, again, we all kinda know someone either with cancer
21:45 or going through a chronic illness, whatever it may be, and sometimes just some of the smallest things we can do for someone can make a big difference.
21:54 Yeah. I was doing some research the other day, like how much a positive community and support system actually impacts the prognosis of cancer patients. And when you have a positive support system, when
22:06 you have a good community and stuff, you have a more positive mindset and your mindset is everything. Like, it when you're mentally strong, you're physically stronger. And so that just helps you push through and in the
22:17 end helps, like, your prognosis and and your survival your long term survival. So I think having a support system is huge. And if you are on the other side of it, supporting someone going through it is so important,
22:29 and it doesn't go unnoticed. My family was with me through the whole thing from the time we were in the emergency room. Like, my mom, my dad, and my brother were sitting there next to me. I was never alone in the
22:40 hospital. My dad worked in downtown Dallas, so he would spend the night with me, go to work. My mom would come during the day while he was at work. He'd come right back when he was off of work and would spend the night
22:49 again. And, yeah, that just helped so much, not not being alone. And then, gosh, my friends, they came and visited me almost every time I was in the hospital. They would bring crafts for me to do
23:01 because you have a lot of free time. Yeah. You know? And it just helped so much. And 1 fun story is after I shaved my head, all of my guy friends from church had a head shaving party. Uh-huh. And
23:13 the craziest part is the head shaving party was at my future in law's house. So me and my husband knew each other in high school, and he was in the room while all the guys were getting their heads
23:25 shaved. And my now father-in-law was the guy with the razor shaving all the guys' heads. So God wasn't your boyfriend at the time? No. He wasn't. Not yet. But God works it all together. Am I right? And so I was on
23:37 FaceTime that night. I couldn't be there in person because of my immune system, but Mhmm. Like, we had so, so much laughter and, you know, they were getting crazy designs in their head before it was all shaved. And it
23:48 was just like, those moments are so important because, like, your friends, your family, those are the people that are gonna help you maintain a sense of normalcy when everything around you just feels like it's crashing
23:59 down. And that is really the only thing that I had to look forward to some weeks. And so I think that is so important. I actually have a question for y'all because I've been on the cancer
24:11 side, but I've never been on the caregiver side. And, Dustin, I know you've shared that your mom. Right? Your mom went through cancer. And, Hailey, I know that your dad went through it, which just really goes to show
24:21 everybody knows somebody. So I would love to know, like, what experiences y'all went through as being the caregiver on the other side.
24:29 So she just did a bingo Uno reverse.
24:33 Uno reverse. She Uno reverse does. I'm gonna enter real now. That's great. That's great.
24:38 Yeah. It's a good thing.
24:40 What's interesting for me is I have to talk through this thought because it's Please do. So I actually don't remember a lot of things kind of directly
24:51 happening of, like, people coming over to the house, taking care of my mom or whatever. Yeah. Because I had at that point, we started living my brother and I started living with my dad. But I think that's actually kind
25:03 of telling because I don't remember anything. Part of it is people were taking care of me and my brother, and I think that was a big thing. If I were to ask my mom what what really helped, it was my dad
25:15 taking care of us, other people taking care of me and my brother because, I mean, she was weak and Yeah. Could barely take care of herself. And so in hindsight, it's kind of interesting. Like, I have a few
25:27 memories of, like, helping her and taking care of her even as a kid. But then I think because I don't have too many memories, there's it's actually, like, the I don't know how to say it. It's, like, the lack of those
25:38 things happening because people were taking care of me and my brother and having people help me and my brother just kinda have a normal Mhmm. Childhood as all as normal as you can, as all of this is going on,
25:51 that's kinda what helped.
25:52 Yeah. Well, I think that goes to show that supporting those loved ones
25:58 Yeah.
25:58 Is just as important as supporting the person that's going through it because it affects the whole family. I think that's that's really important.
26:06 I remember I was actually in Ethiopia when daddy was taken to the emergency room and diagnosed. So I was overseas and just kind of freaking out. So when I finally got to him
26:18 and got to the hospital, I remember feeling like, okay. I'm gonna Game time.
26:22 Handle this.
26:23 Yeah. So, and he went through some treatments in Oklahoma City and then ultimately we moved him to Arkansas. And so the week that we moved him to Arkansas, because he had multiple myeloma and the best hospital for that
26:34 is actually in Little Rock, got him all set up. Like, okay, I'm gonna drive them over there. We figured out where they were gonna live because they were gonna be there for many months as he went through treatment. And
26:44 getting on the airplane to leave them in Little Rock was 1 of the hardest things I've ever done.
26:50 Mhmm.
26:51 Because I was like it makes me think of the moment when you, like, feel untethered, you know, like, they're tending to you. I was able to send to them, but I was getting ready to come back to Dallas Yeah. And try to
27:01 resume You
27:02 felt helpless.
27:03 Normal programming. And there my daddy was over there and my mom trying to take care of him. So it's such a lovely thought for you to consider that of others and recognizing, I mean, even before
27:15 we started, recognizing, like, it's a different experience when somebody we love is going through it Yeah. Than when you had to go through it yourself. It is difficult. We learn a
27:26 lot from it. Mhmm. And you can feel really helpless. You just try to do what you can. Like, I love hearing about your parents being there all day and in the night, you know, like, you do what you can. Sometimes
27:38 the only thing you can do is just be there. And then sometimes when you can't be there, it's just, okay, I have to trust God. Yeah. Literally in those moments, those are the moments.
27:50 And I say have to a little bit tongue in cheek because the glorious thing about going through those experiences is realizing we can trust God Yeah. Come what may. What
28:02 whatever the results are. I praise him all the time that my dad we're 15 years past that diagnosis. You know, like, it's a beautiful thing, but we don't always get past the diagnosis. And
28:14 so I've experienced that in my family as well. And just seeing God from each perspective and each role, I think, is helpful. That's why I love that you are so willing to tell your story. Because thereShow more
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