Share Your Story: Karey Spransy

10/12/21 • 44 min

Karey Spransy is a stage IV-4 colon cancer survivor who uses her experience to teach others how to be more resilient through the Joy Of Moving On. She uses grace and humor to make you laugh, cry, and cry-laugh about the absurdities of life and feel inspired to find your JOMO.

02:20: We met in the totally again romcom way at a sales conference in the US.
04:10: Yoga was just part of my routine, at least three or four days a week.
06:19: I'm in so much pain, I can hardly stand up straight.
08:32: They’ve got to make sure that my colostomy is working properly.
10:05: My mother had already beaten breast cancer.
12:14: Colon cancer was not even on my radar at all.
14:03: I was incredibly sensitive to cold, even room temperature water felt like I was drinking glass.
15:57: So instead of there being a green stem, that's the exit for your body.
18:26: That thing on your left ovary has grown.
20:04: I went on the family medical leave act at that point.
22:06: I told my friends and family how much they loved me.
24:30: I ended up getting a full hysterectomy.
26:26: With a colostomy, you can pretty much eat like you normally do because it's way down in your colon, and it comes out like normal solid stool.
28:13: I still get bad bouts of diarrhea that will keep me home for two or three days at a time.
29:12: What was your worst moment?
32:31: What was your best moment?
34:08: What is one thing you wish you had known at the beginning of your cancer journey?
36:10: What is one thing that you would do to improve health care in the US?
38:59: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
40:20: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

02:20: We met in the totally again romcom way at a sales conference in the US.
04:10: Yoga was just part of my routine, at least three or four days a week.
06:19: I'm in so much pain, I can hardly stand up straight.
08:32: They’ve got to make sure that my colostomy is working properly.
10:05: My mother had already beaten breast cancer.
12:14: Colon cancer was not even on my radar at all.
14:03: I was incredibly sensitive to cold, even room temperature water felt like I was drinking glass.
15:57: So instead of there being a green stem, that's the exit for your body.
18:26: That thing on your left ovary has grown.
20:04: I went on the family medical leave act at that point.
22:06: I told my friends and family how much they loved me.
24:30: I ended up getting a full hysterectomy.
26:26: With a colostomy, you can pretty much eat like you normally do because it's way down in your colon, and it comes out like normal solid stool.
28:13: I still get bad bouts of diarrhea that will keep me home for two or three days at a time.
29:12: What was your worst moment?
32:31: What was your best moment?
34:08: What is one thing you wish you had known at the beginning of your cancer journey?
36:10: What is one thing that you would do to improve health care in the US?
38:59: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
40:20: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

Previous Episode

Share Your Story: Barbara Vercruysse

Barbara Vercruysse is a life coach. After surviving stage 4 skin cancer at 32, she decided to live her second life to the fullest. After running a construction business for 18 years, Barbara now dedicates herself to her true passion now: guiding people through deep transformations.

02:52: My husband who is a lawyer was also combining that with being the salesperson in my business.
05:05: We got the results; it's melanoma and it is very deep.
07:16: The first night in the hospital was the first time since the birth of my children that I was without kids.
09:14: When I had my second surgery, I was practically told I had six more months.
11:05: I didn’t realize how far the cancer was.
14:33: Where did that knowledge or that idea that you needed to have a positive mindset, where did that come from?
16:23: I have the best of relationships and it made me who I am.
18:13: No, I will not die.
20:14: I started reading books on spirituality, psychology, human behavior self-development.
22:38: I survived the stage four cancer to end up here.
24:36: What was your worst moment during that time?
26:53: What was your best moment?
28:04: What is one thing that you wish you had known at the very beginning of your cancer journey?
30:40: Instead of getting out of the thunderstorm, learn how to dance in the rain.
32:44: If you could only change one thing in the health care system in Belgium, what would it be and why?
34:23: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
35:15: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

Barbara on LinkedIn
Barbara on Facebook
Barbara’s coaching website Start The Life Of Your Dreams

Next Episode

Share Your Story: Onyx Keesha

Onyx Keesha is an award-winning director of film and stage. She is passionate about telling women’s stories. Her art is her activism. After being diagnosed with breast cancer and enduring surgery, 20 weeks of chemo, and 9 weeks of radiation she now has a new perspective on life. One she is ready to share.

02:03: I was able to catch my breast cancer when it came relatively soon.
04:08: My treatment was very aggressive because I had it at such a young age.
06:14: He gave me the push to fight and that's what I did.
08:07: My doctor said 20 weeks of chemo.
10:44: I traveled when I was on chemo.
12:15: Now we're onto the hormone therapy for 5 – 10 years.
15:13: I had to do is continue to show up and continue to fight.
17:54: That's the journey I'm starting right now and talking to a holistic doctor.
19:03: What was your worst moment?
21:25: What was your best moment?
22:39: Did you already have that community before being diagnosed?
25:12: I just think it's important that as women, we share our stories.
26:05: What is the one thing you wish you'd known at the very beginning of your cancer journey?
29:42: If you could do one thing it's hard to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why?
32:30: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
34:23: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources