This is the case study of an ovarian cancer thriver. During her cancer treatment, she reflected on her life and reconnected with herself. See how our cancer coaching program helped her discover her stressors.
Being the ‘man of the house’
BD has ovarian cancer. Her life history shows a person who has had to be strong, logical, assertive and responsible for her family from an early age. She has learnt to be ‘the man of the house’.
Growing up, she often needed to take various family members to the hospital because they were affected by certain chronic conditions. After an arranged marriage, her husband too developed a serious health problem and could not be a steady bread winner.
Repressed femininity and creativity
BD took on this role as well, all the while repressing her own feminine nature and aspects; she fell out of touch with her woman’s body and emotions. She was most comfortable being practical and living by the ‘checklist’.
BD also had issues with money, power (need for control) and creativity (the lack of it), all symbolically linked to the ovaries. Her cancer therefore seemed to be representative of her despairing feminine essence making a desperate effort to express her repressed needs and get her attention.
Addressing the stressors
Once BD saw her pattern – where many of her long-held beliefs were simply masks (stressors), she resolved to reclaim her feminine aspects and honour her creativity in many ways, including taking up belly dancing!
Reflection
- How often do you find yourself only doing what is expected of you, while repressing your own feelings and identity?
- What is your definition of creativity? In what situations are you most creative and how does that make you feel?
- How can you uncover your stressors? Can you consider taking the Holistic Health Questionnaire?
More from this series
| Title | About the article |
|---|---|
| Ovarian Cancer | BD has ovarian cancer. Her life history shows a person who has had to be strong, logical, assertive and responsible for her family from an early age. |
| Colon Cancer | MK is a successful young corporate executive who we coached through colon cancer. With a lovely, devoted wife and two beautiful children, he was the epitome of the well-placed urban Indian. |
| Breast Cancer | PD, 54, came to us with breast cancer that had spread to her liver. The doctors had told her they had no further treatment for her. She looked defiant and unapproachable because she was in acute discomfort with post chemotherapy side effects. |
