Sister Saturdays – Colleen Dougherty
Colleen Dougherty – Snowboarder. Mother. Warrior.
We know that Colleen holds all these titles dear to her. She’s as East Coast as they come, makes her opinions known, but has a heart of gold, and she’s a damn good friend. Her snowboarding is OG, and so of course she is sharing as much mountain time as she can with her children/family/friends. She lives life to the fullest each day, even when she is challenged, and we are so grateful for sharing some of her own words of how far she has come, and what she looks towards. Thank you for inspiring us, Colleen!
Tell us where you are on your ‘path’…and would you consider it a ‘cancer journey’ or ‘healing path’? Why?
I call it a time warp… Its been 3 years of my ongoing time warp. Everything, like EVERYTHING was different from the day of DX onward… Some days, weeks months are wonderful others can be filled with anxiety about the unknown… It is hard to wrap my head and heart around this journey… 6 major surgeries, chemo/herceptin , then a local recurrence , back to surgery radiation… and just finished a year long infusion of immunotherapy… I am tired of all it. I am grateful of course to be here…
Mothering- how do you prioritize you, and keep your kids happy while life can be so up and down?
This has been one of the hardest parts for me. My kids were 2 and 4 when I was first DX, they are now 5 & 7. They have seen my crying, struggling physically and so many other difficult moments, that it breaks my heart for what they will remember… I hope they remember how we had fun with me being bald and giving me extra kisses on way out to treatments… Lots of help from family and friends, in the beginning, eased me back to reality. The days I take time to exercise, go for long walks or bike , I feel like a better person… therefore more able find the time to slow down and enjoy the moments with my kids. Taking them to our local mountain this winter was so much fun to watch them progress… Being on lock down in NY and homeschooling… well that was hard. I pretty much cancelled school end of April. We were all so unhappy during the day. So we switched it up and took learning to playing outside and just being kids.
How have you been managing with Dr appointments/scans/treatments while there is a pandemic?
I have been scared. My last physical Dr. appointment was in January, and I was 3 treatments away from completing 17 rounds of Immunotherapy… I cancelled last 3. And said enough. And heck no was I going to any doctor or hospital during those first few months of this Pandemic in NY. I went to my first check up yesterday. Its clear that I don’t like these doctors anymore. So there’s that to work on too.
You live in NY! Anything, in particular, you are doing differently while covid is rampid to uphold your health and overall immunity right now?
NY was and is crazy. First, My kids and I did not leave our homestead for over 4 months! My husband was in charge of any food runs, pharmacy etc, we still have not seen many folks or gone anywhere. I wish I could be in NYC during the protests for Black Lives Matter… I just know I cant risk my health or get arrested 🙂 I upped my usual raw garlic butter toast, herbal and vitamin regime and added elderberries daily, Cleavers Tincture for lymph cleansing occasionally & when I feel really sluggish and like a cold coming on I try small bits of Poke Root tincture to kick immune systems butt. I would not suggest anyone to try Poke root without a herbal practitioners guidance. Its a hardcore herb that can hurt you if you take too much. I also have trusted for years the Wise Woman Healing methods for years, so I return to those books regularly for recipes and healing ideas.
Yoga? Meditation? How do they support your overall well being?
Yoga is great when I stick to it! I fell out of it last month, but need to get back to daily routine… it really makes a difference in my body and mind for the day. Last week, I participated (virtually in my barn) in an African Chanting Meditation, to send off my friends mother to the afterlife… It was incredible. I was entranced and felt so universally connected from my heart to my toes. I will touch in on that when I need it.
Integrated therapies? Could you recommend any for someone newly diagnosed?
Acupuncture a first I would suggest! I considered doing some mistletoe infusions but decided not at this time. Consulting with my vegan friends and getting some whole foods back in my diet. If I did things differently from the beginning, I would have found a Naturopathic Oncologist to work in tandem with my traditional doctors… Looking at this option now.
Do you feel supported enough with the emotional/psychological aspects that cancer brings? How do you find support?
Sometimes I just dont want to talk about it. However my husband is the strong silent type, so he lets me cry and freak out and hugs regularly. I have a great sister who is always at my doorstop at drop of hat (well except now with covid) hah! And my dear friends are always a call away if I need to blow off steam or cry. I suffer from PTSD and have a panic attack every time I have a Dr. Appointment. Lots of mental health work ahead of me… Its not easy for me to find a therapist I have liked… so still looking for a good fit.
Any advice/things you have learned on managing health insurance with cancer? (Or any concerns about health care you want to share?!)
HAH! American Healthcare SUCKS. My Husband has his own businesses, which I started working for after babies came along. We got the cheapest option in the NY Affordable Care Act in 2017, before DX. We had to quickly figure out how to get private insurance, as that other coverage would have left us bankrupt for my treatments. The private insurance we got for our small business, was funded by inheritance that my dearly departed mother left me. So, that left alot of funds we set aside for our future was gone in a year. Now I am on Medicare. Ill let you know how that goes this year… Jeeze this Sister is sounding bleak!!! Its not all that terrible.
Today, what is the best way for you to feel GOOD?
Cuddling with my kids. Bike rides. Dancing. Making my art. Snowboarding!
CBD or THC? neither? either or? Please explain.
All, any and both. Medical Marijuana is legal in NY, and so so so happy about that. CBD is great for anyone who wants pain and to mellow out. I suggest full spectrum CBD, organic grown. I have always loved smoking pot. And I support anyone who is considering trying it. It chills you out, really helped ease nausea during chemo, and the appetite and lifts the mind. The research about THC, CBD and all the cannabinoids for many diseases is so promising. Also trying some micro-dosing of mushrooms occasionally… Its a boost in my mood for the day…except when I take too much, then Im off talking to the flowers for a few hours…
Survivorship or Thrivership? Or no ship? Please define what it/they mean to you.
No Ship.
I am a warrior.
Are there any doctors/healers/practitioners in particular on your team you want to give a shout out to?!
My acupuncturist who I havent been able to see in almost a year… I hope she can re-open soon. My family and friends have been the best healers for me… and my dogs and cats. 🙂 And you Megs ,my warrior sister Bee and all the badass Babes from Baldface I connected with. Bee and I connect via videos and share alot. Its awesome.
