Cancer Chronicles Ep 14: Healing, Not Doing

Confessions of an Aging Ingenue

Have you ever had to completely let go of your expectations and embrace the present moment, even when it feels like you're losing control?

Welcome back to Confessions of an Aging Ingénue! I’m your host, Jenni Tooley, and in this episode, I’m diving into the reality of managing expectations, both for myself and others, while navigating my cancer journey.

Cancer has a funny way of flipping the script on everything you thought you knew about your life. And today, I’m opening up about my second cycle of chemo and the intense hand-foot syndrome I’ve been dealing with. Picture your feet burning as if you've just run barefoot across hot asphalt—yep, that's what it feels like! But it's not all about the physical side of things. I’m also talking about the emotional toll of managing expectations during this process—whether it's my own expectations or those from others.

In this raw, unfiltered episode, I share how I've had to adjust my plans, let go of big events, and simply focus on healing. I’ve also learned the power of being kind to myself and accepting that rest and self-care are equally important as productivity. Through all this, I'm discovering that sometimes, not doing anything is exactly what you need to do.

Jenni Tooley Presents is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This episode is for anyone who has ever had to reevaluate their priorities and manage their expectations—whether dealing with illness, life changes, or just trying to keep up with the world around you.

If you're struggling to give yourself permission to slow down, then this episode is definitely for you! Tune in for valuable insights on how to take it easy, trust your body, and find peace in the present.

Want to support the podcast? Visit Jennitooley.com for more goodness and to get involved. You can also find the Jenni Tooley Presents community on Substack—become a subscriber and discover exciting new content!

And as always, I want to remind you that you are loved and never alone in this journey.

Credits:

A special thanks to LEV in the Wild for the beautiful song "XYZ," courtesy of Holly Ragland. You can enjoy more of LEV's music at levinthewild.bandcamp.com.

Big shoutout to Bruce Richardson, our incredible sound designer, for crafting the intro and outro bumpers that set the tone for our episodes.

A heartfelt thank you to Prettie Philippa, our amazing podcast manager, for keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

Dalton James of Mr. James Workshop provided us with amazing graphic design and branding elements.

And a huge thank you to Peggy, Daniel, Nancy, Pam, Carol, Patricia, Linda, Jenny, Tess, and Tom for supporting the podcast as paid subscribers to the Substack. Your support has made it possible to produce and publish 8 episodes so far!

Connect with me:Instagram: Jenni TooleyFacebook: Jenni TooleyWebsite: Jennitooley.com

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered or used as medical or legal advice.

Get full access to Jenni Tooley Presents at www.jennitooley.com/subscribe