Julie’s thoughts on dealing with cancer + motherhood:
“I’ve realized in times like this when you get some hard news or you’re having a tough time, a really hard trial in your life, you can either choose to look toward God for help or you can turn away from God. I really made the choice to put all my faith in God and I realized that He has a plan for me and once I kind of submitted myself to Him and said, ‘OK, I’m here. What am I supposed to do?’ I felt his guidance along the way in everything.” – Julie Monroe
Show Recap
Two years ago, Julie Monroe was a healthy 36-year-old wife and mom to three daughters. Then life threw her a curve ball when she was diagnosed with rectal cancer and everything changed in an instant.
In the interview, Julie talks about her positive approach to parenting and how that perspective helped her tell her daughters about her diagnosis when they were only 10, 6 and 4 years old. She shares how motherhood has shifted from wanting to be the “perfect mom” to just focusing on what is truly important.
If you’ve ever felt awkward around someone who was recently diagnosed with cancer or something similar, Julie’s gives advice on how to offer help. She also shares how to let people help you if you are the one with a diagnosis.
The impact of Julie’s cancer has been felt by her entire family. Her family has pulled together to pick up the tasks Julie hasn’t been able to perform. This experience has taught her daughters to show more compassion and kindness to others.
As a life-saving measure, Julie underwent surgery and received a colostomy bag 2 months ago. Julie was candid and honest about what this means for her day-to-day life. For Julie, it was not her choice to have a colostomy bag for the rest of her life, but it was her choice to be secure about and to embrace it as something that has given her life and the chance to be here for her girls.
Overall, Julie’s positive approach to her diagnosis of cancer has taught her to say no, let go of what isn’t important, and turn to God. She knows we aren’t alone. God is always with us.
How to Listen
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Show Notes
Follow Julie:
Blog: wifemomwarrior.com
Instagram: instagram.com/wife_mom_warrior
Julie’s blog posts about topics discussed in the interview:
Telling Your Kids That You Have Cancer
Gifts for Someone Starting Chemo
Life with a Colostomy – 2 Months Later
Quote Julie mentioned in the podcast:
“Whether it is the best of times or the worst of times, He is with us and He has promised that this will never change.” –Thomas S. Monson
Follow Spiritually Minded Mom:
Blog: spirituallymindedmom.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom
Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom
Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes