Terry Tucker –
Being diagnosed with cancer can be a challenging journey, but it doesn’t have to define you. Listen to this fascinating story of this survivor’s journey to excellence after a melanoma diagnosis. It will inspire you to keep moving forward and live your best life!
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Ep. 111
Welcome to the 2023 Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Series – part 3
Cancer is a diagnosis that can shatter even the strongest among us. Facing an illness like this can make us question our purpose and our ability to withstand the physical and emotional challenges that come with it. My guest, Terry Tucker, an inspiring survivor, faced a rare form of melanoma – acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) diagnosed initially in 2012.
Despite being given a low chance of survival, Terry persevered after surgery and treatment. He believes that going through adversity teaches us something and can make us better human beings. This incredible speaker and man of many talents now finds his purpose in sharing his story and inspiring others to push beyond self imposed limits. We will dive deeper into how Terry overcame his adversity by facing it with a positive mindset and sheer grit.
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…the older I get, the more I go through this, the more I realize that the people that are put in my life, the people or the circumstances that have been put in my life are not there by happenstance. They happen for a reason. I’ve met people for a reason. I don’t know that reason sometimes. But these things that happen to us, I think are designed to teach us something. And if we’re smart enough to go through this ugliness and come out the other side, I think it’s incumbent upon us to figure out what did we learn from that…
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Terry’s Four Truths
“They’re all just one sentence each.
First one is, and we talked about this a little bit, control your mind, or your mind is going to control you.
The second one is, embrace the pain and the difficulty that we all experience in life and use that pain and difficulty to make you a stronger and more determined individual.
The third one I look at kind of as, I guess, a legacy truth, for lack of a better term. And it’s this: what you leave behind is what you weave in the hearts of other people.
And the fourth one, I think, is pretty self explanatory. As long as you don’t quit, you can never be defeated.
And I look at those four truths, and I sort of call them the bedrock of my soul. They are just, I think, just a good place to start to build a quality life off of.”
To connect with Terry:
Motivationalcheck.com and on social media: Twitter and LinkedIn
Facing the Fear of the Unknown: Coping with Diagnosis and Treatment
Receiving a diagnosis of a serious illness can be an overwhelming and daunting experience. This news can leave individuals wondering what the future holds and struggling with fear of the unknown. Coping with such a diagnosis requires a resilient mind and a willingness to face the fear head-on.
Terry discussed the importance of mindset and how it can impact one’s experience with illness. His story of battling a rare form of melanoma – acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), is a testament to the power of a positive mindset. Despite being told he had a low chance of survival, Terry persevered and underwent surgery and lymph node removal. Even after the cancer returned and he had to have his left leg amputated. Terry remained determined to live his life with purpose and inspire others.
One of the key takeaways from the conversation was the importance of controlling your thoughts and mindset. Negative self-talk can lead to defeatism and a sense of hopelessness – it is crucial to be aware of your self-talk and consciously reframe negative thoughts.
Terry emphasized the importance of recognizing the reason for your struggles and moving forward rather than limiting yourself. Facing the fear of the unknown can be a significant challenge for individuals diagnosed with serious illnesses. It is essential to embrace the emotions that come with such a diagnosis and to remain hopeful.
Terry’s story highlights the importance of resilience and hope, even in the face of significant obstacles. Coping with illness requires discipline, determination, and a positive mindset. When you focus on what you can control rather than what is beyond your control, you can inspire yourself and others to persevere and triumph over adversity.
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** Sailing Through Life Podcast is intended to educate, inspire and support you on your personal journey and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is for general informational purposes only. If you are suffering from any psychological or medical conditions, please seek help from a qualified health professional.
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