A Give and an Ask with Village Wellness Member Marian Vallotton
by Lance isakov, Dec 8, 2020
"I’ve had this crazy life and it’s been a gift of cancer almost every decade."
Welcome to our weekly give/ask article! We have such an abundance of EXTRAORDINARY & INSPIRING individuals in this little community. My hope is that each week we can feature one of our community members so that we can all get to know them a little more, learn about a gift they would love to share and one ask that they have for us.
Meet Marian!
Hello, I’m thrilled to be part of this community and share a bit of my story!
I met Lance through his father Nissen, who sits on the board of the not-for-profit where I teach Leadership, Management & Interpersonal Skills. My youngest daughter calls these skills for “playing nice in the sand box”. The topics range from Coaching, to Motivation to Emotional Intelligence to Conflict Management and more. Some deem these the soft skills, but I like to refer to them as power skills which are so desperately needed in this complex world we live in today.
Once Nissen knew that I was teaching Mindfulness to corporate groups, it was only natural to connect me to Lance and the Wellness Community. This was back in 2016. I started practicing Yoga in 2004, when my daughter was a toddler. When I became a single mom, I married the best man in the world Steve. I like to call him Steve-o, he is my center and joy who has fallen into my life and is a blessing.
I have 1 daughter and 2 stepdaughters scattered across the globe. It’s the empty nest stage of life, having to let go and watch all three venture out on their own. Each is very accomplished for where they are in their journeys and I am so proud. I love having adult children. I can dream, engage, argue, encourage and philosophize with them now.
Fast forward to 2020, I am certified Yoga teacher with a special certification in teaching Yoga to Cancer patients. Unfortunately, I had to give this up because I have been yet again diagnosed with another form of Cancer. I’ve had this crazy life and it’s been a gift of cancer almost every decade. I try not to let the Cancer define me, but it has indeed shaped my rich life. In my late teens I had Hodgkin’s Disease, in my 30’s it was Thyroid Cancer, in my 40’s Breast Cancer, and in 50’s Thymic Carcinoma. The good news, I beat all 4 of these. My mom gave me the gift of positive thinking which is at the core of my recoveries.
Lance and his parents were lifelines during my last bout with the Thymic Carcinoma. Acupuncture was a gift as I struggled with anxiety, and home cooked South African meals from Lance’s mom Maureen fortified my spirit. After chemo and proton radiation, I kicked it and went back to work in 2017 just to find out about the newest diagnosis this past summer. I now have Thymoma, another cancer of the Thymus as I approach my 60’s.
This backdrop has led me in different directions over the years. I’ve had the pleasure of leading a Support Group for Newly Diagnosed Cancer patients, been a Surgery Sister, walked in the Susan G. Komen 3 day for Breast Cancer and I just completed a book (currently working on the second draft) with Mindfulness Practices for Cancer patients called Unraveling Fate.
A GIVE
This leads me to my give, if anyone is struggling out there with any form of Cancer or life-threatening disease and needs an ear, I am a great listener and supporter to lean on anytime. Please contact me!
AN ASK
My ask is that you donate whenever/whatever you can to cancer research. I am lucky to be in Clinical Trial at NIH and I am killing the cancer cells with Immunotherapy right now as I type these words. My doctor is encouraged, and I have great hopes to see all 3 daughters walk down the aisle and someday meet my greatly-wished-for grandchildren.
It’s your turn!
Respond to the ask above or add your give and your ask for this week in the comments below. 👇🏼
Previous Comments:
Nicole Kosh4y
Thank you for sharing your story, Marian. Your positivity is contagious.
Marian Vallotton4y
thanks much!!!!! means the world to me that you think so Nicole
Susan Hanway4y
Marian, you are amazing. I love your spirit! May you be well, and may you be well, and may you be well. I’m praying and using the hand into lung movement you gave us daily. …more
Marian Vallotton4y
Thanks tons Susan... love your support, so appreciate you!. I can feel the healing energy already from you and our new mighty team of like-minded compatriots! It's fabulous! : )
Lisa Eve4y
Marian it is so wonderful to meet you and learn more about you. I would like to know where I can get a copy of your book please? I'd like to tell a friend of mine about it. Thank y …more
Marian Vallotton4y
Hi Lisa,It is still in first draft form. What I am doing is sharing the book in this form with a few …more
👍1
Angela Sipe4y
Marian, thank you for your share. I had no idea. You are truly a superwoman, more so now than I ever thought before! We need to connect and chat soon. Sending you love.
Marian Vallotton4y
Ahhhh thank you much! Yes let's connect for sure : )
Susan Hanway4y
Hi Marian, I’m taking the opportunity to comment again as you have become one of my heroes (heroines?) in strength. And I also wanted to reply more to your comment last …more
Marian Vallotton4y
Susan, what you say is profound... there are so many nuggets of helpfulness and strategies to glean in your writing! The take actio …more
👍1