And we are talking with Michelle Tibbets, a cancer survivor and a person who has devoted a great deal of her time in her life to cancer awareness and the American Cancer Society.

Because of your family history.

and I'm very sorry to hear about that, but we are very, very glad that you're here.

Can you talk to us about, what happens?

You get the cancer diagnosis, and obviously there's a whole range of emotions that have happened.

Can you tell us what happens with the people around them?

What what can what can we expect?

What would you expect?

What should we do?

What should we not do?

It's a helpless feeling for.

For everyone.

It is.

And I have been on the caregiver side too.

So the biggest thing you can do is just ask.

Ask what you can do for them.

Because it's going to be different for everybody.

Okay.

Everybody's needs are going to be different.

And, and know that those needs may be one thing one day and the next day totally different.

because you're, you know, when you're receiving treatments, your body is going through so many changes in a sense, you know, sensitivity to cold, things that may trigger you.

Your immune system's down.

Every day is something different, and they don't know what to expect either.

So just be a support.

I think one of the greatest things that a person that has a cancer diagnosis, that is battling cancer, or even if I ask the survivors, our support system is everything.

While we're receiving treatment.

After we're receiving treatment.

Because again, it's that fear of the unknown.

So you may find that the person doesn't want to talk about their cancer diagnosis.

They may want to talk about anything but that.

Sometimes just being able to have a conversation and take them to a safe place that's away from that is great too.

So finding out how you can be that solid rock for them and lighten that load, that burden of that diagnosis of the treatment of just that fear.

So how would someone on the outside instigate that conversation?

Find out you have a cancer and it's like, oh, this sucks for you.

Now what?

I mean, what what words could they use that maybe to get that conversation going?

I would just be transparent and say, you know what, I don't know how to help you, but I really want to can you tell me what I can do to help you?

just be honest that you're scared to ask, but you want to help.

And I think that's going to mean a lot because that's going to even the playing field because you're scared to ask, and they're scared too So that's going to help a lot.

And then I would just say follow through and check because there's going to be times that, you know, they're going to be down and they may not ask for help.

You may need to offer it.

It doesn't hurt to offer.

And if you're declined then don't don't take offense and don't stop asking.

But you know, you may need to provide space and that time, And you're going to go through different seasons of need.

Sure.

Be able to be able to do that.

Yeah.

How has your life changed?

Granted, it's been 24 years before your cancer diagnosis to now.

It's changed in the fact that I am totally cognizant of what cancer means to our society, what it does to everybody.

It's definitely made me more engaged and involved in awareness, more engaged and involved and fundraising.

It's changed how I've raised my children.

You know, to be aware of, you know, health concerns from, you know, high school age.

I teach them that, you know, hey, it's like, again, if it doesn't feel right, if it doesn't look right.

Talk to somebody, you know.

Don't take those things for granted.

I also appreciate the struggles and battles that other cancer survivors have gone through.

So if I can find an opportunity to interact with another cancer survivor, absolutely will jump on those opportunities because there's some of the greatest and most meaningful conversations.

And that bond that you can have between another survivor is amazing.

That's wonderful.

That's very inspirational.

Convenient because we want to thank you for being on inspire.

Michelle Tibbetts, cancer survivor.

Thank you very much.

Thank you for having us.

Wonderful speaking with you.