Sitting on the exam table, I tried to take in the breast surgeon’s words.
“I will take you out to dinner if it’s benign.”
I was so grateful for Dr Sabol’s honesty. And rather than sounding harsh, her words were loaded with gentle compassion. Dr. Sabol was trying to cushion the eventual blow. As it turned out – no dinner was necessary because the biopsy did confirm the diagnosis of breast cancer.
The next few months were a blur of medical tests, surgery, treatment and wondering – lot’s of wondering. What will the future hold? (Will I have a future?)
As the creator of Strong & Wise, there were moments that I didn’t feel very strong or wise. I was scared, worried, tired, ticked off, cranky, tender, moody… you get it. But when those emotions took over, I reached for a Key.
Using The Four Keys strategy allowed me to powerfully “grow through” the challenge of living with breast cancer. As I wrote in my first blog entry:
Throughout diagnosis and treatment, I rode the waves of anger, fear, sadness, exhaustion and frustration. In the depths of these emotions I asked myself, “Which Key is missing?” and then took action to bring that Key to the moment.
It was during this time that the Strong & Wise website was created. Although the process was started before I was diagnosed, it was perfect that this beautiful site was completed during the biggest challenge I’d ever faced. Thanks to the Four Keys I stayed connected to my power.
Now my passion for teaching is focused on helping patients and their loved ones move through the cancer experience into waiting joy.
Background
Teri Goggin-Roberts is a registered nurse and Reiki Master. Teri writes creative non-fiction; her stories have appeared in Philadelphia Magazine, Beliefnet.com, multiple editions of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Nobody Loves You Like Your Kids and dozens of other outlets.
Teri has been leading the Strong & Wise Workshop since its creation in 2001. Since then, Teri has brought the Strong & Wise Workshop to hospices, interfaith ministry schools, spiritual conferences and other venues.
Reflecting back, Teri’s life offered the perfect opportunities to discover the Four Keys. Living with loved ones who fought addiction, divorce, single parenting and figuring out how to bring a new husband/step-father into the mix provided fertile ground for challenges. Teri’s work as a registered nurse case manager and second generation Reiki Master, also allowed for years of observing how other’s moved through life’s challenges. And so, the Four Keys were born.
In addition to leading the Strong & Wise Workshop, Teri’s passion for helping others live powerfully led her to join “The End Violence Project.” For several years Teri taught a six-month leadership course in a men’s prison as part of this organization. Teri strongly believes that teaching tools like forgiveness, integrity, empowerment, responsibility, and compassion are key to ending violence without violence.
Teri lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband, two children, two bossy felines (Evie & Tiger) and one goofy pit-bull named Ella.
