w/Jenni Tooley

Nine days post-ileostomy takedown surgery, deep in the bowels of recovery, and yet another denial letter from Social Security Disability shows up in my mailbox. This episode is part truth-telling, part vent, and 100% real-life cancer recovery. I recorded it outside in the dark—cats meowing, frogs singing- hoping my bowels didn’t pick that moment to reve up again. Because yes, there's a lot of poop...

Once again thank you to ChatGPT for making these show notes. I would not have been able to do this without that tool. I’m tired so take a listen and know that you are loved. Venmo: @jenni-tooley PayPal/zelle: jennitooley@gmail.com Episode Summary: Welcome back to The Cancer Chronicles . It’s Day Five post-surgery, and I’m still here in the hospital, riding the slow-motion rollercoaster of recovery...

Welcome to another episode of Jenni Tooley Presents: Cancer Chronicles —where I bring you the sacred, the messy, the holy-s**t-that-actually-happened parts of healing from cancer. This time, I’m taking you deep into the underworld. Not metaphorically—literally. We’re talking about my barium enema . Yep, I said it. And I lived to tell the tale. In this episode, I share: * Why a tube full of white c...

Hi darlin! Once again, keeping it simple. Here’s the breakdown. Listening is better because what I say between the bullet points is pure magic:) * Stoma and ostomy success- let’s celebrate! * Why I’m excited about having barium squirted up my butt * Using the 3A’s to go from surgery PTSD to feeling good about it * How deep listening and emotion code work healed a surgery trauma * A few of the “oth...

Welcome, once again, to our multi-faceted series: “in the heartlight”. Today we are finishing up (for now) our series of interviews with Mr. James of MrJames Workshop (aka Dalton) with a discussion about his video creation: “Creation”. I’m going to keep this one simple. Let’s let the work and the spoken words speak for themselves🥰 I suggest you watch the video before listening to our conversation...

Alright. I admit it. This episode is not for the faint of heart. But nothing cancer or ileostomy related is, so pull out your vinyl Queen “Hot Space” album and sing along. (Yes. Under Pressure” is on a Queen album, not a David Bowie album. Who knew?) And if you want more raw, unedited, real accounts of what my experience has been like kicking cancer out of my butt, become a paid member of Jenni To...

Jenni Tooley here. Reminding you that no matter what, life is goingto happen. If you're getting to the end of your rope, I am right there with you. The good thing is, is that this too shall pass. Good, bad, or indifferent. This too shall pass. We are resilient. We are loved. And we have all kinds of support around us. It's just a matter of asking and receiving. Sometimes you don't even have to ask...

Once again- massive gratitude to all who have been on part or all of this journey with me! I have been up to my elbows in s**t, literally, for the last few weeks because I’ve been having trouble adjusting to my stoma, Mildred (that’s Mildred B.B. Puckrup to you;). I’m allergic to adhesives so that already creates a challenge. And I can’t get a good seal around her, which means that stomach acids a...

First things first. I am deeply grateful for all of the support. I want to list each of you by name, but my brain will inevitably leave someone out. So…Thank you so much to those who participated in the chat while I was in the hospital:)Thank you to everyone who sent things from the wish list. Thank you to those who have shown up at my house to help. Thank you to those who are caring for my animal...

Hello! Hello! I’m here! I’m alive! Robots are going to chop up my rectum in 7 days! Please send love, send sanity, send whatever you like! (venmo: @jenni-tooley zelle: jennitooley@gmail.com) Thank you so much to Brian and Steven for sending some love$, to Vicki & Melvin for animal help, to Dalton for puzzle hours, Belen for bevvies, and my mom and dad, just cuz:) Reminder: Transcript available:)As...

Here we are with exciting news for Cancer Chronicles, S4 Ep2. I’m cancer-free! Whoop whoop! Get out your pom-poms! Cue the Sousa marching band! Pop open a…wait, what’s that you say? I still have to get surgery? Grrrr. Argh. This is one of those moments where I must pause and celebrate this milestone* even if the journey must go on. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I appreciate and love each and ev...

Hi Darlin! First, let’s catch up! Thank you so much to those who supported Season 3 of The Cancer Chronicles podcast! It’s been nearly a year since I was diagnosed with Stage 3aN1 Rectal cancer- can you believe it? At that time, I decided I was going to produce the s**t out of cancer (get it…I’ve got rectal cancer;). So not only did I project manage my healthcare and life, but I turned this whole...

Thanks to our supporters, we’re back with more from MrJames Workshop ! In our last encounter , we introduced Dalton (Mr. James to you) and took a trip down memory lane. Today, we will pick up where we left off with the introduction of MrJames newest endeavor, Queer Cosmic Folk Art, more specifically, The Billies! ( Now on tour in Eureka Springs ).You’ll get the most out of the experience by listen...

Hi Darlin! Welcome to our first episode of “in the heartlight”- an in-depth multimedia interview series! You’ll get the most out of the experience by listening to the podcast audio while following along with the text and images. If you can’t listen to the episode, check out the audio transcript- it’s messy but full of amazing insights and stories! We begin the series with my longtime friend and co...

Some days are better than others. Some parts of the day are better than others. The good news is this too shall pass. In this episode of the Cancer Chronicles, I’m talking about what it’s like to have a crappy day while on chemo, the endurance required to get through the end of the entire chemo protocol, and how knowing that the mantra “too shall pass” can get me through one day at a time. If you'...

Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned, and that’s okay. What if instead of pushing against the flow, we embrace the change? Welcome back to Confessions of an Aging Ingénue ! I’m your host, Jenni Tooley. This episode is a quick catch-up, as we dive into the real-life struggles of navigating cancer treatment while still trying to enjoy life’s little pleasures. I misplaced my glasses only to find them...

Have you ever had to completely let go of your expectations and embrace the present moment, even when it feels like you're losing control? Welcome back to Confessions of an Aging Ingénue ! I’m your host, Jenni Tooley, and in this episode, I’m diving into the reality of managing expectations, both for myself and others, while navigating my cancer journey. Cancer has a funny way of flipping the scri...

Have you ever had to make a choice that didn’t feel right, but you knew you had to do it anyway? Welcome back to Confessions of an Aging Ingénue ! I’m your host, Jenni Tooley, and today, I’m discussing the struggles of making tough decisions during cancer treatment (and life in general!). It’s not always about what feels good—it’s about what’s necessary. So, here’s the deal—yesterday was a big day...

Have You Ever Taken a Break That Wasn’t Really a Break? Welcome back to the Confessions of an Aging Ingénue ! I’m your host, Jenni Tooley, and we’re diving into the highs, lows, and downright unexpected moments of my cancer journey in Season 3: The Cancer Chronicles. As you know, I’ve got cancer. And I’m bringing you along for the ride, sharing my raw, unfiltered experiences, including the good, t...

Before we jump in, I want to thank Daniel and Peggy for heeding the call- they have made it possible to finish the season out with 4 more episodes! Thank you😊 Now let’s dig in! Have you ever felt the joy of celebrating a victory, even when the battle isn’t over yet? Welcome to Confessions of an Aging Ingénue! I’m your host, Jenni Tooley. Season 3, The Cancer Chronicles, has been an emotional jour...

Ever have one of those days where life just knocks the wind out of you, and you wonder how you're supposed to keep going? Welcome back, listeners! It’s Confessions of an Aging Ingenue with Jenni Tooley. As you already know, I’ve got cancer! And as always, I'm taking you on this journey with me. Sharing the good, the bad, the ugly and everything in-between – it’s raw vulnerability at its best.  Thi...

Hi Darlin! We’ve all been through the wringer over the last few months- well, let’s be honest- not months, years - and many of us are still in it. Adding to the stress and overwhelm is that fact that we’re driving right into the storm called “The Holiday Season”. You know the season I’m talking about. The one where you run yourself ragged trying to create the “perfect holiday experience” but find...

Quick note before we dive into this week’s episode- many thanks to our founding members, annual subscribers, and donors! You’ve made 11 episodes of this podcast possible. I have four more in the hopper which will cost $500 to produce. If you believe this conversation is valuable, please subscribe or drop a tip in the tip jar ! Thank you! Let’s dive in! Cancer Chronicles Ep 9: Living in the Moment...

Hello! Welcome back to another episode of the Confessions of an Aging Ingénue, Season 3 ! It’s the ‘Cancer Chronicles’ and I’m Jenni Tooley, your guide through the chaos. In this episode, I’ll be sharing the raw reality of day 11 of my chemo and radiation treatment. The truth is, it's a full-time job! Between juggling doctor's appointments, handling finances, and figuring out how to deal with naus...

Why is it so hard to ask for help? Welcome to another episode of the Confessions of an Aging Ingénue , Season 3 ! with Jenni Tooley. As we continue the Cancer Chronicles, I’m opening up about the chaos and challenges that come with cancer, but more importantly, how I’ve found ways to maintain a joyful perspective despite it all. One of the biggest lessons? Learning to ask for help. I know how toug...