Healing in Community

Loneliness. Isolation. Fear. Solitude.

These are four horsemen of chronic cancer care that have accompanied me in the twenty years of my cancer journey. Solitude through relapse and remission and relapse and remission. Isolation through many surgeries. Through months of chemo. And despite its pain, loneliness taught me everything I know about healing.

I don’t know if you’ve been in a hospital bed before. And if you haven’t, you’ve almost certainly seen someone in a hospital bed before - visited a loved one in the hospital or watched a medical drama on TV. 

And so, please take a moment and imagine yourself in a hospital bed. 

It’s 3 AM. And you can’t sleep because fluorescent lights are blaring their constant glare and the heart-rate monitor is blaring its reassuringly distracting signs of life. And as soon as you fall asleep the night nurse wakes you up to take your temperature. And then your blood pressure. And then a vial of blood drained from your arm. And then the nurse leaves. And you are alone with the bright, loud machines.

Yes, the nurses have been kind. And the doctors have been thorough. And your family has come to visit. But nobody can touch the particular loneliness that settles into a hospital room. And when you leave the hospital, that loneliness follows you home. And then the loneliness stays for a while. And sometimes it never leaves.

I’ve known loneliness in my cancer journey. I’ve stroked its sallow face. I’ve wrestled its languid arms. I know loneliness. And I don’t want to journey alone.

And I’ve known loneliness in my journey with psychedelic medicines. The loneliness of hearing about the promise of psychedelic medicines, but not knowing if I can trust the hype. The loneliness of knowing that all medicines have side effects, but not knowing if the benefits of psychedelic medicines are worth the risks. The loneliness of not knowing who to talk to or where to start. I’ve known that loneliness too. And I don’t want you to be alone in your journey with psychedelic medicines. 

And so, let’s journey together.

Because community-centered healing isn't just a new idea. The psychedelic community has known for decades that set and setting matter. And the cancer community has known for decades that support groups matter. Environment shapes experience. And when we're exploring powerful medicines like psychedelics in our cancer journeys, the who matters just as much as the what and the how.

And let's be clear (because clarity matters, because hype never delivers on its promises): we're not talking about magical thinking. We're talking about rigorous, science-based approaches that recognize the profound healing power of genuine human connection.

And so, let’s journey together.

Healing Cancer Journeys is building that community. Our biggest task is simply planting a flag in the ground that says "we are here." Building awareness that community exists. Creating digital spaces (you can find us on TikTok and Instagram @healingcancerjourneys) where people can discover they're not alone. Because here's the thing about community: it has to exist before it can heal. People have to know it's there before they can join.

And Healing Cancer Journeys is building bridges between the cancer community and experts. Bridges to psychedelic-assisted therapists, to oncologists, to social workers, to researchers, to storytellers and to media voices who understand the nuances of this work. No more navigating complex terrain alone. No more wondering if the path you're considering is right for you. No more silence where there could be shared wisdom.

And Healing Caner Journeys is building a future where no cancer patient who wants to explore psychedelic medicines has to do so alone. Where there's community and knowledge behind them. Where the journey happens together.

If you're reading this and something resonates... if you're navigating cancer and curious about psychedelic medicines... if you're feeling alone in territory that feels both promising and overwhelming... know this: you don't have to figure it out by yourself. We're here. We're building together. We're learning together. Sometimes the most powerful medicine is simply knowing you're not alone.

Let’s journey together. 

Contact us at community@healingcancerjourneys.org