Ann Gustafson
meet: ann
Author of
Seeds Sown: A Walk of Faith with the Intention of Restoration
Ann Gustafson was raised on a family farm in Northwest Iowa, where she was blessed to be nurtured by her parents and tolerated by her older siblings. She attended the University of Iowa, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Before Ann’s life-changing health experience, she spent many years as a Registered Nurse in Labor/Delivery. Her career path led her to serve as a nurse consultant at a corporate wellness company, where she developed health plans for clients.
After learning of her colon polyp diagnosis and the steps needed to remove it, Ann had a pivotal moment in her surgeon’s office. She turned her colon cancer journey from a quiet chapter to writing her story to help others navigate and overcome various obstacles they may experience, far beyond colon cancer.
Ann now enjoys sharing her story to help equip others to be prepared for a possible crisis moment/diagnosis in their life journey.
“Disease does not follow the rules.”
This one sentence shared by my surgeon changed the trajectory of my journey through colon cancer. This sentence brought all the seeds sown in my life to maturity simultaneously. The seeds were my family, nursing degree, faith journey, and the self-education I integrated into my life after formal education.
These seeds all matured when I entered the most challenging phase of my life. They helped bring hyper-focus to each decision I would make that would impact my health through and beyond cancer treatment. I knew there was life after cancer. Making wise decisions, not just following the crowd, would be my best chance to come out stronger than when I went into this diagnosis, God willing. I realized that not only could these seeds help me, but they would also help others in all areas of their lives, not just a journey through cancer.
Focusing on the simple and most efficacious choices, I kept them as my “true north.” I couldn’t be distracted by “quick fixes.” As a nurse, I confirmed solid research backed up my choices. Truthful answers are grounded in a firm foundation. As I formed my team, I had to ensure they aligned with my philosophy, priorities, and truth.
Seeds Sown will help you explore your faith, encourage you to work through personal evaluation, and provide research-proven steps to put your journey back on a course that ends in restoration, not just feeling better.
