Kyle Woody is the founder of Jack's Caregiver Coalition, a non-profit organization striving to provide world-class hospitality to men who care cancer caregivers in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. The mission of Jack's is to improve the way men think, feel and act in their role as cancer caregivers. During our conversation we discussed:

• The unique needs that men have when serving as caregivers.
• How Jack's is an event-based group, providing an alternative to the traditional "sit in a circle" support group. These events have included ax throwing, fishing and hunting outings and golf games.
• The bonding and deep conversations that naturally happen at these events.
• The long-term goal to grow to a national organization supporting men who serve as caregivers for those affected by more than cancer, including Alzheimers, A.L.S. and Post-Traumatic Stress.

Links mentioned on the show

Contact Jack's Caregiver Coalition via email - contactus@jackscaregiverco.org Call Jack's Caregiver Coalition - (612) 547-6929 Follow Jack's on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jackscaregiverco Follow Jack's on Twitter - https://twitter.com/jackscaregiver Follow Jack's on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jackscaregiverco/ Follow Jack's on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8JT0S_wxclzLA7ElMW_WVA

WE Have Cancer Links

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Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/ Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/ Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

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What an honor it is to share episode #100 with you. Never did I realize when I launched the podcast 3 1/2 years ago that I would someday be talking about such a milestone. I could not think of a better way to celebrate this important episode than by sharing Heather and Fred's story. I met them at Fight CRC's annual Call-on Congress earlier this year. Heather serves as an ambassador for Fight CRC. Their story touched me in so many ways. During this interview we discussed Heather's wonderful progress in her clinical trial. When I saw Heather during our Skype interview - which was conducted in May, 2018 - I almost didn't recognize her; she looked that good! The three of us also discussed the impact has on a marriage and how they've relied on their love for each other, and their faith, to cope with Heather's disease.

Links Mentioned in This Episode of WE Have Cancer

Heather's One Million Strong story: https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/blog/meet-one-million-strong-heather-schiller-georgia/

FightCRC: https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/

Follow Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tisHeather

Follow Heather on Instagram: https://instagram.com/tisHeather

Follow Fred on Instagram: https://instagram.com/fs_7phoenix

Follow WE Have Cancer:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

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Alexa was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2017 at the age of 19. Since overcoming the disease she has completed her Bachelor's degree, written a book; Power to Persevere and become a public speaker.

From Alexa's website https://alexacuc.com/about/ - "Alexa has found a deep passion in influencing others to live their best life despite their own misfortunes. She believes in the beauty of balance and the magic of taking control of your health. She uses her platform to encourage and motivate others to live their life to the fullest despite their unforeseen circumstances and helps others work through their own obstacles. Alexa knows she survived to help others and shine her positive light throughout the world. That’s what she aims to do every day. She uses her life experiences to show others who may feel alone in their struggles that they aren’t defined by their current predicaments."

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

Power to Persevere on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Power-Persevere-Inspiring-Stories-Challenging-ebook/dp/B08287DLYG#:~:text=Power%20to%20Persevere%20is%20a,achieve%20and%20exceed%20their%20dreams.&text=Power%20to%20Persevere%20is%20a%20collection%20of%20inspiring%20stories%20from,achieve%20and%20exceed%20their%20dreams.

Visit Alexa's website - https://alexacuc.com/

Follow Alexa on Instagram - https://instagram.com/alexacuc

Follow Alexa on Twitter - https://twitter.com/alexacuc

Contact Alexa - alexacuc@gmail.com

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the WE Have Cancer Podcast - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

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Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story? Email Lee - Lee@wehavecancershow.com

On this episode of WE Have Cancer, Lee is joined by actress and singer Erin Cronican to chat about her experience battling stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, continuing to perform and produce plays with her theater company, and blogging her entire journey since 1998. Erin speaks candidly about the roles of grief and gratitude in her life, and the comfort she finds in her work and daily routine. 

Guest Biography:

Erin Cronican is an award-winning director, actor, and singer based in New York. She currently serves as Executive Artistic Director at The Seeing Place Theater in New York City. In 2018, she was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, and has been undergoing chemotherapy, treatments, and scans ever since. She has been blogging since the 90’s and continues to document her life at her self-titled blog, “The Erin Cronicals,” where she provides transparency, awareness, and levity as she navigates her cancer journey.

Table of Contents:

• Do we owe anyone vulnerability?

Sometimes vulnerability and openness can be a double-edged sword. When Erin found out she had stage 4 breast cancer, she went through surgery during the midst of production with her theatre company.

• "I wanted my art to stand on its own."

Erin started chemotherapy in March 2019, and was scheduled to open a show in April 2019. She lost 40 pounds in 4 months due to a tumor leaning on her adrenal gland. She says when she started the show, she was not the energetic person people expected her to be. Critics found all kinds of reasons to call her the “weak link” of the show; they had no idea she had breast cancer.

• Normalize the Daily Struggle 

Erin says, in a way, all cancer patients are actors to a certain extent. Everyone puts on a face around family members so they don’t worry as much, we downplay our feelings, friends tell us “Oh you look great!” 

• The Comfort of Routine, Blogging, and Storytelling

Erin started blogging back in the 1990’s while she was in college. She learned to code websites, and started writing a daily diary on her HTML website. She started her current blog when she moved to NYC in 2005. When she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in 2015, the blog morphed into being more medically driven.

• Grief and Gratitude Can Coexist

Erin explains on her blog how she can be grieving the life that she used to have, and also be grateful for the life she has now. She wrote that two months before her mother’s death; and now she's also dealing with the grief of losing a parent and the collective grief of living through a pandemic. Sometimes in the cancer community there’s a toxic positivity aspect; it’s okay to make room for grief. 

• “I’m grateful for my chemotherapy.”

When her blood counts are too low and she can’t get chemo, Erin admits she's very sad. She considers it to be medicine and nothing toxic. Since she's been so stable recently, she's getting her scans every four months instead of every three. She says the "scanxiety" she feels is more a concern in having to change her regimen and less about worrying if the cancer comes back.

Lee provides an update on his treatment and shares exciting news. He discusses researching your treatment options and how to make treatment at a long distance facility a reality.

The WE Have Cancer podcast turns to a topic we’ve never discussed before: Hospice and palliation. With Jeff Shufelt as our guest, Lee dives into hospice’s meaning and the misconceptions about hospice care.

While it’s a frightening topic that’s hard to discuss, Lee talks to Jeff about his decision to go from treatment to home hospice and how that’s improved his quality of life. From what is hospice care compared to palliative care, to how the decision has impacted his family, this episode is all about how hospice could be the right decision even earlier than you might think.

Guest biography:

Jeff Shufelt has Stage 4 colorectal cancer. After trying different treatment options, Jeff came to the realization hospice care was the right and smart move for him. Looking to improve his quality of life rather than getting more time but being unable to enjoy that time due to treatment, the decision to move into palliation and home hospice has been the right one for Jeff.

Table of contents:

• Introduction to Jeff Shufelt

Lee introduces Jeff, his story with colorectal cancer and the decision to seek out home hospice.

• The bucket list

Jeff got a chance to take his son out on the water for a fishing trip, leading to a discussion about bucket lists and how he got the diagnosis.

• The diagnosis

Jeff shares his story about first getting diagnosed with cancer, being given two years. Jeff talks about his path to additional opinions, surgery, and several NEDs (no evidence of disease).

• What is hospice care?

Jeff and Lee talk about what is hospice care in order to debunk the misconceptions about palliative care.

• What does hospice mean for you?

Hospice doesn’t necessarily mean someone is going to pass immediately. Jeff talks about how long he’s been on hospice care and what palliation looks like for him personally, including painkillers and increasing his quality of life.

• Making the decision to do home hospice

Jeff talks about why he decided to do hospice care as a way to improve his quality of life. With few options available to improve the amount of time he has left and a desire to make memories rather than be in treatment, Jeff decided palliation was the right fit for him and his family.

• The impact of the hospice decision on a family

With his mind made up, Jeff opens up about his family’s reaction to his decision to move into palliation and home hospice care.

• Getting support

Building a support network through this fight is an important part of the process. Jeff and Lee talk about how the Colorectal Cancer Alliance helped make connections and gave him more insight into treatment options.

• Hospice care vs. Palliation

Jeff and Lee talk about the differences between hospice and palliative care. From managing pain, management of your care, and support to help you get through each day; both hospice and palliative care help you in different ways.

• The emotional rollercoaster of care

Jeff shares a story of being brought in to potentially join a new drug trial only to waste his time. Jeff talks about the highs of hope to the dread of wasting time he doesn’t have.

• When to go into hospice care

Despite still having hope, Jeff opens up about the decision to go into hospice earlier than most in an effort to build memories with his family instead of spending that valuable time trying to chase a cure.

Links mentioned in the show:

Subscribe to the “

Stacy was diagnosed with Stage IV colorectal cancer on her 44^th birthday, September 17^th, 2014 after experiencing symptoms of abdominal pain and bleeding. Stacy put off a visit to her doctor since she was a health-conscious, athletic, non-smoker who maintained a normal weight. The symptoms were merely “an annoying inconvenience.” At the time, she was balancing a full-time job with raising her 2 sons, Griffin (now 13) and Emmett (now 11). Emmett suffers with a rare chromosome disorder (one of three in the world) which renders him without the ability to walk, talk, or function for himself in any way. He has multiple special needs and demands constant supervision. He has the mental and physical capacity of a 6 month old baby. Caring for Emmett requires the attention of not only Stacy and her husband Drew, but also a nurse.  To say Stacy had her hands full would be an understatement.

So, busy with her day to day role as supermom, Stacy self-diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or internal hemorrhoids until the pain was too much to bear. A colonoscopy revealed the most shocking and most unexpected horror imaginable: a tumor in her rectum so large that a scope could not get around it. A subsequent scan revealed cancer in her liver, 5 spots on her lungs, and 19 lymph nodes. She was given a 10% chance to survive 5 years and a treatment plan which included chemotherapy, radiation and ultimately surgery ONLY IF she responded, which was a 50/50 shot in itself. The doctors could not believe it, especially considering Stacy’s lack of risk factors, lack of family history, and age (colon cancer is typically diagnosed in people over 50).

With her usual vigor, determination, and sense of humor, Stacy took to the task of beating colorectal cancer. She was fortunate enough to have a response to chemotherapy (a protocol called FOLFOX coupled with a drug called Avastin) which qualified her as a candidate for a 5 hour colon and liver resection surgery in April, 2015. Unfortunately, a medical mistake during surgery caused Stacy severe internal bleeding where she lost half of her blood volume. She was immediately rushed back into a second, 5 hour emergency surgery and spent a week in the ICU fighting for her life. As her oncologist later remarked, “anyone else would have died.” But not Stacy.

She was declared as NED (no evidence of disease) in March, 2016. Stacy continues maintenance chemotherapy for life (43 rounds and counting…) every 3 weeks. She feels and looks great. You would never suspect what all she is dealing with. She credits her faith, family, friends, exercise, positive attitude, and integrative oncology modalities for her remarkable recovery.

“If it were just Stage IV colorectal cancer or just raising a profoundly disabled child, I could probably handle it. But managing both is completely overwhelming. I am enormously blessed to have a support system who helps me, when thee last thing I want to do is ask for help. It’s really not my style.”

Stacy offers a unique perspective. Professionally, she has spent 20 years in healthcare management on the provider and delivery sides, including roles in operations, strategy, sales and training. Personally, her battles as a patient and an advocate for not only herself but also her disabled son have fueled her recent work as a public speaker, fundraiser, and consultant.  Stacy’s mission is to raise awareness of inclusion for all persons with disabilities and exemplify a “keep it real” approach to fighting and beating cancer.

Learn more about Stacy and connect with her at:

Her website: http://www.stacyhurt.net/

Her Facebook page:

Randy Lopez is a 20-year survivor of Stage IV colon cancer. He was diagnosed in 1998 at the age of 34. We talked about the lasting impact that his diagnosis has had on him and how taking an integrative approach to his treatment, through the support of the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment, helped him tremendously. He shared the variety of advocacy work that he's done, working with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and presently, as a board member for the Colon Cancer Coalition. As a marketing professional, Randy runs own marketing and branding agency, The JAKE Agency. He leveraged his branding talent in creating the iconic colon cancer awareness logo:        Randy was featured on CNN’s Special Investigation: Saving Your Life hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta.  

Links Mentioned in This Episode of WE Have Cancer

The Colon Cancer Coalition: https://coloncancercoalition.org/

The Colorectal Cancer Alliance: https://www.ccalliance.org/

Block Center | Integrative Cancer Treatment: http://blockmd.com/

Follow Randy on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stage4survivor

Follow WE Have Cancer:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Instagram: https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Episode summary:

In this episode of WE Have Cancer, Allison Rosen joins to talk and discuss the changes that she’s seen in awareness, support, and research of colorectal cancer. Allison also discusses how social media has created a new way to reach younger people, and in turn, there is more research, treatment options, and support resources. 

Guest biography

Allison Rosen is a public health care worker in colorectal cancer, outreach, and education prevention. She is project director at University of Texas Health Science Center in Houstin, which was just funded by the CDC for a project that is focused on colorectal cancer prevention. 

Table of contents:

Introduction

Allison Rosen is back on the podcast after a few years to talk about how much things have changed, within her career and within the focus on young onset, colorectal cancer. Younger people were getting diagnosed and passing away at an alarming rate. There weren't a lot of treatment options, or focus on early screening. Now, with advocates and others amplifying their voices, more research is being done. There is more of a direct advocacy for early onset cancer. 

Understanding the Psychosocial Effects

Recalling the time that she was diagnosed with cancer, Allison asked for a psychologist or someone to talk to that was around her own age going through the same thing. She knew that there were going to be hard challenges ahead, but didn’t exactly know what they were. Allison had a lot of personal struggles with body image, and knew that there were people that struggled financially with the disease and treatment. 

Support Options and Help 

Allison talks about how much has changed from when she first got diagnosed to now. At treatment centers, they provide support for the aspects that might be hindered by treatment. From non-profits, to fertility specialists at hospitals, and support for the lasting effects of the treatment. 

Different Resources to Bring Awareness

People can learn and become aware about colorectal cancer through programs like the Gastrointestinal American Society of Clinical Oncology. They hold virtual meetings for those that want to become an advocate. The power of social media is huge because experts can break things down for people to access whenever, wherever. It’s reaching a new sort of audience. 

Changes in Diagnosis

The younger population are getting rectal cancer at a higher rate, which means they need more treatment options and research. With less of a stigma, and more people willing to speak up and talk about it, it’s allowing for more support and awareness. Everyone is now listening - and slowly breaking down the stigma of this type of cancer. The more light that is shed on the topic, the more research. 

Importance of Prevention and Early Detection

The conversation now is based on prevention by leading a healthy lifestyle and trying to detect it early on. There are studies that are trying to find out why it happens, and it’s moved towards a focus on the gut microbiome. There is a science behind it, but it still doesn’t exactly explain why younger people are experiencing it. 

Passion For Public Health Field 

Allison aims to give patients and survivors the opportunity to get involved in treatment, research, and creating support groups. She gets direct feedback from the population that is experiencing it, and tries to represent the collective voice by asking questions in the public...

Howard Brown first appeared on this podcast in May of 2019 where he shared his story of being a two-time cancer survivor.

Howard has recently had several "clean" scans and is now N.E.D. - No Evidence of Disease.

During our conversation we discussed the challenges of transitioning from cancer patient to cancer survivor as well as his book, Shining Brightly, due to be released later this year.

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the WE Have Cancer Podcast - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

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Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute opened the doors to its new Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center this past week. In anticipation of this exciting news I interviewed Dr. Kimmie Ng, Founding Director, and young-onset survivor, Pat Beauregard.

During our interview we discussed:

• The goals of the Dana-Farber Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer and why it was created.
• How Pat came to be diagnosed with Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer at the age of 29
• The challenges in raising awareness around young-onset colorectal cancer and how it often leads to a late-stage diagnosis.
• The three main areas of focus of the center
• Where Pat currently is with his treatment

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show:

Links Mentioned In the Show

Dana-Farber Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center - https://www.dana-farber.org/young-onset-colorectal-cancer-center/

Dr. Kimmie Ng - https://www.dana-farber.org/find-a-doctor/kimmie-ng/

Connect with Pat on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pat.beauregard.79

Follow Pat on Instagram - https://instagram.com/pbo15

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Email Lee

In August of 2016, Lynda Wolters was diagnosed with stage 4 mantle cell lymphoma. Her book, Voices of Cancer, "offers a candid look into the world of a cancer patient." The book "helps educate, dispel fears, and start positivie conversations about what a cancer diagnosis truly means, while shining a light on how best to support a loved one on their own terms."

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

Lynda's website - https://www.lyndawolters.com/

Purchase Voices of Cancer - https://www.amazon.com/Voices-Cancer-What-Really-Want/dp/1645430391/

Follow Lynda on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lyndawolters/

Connect with Lynda on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lyndawolters1

Epic Experience - https://www.epicexperience.org/

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the WE Have Cancer Podcast - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

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Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

Dan Nicewonger was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in May of 2016 while serving as Pastor of the First Baptist Church Kennet Square, Pennsylvania.

We discussed his book, The Journey Continues, the challenge of serving and caring for a community while battling colon cancer, the power of language when working with your medical team and more.

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

Dan's Blog - https://www.danielnicewonger.com/

Dan's Book, The Journey Continues - https://www.danielnicewonger.com/the-journey-continues/

Connect with Dan on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dnicewonger

Follow Dan on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Dan_Nicewonger

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the WE Have Cancer Podcast - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

Charles Griffin, Jr. was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer at the age of 32. Shortly after, he discovered the Colon Cancer Alliance through their Facebook group COLONTOWN. It opened his eyes to the wonderful community of support for those impacted by this disease! Read his story below.  

In my 34 years of life, I’ve earned a reputation for being a do-it-all kind of guy. I’m a husband to my college sweetheart Britni, a father to our four young daughters, a former college football star, an avid golfer, a motivational speaker, a YouTube entertainer and a novice screenwriter.  My name is Charles Griffin Jr. and I never thought I would be a stage IV colon cancer patient. I’m reaching out to you today to ask you to join me in supporting the Colon Cancer Alliance. Two years ago, I suffered excruciating abdominal pain while playing golf. With no family history and no additional symptoms, I had to beg my doctor for a colonoscopy which revealed a golf ball-size tumor in my colon. Further testing showed the cancer had metastasized with multiple tumors to my lungs and liver. I was in the prime of my life with a beautiful family and a budding career when I got the worst news imaginable. I had stage IV colon cancer. Shortly thereafter, I discovered the Colon Cancer Alliance through their Facebook group Colontown. It opened my eyes to the wonderful community of support for those of us impacted by this disease. But now that I’m two years into my treatment, I’m eager for a cure, or at least treatment options that aren’t as taxing on my body. That’s why I support the Colon Cancer Alliance and their deep commitment to colon cancer-specific research. The Colon Cancer Alliance has taken an even bolder stance on research going forward, committing publicly to grow its investment in colorectal cancer-specific research to $10 million by 2021. Research that could ultimately save my life. I’m proud that the Colon Cancer Alliance is on the cutting-edge, exploring immunotherapy, biomarkers and personalized medicine. In 2016 alone, the Colon Cancer Alliance, in partnership with the Never Too Young Coalition, funded two grants to help researchers explore young-onset colorectal cancer in an attempt to better understand why people under the age of 50, like myself, are being diagnosed with this devastating disease. This is where you come in. Through your generous donation, the Colon Cancer Alliance will be able to expand its funding for life-saving and innovative research, putting us closer to realizing our vision of eliminating colon cancer in our lifetime. With your support, there will be a future for me and the thousands of other colon cancer patients waiting for a cure....

Welcome everyone to the final episode of the We Have Cancer podcast.  Glenn Hebert from the Horse Radio Network and Katie Krimitsos of the Women’s Meditation Network pay tribute to Lee Silverstein. For those of you that may not have heard, we lost Lee a few weeks ago and we wanted to do one final episode on the We Have Cancer podcast to honor what he meant to the cancer community and also to the podcast community.

Katie and I will talk a bit about our time with Lee and then we want to play for you one of the final interviews that Lee did with the Man up to Cancer podcast where he talked about dying, hospice and how he was at peace.  

Rest in Peace Lee, we all love you!

In early 2017 Julie Chessell's son, Brock, was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma, a rare form of pediatric liver cancer. During our conversation we discussed:

• What motivated Julie to have Brock examined by a doctor.
• The treatments Brock underwent and what they did when the treatments stopped working.
• How the Chessell's faced Brock's diagnosis as a family.
• How Julie and her husband faced Brock's illness.
• How Brock came to meet when of his sports heroes.
• The work Brock and has done to raise awareness.

Connect With Julie

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julie.l.chessell

On Instagram: https://instagram.com/warrior.bossbabe

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Email Lee

Kandis' mother succumbed to cancer in 2014. Not only was she her mother's caregiver she also was charged with caring for her younger siblings. During this time she was literally burning the candle at both ends. During our conversation we discussed:

• How she wished she knew of the resources available to support her during such a difficult time in her life.
• The importance of reaching out to people in similar situations as a source of support.
• The importance of self-care when serving as a caregiver and the enormous challenges she faced while caring for both her sick mother and her younger siblings.
• How her relationship with with her mother blossomed during her illness.
• The stigma in the African-American community around going to psycho-therapy and what motivated her to seek support.
• How she coped with her mother's passing.

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

Therapy For Black Girls - https://www.therapyforblackgirls.com/

Follow Kandis on Instagram - https://instagram.com/kandi_koated

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the WE Have Cancer Podcast - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

Trevor Maxwell was initially diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in March of 2018. During his journey he discovered a need for online support for men touched by cancer.

In our conversation we discussed:

• How Trevor's diagnosis resulted in his clinical depression and how he's been working through it.
• The support he received from The Colon Club.
• The void in online support for men touched by cancer and how he created Man Up to Cancer.
• Why he chose the Wolf as the symbol of Man Up to Cancer.

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

Man Up To Cancer - https://www.manuptocancer.com/

Man Up To Cancer Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/manuptocancer/

The Colon Club - https://www.facebook.com/colonclub/

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the WE Have Cancer Podcast - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

The WE Have Cancer community mourns the passing this week of Chere Garcia. Chere was a guest on the podcast in 2016. You can listen to our conversation at https://wehavecancershow.com/026. May her memory serve as a blessing to her family, friends and all who loved her.

In this episode I had the pleasure of speaking to fellow colon cancer survivor and fellow podcaster Truitt Taylor. During our interview we discussed:

• The meaning behind "One Percent" and why he created the podcast.
• Why he believes it's important for people to tell their story.
• The importance of creating a legacy.
• How he came to be diagnosed at the age of 31.
• How cancer helped him revaluate his personal and professional priorities.
• His long-term goal for the One Percent Podcast.

Connect With the One Percent Podcast

Listen and subscribe to the One percent Podcast - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/one-percent-podcast/id1435009129?mt=2

Email Truitt - info@onepercentpodcast.com

Follow the One Percent Podcast on Instagram - https://instagram.com/onepercentpodcast

Follow One Percent Podcast on Twitter - https://twitter.com/1percentpodcast

Like One Percent Podcast on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/onepercentpodcast/

Listen to Truitt's Interview With Lee - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1rr2Yi4O0WJSZgcjTrTooS

WE Have Cancer Links

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In this episode of the "WE Have Cancer" podcast, Lee talks with Joe Bullock about his personal experiences with colon cancer and the creation of groups to help men share during their cancer diagnosis, treatment, and after-effects of survival.

From getting his diagnosis and how cancer impacted his relationship with his wife to creating the Howling Place group, Joe talks about the sense of isolation and the loss of personal identity many men go through when dealing with cancer. This is a must-listen episode for men struggling to find their place, their feelings, and others they can talk to about their cancer diagnosis, treatment, and even the aftermath of survival.

Guest biography:

Joe Bullock is one of the founders of the Howling Place, along with Trevor Maxwell. After being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2018, Joe was not only able to make it through his journey but become a counselor for men dealing with their own cancer diagnosis and the trauma the disease leaves with those it touches.

Table of contents:

• Chadwick Boseman's death from colorectal cancer

Lee talks a bit about Chadwick’s untimely passing and how it relates to his own personal life and battle.

• Introduction of guest Joe Bullock

Lee introduces Joe and some of the work they’ve done together, as well as their shared experience with colon cancer.

• Joe’s colon cancer diagnosis and his support network

Joe opens up about originally getting diagnosed and how his wife, an RN, was on top of things from a clinical perspective while he struggled with the emotional side of his colon cancer diagnosis.

• How Joe and Trevor Maxwell came together to form the Facebook group

Joe talks about getting the all-clear from his doctors and the delayed emotions that came with it. He also discusses meeting Trevor and the foundation of the Howling Place Facebook group in an effort to help other men to not isolate and feel alone in their cancer diagnosis.

• You had an identity before cancer and the wolfpack mentality

One of the most important but less-often talked about points is people losing their identity when they’ve had a cancer diagnosis. Joe and Lee talk about how the feeling that a cancer diagnosis encompasses all of life and instead, taking the time to remember the activities, and hobbies you enjoyed before in an effort to restore your identity.

• Men opening up emotionally

Lee shares an experience of noticing men typically weren’t at conferences or meetings because they felt awkward about sharing their feelings and vulnerabilities. Joe and Lee talk about how the Facebook group tries to combat this problem by creating a more male-focused space where guys can open up and be vulnerable together.

• Emotional fatigue as a moderator and counselor

Lee pointed out Joe often takes the time to be a counselor for others and how the emotional drain many go through, both as active participants and for those that struggle to find their place in groups.

• Joe’s impact on a pediatric cancer patient

Through a connection at Colon Town, Joe was able to help a pediatric cancer patient and his family who was in town. That included an encouragement-card drive that brought at least 1,000 cards of support through his treatment.

• The death of Joe’s father and others, and how they provided grow and guidance

Through the hardship of helping his father pass from cancer despite their strained relationship and the passing of others in the community, Joe was able

On this episode of WE Have Cancer, Lee is joined by Shelley Buck and Kathy Curtis, co-authors of “Leave Your Light On: The Musical Mantra Left Behind by an Illuminating Spirit.”

The grieving process can look dramatically different from person to person and situation to situation. For Shelley, it took the form of writing a book with her son Ryder, and her friend Kathy. Shelley opens up about how her son’s cancer diagnosis changed their relationship and even her parenting style, and was a catalyst to share his spirit with the world. Shelley and Kathy talk about writing the book as a way to extend Ryder’s legacy while also using it as an essential part of their grieving process.

Guest biography

Shelley Buck and Kathy Curtis are co-authors of the book “Leave Your Light On: The Musical Mantra Left Behind by an Illuminating Spirit.” After Shelley’s son Ryder was diagnosed with cancer, she poured her heart into writing their story. With the help of a lifelong friend and healing writer Kathy, Shelley was able to work through her grief with a creative outlet, letting her son's light shine on.

Table of contents:

• Introduction
• What’s it like to hear your child has cancer?

So often, the focus is on the cancer patient themselves. As Shelly talks about, receiving the diagnosis from her son left her breathless but put her into a spin of activity.

• How did a cancer diagnosis change the relationship?

With her son being 22 at the time and Shelly needing special permission to get information from the doctor, she had to learn how to let go and let him take the lead.

• Exasperation

From more of an outsider’s perspective as Shelly’s lifelong friend, Kathy talks about Ryder’s personality and how exasperating he could be, even during treatment.

• Telling Ryder’s story

Kathy, one of the authors of the book, saw it as an honor and big responsibility to portray Ryder the way he saw himself. Kathy also saw it as an opportunity to help Ryder leave a lasting legacy.

• Light on

Shelley gives some background about the title of the book, “Leave Your Light On” and where the term came from.

• How Ryder would feel about his legacy

With the book and a character being named after him in the movie “Frozen 2,” Shelly talks a bit about how she feels Ryder would feel about how he’s being portrayed and remembered now.

• The finality of the word “lose”

Echoing a similar sentiment as Lee, Shelley talks about how she feels about words like “lose” and “dead” in this context.

• Helping a friend through grief

Kathy was there to help Shelley and the rest of the family through the grieving process, both as a counselor of sorts and as a lifelong friend. She talks about some of the things they dealt with while writing the book and grieving over Ryder.

• Friendship and support

Shelley talks about her friendship with Kathy and discusses what her support meant to her throughout this process.

• Grieving through writing and the hole that has been left

By going through everything to write the book and with Kathy’s guiding hand, Shelley was able to use the process to grieve over Ryder. Shelley also talks about how the family is coping with Ryder’s passing.

• Using music to cope

Ryder was well known for his love of music, even from a young age. So when he was diagnosed with cancer, he naturally turned to music. Shelley tells a...

Kat Arney joins the “WE Have Cancer” podcast to talk about her new book “Rebel Cell.” As a self-identified developmental geneticist, Kat discusses what is cancer, why do people get cancer, and how it differs from the perception most have of the disease.

From viewing cancer as a one-off personal event to how a more evolutionary outlook on treatment might just be the answer to curing cancer, Kat Arney uses her Ph.D. and experience to flip your idea of the disease on its head.

Guest biography:

Kat Arney is the host of the “Genetics Unzipped" podcast and author of such books as, “Rebel Cell: Cancer, Evolution, and the New Science of Life’s Oldest Betrayal.”

Kat earned a Ph.D. in developmental genetics from Cambridge University. She’s a co-founding member of the Cancer Research UK's award-winning science blog and was a principal media spokesperson from 2004-2016.

Table of contents:

• Introduction of guest Kat ArneyKat shares her story, learning about genetics and cancer research during her Ph.D. study at Cambridge.
• Why do people get cancer?Kat breaks down what is cancer and why people get it in a more easily understood way, comparing the body to a well-functioning society. She views cancer as a bunch of cheating cells similarly to someone in a society breaking the law.
• The perception of cancer as a uniquely human and modern diseaseKat discusses how cancer is in nearly all life forms, including the very smallest and largest animals. She also talks about how cancer was found in a 77-million-year-old dinosaur, altering the opinion that it’s a new issue only humans face.
• Cancer as an internal force and not an external oneKat and Lee talk about the perceptions of cancer as being a part of an unhealthy lifestyle compared to just being mutated cells beyond our control at times.
• How childhood cancer differs from adult cancerKat explains the tie of particular tissues and times of life to childhood cancer and how adult cancers deviate from that as almost a different biological process.
• Treatment whack-a-mole and the evolution of cancerLee shares a story about an upcoming guest and her recurrent cancer. They talk about the belief that treatment is a way of buying time until another treatment can come out.
• Treatments based on the evolution of cancerWhere current cancer treatments attack that form at that particular time, Kat shares a story about work being done at the Moffitt Cancer Center that looks at the evolutionary principles of cancer as a means of selecting treatment.
• Viewing cancer as an evolutionary eventDue to an individual’s genetics, their body, and their lifestyle, every instance of cancer is a one-off event, according to Kat. While cancer is often viewed as a universal, it’s truly a personal disease.
• Bucking the idea of “the cure” for cancerThough there’s been a lot of talk about a lone cure for all cancers, Kat talks about how we should revise that notion. As a personal disease that has so many forms, treatment won’t look the same for each person and each type of cancer. There are some studies currently embracing that idea and finding some success with treatments already on the market.

Links mentioned in the show:

Subscribe to the

Joining Lee this week on the WE Have Cancer Podcast is Jordan Griffith of The Griffith Family Foundation. Jordan talks about his father’s pancreatic cancer and how that helped create the Griffith Family Foundation, Sideline Cancer, and a massive basketball tournament.

Jordan discusses the foundation and its impact, both on his family as well as what it’s doing to fight against pancreatic cancer. He also dives into some of the best moments of The Basketball Tournament and what that’s meant for the foundation and its ability to raise awareness and funds.

Guest biography:

Jordan Griffith’s father, Greg Griffith, was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. With the help of friends and the local community, The Griffith Family Foundation was formed, as well as creating Sideline Cancer. As an ambassador and board member, Jordan has helped see the foundation put in the spotlight on ESPN as a part of The Basketball Tournament.

Table of contents:

• Introduction to Jordan Griffith
• Jordan’s father and the start of the story

Instead of worrying about his prognosis after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Jordan shares how his father instead wanted to know how he could help the doctor. Jordan also talks about how his father would feel seeing the changes in the community.

• The Griffith Family Foundation and Sideline Cancer

Jordan shares the story about how the foundation was created, how it evolved over time, and why it’s centered around basketball.

• TBT: The Basketball Tournament

With the foundation based on basketball, it only made sense to create a basketball tournament. Jordan talks about how the tournament was created and quickly expanded to being on ESPN.

• The foundation’s impact

Lee and Jordan talk about where the funds raised are going and the hopeful impact of the foundation in awareness of pancreatic cancer.

• How has the family changed?

After Jordan’s father passed away, he says the family was able to bond over their shared experiences with the foundation and from working on it.

• The long-term goals of the foundation

Jordan opens up about the changing dynamics of the foundation and some of the things he wants to see happen.

Links mentioned in the show:

The Griffith Family Foundation

Sideline Cancer

Sideline Cancer - Instagram

The Basketball Tournament

Marcus Keene’s shot in the tournament

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

Subscribe to the “WE Have Cancer” Podcast - 

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Dean Hall is the first person in history to swim the entire 184 miles of Oregon's Willamette River. He accomplished this feat in June of 2014 while he still had active leukemia and lymphoma to prove to cancer patients around the world that you don't have to give up your dreams or your drive simply because you received a diagnosis. Now, cancer-free he continues to go to great lengths to raise money for cancer research and spread his inspirational message of healing and hope around the world.

During our interview we discussed:

• How cancer played a significant part of his life before his diagnosis.
• The meaning of Swimming in Miracles and how water has played a significant role in his physical and emotional healing.
• How a quote from Albert Einstein helped him chart a new course with his life.
• The role faith has played in his life.

Connect With Dean

His website, Swimming in Miracles: https://www.swimminginmiracles.com

On Instagram: https://instagram.com/swimminginmiracles

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/swimminginmiracles

Links mentioned in the show

Forest bathing: http://www.shinrin-yoku.org/shinrin-yoku.html

Wim Hof: https://www.wimhofmethod.com

The book Blue Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Mind-Surprising-Healthier-Connected/dp/0316252115

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show:

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

In 2005 Wendi was diagnosed with stage 3 metastatic ovarian cancer. She also tested positive for the BRCA 1 gene. After treatment, which included a hysterectomy and prophylactic double mastectomy, she was pronounced "cured" after five years.

Early in 2019, after 14 years her cancer returned. During our conversation we discussed:

• How a case of appendicitis led to the diagnosis of her cancer recurrence.
• The challenges she now faces with the metastasis to her peritoneum.
• HIPEC as an option for treatment of her cancer recurrence.
• The long-term side effects of her initial treatment and how it's impacted her life.
• How her cancer recurrence has impacted decisions on her life moving forward.
• How turning to her faith has brought her comfort.

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

Connect with Wendi - http://wendicooper.com/

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

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Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

In 2016 Kaycee Carmichael's mother was diagnosed with Colorectal cancer. Though her mother died only four months after her diagnosis, Kaycee learned some valuable lessons about life as a cancer caregiver as well as dealing with grief.

We discussed:

• Her Mother's life as a teacher and the incredible impact she left on her students.
• How her mom came to be diagnosed.
• How she managed the challenges of a cancer caregiver and some helpful tips and advice for other caregivers.
• How she deals with the grief from her mom's passing.

Links Mentioned In The Show

Lotsa Helping Hands - https://lotsahelpinghands.com/

Connect with Kaycee on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kaycee.lang

Follow Kaycee on Instagram - https://instagram.com/kacellaneous

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Email Lee

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show:

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Email Lee

Michael Riehle joins Lee to discuss his journey with colorectal cancer, the challenges of living NES (No Evidence of Disease) and the value of the Man Up to Cancer; The Howling Place Facebook group.

In March of 2011, just four months after Lee and Linda began dating, Lee was diagnosed with Stage II colon cancer. He underwent a partial colectomy and was able to avoid chemotherapy. In December of 2012 Lee and Linda got married and spent their honeymoon in Jamaica. When they returned, it was time for Lee's six-month CT scan. The scan revealed a slowly growing spot on Lee's liver. His oncologist ordered a biopsy. 

On New Year's Eve at 4 pm Lee and Linda received a call from their oncologist, Dr. Jonathan Strosberg with the news they were hoping wouldn't come; Lee's cancer had metastasized to his liver. He would need to undergo liver resection surgery followed by six months of chemotherapy.

In this first episode under the new title, WE Have Cancer, Lee's wife shares her story. She talks about the emotions she's experienced as a caregiver and new wife. She discusses where her positive outlook comes from and how she believes "We have cancer; it doesn't have us."

Joe Bakhmoutski was diagnosed with Testicular cancer in 2016.He founded Simplify Cancer  to provide support and advice to those touched by cancer. During our conversation we discussed:

• Why he created Simplify Cancer
• How he came to be diagnosed with Testicular cancer
• How people perceive various cancers and how some are deemed "embarrassing"
• What patients can do to prepare for their first oncologist appointment and the free tool he offers on his website to assist with this.
• The book he's writing to help men dealing with cancer.

Links Mentioned in the Show

Simplify Cancer - http://simplifycancer.com/

Joe's Interview With Lee Silverstein On the Simplify Cancer podcast - http://simplifycancer.com/ep055/

Follow Simplify Cancer on Instagram - https://instagram.com/simplify_cancer

Follow Simplify Cancer on Twitter - https://mobile.twitter.com/simplifycancer

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Email Lee

On this episode of WE Have Cancer, fitness guru Fitz Koehler joins Lee to discuss her journey with breast cancer. When it comes to cancer, it can happen to anyone - even those with a perfectly healthy lifestyle. That was the case for Fitz, who through early detection and a no-holds-barred attitude, has managed to make it through stronger than ever.

Guest biography:

Fitz Koehler is a fitness innovator with a Master’s Degree in Exercise and Sport Sciences from the University of Florida who has been teaching fitness, announcing marathons, and been participating in fitness for decades. With her unique cancer journey, she took her experience and authored a book explaining the gory, nitty-gritty details of breast cancer and everything that comes with it.

Table of contents:

• From A Clean Mammogram To A Breast Cancer Diagnosis 

Fitz had always been adamant about getting cancer examinations and checkups because if there was a chance that she could have cancer, she’d want to know as soon as possible. In late December of 2018, she walked out of her mammogram with no signs indicating anything was going on. Less than 7 weeks later, she felt an itch under her breast during a self-breast examination. Within 30 seconds, she called and made an appointment. Days after that, she was told she not only had a tumor but also several hard swollen lymph nodes.

• Chemotherapy Within 3 Weeks After Discovering Breast Cancer 

After a biopsy and a diagnosis, specialists went back to look at Fitz’s scan from the previous December. The doctors took Fitz’s concern seriously as they realized that it was fast-moving breast cancer that was developing quickly and rapidly. Less than three weeks after finding the lump, Fitz had started treatment. Her official diagnosis was ductal carcinoma, stage 2 breast cancer.

• Two Years Breast Cancer Free

Fitz considers the type of breast cancer that she had to be a fairly curable type of breast cancer in the scope of things. First diagnosed in 2019, she finished chemotherapy Mid-May of 2020 after 15 months, 33 rounds of radiation, and several surgeries. Currently, Fitz is in cancer-free remission.

• Friends And Family Reaction To Diagnosis

When Fitz found herself diagnosed with breast cancer, not only was she surprised, but her family and friends were floored. She was dedicated to fitness, so it didn’t make sense. Her kids were resilient, despite worrying about their mother, and Fitz felt the need to remain strong as a parent for her kids as she fought. As for her fans, they were more surprised than anything. Fitz got up and hosted some of the largest running events in the US and was heavily involved in marathons and running. She was always perceived as loud and strong in front of thousands of people on stage.

• Chemotherapy Hair Loss And Publicly Announcing Breast Cancer

Fitz was worried about chemotherapy hair loss, not because it was her identity, but because it was something that she enjoyed. As she was going through chemotherapy, she was traveling and announcing marathons. With her hair loss starting to show as she stood up in front of thousands of people, she found that she could no longer hide it. Fitz posted a video to her social media, explaining that she had cancer and that she was going to look different, but that she was fine. Eventually, she shaved her head with her family.

• Parenting With Breast Cancer

As Fitz was going through her cancer treatment, she had the mindset of never letting her kids see her cry. She tried to be as happy as possible - but this meant she cried in private. It got harder as her treatment ramped up and became more intense, and she had friends and neighbors drive her kids to school and take...

Chad Schrack - WE Have Cancer

There are two interviews in this episode. Chad Schrack is walking across the United States, from Arlington, Virginia, to Venice Beach, California, to raise awareness for colorectal cancer. Chad's wife Sheila is a 12 year survivor of Stage III colorectal cancer.

You can read more about Chad's story here: https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/cancer-stroll/

Follow Chad on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CancerStroll

Follow Chad on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cancerstroll

Follow Chad on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cancerstroll/

[hr]

Allison Rosen - WE Have Cancer podcast

Allison Rosen was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the age of 32. She had been dealing with the challenges of Crohn's Disease since she was a teenager.

Follow Allison on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARosen380

Follow Allison on Instagram: https://instagram.com/alicat380

[hr]

Other links mentioned in the show:

MD Anderson myCancerConnection: https://www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/diagnosis-treatment/patient-support/mycancerconnection.html

MD Anderson Cancer180: https://www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/diagnosis-treatment/patient-support/cancer180.html

The Colon Cancer Coalition: https://coloncancercoalition.org/

Jeannie's Blue Angels: https://fundraise.ccalliance.org/blue-star-tributes/Jeannie

Follow WE Have Cancer:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Instagram: https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Pride, Love and Cancer, With Paula and Lara Chambers - WE Have Cancer[/caption] Paula and Lara Chambers are high school sweethearts and have been together for over 30 years. In October of 2014 they traveled from their home in Houston, Texas to New York City so that they could be married. Paula had been dealing with "stomach issues" for some time. Unfortunately she became very ill immediately after the wedding and soon after was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. In our conversation we talked about their relationship and the challenges that gay couples may face when dealing with a life-changing event like a cancer diagnosis. Paula and Lara said they could not have gotten through their diagnosis with out the support of ColonTown and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. To learn more about Colontown, visit https://colontown.org/ To learn more about the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, https://www.ccalliance.org/

Be sure to connect with the show:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wehavecancerpod/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/WEHaveCancerPod

On this episode of WE Have Cancer, fellow cancer podcast host Jess Thomas Nelson shares how her life has changed since being diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer in January 2020. Since then, she’s learned that practically everyone has been impacted by cancer in some way, and has become passionate about sharing her guest’s cancer stories with the world. 

Guest Biography:

Jess Thomas Nelson is the host of the My Cancer Story Podcast, which she started shortly after her thyroidectomy in February 2020. In her own words, “I’m not famous and you wouldn’t know me from anywhere, but I too have been affected by cancer.” She has always loved the practice of acupuncture and utilized both eastern and western medicine while recovering from her surgery last year. 

Table of Contents:

• The Power of the Cancer Community and Sharing Cancer Stories

After starting My Cancer Story, Jess was blown away by people reaching out eager to share their own stories with the world. She’s learned that everyone in a person’s life is affected by cancer, and nearly everyone knows someone who’s had cancer.

• How it Feels to Hear “You Have Cancer”

On Christmas Eve, Jess’s endocrinologist told her the nodes they’d found were most likely thyroid cancer. She kept the news from her family until after the holidays, not wanting to burden them with the weight of her diagnosis. But after she did share the news with her close family and friends, she was moved to see how many people in her life stepped up as proud caretakers and supporters.

• Sharing My Cancer Story with the World

While lying on the acupuncture table, I got the idea to start a podcast. Jess felt that her story was fairly quick and painless in comparison to the experiences of many others, and she knew she wanted to create a space for folks to share those experiences. She says COVID-19 and quarantine pushed her to start since it was already harder to connect with members of the community in person.

• What’s Next for My Cancer Story?

Jess’s podcast began with one episode per month and quickly grew to one episode a week. Even though sometimes the episodes can get heavy, Jess knows she wants to keep sharing these powerful cancer stories with the community. 

• Recovery with Integrative Cancer Care 

Jess became interested in integrative medicine and integrative nutrition a few years before her diagnosis. When she was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer she went to her acupuncturist for help with her meridians and endocrine system. 

• My Life Without a Thyroid

After Jess’s thyroidectomy, she shares it took a while for her endocrinologist to find the right synthroid dose, and that she had to wait at least 30 minutes before having coffee or eating meals, had to become more mindful of her alcohol consumption, and tried to remember to take all her vitamins. While the adjustment may have been difficult at first, now all the timing considerations and medications are simply a way of life.

Links...

In the spring of 2016 Chris Lawrence was diagnosed with stage 4 Bile Duct cancer. While laying in his hospital bed, his father wrote "Hope Has Arrived" on the whiteboard. Thus the non-profit organization hopehasarrived.com was born.

During our conversation we discussed:

• How Chris came to be diagnosed with stage 4 Bile Duct cancer.
• Why he created Hope Has Arrived
• The decision to move back to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he was originally from
• How Genomic Sequencing saved his life
• His thoughts on the future of his health
• The future plans for Hope Has Arrived
• The important role that his faith plays in his life
• The positive things that he's experienced since his diagnosis

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

WE Have Cancer Links

Hope Has Arrived - https://www.hopehasarrived.com/

Hope Has Arrived on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hopehasarrived/

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

The Lung Cancer Alliance; Supporting Lung Cancer Patients for over 25 Years[/caption] Andrew Ciupek is the Manager of Clinical Research at the Lung Cancer Alliance. For over 25 years the Lung Cancer Alliance has provided information, education and support to patients, survivors, caregivers and family members of those affected by the #1 cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Andrew discusses the various types of support offered by the Lung Cancer Alliance and provides updates on clinical research and immunotherapy.

To learn more about the Lung Cancer Alliance

Visit their website: https://lungcanceralliance.org/ Call the toll-free patient support line: 1-800-298-2436  

Cort Davies has been battling stage 4 Paraganglioma. He has funneled his energy into creating the 1 Habit to Beat Cancer online summit. The summit runs from May 25th through June 3rd and is free. You can register here.

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

1 Habit to Beat Cancer summit- https://www.1habitsummit.com/#

Imerman Angels - https://imermanangels.org/

Jake Bailey speech - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9G1Swk26ac

Burkitt lymphoma - https://lymphoma.org/aboutlymphoma/nhl/burkitt/

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the WE Have Cancer Podcast - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

On this episode of WE Have Cancer, author and veteran physician Jim deMaine chats with Lee about facing death with peace and comfort. Dr. deMaine shares his knowledge on hospice and palliative care and the rights every patient should be informed on in regards to medical care at the end of their life. He also provides thoughtful advice for how patients and their family members can best prepare for their final days.

Guest Biography:

Dr. Jim deMaine is a pulmonary and critical care specialist passionate about educating folks about the options they face towards the end of their lives. He is the author of Facing Death: Finding Dignity, Hope and Healing at the End, in which he shares his wisdom and field experience to explore common questions and anxieties his patients have experienced in their final days. He does not shy away from conversations about the role of spirituality, leaving a moral legacy, cultural traditions, and even conflicts between patients and their doctors.

Table of Contents:

• Saying the Words "Death" and "Cancer"

At the start of the show, Lee asks why a pulmonary care doctor decided to write a book on death. When Dr. deMaine was training as a physician in the 1960’s, he says they were trained to avoid talking about death or even using the word “cancer,” and he knew he wanted to change that.

• A Patient's Rights at the End

How do practitioners let their patients know that they have the right to make determinations about the kind of care they’d like to have at the end of their lives, and how can their doctors inform them about technologies available to them? Dr. deMaine discusses the many rights and conversations patients can, and should, be having with their doctors about end-of-life care.

• How to Put Families More at Ease

Families feel better about conferences when the doctor listens more, allowing them to feel more understood, explains Dr. deMaine. He also talks about some touching notes and feedback he’s received over the years from patients and their families that have helped to teach him how best to comfort and inform loved ones.

• Leading the Conversation to Discuss Death

Lee asks, why is what Dr. deMaine does “out of the ordinary” compared to standard practices of physicians in general? He shares about an app created for doctors called Vital Talk that coaches doctors on how to listen and approach these kinds of discussions, rather than sweeping them under the rug. There’s even a COVID-specific part. 

• Learn about Hospice Before Needing Hospice

Dr. deMaine says patients should be informed about hospice options prior to needing hospice care themselves. Often, he says, people wait too long to consider hospice. How can patients begin to think about that level of special care earlier on?

• Benefits of Hospice Care

More than 50% of cancer patients receive hospice care at the end of their lives, and the data shows that people that enter hospice care have longer lives. Dr. deMaine admits that entering into hospice care is “quite a shift,” and is a decision that should be carefully considered.

• Palliative Care vs. Hospice

What’s the difference between palliative care and

Mallory Casperson is the CEO and founder of Lacuna Loft. A former aerospace engineer, Mallory was thrust into the cancer world after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

During our interview we discussed:

• How her mother's cancer diagnosis, and subsequently her own diagnosis, caused her to leave the aerospace industry and start a non-profit.
• How Lacuna Loft began as Mallory's blog about her experience as a young adult cancer survivor.
• The three main challenges young adult cancer patients and survivors face; the lack of connections to people like them, the feeling of isolation and the need for validation.
• The range of online support resources available for young adult cancer patients and survivors.

Connect With Lacuna Loft

On their website - https://lacunaloft.org/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu8vPgF5kkUv4--AeqsYQgg/featured

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lacunaloft/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/lacunaloft

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LacunaLoft/

WE Have Cancer Links

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Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

This week on the WE Have Cancer podcast, Lee sits down with Brodi Nicholas, the founder and CEO of One At a Time -- a non-profit charity that helps create positive experiences and fulfills the dreams of children fighting life-threatening illnesses.

Lee and Brodi talk about how it all started with his next-door neighbor, Samantha, and has grown into an international foundation. From beginning with some simple bracelets and helping Sam realize her dreams, to being featured on the Hallmark Channel, helping children all over the United States, and even expanding into the Philippines.

Guest biography:

Brodi Nicholas is the founder and CEO of One At a Time, a non-profit charity helping children with life-changing ailments. Brodi started by just helping a next-door neighbor after she was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Since then, it’s grown into a formal 501(c)3 non-profit that helps children and families all over the United States and in the Philippines. 

Table of contents:

• Introduction

Lee introduces Brodi.

• Sam’s Acute lymphocytic leukemia diagnosis

Brodi shares the story of how he found out Sam was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia and where his journey starts.

• Bracelets

With a realization of Sam’s condition, Brodi got to work to try and make things just a little easier for her. With the help of some friends and neighbors, Brodi began creating bracelets to sell at his shows and online to get Sam a new gaming console.

• Going above and beyond

After raising $2,500 for Sam, Brodi wanted to know how else he could help. With dreams of playing the drums, swimming, and riding a bike, Brodi got the work once again, helping Sam realize all of those dreams in very big ways.

• Growing to a non-profit to help others

After sponsoring Samantha, Brodi wanted to help other children and their families. After two years of cash-in-an-envelope-type of dealings, Brodi made the One At a Time charity official and continues to grow it to this day.

• Kids helping kids

Brodi realized that getting other children involved was a great opportunity. Not only does the extra help benefit everyone but having children involved allows them to see people with disabilities and ailments as just like everyone else.

• How the One At a Time charity works

Brodi talks a bit about how the charity works - sponsoring one kid a month, building awareness of the illness they’re going through, and granting one of their wishes of either a gift or an experience.

• Transitioning to virtual events during the coronavirus

With COVID-19 canceling in-person events, One At a Time has pivoted to holding virtual events. That includes teaming up with some characters so the children can have a call from some of their favorite princesses and cartoon characters.

• How One At a Time is growing and evolving

Brodi shares his vision for the charity moving forward, including scaling things up into different countries while still providing a personal touch to each child they sponsor.

• Making it to television

Lee saw the foundation on the Hallmark Channel one day. Brodi shares the story of how that came to be and how that moment helped the charity pop off suddenly.

Links mentioned in the show:

Subscribe to the “WE Have Cancer” Podcast - 

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A cancer recurrence is every cancer survivors greatest fear. In her return visit to the WE Have Cancer podcast, Courtney Forget talks intimately about this fear. We also discussed:

• How she went from looking forward to her ileostomy reversal - as discussed in Episode 43 - to loving her life with a permanent ostomy.
• Living with the constant fear of a cancer recurrence after having two "cancer scares."
• The importance of getting second, and even third, opinions.
• Her thoughts on being naive about her initial diagnosis and how she looks at her survivorship today.
• Why she's not a fan of ringing the bell at her cancer center after completing treatment.
• The role her husband has played as her cancer caregiver.
• The reason she adopted a Greyhound dog and why she's training him to be a therapy dog.
• The challenge of moving to a new city and finding a new Oncologist.

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

Courtney's first appearance on the Colon Cancer (WE Have Cancer) podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/043

Pet Partners - https://petpartners.org/

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

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Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

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Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

Using patient empowerment to heal

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is nothing short of a shock -- whether it’s you personally or a loved one. But it’s how you handle the journey that can really make all the difference in what the next steps look like. This episode of WE Have Cancer is all about patient empowerment and learning how to have a healthy relationship with the diagnosis. Lee is joined by Dr. Paul Anderson to discuss what he means by empowerment and how you can achieve it.

Guest biography:

Dr. Paul Anderson is the author of “Cancer: The Journey from Diagnosis to Empowerment.” Through his own decades of experience, Dr. Anderson has seen first-hand what patient empowerment can do to someone’s care and how cultivating the right mentality can improve both the quality and quantity of someone’s life after a cancer diagnosis.

Table of contents:

• Introduction
• What does patient empowerment look like?

A cancer diagnosis can be a supremely shocking thing that kickstarts a bunch of different emotions. How someone responds to that can be truly empowering. Dr. Anderson talks about what he thinks empowerment looks like in the face of a cancer diagnosis.

• What makes up patient empowerment?

In order to be empowered through your journey with cancer, you cannot ignore it. Dr. Anderson believes empowerment involves having a healthy relationship with the cancer diagnosis, and being able to both face that head-on and being in charge of the situation.

• Becoming an empowered patient

While the journey to empowerment takes on different looks at times, Dr. Anderson found it involved getting beyond the anger, denial, and confusion of the cancer diagnosis. Ultimately, it boiled down to not being a hapless victim but taking charge.

• Bob and Gia

A part of Dr. Anderson’s book involves the journey of two patients -- both at different ends of the spectrum in handling their diagnosis. While both dealt with the anger and difficulty with their initial diagnosis, Bob stayed stuck there while Gia embraced the journey. Dr. Anderson found that taking Gia’s empowerment approach tended to improve the quality and quantity of life a patient had.

• Living like Gia

Becoming empowered is a step-by-step process. Some steps will be harder for some while others may already have them figured out. But Dr. Anderson designed the book to help hand hold people through to acceptance.

• Mindfulness and other integrated medicine practices

Dr. Anderson has noticed things like meditation and mindfulness exercises have started to gain more acceptance as a part of cancer treatments in recent years. They can be used as a part of patient empowerment.

• Combatting scanxiety

Regular cancer scans and lab work can be some of the most anxiety-inducing parts of the journey and can be problematic even years after an initial diagnosis. Dr. Anderson notes that it’s normal to feel that anxiety but the trick is to understand it’s going to happen so you can better accept it. Dr. Anderson also points back to meditation and mindfulness as a way to go from acknowledging that anxiety to tempering it. Lee shares his own story about dealing with anxiety and patient empowerment.

Links mentioned in the show:

Dr. Anderson's website - https://www.consultdranderson.com

Cancer: The Journey From Diagnosis to Empowerment -

My buddy, Tim McDonald, joins me to share his story of dealing with stage 4 colon cancer and is journey to find a liver donor.

Please help spread Tim's message by sharing this link: http://timsliver.com/

Follow Tim here:

On Twitter: twitter.com/tamcdonald

On Instagram: instagram.com/timamcdonald 

On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timamcdonald

On this episode of WE Have Cancer, womens’ cancer surgeon Dr. Valena Wright, MD chats with Lee about her decades of experience treating gynecologic cancers, and the many preventative measures women may not know about. From symptoms of ovarian cancer to the power of positivity to the benefits of music therapy, Dr. Wright shares her professional advice to empower women to be prepared and informed when it comes to their health and well-being. 

Guest Biography:

Dr. Valena Wright is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist and surgeon with more than 25 years of clinical practice experience in the realm of women’s health. When Valena lost her older sister to Stage IC Ovarian Cancer, she knew she wanted to start advocating even more about women’s cancer prevention. Her new book, It’s Time You Knew: The Power of Your Choices to Prevent Women’s Cancer is available now. 

Table of Contents:

• It's All in the Family

Valena's Grandmother was one of the first public health nurses on Prince Edward Island, at a time when not many women had access to such an education. Her trailblazing success greatly inspired Valena to enter the medical field as well.

• "Not Your Mother's Hysterectomy"

Valena says she thinks her grandmother would be astonished by today’s technology, and by how surgery is performed today; but Valena can also imagine her shaking her finger at today's medical practitioners, because public health isn’t what it should be.

• The Most Common Women's Cancer

The most common cancer Dr. Wright treats as a gynecologic oncologist is uterine cancer, which arises in the lining of the uterus and usually occurs after menopause, but not always. Sometimes pre-menopausal women dismiss the symptoms of abnormal bleeding that can point to uterine cancer.

• What are the Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?

Ovarian Cancer symptoms can be subtle, but might include bloating, feeling full even if you haven’t eaten, fatigue, increased urinary frequency. A pelvic mass can grow quite large over time, even if you haven't noticed any subtle symptoms.

• Should You Rely on Family History?

About 20% of ovarian cancers can be hereditary, but family history is not always reliable without genetic testing. After her sister’s ovarian cancer diagnosis, Valena had genetic testing done, and elected to have risk-reducing surgery.

• Diet, Exercise, and What Else?

Diseases can affect women in different ways than men; heart disease is the perfect example. Valena strongly believes it's important to be able to speak up and ask for what you need, and to understand the gynecologic anatomy. And, since many women are frequently multitasking, prioritizing a full night's sleep is extremely important for well-being, mental health, and stress. 

• Integrated Medicine for Women's Wellbeing

Integrated medicine can help with the mind-to-body relationship in patients. It’s important to remain positive because the brain looks for what we focus on the most, which is critically important for cancer patients. Valena reminds listeners, "there is always hope."

• The Rejuvenating Power of

Susan Strong was first diagnosed with cancer shortly after graduating high school when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the age of 17. Like many childhood cancer survivors she was unaware of the health complications she would face many years later, including heart-valve replacement surgery and a breast cancer diagnosis, as a result of her treatment for her Lymphoma.

During our conversation she shared:

• The emotional struggle she faced as a childhood cancer patient.
• How she coped with both a heart-valve replacement and breast cancer diagnosis within a short time period.
• Why she decided to walk away from her career as a classroom teacher and pursue her passion.
• The advocacy and support work she's doing for cancer patients and survivors and her long-term goals.
• How post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) manifested itself and how she managed its effects.

Connect With Susan, Links Mentioned on the Show

Check out her blog - https://stronglifenow.wixsite.com/stronglifenow

The American Heart Association's profile on Susan - https://newsarchive.heart.org/strong-to-celebrate-her-valversary/

Follow Susan on Instagram - https://instagram.com/livinglifeafterlymphoma

Follow Susan on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBw9pWNLQth953VjT48qlnRGiZECCbjj9

Have Susan speak to your organization - https://speakerhub.com/speaker/susan-strong

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Screening - https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/screening/patient-screening-overview-pdq

TAVR (Transcatheter aortic valve replacement) - https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/transcatheter-aortic-valve-replacement/about/pac-20384698

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) - https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Email Lee

On this episode of WE Have Cancer, stage 4 throat cancer survivor Marc Julien shares with Lee the brutal truth of his experience with radiation therapy on his road to remission, and his newfound passion today for spreading awareness and fundraising for pediatric cancer research. He proudly says cancer is the best thing to ever happen to him, remission or not, because it’s given him the perspective, patience, and appreciation for life’s most priceless and precious moments. 

Guest Biography:

Marc Julien became a first-time father just three weeks before his stage 4 throat cancer diagnosis. His wife Cortney became a rockstar caretaker in more ways than one as Marc underwent 7 weeks of intense and “excruciating” radiation therapy to treat the metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in his left lymphoid and tonsil. Now in remission, he’s been training the last two and a half years as a cyclist to compete in the Race Across America with a team of 19 others who have also been impacted by cancer in their own way. Marc and his team have a fundraising goal of $500,000 for pediatric cancer research.

Table of Contents:

• Diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer, 3 Weeks After Becoming a Father

A cancerous lump was found in Marc’s neck that had been growing for a few months, right before his daughter was born. She was born May 10th, and by June 5th Marc was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in his left lymph node and left tonsil.

• How Did Mark's Wife React to his Diagnosis?

Right after the baby was born, Marc got a biopsy. It was a week’s wait for the results to come in. Marc says he and his wife shared feelings of disappointment and fear for the future, and all the uncertainty that lay ahead. 

• Was it Hard to Be "In the Moment" with His Newborn Daughter?

Marc says he "kind of blocked out" those early days, but that his wife and daughter came to support him at every single radiation therapy session. Everyone involved in his treatment also looked forward to seeing newborn Ella there to support her dad.

• Stage 4 Throat Cancer to Remission: What Did it Take?

When Marc met his first doctor in Miami, he was told he would go through two weeks of treatment and get back to his life. Marc didn’t want anything to be sugar coated, so he sought out a second opinion, just in case. He knew he needed to fire that first doctor from Miami when the second doctor told him the harsh reality that Marc was actually in for; it was not going to be a two week scenario. It was 7 weeks of extremely intense radiation therapy. 

• “Treatment was excruciating.”

Marc shares the harsh reality of weeks and weeks of radiation therapy for his throat cancer, and how the pain and side effects magnified week after week. The chemotherapy after the radiation was still tough, but Marc says the radiation was the hardest part of his treatment by far.

• How Did Having Cancer "Change" Him?

Marc shares, “The person I was before I was diagnosed isn’t someone I recognize anymore.” He says he’s much more patient now, and he’s more present and appreciative with his loved ones. He believes he’s a better father, husband, and friend...

Maureen Famiano was originally diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer in 2010. Six weeks after colon resection surgery she learned her cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. During our conversation we discussed:

• Why asking questions of your doctor and advocating for your care is so important.
• The specific questions to ask your doctor after a cancer diagnosis.
• The complications she experienced after her treatment and the choices she needed to make.
• Why she chose to get a 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinion and why the 4th opinion was her best option.
• How she evaluated her treatment options, including a possible permanent ostomy, and what she ultimately decided on.
• The lifestyle changes she was required to make moving forward.

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

Connect with Maureen on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/maureen.famiano

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the WE Have Cancer Podcast - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

One month after retiring as a news correspondent with NBC, Mark Potter found himself in the role as cancer caregiver for his wife Judith. As a way to find some solitude during this difficult time, /mark began photographing the beautiful sunrises of Miami, Florida. After Judith's death in April of 2019, Mark found this early morning routine to be a source of comfort, or as he put it, his "church without a roof."

During our conversation we discussed:

• How he transitioned from a "hard news" correspondent to "photographer."
• The reason why he chose to photograph sunrises.
• How time alone helped him be a better caregiver to his wife, Judith.
• How this time of solitude helps him cope with the loss of his wife.
• The community he's become a part of during these early morning shoots.
• The possibility of his photos being selected for display at a local hospital.

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center - https://umiamihealth.org/en/sylvester-comprehensive-cancer-center

View Mark's incredible sunrise photos on Instagram - https://instagram.com/markpottermiami

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the WE Have Cancer Podcast - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

Dr. Jamie Aten is the Founder and Executive Director of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute and Chair of Humanitarian and Disaster Leadership at Wheaton College. A survivor of colorectal cancer, he's also the author of A Walking Disaster: What Surviving Katrina and Cancer Taught Me About Faith and Resilience.

During our conversation we discussed:

• How Terror Management theory explains why some people struggle to support those going through traumatic experiences like cancer.
• How he struggled to ask for help during his treatment and how he overcame this challenge.
• Redefining "strengths" and "weaknesses."
• How growing up in a small, blue collar town impacted his view of the world and his career choice.
• How he came to be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2014.
• Why those touched by cancer should be cautious of optimism.
• How Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can affect cancer patients.

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

Jamie's book, A Walking Disaster: What Surviving Katrina and Cancer Taught Me About Faith and Resilience - https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Disaster-Surviving-Resilience-Spirituality-ebook/dp/B07M6QL56C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ZRLYE0B9A1PN&keywords=a+walking+disaster+by+jamie+aten&qid=1571591927&sprefix=a+walking+dis%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-1

CancerToday article, Coping With Trauma - https://www.cancertodaymag.org/Pages/cancer-talk/Coping-With-Trauma.aspx

Humanitarian Disaster Institute - https://www.wheaton.edu/academics/academic-centers/humanitarian-disaster-institute/

Lotsa Helping Hands - https://lotsahelpinghands.com/

Follow Jamie on Twitter - https://twitter.com/drjamieaten

Follow Jamie on Instagram - https://instagram.com/drjamieaten

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

Host Lee Silverstein, shares surprising news and it's definitely not the surprise he was expecting.

WE Have Cancer Links

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Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Email Lee

Rafael Martin - WE Have Cancer[/caption] On June 15, 2018, Rafael Martin, a Special Education Teacher at Cypress Creek High School and a Cancer Survivor, will march 26.2 miles from a Subway in Davenport to Universal City Walk in Orlando.  He will be finishing a 50 mile march he started on Memorial Day.  He attempted to walk from the Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center to Orlando on that day, but almost halfway through he was overcome from fatigue due to his cancer treatments and he fainted.  After seeing Rafael’s story his fellow educators from his school, family and friends reached out to him and offered to walk with him the rest of the way so he could finish his march.   He will begin the march from the Subway at 45489 Hwy 27 Davenport, FL 33897 at 7am and finish the walk at Universal City Walk around 6 pm.  He is giving himself plenty of time to rest and hydrate on the way, and this time he will be walking with family and friends to make sure he makes it.   “I feel like I let a lot of people down when I couldn’t finish the walk on Memorial Day,” Rafael said. “However, I was overwhelmed with all of the support I received from people who saw my story and wanted to help.  My main message is that cancer in America is an epidemic, and our government is not treating it that way.  It has become so common that everyone knows someone with cancer or they have cancer.  This has to stop.”   He is walking in order to raise donations for the center and to raise awareness about the cancer epidemic in America.  He is currently receiving treatment at the Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center for prostate cancer, where he has been a patient  since March 2014.   According to the American Cancer Society, there were 1,688,780 new cases of cancer in America in and 600,920 Americans died from cancer in 2017. Across the world an estimated 7.6 million people die from cancer every year, out of which, 4 million people die prematurely. Rafael Martin believes that this number is far too high.   The donations will go directly to the Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center where he is currently receiving treatment.  He is working directly with the center and they support his efforts.  The funds will be used to help patients at the center receives the treatments they need in order to survive cancer.  Rafael Martin is a Survivor, and he wants to help all of the other Survivors everywhere who fight Cancer every day.   Rafael has made previous walks and runs to raise donations and awareness of the cancer epidemic.  In 2014 he made a 250 mile run/walk to Tallahassee.  Please see the link below for the story of that journey:  http://www.wtsp.com/mobile/article/news/local/a-man-on-a-mission-to-fight-cancer/67-300417787 His story was featured on the local NBC affiliate:   https://youtu.be/op5kgBv6E54 A Go Fund Me account has been created to help Rafael raise donations for his 50 mile Memorial Day Walk. Donations can be made to him directly by logging into his account at: https://www.gofundme.com/raising-donations-to-fight-cancer   Donations can also be mailed directly to Rafael at the following address: Rafael Martin 5850 Cypress Gardens Blvd. #103 Winter Haven, FL 33884  

Be sure to connect with the show:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wehavecancerpod/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/WEHaveCancerPod

[caption id="attachment_1565" align="alignleft" width="300"] A Routine Colonoscopy Saved His Life, With John Cavanaugh[/caption]

in May of 2014 John Cavanaugh was diagnosed with colon cancer after a routine colonoscopy.

John's story was profiled in this Colon Cancer Coalition's Faces of Blue article.

On my 50th birthday, I promised my wife I would make an appointment for a full physical. On May 5, 2014, my primary physician, Dr. Troy Fate, MD scheduled a routine colonoscopy. I had two polyps removed and one turned out to be cancerous with positive margins. After a consultation with Dr. Scott Brill, a Colon and Rectal Surgeon at Ohio Health in Columbus, we elected for surgery on June 6th (Lilly’s birthday). Dr. Brill found no evidence of cancer in the section removed, but one lymph node out of 13 tested positive for cancer cells. One of the risks of my operation was the possibility of a leak. Unfortunately, that occurred and I fell ill with sepsis which required a second emergency surgery. Luckily Dr. Brill is an Army Veteran with trauma experience so he was able to save my life. I needed two additional procedures to install drains for fluid build up near my lungs. My wife never left my side for a month and slept next to me on a recliner (Much like the scene where Robin Williams describes the meaning of love to Matt Damon on the park bench in Good Will Hunting).

After a several rounds of antibiotics, I recovered enough to be discharged from the hospital with a temporary ileostomy. After three weeks of intensive physical and occupational therapy at home, I was able to participate in our daughter’s wedding ceremony. Then I endured several months of chemotherapy that made me look like the main character from “Unbroken”. In December, right before my birthday and the Christmas holidays, Dr. Brill reversed the diversion and I spent much of 2015 recuperating. On May 5, 2015, Dr. Brill performed a colonoscopy which resulted in a normal finding. Later in December, I had a CT scan and received a clean bill of health. I continued to be followed closely by my oncologist with regular blood screening, but am now back to work full-time.

Want your holiday greeting shared on an upcoming podcast episode? Call (813) 434-3215 and leave a short holiday greeting to a friend or loved one.

Links Mention In This Episode:

The Colon Cancer Coalition:  https://coloncancercoalition.org

Cancer + Careers: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show:

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As a breast cancer survivor, Sylvie Leotin understands the the unseen needs of cancer patients. As a former ballerina and computer scientist, Sylvie seeks to integrate the mind, body and heart to live a more meaningful life.

During our conversation we discussed:

• The importance of mindfullness and meditation and the role it plays in her healing.
• Why she wakes up in the middle of the night to meditate.
• How her training as a ballerina helped her to become self-compassionate.
• Why it's difficult for patients to hear phrases like "congratulations on finishing treatment" and "you beat cancer!"
• How working in Lean Innovation in Silicon Valley has changed how she looks at cancer treatment centers and how they interact with patients.

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

Sylvie's Blog, The Voice of the Cancer Patient - https://sylvieleotin.com/

Sylvie's article in the Journal of Patient Experience, "An Insider View of the Cancer Radiation Experience Through the Eyes of a Cancer Patient." - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2374373519832604

Connect with Sylvie on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sleotin

Connect with Sylvie on Twitter - https://twitter.com/sleotin

Connect with Sylvie on Instagram - https://instagram.com/sleotin

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

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Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

We revisit this episode which was originally published in July, 2019.

As a teenager growing up in Kansas, Becca Pendarvis spent her summers doing everything she could to get as tan as possible. Now a mother of a seventeen year-old daughter, she has spent the last eight years dealing with Stage 4 Melanoma skin cancer.

During our conversation we discussed:

• Why she loves living in New York City and how living there helped her cope with her cancer.
• The common misconceptions about Skin Cancer.
• How to use A-B-C-D-E to identify possible skin cancers.
• The fact that she's now N.E.D. (No Evidence of Disease) after initially being told she had 9 - 18 months to live.
• The impact her illness had on her daughter.
• Camp Kesem - a nationwide community that supports the children of parents affected by cancer - and how it helped her daughter.
• Her thoughts on tanning and tanning beds.

Links Mentioned In the Show

Camp Kesem - https://campkesem.org/

Know the ABCDEs of Skin Cancer - https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-warning-signs-and-images/do-you-know-your-abcdes

Follow Becca on Instagram - https://instagram.com/notanisworthdyingfor

Follow Becca on Twitter - https://twitter.com/beccapendarvis

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

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Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story? Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

Candace on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/penelopepit_stop/

Candace on Twitter - https://twitter.com/colon_survivor

The Blue Hat Foundation on Twitter - https://twitter.com/BlueHats4colons

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On this episode of WE Have Cancer, seasoned Hollywood voice actor Rob Paulsen shares his unique story battling throat cancer, and the important roles laughter and joy played in his treatment and recovery. Rob brings along some of his most famous characters to put a smile on everyone’s faces during this bright and inspiring episode.

Guest Biography:

Rob Paulsen is one of Hollywood’s busiest and most gifted voice performers. If you don’t recognize his name, you may recognize some of his most famous characters, including: Raphael and Donatello from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pinky from Pinky and the Brain, Yakko from Animaniacs, and many, many others. He was diagnosed with throat cancer at age 60, and the journey of his treatment inspired him to write and publish his own story, Voice Lessons, which is now available in both print and audiobook format. 

Table of Contents:

• The Joy of Making People Laugh

Rob deeply believes laughter is healing and is one of the keys to health and wellbeing. He says, "Laughter is the best medicine because you can’t overdose and the refills are free!"

• Diagnosed with Throat Cancer at Age 60

Rob's ENT Doctor found a lump on the side of his neck and performed a biopsy. When he got the news with his throat cancer diagnosis, all he could think was how lucky he was to have such a long, fulfilling life. 

• "Everyone was so Kind"

Rob says everyone involved in his case was kind and professional and patient, and that the compassion was remarkable. He believes some people just have a true calling, and it’s a heroic thing to watch.

• Giving Back to Medical Practitioners with Laughter

When people find out what Rob does, it makes everyone joyful. He shares how he was always making his practitioners laugh, which made him feel like a million bucks. He says, "If I get to lighten their load a little bit, that’s all I can ask for."

• Eh, What's Up, Doc?

Rob shares a special moment of getting to meet Mel Blanc before he passed. Blanc was the voice of countless famous cartoon characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Barney Rubble. Rob says he learned a lot from him and still carries those lessons with him.

• Learning to Embrace the Unexpected

Rob shares he was not particularly good at living in the moment before his diagnosis. He used to “what if” himself to death, but since his treatment he's learned to take life one day at a time. 

• Why He Wrote His Book, "Voice Lessons"

Rob says, "I’m not a movie star, the characters that I voice are the famous ones. I thought the last thing the world needs was another celebrity bio from another 'non-celebrity.'" After his throat cancer diagnosis, he became very involved in his treatment in terms of trying to learn as much as possible. Then he thought it might be a great story, which then turned into a great audiobook.

• Rob Pauslen's Biggest Lesson

Summer Watson is a famed singer and breast cancer survivor

Summer Watson was at the top of the world. She’d signed a recording contract with Sony and was living her life to the fullest until a routine mammogram found Stage 4 breast cancer in 2004. Despite being given just weeks to live, Summer has allowed her love of music and a positive outlook to propel her forward and keep her alive.

Summer Watson biography

Summer Watson is a classical music superstar who just released her latest EP “Unveiled.” But after being diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in 2014 and being given just weeks to live, things looked bleak. She’s leaned on her love of music as well as her bright and perky attitude to heal.

Table of contents:

• Introduction
• The attraction to music

Summer got into music at four years old, which all started with some music lessons and blossomed into something much bigger.

• How did Summer’s parents react to her rising fame?

Summer explains how her parents’ and music teachers’ encouragement helped propel her to college for music and eventually to a massive recording contract with Sony.

• Covering Sting

Being in a train accident in 2002 helped Summer realize the fragility of life. In the famed Abbey Road Studio to record her first album, a producer pointed out she should do a cover of Sting’s song, “Fragile.”

• Breast cancer diagnosis

Summer was diagnosed with breast cancer after getting a routine mammogram in 2014. She talks a bit about the process and the initial diagnosis.

• Surviving

Despite the initial breast cancer diagnosis giving Summer just a few weeks to live, she remains here to this day. But it wasn’t easy. Summer discusses how she had to spend time recovering, both physically and mentally, and some of the things she did along the way to get to this point now.

• How her relationship with music changed

Having breast cancer naturally changed Summer. She began getting out of her comfort zone, jamming with bands and other musicians, and becoming a vocal coach. She’s now writing and recording her own music as she’s found more joy in singing.

• Coping with COVID-19

Summer’s life experiences have helped her form a new life view. Lee and Summer talk about how that new view has helped her through the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Staying positive and becoming stronger

Summer shares her outlook on how mindfulness and not feeling sorry for herself have allowed her to live life to the fullest. Lee and Summer talk about how having a positive attitude and a purpose might have helped keep them alive.

• Unveiled

Summer Watson’s latest EP is called “Unveiled” and as Lee points out, there’s a line in the chorus of the title song that says “when your heart is broken, the world is unveiled.” Summer talks about the meaning of that line and her philosophy to life.

Links mentioned in the show:

Summer Watson - Unveiled

Summer Watson - Instagram

Learn more about ColonTown - https://colontown.org

Subscribe to the “WE Have Cancer” Podcast - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

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Using health literacy to improve results

Getting any type of cancer diagnosis can be terrifying, but it’s even worse when you don’t really understand what’s happening. On this episode of WE Have Cancer, Lee talks with Carly Flumer about her experiences -- from getting a thyroid cancer diagnosis herself to now advocating for medical professionals to use health literacy concepts to improve patient compliance.

Guest biography

Carly Flumer received a thyroid cancer diagnosis at 27 years old and found the journey confusing, frustrating, and even offensive at times. All it took was one doctor drawing a picture to better explain her condition and it all made sense. Carly now works for the National Cancer Institute and as an independent advocate for improving how doctors inform patients.

Table of contents:

• Introduction
• Thyroid cancer diagnosis

At an annual physical, a doctor found a lump in her throat. Though an ultrasound proved the lump wasn’t actually cancer, they did find something else they wanted to get a little closer look at. A biopsy later and Carly had her thyroid cancer diagnosis.

• Thyroidectomy

With metastasis, Carly ended up needing further treatment, including a total thyroidectomy.

• “The good cancer”

Throughout her journey, Carly heard she had “the good cancer” as a way of helping try to ease fears. But Carly found the term to be offensive and believes it doesn’t make things any less stressful or difficult.

• Advocacy through experience

Having found her journey with thyroid cancer to be confusing and difficult. From people downplaying her experiences to doctors failing to explain things properly, Carly shares what she feels is a common problem that can make all the difference for non-compliant patients.

• Compliance vs. Non-compliance

Carly breaks down what she feels is non-compliance from a patient perspective and how she believes the doctor plays a big part in a patient’s success. From lapses in medication to getting scans and bloodwork done on time.

• Working at the National Cancer Institute

Carly talks about how she came to work at the National Cancer Institute during her journey with thyroid cancer. She discusses how her job helps other patients learn about new and emerging cancer treatments through clinical trials.

• Clinical trials for cancer

Through her own experience going through clinical trials, Carly explains what clinical trials offer to patients. She also breaks down how clinical trials can differ -- from trying new treatments to finding specific tumor markers.

• Why and when should patients look at clinical trials?

Beyond what clinical trials are at a base level, Lee and Carly talk about why someone might want to participate in a clinical trial and when they should begin looking for one.

• Phases of clinical trials

Carly explains the different phases of a clinical trial and what each phase might offer to both patients, doctors, and researchers alike.

• Advocating for improving patient education

With the experience of her doctors struggling to really teach her about her cancer or the support systems available, Carly is taking up the charge instead. She talks about how she’s been an advocate for improving patient education by sharing her story with others, and how it’s given her a sense of empowerment along the way.

• Twitter chats and advocacy

Carly found Twitter chats during grad school and has begun using the social media format as a part of her advocacy. She’s helped not only

Michele Longabaugh is a 9-year stage 4 cancer survivor. She was diagnosed in 2010 with anal cancer and has far exceeded her 3-year "expiration date," as she described it.

During our conversation we discussed:

• The challenging treatment she went through
• The stigma associated with anal cancer
• The long term side effects of her treatments and how she's managing them
• What she meant when she said "I wish they would have treated me like I was going to survive."
• Why she feels like she's now "living the dream" as a cancer survivor.
• The fact that many oncologists and surgeons fail to address the impact of cancer on the sexual function of cancer survivors and patients and how she'd like this to change.
• How she wishes patients would be offered "cancer rehab."
• How surviving cancer has changed her.

Links Mentioned In The Show

Interview with Dr. Sage Bolte - https://wehavecancershow.com/069

52 Shades of Blue - http://www.52shadesofblue.com

Michele's book If You're Not Laughing, You're Dying - http://www.52shadesofblue.com/her-book/#

Follow Michele

Her blog - http://ihavebuttwhat.tumblr.com

On Instagram - https://instagram.com/pollyannalife

On Twitter - https://twitter.com/crazyasscancer

WE Have Cancer Links

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Email Lee

I am honored to have been nominated by WEGO Health for the Best In Show Podcast award.

The top three nominees in each category will be recognized this fall at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

It would mean the world to me to get your endorsement (vote).

Click on this link - https://awards.wegohealth.com/nominees/17191 to endorse (vote) me.

Once on my page, scroll down and click on the "Endorse Lee Silverstein" button.

Thank you!

Dr. Karin Hehenberger, is the CEO and Co-Founder of Lyfebulb, an organization whose mission is to "Reduce the burden of chronic disease through the power of the patient."

In our conversation we discussed:

• The origin and goals of Lyfebulb since its inception in 2014.
• How her own diagnosis with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 16 and subsequent kidney and pancreas transplants impacted her and the mission and goals of Lyfebulb.
• The roles of Patient Ambassadors and Patient Entrepreneurs.
• Why Lyfebulb is a patient-centric organization.
• The upcoming Lyfebulb-Helsinn Innovation Challenge.
• The future of Lyfebulb.

Apply For the Lyfebulb-Helsinn Innovation Challenge - https://lyfebulb.com/innovation-award/helsinn-2019/

Connect With Lyfebulb

Visit their website - https://lyfebulb.com/

Lyfebulb on Instagram - https://instagram.com/lyfebulb

Lyfebulb on Twitter - https://twitter.com/lyfebulb 

Lyfebulb on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Lyfebulb

Lyfebulb on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/Lyfebulb

WE Have Cancer Links

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Michael Willoughby founded Molecular Photos in May of 2019. In this interview we discussed:

• How the idea for Molecular Photos was conceived.
• Why having a "give back" component with the sale of the photos was important to him.
• The process of converting slides of tumor cells to works of art.
• His long term goal for Molecular Photos.

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

Molecular Photos - https://www.molecularphotos.com/

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the WE Have Cancer Podcast - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

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Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

After his brother Doc's death in 2017 from colorectal cancer, Joe Mahaffey has assumed the role of passionate advocate. 

In March of 2018 Joe traveled to Washington, D.C., along with close to 200 fellow patients, survivors and caregivers, for Fight CRC's annual Call-On Congress. Back home in North Carolina Joe has been working to fulfill one of his brother's dreams; to have a colorectal cancer license plate available for North Carolina residents. The Blue Ribbon Warrior license plate is one of the focuses of the non-profit the Mahaffey brothers created, the Blue Ribbon Warrior Foundation. 

Lee also interviewed Dr. Prasanth Reddy, MD. Dr. Reddy is the VP of Medical Affairs for Foundation Medicine. Foundation Medicine  is the company behind FoundationOne CDx; the first FDA-approved broad companion diagnostic (CDx) that is clinically and analytically validated for solid tumors.

In this episode we revisit my 2017 conversation with Dr. Sage Bolte.

Dr. Bolte is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and an expert on sexual health in oncology. She currently serves as the Chief Philanthropy Officer and President at the Inova Schar Cancer Institute.

During our conversation she talked about sex and intimacy and the impact that a cancer diagnosis can have, not only the patient, but the caregiver as well. We discussed the different challenges that men and women face along with the patient/caregiver dynamic.

This was a frank and informative discussion.

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the WE Have Cancer Podcast – https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter – https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram – https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast – https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

In this powerful interview Matt Newman shares his story of how he came to be diagnosed and ultimately survived brain cancer. He shares the power of a positive mindset, the importance of exercise and how his cancer experience reshaped his view of life.

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

Matt's website - https://matthewsnewman.com/

Matt's book, Starting at the Finish Line: My Cancer Partner, Perspective and Preparation - https://www.amazon.com/Starting-Finish-Line-Perspective-Preparation-ebook/dp/B07BWCVSBN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36VVHT0UR2YFO&keywords=starting+at+the+finish+line&qid=1580172291&s=books&sprefix=starting+at+the+%2Cstripbooks%2C160&sr=1-1

Follow Matt on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/startingatthefinishlineMattNewman/

Follow Matt on Twitter - https://twitter.com/FinishLine_Matt

Follow Matt on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/startingatthefinishline/

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the WE Have Cancer Podcast - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

We have Heather Von St. James joining us today on the WE Have Cancer Podcast to explain what is Mesothelioma and her unique path through the disease to the advocacy she does now as a survivor. Heather shares her story about how she first realized something was wrong after giving birth to her daughter through to her Mesothelioma prognosis, to finding the right Mesothelioma doctors and treatment. 

Table of contents: 

• WE Have Cancer podcast intro (0:00) 
• Passing of former guest Pat Beauregard (0:36) 
• Introduction of guest Heather Von St. James (1:46) 
• Raising a newborn as a family through Mesothelioma treatment (3:03) 
• What is Mesothelioma? (6:43) 
• The realization of something being wrong (8:08) 
• The diagnosis (10:15) 
• Finding the cause (10:49) 
• Mesothelioma prognosis (12:09) 
• Tattoos as a momento (13:17) 
• Mesothelioma treatment options and choosing the right Mesothelioma doctors (14:35) 
• Fighting back against Mesothelioma with surgery and chemotherapy (16:36) 
• Heather’s current health and residual effects (18:01) 
• The day-to-day impact of living after Mesothelioma treatment (18:49) 
• Advocacy after cancer (19:42) 
• How others react to Heather’s story (21:33) 
• How the right attitude helped carry Heather through (22:36) 
• Mesothelioma Awareness Day and how to support (26:01) 
• WE Have Cancer Podcast outro (30:06) 

About Mesothelioma

• What is Mesothelioma? 
• Mesothelioma is a type of cancer commonly caused by asbestos. It often affects the tissues around the lungs, heart, abdomen, and testicles.  
• What’s a typical Mesothelioma prognosis? 
• Only your doctor can give you a mesothelioma diagnosis and prognosis. Some versions are treatable while others aren’t. As Heather shares in this episode, not every Mesothelioma prognosis is going to be the same or even the end of the story. 
• What are the most common Mesothelioma symptoms? 
• While signs and symptoms can be different for everyone, chest pain, painful coughing, shortness of breath,...

On this episode of WE Have Cancer, awareness advocate and ovarian cancer survivor Morgan Gaynor chats with Lee about cancer research, advocacy, and sharing her cancer journey online in a very public way.

Guest Biography:

After completing her MBA at Monmouth University at age 30, Morgan decided to look into freezing her eggs. That decision would ultimately lead to her ovarian cancer diagnosis and save her life. Immediately after her diagnosis with low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, she began sharing her story online on her website, Morgan Beats Cancer. Now a year and a half after her last chemo session, she currently serves on the board of STAAR Ovarian Cancer Foundation, and advocates on the federal, state, and local levels on behalf of ovarian cancer patients for increased research funding.

Table of Contents:

• The Story Behind "Morgan Beats Cancer"

Morgan says naming her site was a big decision and conversation with family. It’s not just about beating cancer herself; Morgan says her goal is to beat ovarian cancer for everyone. 

• Sharing Her Cancer Journey with the World

At the time of her diagnosis, Morgan was four months out from her MBA graduation where she studied Communications. Her whole life Morgan has been an eager philanthropist and volunteer, and now she’s taking all of her skills and passions into the cancer world via her website and advocacy work.

• Diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer Pre-Menopause

She first posted on Facebook about her ovarian cancer diagnosis, and how it wasn’t common for a woman in her early thirties to be diagnosed with it. She wanted to raise awareness that cancer can happen at any age. Morgan says, “If you’re born with ovaries, you’re at risk for ovarian cancer.”

• From Freezing Eggs to Finding Ovarian Cancer

After watching friends struggle with fertility in their twenties and thirties, Morgan decided she wanted to have her eggs frozen at age 30. At Morgan’s first ultrasound with the fertility specialist, they noticed several large lumps in Morgan’s pelvic area. A few weeks later, a surgeon confirmed the lumps were malignant, and she was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer.

• Treatment Options for Ovarian Cancer

Morgan says surgery was definitely the recommended immediate course of action for her. She had a debulking surgery first to remove all visible signs of disease, and then went through six rounds of chemotherapy afterward. 

• Life After Cancer Treatment

Morgan’s final chemo session was in February 2020. She now takes a daily estrogen blocker because her particular strain of cancer was hormone-driven. She says she feels great.

• “My whole life is different now.”

Between cancer and the pandemic, Morgan says she’s home much more than she used to be. She still spends time volunteering in her community, and she’s doing a lot with the ovarian cancer community as well. She joined the board of STAAR Ovarian Cancer Foundation, and is an advocacy leader with OCRA (Ovarian Cancer Research...

As a teenager growing up in Kansas, Becca Pendarvis spent her summers doing everything she could to get as tan as possible. Now a mother of a sixteen year-old daughter, she has spent the last seven years dealing with Stage 4 Melanoma skin cancer.

During our conversation we discussed:

• Why she loves living in New York City and how living there helped her cope with her cancer.
• The common misconceptions about Skin Cancer.
• How to use A-B-C-D-E to identify possible skin cancers.
• The fact that she's now N.E.D. (No Evidence of Disease) after initially being told she had 9 - 18 months to live.
• The impact her illness had on her daughter.
• Camp Kesem - a nationwide community that supports the children of parents affected by cancer - and how it helped her daughter.
• Her thoughts on tanning and tanning beds.

Links Mentioned In the Show

Camp Kesem - https://campkesem.org/

Know the ABCDEs of Skin Cancer - https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma/melanoma-warning-signs-and-images/do-you-know-your-abcdes

Follow Becca on Instagram -  https://instagram.com/beccalovesbrooklyn

Follow Becca on Twitter - https://twitter.com/beccapendarvis

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Email Lee

Janet Fanaki created Resilient People, Stories to Inspire while caring for her husband who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Brain Cancer in 2016.

During our conversation we discussed:

• How she came up with the idea for Resilient People.
• Why building a community has benefited her.
• How her husband came to be diagnosed with Glioblastoma and the treatment that was prescribed for him.
• The current state of her husband's health.
• How she finds the stories to profile on Resilient People.
• The story of Jason Fiorotto, who founded the Tory Day Fund in memory of his wife who passed away from Breast Cancer.
• What she's learned from the Resilient People project.
• The story of the 90 year-old Holocaust survivor profiled on her site.

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

Resilient People - http://www.resilientpeople.ca/

Resilient People on Instagram - https://instagram.com/resilientpeopleca

Resilient People on Twitter - https://twitter.com/resilientpeopl

Resilient People on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/resilientpeopleca/

The Tory Day Fund - http://www.toryday.org/

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

Marquina Iliev-Piselli is a breast cancer survivor and author of the upcoming book TOUGH: Women Who Survived Cancer.

During our conversation we discussed:

• Her unique hobby that she's passionate about.
• How she lifted her spirits and the spirits of her fellow cancer patients.
• Her Mother's Colon Cancer diagnosis.
• The online virtual Share Triumph conference for women touched by cancer.
• The tragedy she faced, in addition to her breast cancer diagnosis, and how therapy helped her cope.
• The origins of her book TOUGH: Women Who Survived Cancer and the women profiled in the book.

Links Mentioned In the Show

Your free ticket to the free, Share Triumph virtual conference - https://conference.sharetriumph.com/

TOUGH: Women Who Survived Cancer Essay Collection - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/marquina/tough-women-who-survived-cancer-essay-collection?ref=640130&token=7d113793

Chi Chi Life - http://www.chichilifenyc.com/

Marquina on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sharetriumph/

Marquina on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/marquina.iliev

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

On this episode of WE Have Cancer, Oncologist Dr. Daniel shares how the free Belong.Life app is changing the lives of cancer patients and caregivers around the world. Belong.Life is both a social and professional network for managing and navigating treatments, with a mission to improve the quality of life and the quality of cancer care around the world through technology, engagement, data, and AI.

Guest Biography:

Dr. Daniel Vorobiof is the Medical Director of Belong.Life, creator of Belong – Beating Cancer Together, the world’s largest social network and navigator app for cancer patients, caregivers, and medical professionals. He is the founder and former medical director of the Sandton Oncology Centre in Johannesburg and has published more than 120 peer-reviewed articles in international medical journals. He formerly served as an executive board member of the International Committee of ASCO.

Table of Contents:

• The Online Cancer Community Goes Global

Dr. Vorobiof explains that as a cancer patient, you have more questions than answers, and it’s hard to know what to do or who to trust. Belong is a “GPS for cancer patients.” It’s a social network for support and navigating the treatment of cancer. 

• The App is Safe, Free, and Personalized

Belong is an international application, it’s free to use, and completely anonymous. All your private information stays private. You can choose which groups you want to be a part of in the app, according to the diagnosis you have and the circumstances that apply to you.

• Serving Over 300,000 Patients Worldwide

Dr. Vorobiof says, “I wasn’t looking for a new career in my life, but this was the opportunity for me.” In 40 years as an oncology practitioner, he estimates he treated 20,000-30,000 cancer patients. Now with Belong, he has over 300,000 patients all over the world after just four years on the app.

• The Comfort of Anonymity

Since the app is anonymous, patients can ask questions they might be afraid or embarrassed to ask in person or with family members present at a regular doctor's visit. Plus, caregivers can be active on Belong too; an estimated 20% of the app’s total 400,000 users are caregivers.

• Surveying the Cancer Community about COVID Vaccines

Just three days after sending out a survey to the app users about how they were feeling about the COVID vaccines, Dr. Vorobiof received over 1000 quality responses. Detailed findings are still being combed through, but he says 96% of responders said they’d had the vaccine, and 4% reported they did not want to receive it.

• Making Sense of Clinical Trials with Belong.Life

The app bridges a huge need in the cancer community in regard to clinical trials with its Clinical Match feature. Taking in a person’s information (de-identified to remain anonymous), the app can match someone with any clinical trial/s they may be suited for.

• Bringing Community & Cancer Support to the 21st Century

Receiving support on the online app is simple and intuitive. Emotional support is crucial for both patients and caregivers. Everything from education to emotional support can be found on Belong, all of which is...

I

n our first episode supporting 2019 Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Carole Motycka talks about how advocacy and faith has helped her far outlive her doctor's initial prognosis.

During this interview we talked about:

• How a minor hiking accident led to her diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer and Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome (JPS).
• Her doctors giving her a 6-11 month prognosis, three years ago.
• The treatment and support she received from the Cleveland Clinic.
• Why she needed a liver transplant after doctors finding No Evidence of Disease.
• How a liver donor was found and her relationship with this fellow church member.
• The role her faith played in her diagnosis, recovery and her life going forward.

Connect With Carole

Instagram: https://instagram.com/swtcareline

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show:

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Email Lee

Doug Dallmann leads a very active life despite his ostomy. That wasn't always the case; however. When he awoke from his surgery for stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2010 he was devastated to learn he was left with a permanent ostomy. He was "filled with anxiety, depression and uncertainty."

Adjusting to life as an ostomate took time, but within a few months he achieved his goal of completing a 100-mile century bike ride.

During our interview we covered:

• Why he wanted to take on the physical challenge of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and the unique challenges doing so with an ostomy.
• The emotional challenge of accepting his ostomy and how he moved from "denial" to embracing his new life.
• Navigating the social and dating scene with an ostomy.
• Why he decided to compete in a body-building competition.
• What's next for him on his list of adventures.

Connect with Doug

His story featured on the Colon Cancer Coalition website: https://coloncancercoalition.org/2018/10/06/an-ostomy-life-unlimited/

On Instagram - https://instagram.com/pacnwtrekker

On Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/doug.dallmann

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Email Lee

*** Please note - Just prior to publishing this episode, Christy emailed me to inform me that she'd just learned that her cancer had returned and had metastasized to her lungs.

In 2017 while traveling in Ireland, Christy had a seizure. The doctors traced the source of the seizure to a tumor in her brain which had metastasized from her rectum. She was 37 years old and had stage 4 rectal cancer.

During our conversation we discussed:

• Her experience attending colorectal cancer conferences and cancer "camps"
• How cancer impacts the control one has over their life
• How she came to be diagnosed
• The importance of exercise in her life
• How her cancer impacted her marriage

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

WE Have Cancer Links

Christy's story on Cancer Grad - http://www.cancergrad.org/yearbook-1/2019/6/21/rectal-cancer-grad-christy

First Descents - https://firstdescents.org/

The Cassie Hinds Shoe Cancer Foundation - https://www.cassiehinesshoescancer.org/about/cassies-story/

Follow Christy on Instagram - https://instagram.com/christylorio

Follow Christy on Twitter - https://twitter.com/christylorio

Subscribe to the WE Have Cancer Podcast - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

 
Seeking out a 2nd and 3rd opinion in her cancer treatment resulted in a dramatic improvement in Sasha Denisova's quality of life.

Sasha first appeared on this podcast in Episode 83 where she shared the struggle she faced getting doctors to take her colorectal cancer symptoms seriously.

During our latest conversation she discussed why she made the decision to forego treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to seek treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City. We also discussed:

• How she got the courage to challenge the initial treatment recommendations made by her doctor and why it's important for everyone to advocate for their best care.
• The importance 0f seeking out opinions from the top rated cancer facilities in the U.S.
• How she eased herself back into working out in the gym and why working with a guided fitness instructor was important.
• Why exercise is vital to her well-being and how most cancer patients can find an exercise routine that works for them.

Learn More About Sasha's Story

https://coloncancercoalition.org/2018/11/26/faces-of-blue-update-sasha-denisova/

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Email Lee

Jessica is currently undergoing treatment for Stage IV colon cancer. Despite the fact that her symptoms were dismissed by doctors for years, she approaches life with positivity and gratitude. During our conversation we discussed how her cancer diagnosis has been the impetus behind her living a life less driven by fear and more focused on presence.

One of the guides that has helped Jessica navigate her disease is the book Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds by Kelly Turner, Ph.D.

Jason Greenspan joins Lee on this week’s episode of the WE Have Cancer podcast to talk about his personal story battling testicular cancer at a young age, and how he’s become an advocate. 

Jason shares how he first found a lump and received a testicular cancer diagnosis at the age of 18. From there, Jason’s story goes into how testicular cancer impacted and ultimately shaped the relationship he has with his mother, to a world record-setting event and his efforts to bring awareness of the disease to the world. This episode is all about breaking the stigma to help improve the testicular cancer survival rate through self-exams and open discussions without fear or embarrassment.

Guest biography:

Jason Greenspan is the founder of National Ball Check Day and a testicular cancer survivor. Diagnosed at 18 years old after he found a lump, Jason has been through testicular cancer treatment and come out on the other side. He’s now looking to make the conversation easier and help save lives as he brings awareness of testicular cancer to the masses.

Table of contents:

• Introduction of Jason Greenspan and the start of his story

Jason talks about what went through his mind when at 18 years old, he found a lump on his testicle and got a diagnosis of testicular cancer.

• The difficult conversation

In what’s already a difficult and perhaps embarrassing topic of conversation for a young man, Jason’s discovery was made even tougher on his mother due to his grandmother being rediagnosed with cancer of his own.

• How Jason’s mother coped and helped

Though certainly difficult for Jason himself, he shares what his mother did to help support him through his journey -- from staying strong to taking off work for three months to take him to chemo treatments. 

• How testicular cancer has changed their parent-son relationship

Through a shared journey has come more understanding. Jason discusses how the relationship with his mother has been positively impacted and how it’s stronger now because of what they went through together. 

• Going from fighter to advocate

Now cancer-free for nearly eight years, Jason has turned his story into one of advocacy and awareness. Jason now tries to educate others, especially young men, about the process of going to the doctors and what to look for themselves to help diagnose early. If caught early, the testicular cancer survival rate is high.

• Battling the perception

As a part of his advocacy, one of the biggest things Jason looks to do now is counter the notion testicular cancer is embarrassing or taboo to address. Jason talks about the reactions he personally faced from both students and faculty when trying to put together an event at his school to raise awareness of testicular cancer.

• National Ball Check Day

Jason helped found National Ball Check Day, which takes place on the second Tuesday of April. Designed to bring awareness to testicular cancer and show men how to self-administer a testicular cancer test, the goal is to open up the discussion.

• Bringing his activism elsewhere

Now out of school and with his own experiences at hand, Jason has transitioned into doing events for a non-profit organization.

• World record

Wanting to continue his legacy at school and beyond, Jason created an event that set the Guinness world record for most guys doing a testicular cancer test together. From organizing the event and keeping in contact with the former record holder to

Episode summary:

On this episode of the WE Have Cancer Podcast, John Falk joins Lee to discuss his journey with male breast cancer. John shares his experience from first being diagnosed through his journey to beat cancer twice. John is open and transparent about his experience as a way to educate, advocate, and change the perception of male breast cancer. Learn all about John’s incredible journey and how he's looking to improve male breast cancer awareness among the population.

Guest biography

John Falk was diagnosed with breast cancer not once, but twice. After finding a lump in his chest, he decided to get checked out. He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, and then again in 2016. He advocates and brings awareness to men with breast cancer.

Table of contents:

• Introduction

In 2013, John noticed that his left breast had swelled up. After going to his primary care doctor, he was sent to a surgeon who specializes in breast cancer. Getting more tests, like a mammogram and biopsy, the results came back negative. However, in 2014, they came back positive.

• Being a man with a female-dominated illness

John talks about his experience in getting tested and going through the medical processes of being diagnosed with breast cancer and how it’s heavily focused on women. However, he didn’t care and found that the doctors were very empathetic to his situation.

• A quick recovery

When John got the news that he had cancer, he wasn’t afraid. At the time, it was stage 0. Doctors were able to go in and remove it all. He never got any other treatment. After the surgery, he resumed working like normal.

• Being transparent about his illness

Being very transparent and open, John didn’t want people to worry about him. This allowed him to share his story openly and help get through his situation with humor and friends. At work, when he was back from his treatment, a lot of humor helped him stay positive in the workplace.

• Diagnosed with male breast cancer . . . Again

Two years later, in 2016, the lump came back in his breast. John noticed it right away, and they went back in to do surgery to remove it. However, this time around it was invasive. They caught it early enough that other parts of his body weren’t attacked, but he did end up getting 30 radiation treatments.

• State of John’s health today

Today, John continues to take Tamoxifen and monitor his health carefully. His medication causes him few side effects, but other than that he remains in good health. John knows that his battle with cancer wasn’t nearly as difficult or hard as others. It wasn’t until the second time around with his battle that he decided to take action.

• Male breast cancer awareness

John realized how lucky he was to not only face and beat breast cancer once but twice. He noticed that there wasn’t a lot of talk or attention towards the men that struggle with it. John wanted to tell others his story, share his experience, and educate the public. He wanted to be an agent of change. From there, he does interviews, goes on TV, and does other things to bring awareness towards breast cancer in men.

• Finding support

John found most of his support through his family and friends, but that wasn’t the only place. He discovered Facebook groups that shared experiences like his and the Male Breast Cancer Coalition. This inspired him to use his Facebook page to advocate his story, but also gain support through his second diagnosis.

• The change John wishes he saw

John wants to see more recognition towards men that have breast cancer. Although a...

Welcome to episode #188, the final episode of the WE Have Cancer podcast.

On this episode of WE Have Cancer, Healing Mindset Coach Jeanette Carbajal shares her tips for embracing a healing mindset on the journey to cancer recovery. Jeanette has worked with countless medical practitioners, oncologists, and cancer patients all over the U.S. She shares the importance of gratitude, boundaries, laughter, and joy; and that sometimes healing is simply a matter of forgiveness.

Guest Biography:

Jeanette Carbajal became a Healing Mindset Coach shortly after caring for three family members dealing with diagnoses and surgeries all at the same time. She learned she loved bringing laughter, joy, and gratitude into patients’ lives. She is a Certified Holistic Cancer Coach, Certified Health Coach, and Master Transformational Life Coach. This year, she was named 1 of 8 Women Shaking It Up In Health & Wellness by Yahoo Finance. Jeanette teaches her clients to manage their emotions, protect their energy, and foster a positive healing mindset.

Table of Contents:

• What's the Difference Between Healing and Recovery?

Jeanette believes healing is the process of coming home to yourself. The words “healing” and “recovery” are often interchanged, but they aren’t the same. Healing can happen in a moment; healing can happen when you forgive someone or come to terms with your past. 

• Bringing a Healing Mindset to Medical Professionals

While involved with a few different clinics, Jeanette was asked by medical staff to share her tips for burnout, boundaries, and mindset with team members. Gradually, word began to spread as her clients told other oncology professionals about the powerful mindset work she was leading.

• Eat, Hydrate, Sleep

Jeanette shares the three biggest check-ins to have with yourself to begin cultivating a healing mindset: Am I eating well? Am I drinking enough water? Am I sleeping well?

• Make Your Bedroom into a Healing Oasis

Wifi, blue light, "dirty" electricity, and surging signals are all micro irritants on a cellular level. Jeanette suggests using a Christmas tree timer to turn off your wifi before bed every night, and to remove everything out of your bedroom that does not "spark joy."

• Dealing with "Scanxiety" and Making Peace with Time Management

Jeanette helps her clients adopt a "360 approach to living." From teaching them tips to collapse time, to cleaning out their pantry, to singing "One Way or Another" during cancer scans, Jeanette believes that bringing more lightness and playfulness into a cancer patient's mindset will allow for more healing between doctor's visits.

• How to Find the Right Oncologist

"Date" your oncologist! And if you don't like them, or they don't listen to you, or you just get a gut feeling, divorce your oncologist. It's okay to want to seek out your perfect practitioner. There's nothing more sacred to a patient than the person trying to save their life; there should always be love involved. Getting emotional is a good thing.

• Three Loved Ones, Three Surgeries, Two Weeks

Jeanette shares her personal experience becoming a caretaker for her grandmother, mother, and father after each of them received different cancer diagnoses all at the same time. As a family, they went through three surgeries in the span of two weeks. It was then Jeanette learned how much she loved helping patients with their mindset and healing in their own...

On this episode of WE Have Cancer, author and cancer survivor Katie Russell Newland chats with Lee about baseball, family, cancer, and learning to live in the moment. Katie shares how baseball was a special bond between her and her mother growing up. Three years after her mom lost her own battle with Colon Cancer, Katie was diagnosed herself. Two years later, Katie decided to dust off their old dream of road tripping to every ballpark in the country. Her journey later inspired her memoir, A Season with Mom: Love, Loss, and the Ultimate Baseball Adventure.

Guest Biography:

Katie Russell Newland is a writer and sports enthusiast with a PhD in language and literacy from the University of Texas at Austin. A survivor of both Hodgkin’s lymphoma and melanoma, she is now in remission and lives with her family in Austin, Texas. When she’s not watching sports or her favorite teams play (Chicago Cubs, New Orleans Saints, and Texas Longhorns), she can be found at a music festival, hosting a board game night, or playing pickleball.

Table of Contents:

• Just Me, Mom, and Baseball

Katie shares that her favorite baseball memories with her mom are the quiet moments watching baseball together at home, "just letting baseball do the talking." At their first Cubs game together, her mom had the idea to go and see all 30 ballparks together, just the two of them.

• "My Mom's Strength Gave Me Strength"

When her mom passed away, Katie stepped away from baseball for a while because it hurt so much to have to experience the game without her. Then, when Katie was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and melanoma three years later, she reflected a lot about her mom’s strength and her own journey.

• Mom's Dream Came Alive Again

A year after her cancer treatment, Katie was diagnosed with a rare complication called Lhermitte's Sign, where radiation from her neck and chest crept in to her spinal cord, making it a challenge to take a single step. A year later, her mom's old idea came back: Katie wanted to see every ballpark, just like they'd planned.

• 108 Years of Patience

Watching the Cubs win the World Series in 2016 was magical, Katie says. Her mom wasn't around to see it, so Katie made sure to stay home alone, without distractions, to watch them win. She wanted it to be just her and her mom again, and she knows she felt her presence with her there.

• "I Wanted to Live in the Moment"

When Katie started her baseball journey she says she had no intention of writing a book; she started it as part of her own healing journey and a way to feel closer to her mom again. The book came a few years later.

• Living Her Dream, Twice

Then, Katie shares, reflecting back on her baseball journey to write the book was a whole separate journey in itself. She looked across thousands of photos from the trip, this time examining them from the perspective of a qualitative researcher. She was able to process the experience in a whole new way.

• Letting Go of Control

Katie says she learned a lot from cancer about letting go and learning to release the...

Tatiana Suarez started wrestling when she was three years' old. Right before she was to compete in the 2012 Olympics in London, she was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. During our conversation we discussed:

• Why she got into wrestling at such a young age.
• How she came to be diagnosed with thyroid cancer
• Her reaction to missing out on the London Olympics due to her thyroid cancer
• How she found faith just prior to her diagnosis
• Her discovery of holistic medicine at a young age
• How the removal of her thyroid has impacted her
• How cancer changed her life and brought her closer to her family
• Her love of competition

Follow Tatiana Suarez

Follow Tatiana Suarez on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tatianasuarezufc/

Follow Tatiana Suarez on Twitter - https://twitter.com/tatianaufc

Like Tatiana Suarez' Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/TatianaSuarezPadillaMMA/

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the WE Have Cancer Podcast - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

Dr. Garrett Pohlman is a board-certified Urologist still actively practicing in a Midwest Urology group. Every day he is helping men in diagnosing and managing their prostate issues – including but not limited to robotic prostatectomy for men with prostate cancer. He is also the founder and host of the newly launched Prostate Health Podcast. With the podcast – he is helping men and those who care for them better educate themselves regarding prostate health, the conditions that affect the prostate, and the latest technology in managing these conditions. On a weekly basis he is chatting with experts, innovators, and leaders in the field of Urology – sharing useful information with the general public to improve their lives and increase their overall health. 

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

The Prostate Health Podcast - https://www.prostatehealthpodcast.com/

Free guide: What to Expect From your Urologist appointment - https://www.prostatehealthacademy.com/opt-in

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the WE Have Cancer Podcast - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story? Email Lee - Lee@wehavecancershow.com 

By treating cancer by focusing on the body, mind and spirit, Dr. Rob Rutledge makes deep connections with his patients. During our conversation we discussed:

• The profound impact Dr. Bernie Siegel's book, Love, Medicine and Miracles had on him and how it helped him realize oncology was his calling.
• The roles mindfullness, meditation and spirituality play in his life.
• How he came to realize the importance of support groups.
• Why focusing on the body, mind and spirit is so important to healing.
• The three-day retreats that he and Dr. Timothy Walker facilitate.
• The meaning and importance of integrative medicine.

Links Mentioned In the We Have Cancer Podcast

Healing and Cancer - http://healingandcancer.org/

Love, Medicine and Miracles by Bernie Siegel, M.D. - Love, Medicine and Miracles

The Healing Circle - https://thehealingcircle.ca/

Dr. Timothy Walker - http://healingandcancer.org/book-an-event/dr-timothy-walker/

Follow Healing and Cancer on Twitter - https://twitter.com/HealingNCancer

Follow Healing and Cancer on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HealingandCancerFoundation/

Follow Dr. Rob Rutledge on Twitter - https://twitter.com/robrutledgemd

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

Follow us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

Follow us on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/wehavecancer

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

Lee sits down with Caroline Rose in this week’s episode of the WE Have Cancer podcast to discuss non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and how a rescue dog helped the healing process.

Through taking care of her dog Riley, Caroline was able to find hope, forgiveness, love, and so much more during her journey with stage-4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Caroline turned a letter to her dog into so much more and now uses her story with Riley to help others find hope during diagnosis and treatment, as well as guide her through the aftermath of remission.

Guest biography:

Caroline Rose had battled stage-4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 27 years old. Instead of letting fear grip hold of her life, Caroline turned to hope and a rescue dog named Riley. Helping rehabilitate Riley after neglect and abuse allowed Caroline to heal in her own way and it formed a bond and drive that has continued on. She’s since turned her story into a website, public speaking events, and soon, a book: Dear Riley Rose.

Table of contents:

• Introduction to Caroline Rose

Lee introduces Caroline, how he came to know her and what he found interesting with her personal story.

• Why has a dog played such an important role

With everything seemingly going against it, Caroline found her future dog Riley and some unconditional love.

• Turning that love into a story

With the pair intertwined, Caroline wrote a letter to Riley, forming the basis of her website and an upcoming book.

• Finding hope

At a time when things can seem hopeless, the right story can change everything. That’s what Caroline kept hearing from people at public speaking events so she made it a core part of her message.

• Caroline’s diagnosis

At 27 years old, Caroline was in the best shape of her life. She had run several marathons and was in training to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. But when she went to get vaccinated for the trip, routine blood work showed a problem.

• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma side effects

Caroline shares some of the side effects treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has had on her life.

• The aftermath of remission

Now in remission for 10 years, Caroline opens up about how treatment can feel like a finish line with little guidance in how to handle life afterward.

• Having cancer with children

Caroline also talks about how she’s managed her diagnosis and treatment all with her children. From using a child psychologist to creating a picture book of the experience to share with her daughter, Caroline opens up about what she told her children and how they went through it as a family.

• Finding joy and laughter

Caroline says she hopes her children would remember her laughter when they think about their combined journey. Whether it be the dogs, family, and friends, Caroline talks about where she’s found joy and laughter throughout it all.

• Forgiveness and love

Caroline discusses how she was hard on herself during diagnosis and treatment and how she was able to forgive herself and heal.

Links mentioned in the show:

Subscribe to the “WE Have Cancer” Podcast -

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media:

Like our Facebook page

Join our private Facebook...

Howard Brown was first diagnosed with cancer - Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma - at the age of 24. When he turned 50, a routine colonoscopy revealed stage 3 colon cancer.

During our conversation we discussed:

• The numerous treatments, including HIPEC, and clinical trials he's been through.
• His experience as an an attendee of the 2019 American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) conference.
• How his twin sister saved his life from stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
• The possible link between childhood and young adult cancers to adult cancers.
• His experience being treated with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)
• What his cancer experience has taught him about himself.
• How exercise has helped him physically and emotionally.
• His thoughts, and mine, on healthy eating.

Links Mentioned In the Show

Stacy Hurt - https://stacyhurt.net/

AACR - https://www.aacr.org/Pages/Home.aspx

Gentle Yoga With Jean DiCarlo Wagner - https://Wehavecancershow.com/019

Colontown - https://colontown.org/colontown-intake-form/

Belong.Life App - https://belong.life/

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Email Lee

Joana Breckner, an oral-cancer survivor and motivational speaker, joins Lee this week on the WE Have Cancer podcast. The pair talk about Joana’s battle with oral cancer and how the difficulties of her journey helped her discover her power.

After her dentist found some oral cancer symptoms during a routine checkup, Joana’s story truly began. Dealing with several major surgeries that included the loss of part of her tongue and some of her teeth, Joana had to learn how to eat and speak again. In the unlikeliness of scenarios, Joana found a love for motivational speaking and has since turned her story into a drive to help others find ways to better cope with the difficulties of their lives.

Guest biography:

Joana Breckner is an oral cancer survivor who has turned her journey of difficulties into one of uplifting others. After being diagnosed with oral cancer and having several major surgeries that impacted how she could eat and talk, Joana is now using her story and outlook to help others discover their power.

Table of contents:

• Introduction and shoutout to the Colon Cancer Coalition

Lee opens this week’s episode talking about the Colon Cancer Coalition’s events becoming virtual due to COVID-19.

• Introduction to Joana Breckner

Lee introduces Joana and talks a bit about her story as an oral cancer survivor.

• Becoming an “accidental” motivational speaker

With a speech impediment and a host of side effects from her battle with oral cancer, Joana is an unlikely motivational speaker. Yet, with resolve, that’s exactly what Joana is doing now.

• The very first time

Joana got her first speaking engagement at a charity event, being able to put a voice to her experience. With a rush of adrenaline and not a dry eye in the building, Joana began getting asked to talk at more and more events moving forward.

• Oral cancer symptoms and diagnosis

Joana talks about her oral cancer diagnosis. A routine checkup at the dentist found some benign white spots on her tongue that were the first oral cancer symptoms noticed. A few years later and she noticed something in her mouth which turned out to be a tumor.

• Another tumor and reconstructive surgery

Nearly all the way into remission, Joana’s cancer returned and was aggressive. Her doctor informed her that she needed to have a part of her tongue removed and major reconstructive surgery, including skin graphs.

• Another tumor and more surgery

A year after her first major surgery, Joana found a lump on the side of her neck. A biopsy later and Joana was back on the operating table to remove a tumor on her jugular vein.

• Finally in remission

After several surgeries and bouts with cancer, Joana is officially cancer-free for nearly seven years.

• Oral cancer treatment and speech therapy

After major reconstructive surgery on her mouth, Joana had to learn how to eat and talk again. She talks about her treatment, including going to a nutritionist and learning how to eat solids again. Joana also discusses her difficulties with speech, including needing to get a new phone number she could actually say.

• Discovering your power

Joana talks about what power means to her and some of the things she harnesses to help put her in the right mindset to keep moving forward.

• Finding motivation, inspiration, hope, and power

Joana found motivation to create her website and her idea of “discover your power” initially in a depressed woman in her support group. With...

After being diagnosed with breast cancer and having her son face a near-death bout with Diabetic Ketoacidosis, Michelle Moore-Fanger felt devastated, broken, and tired. But she used her hurdles as motivation to continue helping others through her charity and now a book.

Guest biography

Michelle Moore-Fanger is the author of “A Mother's Grace: Healing the World, One Woman at a Time” and the founder of the Mother’s Grace Foundation.

Table of contents:

• Introduction
• The impact of having a nurse for a mother

Michelle tells a story about how her mother, who had a congenital heart defect, continued to work as a nurse helping pediatric cardiac patients. Michelle’s experience having a nurse for a mother was a driving factor to writing the book.

• Memories

Michelle’s mother passed away when she was five years old, leaving her with very few memories. She recalls a few of the things she remembers for Lee.

• Having an impact

Growing up without a mother and going through cancer herself, Michelle has had the type of tough experiences that allow her to empathize with others better. She believes it’s that empathy that enables her to help others so well.

• Hurricane Katrina

One of Michelle’s first fundraisers was to support those impacted by Hurricane Katrina. She explains how she came to the idea and connected with a woman from the area to assist those in need.

• Breast cancer diagnosis

After helping so many, Michelle found herself in need of help and support after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

• Diabetic Ketoacidosis

With her own diagnosis, Michelle’s seven-year-old son was near death and had to be rushed to Phoenix Children’s Hospital with Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

• The premise of “A Mother’s Grace”

As Michelle explains, her own cancer diagnosis and her son’s medical issues were simply devastating to her emotional state. As she details, the constant flow of information and the worry that comes with it left her broken and tired.

• Creating the Mother’s Grace Foundation

Having gone through her own troubles, Michelle decided she should create a non-profit that can help other mothers take the time to be with their children

• Finding other women facing tragedy

Michelle says it’s divine the way she’s found other women going through a life tragedy. She shares a story about finding and helping a woman who eventually went on to create Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels and Comfycozy’s for Chemo.

• The future

Michelle thinks her foundation is doing all the right things and helping so many people but she wants to expand to help even more. She discusses how the foundation works currently and its current rate of pass-through.

• Funding and how you can help

Mother’s Grace currently gets a majority of its funding through private donors. Michelle attributes that to the word-of-mouth, social media, and magazine reach they’ve had. While they don’t currently have a grant writer, the foundation is starting to apply for grants.

Links mentioned in the show:

Michelle Moore - A Mother’s Grace Book

Mother’s Grace Foundation - Website

Mother’s Grace Foundation - Email

Subscribe to the “WE Have Cancer” Podcast -

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social...

Links Mentioned In The Show

Michael Holtz' website - http://www.michaelholtzonline.com/ Michael on Facebook - https://facebook.com/michaelandrewholtz/ Michael on Twitter - https://twitter.com/michaelholtz It's Not Harder Than Cancer - Available on Amazon  

Teri Griege

In 2009, shortly after completing her first Ironman Triathalon, Teri Griege was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. She was 48 years old.

During our conversation we discussed:

• How her diagnosis saved the lives of her two older sisters.
• Her setting a goal to complete a half Ironman one year after her diagnosis and how she trained for this during her cancer treatments.
• Completing six major marathons around the world.
• Her book, Powered by Hope and the non-profit she created by the same name.
• Her advocacy work with Pedal the Cause, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and Fight CRC.

Links Mentioned In The Show

Teri's website - http://terigriege.com/

Powered by Hope - https://www.poweredbyhope.org/

Pedal the Cause - https://www.pedalthecause.org/

Colorectal Cancer Alliance - https://www.ccalliance.org/

Fight CRC - https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/

Call On Congress - https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/events/save-the-date-call-on-congress-2019/

Colon Cancer Coalition - https://coloncancercoalition.org/

Teri's Story

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VFar8mSujU]

Connect With Teri

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teri.griege

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeriGriege https://twitter.com/PoweredByHope

Instagram: https://instagram.com/poweredbyhope

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show:

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The guests for this episode were Phoung Ly Gallagher, Executive Vice President, and Kristina Smith, Vice President of Communications for The Colon Club.  The Colon Club provides resources for those touched by colorectal cancer.

During our conversation we discussed:

• The story behind the beginning of The Colon Club
• The Colon Club's Four pillars: Colon Talk, The Kimberly Fund, the blog and the On The Rise magazine.
• Kristina's own experience as a recipient of The Kimberly Fund
• Phuong's connection to colorectal cancer
• The upcoming Colon Camp retreat and the life-changing experiences attendees can expect.

Apply to Attend the 2019 Colon Camp - Deadline is February 1, 2019!

To apply visit: https://wehavecancershow.com/colonclub

Links Mentioned In This Episode

Colon Club - http://colonclub.com

Colon Talk - http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewforum.php?f=1

The Kimberly Fund - https://colondar.wufoo.com/forms/r1lbim8y1rxx58x/

On The Rise Magazine - http://colonclub.com/on-the-rise/

Our First Interview With Kristina Smith - https://wehavecancershow.com/054

Our Interview With Diana Sloan - https://wehavecancershow.com/077

Our Interview With Riley Castro - https://wehavecancershow.com/061

Our Interview With Nikki Moore - https://wehavecancershow.com/090

The Five Star Retreat In Nunnelly, Tennessee - http://www.fivestarretreat.com

Connect With The Colon Club

On Instagram - https://instagram.com/colonclub

On Twitter - https://twitter.com/colonclub

On Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/colonclub/

Visit Their Website - http://colonclub.com

WE Have Cancer Links

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On this week’s episode of WE Have Cancer, Lee sits down with Jason Mendelsohn, a Stage-4 tonsil cancer survivor and HPV advocate. Jason shares his story about being diagnosed with HPV-related cancer and his journey to becoming a well-known advocate for the HPV vaccine and awareness of HPV in men. 

The pair talk about the stigma surrounding the disease and how Jason has coped in the aftermath. Jason also discusses his motivation for being such an advocate and what he’s looking to do next.

Guest biography:

Jason Mendelsohn was diagnosed with Stage 4 tonsil cancer at 44-years-old. Now recovered, he’s on a mission to bring awareness of HPV cancer, the HPV vaccine to the world while especially trying to break the stigma of HPV in men.

Table of contents:

• Introduction
• Superheroes

Those that are currently or have gone through cancer and treatment are often called heroes. With a brand revolving around Superman, Lee asks Jason what he thinks about the term hero.

• Discomfort in talking about HPV in men

With people often asking why he has no discomfort or embarrassment talking about HPV in men, Jason takes a minute to share some of the real numbers behind the disease.

• How do you get HPV?

HPV is most often contracted by sexual transmission. As Jason notes, most men won’t ever know they had it while some men end up getting cancer decades later from it.

• Jason’s HPV diagnosis

After finding a small lump on his neck, Jason went to the doctor thinking it was nothing serious. But a few days later, Jason was diagnosed with Stage 4 tonsil cancer.

• HPV awareness

Jason believes he’s had a small part in raising the general consciousness about the disease through sharing his story in interviews. He believes that he’s simply doing his part to help others that might not know about it and could be saved by the vaccine.

• Breaking the stigma

Cancer often comes with a stigma and a sense of embarrassment, especially something like HPV-related cancer due to the sexual aspect of the disease. Jason shares a story and talks about how his story helps people realize how common it is and that there’s nothing to be embarrassed by.

• Emotions after his HPV diagnosis

While he was already a fairly emotional person with a big heart, his journey has helped Jason appreciate the little things more. He also tells a story of recording messages for his children after being diagnosed and wanting to create more memories for them.

• Using music to cope

Jason and Lee talk about how music can be like meditation.

• What’s next?

Jason is already spending his time lobbying on Capitol Hill and putting his energy and resources into the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance. He’d also like to do a TED Talk to help eliminate the stigma surrounding HPV in men.

Links mentioned in the show:

Jason Mendelsohn (Superman HPV) - Website

Follow Jason on Instagram - https://instagram.com/supermanHPV

Follow Jason on Twitter - https://twitter.com/supermanHPV

Head and Neck Cancer Alliance - Website

Subscribe to the “WE Have Cancer” Podcast - 

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Dr. Dana Cardinas joins us on the WE Have Cancer podcast this week. She shares her personal experience with peripheral neuropathy and Stage 3c colon cancer, and how that’s given her a new mission in life.

Dana went from having a successful podiatry practice to being forced to retire due to neuropathy that eventually led to her colon cancer diagnosis. With her medical knowledge and personal experiences, Dana has turned to help others better manage their peripheral neuropathy with some not-so-well-known tips and treatment options.

Guest biography:

Dr. Dana Cardinas started her journey as a well-respected and successful podiatrist before being diagnosed with neuropathy, paraneoplastic syndrome, and stage-3c colon cancer. Now healthy, Dana is looking to bring her experience, both personally and as a doctor, to others dealing with peripheral neuropathy from cancer treatments. 

Table of contents:

• Passing of Sarah Debord

Lee shares about the passing of Sarah and talks about her importance to the show and himself.

• Introduction of Dr. Dana Cardinas

Lee introduces Dana and a bit about her story, including having Lynch Syndrome during her battle with Stage-3c colon cancer.

• Dana’s neuropathy diagnosis

Dana had gone from a thriving podiatry practice to being forced to retire after being diagnosed with Ulnar neuropathy.

• Cancer symptoms, tests, and colon cancer diagnosis

Dana recalls the first symptoms she noticed. From some simple bloating to pain, Dana brushed aside some early concerns before eventually being tested and diagnosed with colon cancer. 

• Post-surgery: FOLFOX and peripheral neuropathy

Following successful surgery, Dana and her oncologist talked about FOLFOX and it’s side effects, which include peripheral neuropathy. That led Dana down the path of another diagnosis, Paraneoplastic syndrome; which impacted her treatment.

• Paraneoplastic syndrome and its impact on treatment

With the diagnosis of paraneoplastic syndrome, Dana’s treatment options changed due to fears of how the FOLFOX was furthering her already-present peripheral neuropathy condition at a rapid rate.

• Dana’s current health status

Though Dana feels great now, she still has the lingering peripheral neuropathy side effect. She talks about managing and improving her peripheral neuropathy and how that’s turned into her new mission.

• The impact of it all and how spirituality gave her the energy to continue

Dana’s journey is one of extremes. She went from being a successful doctor to being retired, battling cancer, and dealing with peripheral neuropathy all at the same time. She talks about how her spirituality helped carry her through it all.

• Why podiatry?

Dana talks about why she went into podiatry as a profession.

• Helping others dealing with peripheral neuropathy

Dana shares some of the most recent ways doctors are learning to battle peripheral neuropathy from FOLFOX injections, including using ice and the cold to limit the side effects.

• Why does neuropathy happen from treatment?

Dana breaks down how FOLFOX and other drugs cause peripheral neuropathy in the body from a scientific standpoint. She also explains how neuropathy can feel worse at the end of treatment.

• Finding neuropathy relief through more traditional treatments

Those that are battling neuropathy have a few different tricks up their sleeves to help them feel better. Dana talks about a

Meg Hirshberg was first diagnosed with cancer - stage 3 breast cancer - in 2001. She had recurrences in 2008 and 2018.

During our conversation she shared how the book, Anticancer; A New Way of Life by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber inspired her to create the Anticancer Lifestyle Program and how the program can greatly benefit those affected by cancer.

Links Mentioned In the WE Have Cancer Podcast

The Anticancer Lifestyle program - https://anticancerlifestyle.org/

Anticancer; A New Way of Life by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber - https://www.amazon.com/Anticancer-New-Life-David-Servan-Schreiber/dp/0670021644

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the WE Have Cancer Podcast - https://pod.link/wehavecancer

Follow WE Have Cancer on Social Media

Like our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/wehavecancershow/

Join our private Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wehavecancershow/

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Follow us on Instagram - https://instagram.com/wehavecancerpod

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Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?

Nominate a guest to appear on the podcast - https://wehavecancershow.com/guest

Email Lee

Lee@wehavecancershow.com

On this episode of WE Have Cancer, motivational speaker and endurance athlete David Richman shares with Lee how cancer first touched his life through his late sister, June. To honor her legacy, David has completed countless races in search of connection, emotion, and perspective.

Guest Biography:

David Richman is an, author, entrepreneur, speaker, consultant and philanthropist. But before any of that, he was a brother to June. In 2007 June was battling her final stages of brain cancer, and David was ready to run beside her during Relay for Life. June passed away just days before the race, but David still went and ran. His experience at that race sparked a new passion in him for endurance sports for a cause. In the last decade, he has completed over 50 triathlons, over 50 runs longer than marathon length, and most recently, he biked 4,700 miles cycling across the country to interview participants for his new book exploring the emotional side of cancer, Cycle of Lives.

Table of Contents:

• David's Story Begins with June

David's sister June received news that she had serious brain cancer in her forties, and that it was most likely terminal. Her diagnosis changed everything. She was the impetus to David's project and nonprofit work, and remains his constant inspiration. 

• What Would June Think of David's Work?

June said the thing that sucked the most about her cancer was that she wouldn’t get to see her kids grow up. Through David's work, June is not forgotten, and her kids get to see her legacy continue to inspire connection. 

• 5000 Miles on a Bike, Searching for Answers

Inspired by June’s Relay for Life team in 2007 (called the June Buggies), David promised her he would run right alongside her. But June passed away just a few days before the race. Over time, David wanted to meet and interview all these people touched by cancer and bring them together. So he hopped on a bike and went city to city in a matter of six weeks.

• There's So Much Hope

Lee asks, was the biggest surprise while working on Cycle of Lives? David says he went into the project thinking it would be dark and heavy all the time, but he was surprised and inspired to find how hopeful and wise so many people were along the way.

• Seeking Connection Drives Everything

How did David learn to dig deep and lean into these meaningful (and often challenging) conversations? He says he loves “trying to figure the puzzle out” when interviewing people, and finds true joy in doing so.

• “I was always on the outside looking in.”

In his book Cycle of Lives, he talks a bit about how up until his thirties he felt like he was never the main character of his own story. He wanted to get out of the shadows and capture stories that would spread light, emotion, and inspiration, just like June.

• Why the Bike Ride, Instead of Picking Up the Phone?

Dave says, “I think we’re all connected by stories, and we’re connected by emotion.” To him it felt natural and obvious to jump on his bike and ride from city to city to string everything...

On this week's episode of the WE Have Cancer podcast, Lee talks with Eileen Powers, an artist, cancer patient, and creator of Can You Make Hair For Me.

While some view their cancer diagnosis as a battle or war as a way to cope, Eileen turned to art. With a loss of her hair and self-identity, Eileen noticed how uncomfortable her friends were with her journey and her cancer. So, she turned a negative into a positive by asking people to make hair-related art for her as a way of more comfortable and opening a dialogue about her diagnosis.

Guest biography:

Eileen Powers is an artist and creator of Can You Make Hair For Me. When she was diagnosed with lymphoma, she used her art background as a way to not only cope with having cancer and to forge a self-identity, but also to connect to those around her that she felt were uncomfortable.

Table of contents:

• Introduction

Lee introduced Eileen and her background as an artist

• Being blank

Much like a blank canvas, Eileen describes herself as being blank. She discusses how being blank and able to redefine herself is a positive.

• Flipping the narrative

Lee and Eileen share their thoughts on the terms most often used to describe dealing with cancer, including words like "battle" and "fight." They talk about their personal dislike of viewing cancer as a competition or war and give their outlook.

• Dealing with death

Continuing on the previous topic, Lee and Eileen talk about how the fear of death shapes how we talk about cancer and to the patients dealing with it.

• Eileen's follicular lymphoma diagnosis

Eileen shares her cancer story. From a routine colonoscopy, her doctors diagnosed her with follicular lymphoma. Eileen talks about her reaction and that feeling of becoming a different person upon her diagnosis.

• Getting a 2nd opinion

With scheduling difficulties, frequent trips to the emergency room in excruciating pain, and the feeling no one was listening, Eileen got a second opinion from a different hospital. This oncologist didn't agree with the initial diagnosis and got her started on treatment right away.

• Extensive treatment

With a second opinion, Eileen started chemotherapy which worked so well to reduce the size of her tumors that her intestines began getting tangled up. She needed emergency surgery to remove several feet of her small intestine.

• Recurrence and stem cell treatment

A few months after several rounds of chemotherapy and surgery, Eileen's cancer was back. This time, she entered a research study that included stem cell transplant and immunotherapy.

• Eileen's big project

After losing her hair and her self identity to cancer treatment, Eileen began to feel isolated as friends would drop food off but not stick around. It was there Eileen realized she needed to redirect people's energy in a way that was more helpful and turn a negative into a positive. So, she asked people to make hair for her -- whatever that meant to them -- as a way to bridge the gap and get people talking.

• Can you make hair for me

With the idea figured out, Eileen has taken it to new heights. She talks about some of the more interesting pieces she's received, including an art exhibition started at Lesley University with their expressive therapy grad students. Eileen also talks about what the project has done for her and those around her.

Links mentioned in the show:

Subscribe to the “WE Have Cancer”...

[caption id="attachment_1609" align="alignleft" width="300"] Interview With 5-yr. Breast Cancer Survivor and Cancer Scientist Noel Peters[/caption]

I had the pleasure of meeting Noel Peters in July of 2018 when I was invited to speak at the company where she works, Foundation Medicine. We quickly bonded after learning we were both Stage IV cancer patients.

During our conversation we discussed:

• What it's like living with cancer
• Her experience of learning about her diagnosis and how she shared her cancer diagnosis with her children
• The uncertainty around her being staged with Advanced Breast Cancer
• What it's like being a cancer scientist and a cancer patient at the same time and how this experience has impacted her approach to her job
• The definition and importance of palliative care and how it shouldn't in any way be confused with hospice care
• The impact her diagnosis had on her marriage and her family
• Her thoughts on the annual "pink-washing" of America every October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

To learn more about Foundation Medicine and the work they do listen to my interview with interview with Dr. Prasanth Reddy, Vice President of Medical Affairs: https://wehavecancershow.com/095

WE Have Cancer Links

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A Car Accident Saved My Life; An Interview With Lung Cancer Survivor Yovana Portillo[/caption]

Yovana Maria Portillo is a young lung cancer survivor who was diagnosed with stage 1b lung cancer purely by accident.

During our conversation we discussed:

• The story behind the accident that saved her life.
• The details of her surgery and subsequent follow-ups.
• The impact her disease had on her life.
• The stigma associated with lung cancer and the burden of blame that many lung cancer patients and survivors face.
• Where Yovana turned to when she needed support.
• How she dealt with friends and family who were afraid to utter the word "cancer" in her presence.
• The important roles exercise and spirituality play in her life

Connect with Yovana

Read her story here: https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/blog/2018/10/advocate-spotlight-yovana-portillo-phoenix-arizona

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azhikeryogirunner/

Connect with her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yovanamariaportillo

Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/asuxfin

WE Have Cancer Links

Subscribe to the show:

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Know someone touched by cancer who has an inspiring story?