It Happened To Me: A Rare Disease and Medical Challenges Podcast

What happens when you know something is wrong with your body, but the medical system can't explain why? After a successful 25-year career that took her from bank teller to leadership roles at JPMorgan Chase and IBM, entrepreneur and author Monica DuBeau faced an entirely different challenge: solving the mystery of her own declining health. In this episode Monica discusses her long and often frustrating diagnostic journey, which ultimately led to diagnoses of hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and craniocervical instability (CCI). Monica shares how she navigated medical dismissal, used her analytical background to connect the dots, and made the difficult decision to undergo complex neurosurgery. Now recovering from surgery, Monica is turning her experience into advocacy. Through her memoir, You Might Be a Zebra, and a patient resource guide, she hopes to help others navigating rare, misunderstood, and often invisible conditions feel less alone. Her story highlights the importance of self-advocacy, perseverance, and being heard when the answers are far from straightforward. Episode Discussion Topics Monica's journey from bank teller to corporate leadership and co-founding an AI compliance company. The first signs of her mysterious illness and how her symptoms disrupted her career and everyday life. The emotional toll of medical dismissal and searching for answers without a clear diagnosis. How Monica applied her professional problem-solving skills to investigate her own health. Understanding craniocervical instability (CCI), its symptoms, and its potential impact on the nervous system. The connection between hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), connective tissue abnormalities, and CCI. The difficult decision to pursue specialized neurosurgery and how Monica evaluated the risks and potential benefits. The realities of recovery following major surgery and living with an often invisible condition. Why Monica wrote her memoir and created resources for patients navigating complex diagnoses. Advice for patients advocating for themselves and ways caregivers, loved ones, and healthcare professionals can offer meaningful support. Monica's story is a reminder that patients deserve to be heard, even when their symptoms don't fit neatly into a diagnosis. By sharing her experience, she hopes to empower others to keep asking questions, seek appropriate care, and remember they are not alone in their search for answers.   Resources  Monica's Website Monica on LinkedIn    Connect With It Happened To Me Podcast   Stay tuned for the next episode of It Happened To Me. In the meantime, explore our previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, ItHappenedToMe.com, or your favorite podcast platform by searching for It Happened To Me. It Happened To Me is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. Kira Dineen of Gene Pool Media serves as Executive Producer. For questions, guest suggestions, or other inquiries, contact us at [email protected].

We are heartbroken to share that our former guest and ALS advocate Brooke Eby passed away on October 1, 2026, at just 37 years old. Brooke joined us on It Happened To Me in 2023 to share her experience of being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at 33, after first developing symptoms in her late 20s and spending four years searching for answers. From the beginning, Brooke approached an unimaginably difficult diagnosis with a combination that was uniquely hers: honesty, vulnerability, and an incredible sense of humor. Under the name @LimpBroozkit, she brought hundreds of thousands of people into her life with ALS, using social media to educate, advocate, make people laugh, and show the world that ALS can affect young people too. Her impact grew far beyond social media. Brooke raised more than $1 million for ALS research, helped build ALStogether to connect people living with ALS, and became one of the most recognizable voices in ALS advocacy. Our conversation with Brooke became the most-listened-to episode of It Happened To Me among the nearly 100 episodes we have released. Her story clearly touched our listeners in the same way she touched so many people around the world. In Brooke’s memory, we are honored to share that conversation again. Episode Discussion Topics The first symptoms Brooke noticed in her late 20s Her four-year journey from unexplained symptoms to an ALS diagnosis at age 33 What it was like receiving an ALS diagnosis as a young adult Understanding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and how the disease progresses Processing the emotional impact of a life-changing diagnosis The importance of family, friends, and community while navigating ALS Why Brooke turned to humor as a way of coping with and talking about her diagnosis Creating @LimpBroozkit and sharing her experience publicly Using social media to educate people who may know very little about ALS Challenging assumptions about who can be affected by ALS Finding moments of laughter and joy while living with a serious progressive disease Brooke’s hope that sharing her story could increase awareness and ultimately help move ALS research forward Remembering Brooke Brooke had an extraordinary ability to make people laugh while also making them listen. She did not minimize the devastating realities of ALS. Instead, she invited people into them, often with humor, and in doing so made ALS more visible to an enormous audience. By the end of her life, Brooke had built a social media community of more than 700,000 people. She raised more than $1 million for ALS research and helped create ALStogether, a community designed to connect people living with ALS with one another. We are incredibly grateful that Brooke trusted us with her story in 2023. We hope revisiting this conversation gives longtime listeners an opportunity to remember her and introduces new listeners to the warmth, wit, and light that made Brooke unforgettable. Thank you, Brooke. Resources Follow and revisit Brooke’s advocacy and videos: @LimpBroozkit ALStogether: A community created to help people living with ALS connect with others who understand the experience The ALS Association: Education, advocacy, research, and support for people affected by ALS Brooke’s 2023 appearance on the Today Show with Savannah Guthrie Tributes The New York Times Savannah Guthrie Pays Tribute to Today Guest and Influencer Brooke Eby Who Died at 37 from ALS via People.com NPR Vogue Rolling Stone E! News USA Today ALS Network ALS Association Connect With It Happened To Me Podcast   Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”.    “It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.   See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to [email protected].   

What happens when an oncologist suddenly finds himself on the other side of cancer care, not as a physician, but as a husband and caregiver? In this episode of It Happened To Me, hosts Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman welcome Liza Marshall, a retired attorney and breast cancer advocate, and her husband, Dr. John Marshall, a renowned oncologist and director of the Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers at Georgetown University. In 2006, at age 43, Liza was diagnosed with high-risk triple-negative breast cancer. Her diagnosis turned their busy family life upside down and placed John in an unfamiliar position: supporting his wife through treatment at the very cancer center where he practiced medicine. Drawing from their award-winning memoir, Off Our Chests, Liza and John share their experiences navigating a cancer diagnosis, difficult treatment decisions, chemotherapy, mastectomies, and the emotional challenges of balancing their roles as patient, physician, husband, and wife. Liza reflects on maintaining a sense of normalcy while raising two children, coping with hair loss, and making medical decisions about her own body. John shares how becoming a caregiver transformed his approach to oncology, deepened his understanding of the emotional burdens families face, and ultimately contributed to his own experience with professional burnout. The couple also discusses the importance of clinical trials, patient autonomy, cancer advocacy, and the unexpected challenges of writing their memoir together. Their conversation offers a deeply personal perspective on the complexities of cancer care and reminds us that behind every diagnosis are patients, caregivers, families, and relationships forever changed by the experience. Episode Discussion Topics An unexpected diagnosis: How Liza's breast swelling, rather than a typical lump, led to her triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis at age 43. When the oncologist becomes the caregiver: John's transition from treating patients to supporting his wife through treatment at his own cancer center. The challenges of navigating cancer care: The advantages and emotional complexities of receiving treatment where John worked, including privacy, appointment coordination, and access to care. Finding normalcy during treatment: How Liza continued raising her children, preparing meals, and participating in community activities throughout chemotherapy. Hair loss and body image: Liza's experiences with chemotherapy-related hair loss, wearing a wig, and adjusting to the physical changes caused by cancer treatment. Making difficult surgical decisions: Why Liza chose a second, preventive mastectomy and how she and John approached the emotional and physical implications of that decision. Patient autonomy and shared decision-making: How John supported Liza's treatment decisions while respecting her independence and helping her understand complex medical information. The often-overlooked role of caregivers: How their experiences changed John's approach to communicating with patients, spouses, and family members. Writing Off Our Chests: How writing their memoir during a sabbatical brought unspoken emotions to the surface and helped the couple process their experiences. Clinical trials and treatment choices: Why Liza withdrew from a clinical trial to pursue a platinum-based chemotherapy and what patients should understand when considering research participation. The emotional relationships between doctors and patients: John's perspective on receiving gifts from grateful patients, attending funerals, and coping with the loss of people in his care. The importance of cancer advocacy: How Liza's diagnosis reshaped John's appreciation for breast cancer advocacy and reinforced his commitment to research funding. Caregiver burnout and emotional recovery: How the experience affected John's medical practice and why taking time away became an important part of his own healing. About Our Guests Liza Marshall is a retired attorney, breast cancer survivor, and patient advocate. Diagnosed with high-risk triple-negative breast cancer in 2006, she underwent extensive treatment while raising two children and remaining active in her community. Her experience inspired her advocacy work and her commitment to helping others navigate the challenges of cancer care. Dr. John Marshall is an oncologist and director of the Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers at Georgetown University. His experience supporting Liza through breast cancer transformed his understanding of the patient and caregiver experience and reinforced the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care. Together, Liza and John authored the award-winning memoir Off Our Chests, sharing their perspectives on cancer, marriage, medicine, and the emotional realities of navigating a life-changing diagnosis. Connect With It Happened To Me Podcast Stay tuned for the next episode of It Happened To Me. In the meantime, explore our previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, ItHappenedToMe.com, or your favorite podcast platform by searching for It Happened To Me. It Happened To Me is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. Kira Dineen of Gene Pool Media serves as Executive Producer. For questions, guest suggestions, or other inquiries, contact us at [email protected].

What happens when life as a young mother is suddenly interrupted by a cancer diagnosis most people associate with older adults? In this episode of It Happened To Me, Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman are joined by Corinne Torney, a mother of two, elementary school teacher, cancer advocate, and multiple myeloma survivor. Corinne was diagnosed at just 34 years old with an aggressive form of multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer that changed nearly every part of her life. Her diagnosis came with a serious prognosis and treatment that required her to receive care away from home, separating her from her young daughters during an already overwhelming time. Now in remission, Corinne shares what it was like to navigate cancer as a young parent, how she stayed connected to her family during treatment, and how survivorship has changed her relationship with uncertainty. She also reflects on why she chose to share her story publicly and how advocacy has become an important part of her life. Corinne is an ambassador for Bristol Myers Squibb’s Survivorship Today initiative, where she helps raise awareness and support others navigating life during and after cancer. Episode Discussion Topics What Corinne’s life looked like before her multiple myeloma diagnosis The symptoms and warning signs that led to answers Being diagnosed with a cancer at the age of 34 years old What her medical team told her about the aggressiveness of her disease and prognosis Processing a serious cancer diagnosis while raising young children Why treatment required Corinne to receive care away from home The emotional toll of being separated from her daughters during treatment Talking to children about cancer in an age-appropriate way How Corinne and her family stayed connected while she was away The guilt, pressure, and purpose that can come with parenting through cancer How motherhood influenced Corinne’s experience during treatment What remission felt like after such an intense period of uncertainty The emotional complexity of survivorship and the possibility of recurrence Why Corinne began sharing her cancer story publicly What she wants people to understand about multiple myeloma in younger patients Her work as a Bristol Myers Squibb Survivorship Today ambassador The message she hopes newly diagnosed patients take from her experience Connect With It Happened To Me Podcast   Stay tuned for the next episode of It Happened To Me. In the meantime, explore our previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, ItHappenedToMe.com, or your favorite podcast platform by searching for It Happened To Me. It Happened To Me is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. Kira Dineen of Gene Pool Media serves as Executive Producer. For questions, guest suggestions, or other inquiries, contact us at [email protected].

At 47 years old, Jack Clifford was hospitalized with severe coronary artery disease and told that he needed emergency triple bypass surgery. As he reviewed the consent forms and confronted the possibility of not waking up from the procedure, memories of his mother’s difficult experience following bypass surgery weighed heavily on him. Facing intense pressure to act quickly, Jack made the unexpected decision to leave the hospital against medical advice and investigate whether another option existed. In this episode of It Happened To Me, Jack joins hosts Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman to share how he discovered enhanced external counterpulsation, commonly known as EECP. He describes the extraordinary lengths he went to access the therapy, what treatment was like, and how the experience changed his understanding of circulation, informed consent, and patient autonomy. Jack also reflects on why patients may not hear about every potential treatment option, what he learned while researching the healthcare system, and how his personal journey eventually became a book and a mission to help others become more informed and empowered participants in their medical care. In This Episode, We Discuss The moment Jack was told he needed emergency triple bypass surgery How his mother’s experience after bypass influenced his decision What it was like to leave the hospital against medical advice How Jack discovered EECP What EECP treatment was like for him physically and emotionally The sacrifices he made to access treatment When he began noticing changes in his symptoms and quality of life The importance of asking questions before making major medical decisions What patients should understand about informed consent Why some therapies remain unfamiliar or underused Jack’s belief that circulation can be supported and trained How he turned his experience into a patient-advocacy mission What he hopes other people facing serious diagnoses take away from his story Resources EECP Locator — Search for EECP treatment providers and learn more about the therapy. Why Your Heart Is Not a Pump — Ben Greenfield Life — A conversation exploring alternative perspectives on the heart, circulation, and cardiovascular function. Medical Disclaimer This episode shares one person’s experience and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice or recommend that anyone delay, decline, or discontinue cardiac care. Treatment decisions, including decisions involving surgery or EECP, should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals who understand your individual medical history and circumstances. If you are experiencing symptoms of a possible heart attack or another medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical care immediately. Connect With It Happened To Me Podcast Stay tuned for the next episode of It Happened To Me. In the meantime, explore our previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, ItHappenedToMe.com, or your favorite podcast platform by searching for It Happened To Me. It Happened To Me is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. Kira Dineen of Gene Pool Media serves as Executive Producer. For questions, guest suggestions, or other inquiries, contact us at [email protected].