Tim Sohn, a CML cancer survivor, hosts and produces the weekly live-stream show, “Showing Up: Perspectives on Cancer”. Tim and his survivor guests prove how valuable the shared experience can be. Jill and Tim discuss the challenges of engaging in life with an “invisible illness”.Today, Tim joins the podcast and shows us his gift of making us feel like we are talking at his kitchen table.He got real with us and sharing how the survivors he welcomes to his show impact his life and pe...
A clinical oncology pharmacist has your back! They can help ensure you understand your treatment and how to manage its side effects.They are experts in how your treatment interacts with other medications and supplements you take.In this episode of Everything Cancer, we dive into the pivotal role of a clinical oncology pharmacist with our guest, Mark Wagner. Through Mark's insights, we gain a sense of the people-oriented nature of the Clinical Oncology Pharmacist role. Key Takeaways:...
Heather worked relentlessly to improve accessibility to and coverage of Lymphedema Treatment vastly!In this compelling episode of Everything Cancer, we sit down with Heather Ferguson, founder and executive director of the Lymphedema Advocacy Group, recently known as Lymphedema Treatment Act.org. Find out how Heather’s 13-year odyssey at the level of national legislature enabled her to change the name of her organization from “Treatment Act” to “Advocacy Group”! Heather shares her inspiri...
Episode Description:In the second part of our interview with Dr. Alique Topalian, PhD in Health Promotion Education, we continue to explore her remarkable journey as both a pediatric and young adult cancer survivor. Dr. Topalian delves deeper into her advocacy work, fighting for legislative changes to support all cancer survivors. Dr. Topalian is a relentless advocate, from working to have insurance coverage for biomarker testing to pushing for transparency in copay assistance programs. ...
Episode Description:In this first part of our interview with Dr. Alique Topalian, we explore her incredible journey as both a pediatric and young adult cancer survivor. Dr. Topalian shares her experiences with self-advocacy, the challenges of finding a bone marrow match, and her involvement in bio-marker insurance coverage legislation. She discusses her shift from psychiatry to Health Promotion Education in oncology. Tune in for an inspiring and informative conversation.Key Topics:-...
Today, Jill is joined by Doreen Bridgman and Marilyn Abrahamson, the brilliant and compassionate minds behind Brain Thrive—Brain Health Coaching. These experienced speech-language pathologists dive into the realities of "Chemo Brain," a common yet often misunderstood side effect of chemotherapy. If you find mind fatigue, fogginess, and forgetfulness frustrating and disruptive of life, you're not alone. Join us as Doreen and Marilyn share their expert strategies to help cancer survivors n...
Ford Fischer, also known as the Grammar Slammer, joins us to discuss his transformative journey as a cancer survivor. Marking five years since his diagnosis and three years of remission, Ford offers a fresh perspective on life, maturity, and the importance of asking questions, community, and practicing diligent self-care during and after treatment. In this candid discussion, Ford shares his journey through Hodgkin lymphoma, highlighting the challenges and personal growth he encountered from d...
Join us on this episode, where Dr. Rachel McCall, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and pelvic floor physical therapist, discusses how this specialized therapy can alleviate conditions that greatly affect quality of life. Rachael discusses tackling vaginal stenosis, erectile dysfunction, chronic pelvic pain, and both bowel and urinary incontinence, leading to improved quality of life, well-being, intimacy, and self-image.Rachael introduces pelvic floor muscle function, detailing how the...
Jill covers the critical role of sleep in the healing and restoration of mind and body on the cancer journey.What you'll learn:Discover how sleep aids in combating fatigue, alleviating stress and reducing chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment.Jill shares practical tips to improve your sleep quality including establishing A consistent bedtime routine and creating a comfortable safe sleeping environment.Jill briefly shares some of her personal bedtime habits as concrete examples and how the...
Mike Herman did not just beat the longevity odds against cancer through clinical trials and self-advocacy—he's now on a mission to empower others to do the same.Mike shares his story: from his and his spouse’s unwillingness to accept what they were sure was an inaccurate diagnosis to fierce self-advocacy leading to the accurate but incurable cancer diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma. True grit helped him surpass an initial life expectancy of four years with his blood cancer, along with searching f...
Feeling like you're alone is an awful feeling. Jill shares useful ideas on how asking for and accepting help can be so much easier. Your Crew' represents the group of people able to offer support. By matching the talents of individual crew members with specific tasks, everyone benefits. Your crew members feel fulfilled using their skills effectively, and you experience relief by having burdens eased.One of the biggest hurdles in a cancer journey can be the reluctance to ask for or ...
"I got my life back."Sit back and be inspired by breast cancer survivors who are destined for adventure. Join Breast Cancer Survivor Sara Hill, Breast Surgeon Dr. Kelly McClean, outdoor enthusiast and founder of Move Beyond Surviving, and Tom Tressler, Executive Director, as they share the transformative experiences of breast cancer survivors who embark on adventures with the not-for-profit outdoor experience organization, Move Beyond Surviving. Move Beyond Survival offers accessible day and ...
SummaryUnderstanding what is important to you in the short term and long term is crucial for effective self-advocacy during the cancer journey. Priorities change as life circumstances change; free yourself to adjust your priorities. Writing down your priorities and goals can help you have more effective discussions with your healthcare providers, family members, your crew.Journal and discuss what is keeping you from doing what is important to you. Keywordscancer journey, self-a...
Former ICU nurse, certified trauma-informed wellness coach, current RN, and AYA cancer survivor Stephanie (Stef) Gayhart shares her story of diagnosis of Head and Neck Cancer, recovery from major surgery, and survivorship. Stef is candid about how much harder her recovery from surgery and cancer journey are than she thought they would be. Steph cultivates a positive attitude while acknowledging the reality of the situation, “Life is tragically beautiful.” She emphasizes...
Empower yourself with a strong pillar of self-advocacy on the cancer journey – through simple tracking…There are a lot of moving pieces in the cancer journey. Do yourself a favor and take stress off of your shoulders by jotting down things that impact your journey.Use your phone, a notebook, a binder, or Cancer Journey Guide and Journals: Empowerment in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Beyond – on Amazon, any medium to keep track of:Questions for your doctor and their answersSymptoms -anything that ...
"Having cancer is like being thrown out of a plane into Russia and not speaking Russian." Jen Helm, a cancer survivor, was diagnosed with breast cancer at 36. Her kids at the time were 5, 3, and 15 months old. Can you imagine what was going through her head?Her plastic surgeon coined her as "high maintenance" for asking hundreds of questions. After treatment, they say "see you in 3 months." That feels like an eternity. Jen felt lost, alone, overwhelmed, and living in fear. She mad...
An Interview with Michelle Kirschner, CRNP: Survivorship and Supportive Care LeaderIn this episode, Michelle and Jill discuss:How the Cancer Survivor Provider Network (CSPN) came to beThe need to serve survivors wellThe resources, learning opportunities, and networking provided by CSPNWhat is the National Coalition of Cancer SurvivorshipSurvivorship starts the day of diagnosisSurvivorship often includes the grief of giving up the vision of what your life wasThe acute and extended phases of su...
Salma Harfouche, A colorful and intrepid heart cancer survivor, is a branding expert (as in marketing, not cows), and cow lover (as in friends and hamburgers) also loves puns as much as you do. "If they dig you, they're totally open to having that conversation, and they're probably gonna appreciate it, honestly." Can you relate?Join Everything Cancer to be part of the conversation with Salma (Sal) Harfouche. Sal dishes on:The frustration with knowing something was wrong and not being dia...
Abby, a medical physicist with a degree in nuclear engineering, decided to skip the nuclear submarine and join the fight against cancer with her medical physics graduate degree. She explains her behind-the-scenes role in radiation oncology and explains how radiation therapy works. The episode delves into the detailed treatment planning process (that's why it takes so long!), including the use of CT scans, the collaboration between radiation oncologists, dosimetrists, and physicists...
This podcast highlights a woman’s experience in losing her ability to engage in traditional sex after radiation treatment for her cancer. She did something about it to help prevent other survivors from having the same devasting experience. Our guest, Erin is the Executive Director of "After Cancer: Solutions for Sexual Health", which currently concentrates on provider education for sexual health and intimacy for those affected by cancer and their intimate partners. Erin and Jill d...