Patient from Hell

Tim McDonald was sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner in 2020 when the pain started. A few days later, a doctor handed him a single sheet of paper and said three words nobody wants to hear: "You have cancer." Stage 4 colorectal cancer. Liver covered in tumors. A second oncologist told him he had three years to live and she'd focus on "quality of life." His response? "T...

When Marybeth Gilliam was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, she did what her years as a healthcare researcher had trained her to do: she went looking for the evidence. What she found was a gap between a growing body of peer-reviewed research pointing to strategies that can improve outcomes, and the fact that most of it never reached patients because it hadn't yet become standard of care...

Welcome to the Patient from Hell podcast! Live from ASCO 2026, we explore breakthroughs in clinical oncology, cancer research, AI healthcare tools, and targeted therapy for advanced cancer. Samira Daswani, Founder and CEO of Manta Cares and host of The Patient From Hell, sits down with Dr. Doug Blayney, Chief Medical Officer of Manta Cares and former ASCO President, for a candid debrief in between...

What happens when a medical doctor trained in oncology becomes the cancer patient and then transforms into a primary caregiver for his own father? In this moving continuation of our conversation with clinician, survivor, and care partner Dr. Achim, we dive into the profound emotional architecture of navigating a cancer diagnosis. Dr. Achim opens up about the vast difference between his first exper...

"I knew the diagnosis, the prognosis, and the five-year survival rates. And for the first time, knowing more didn't help, it made it worse." In this powerful episode of The Patient From Hell , host Samira sits down with Dr. Achim Zinggrebe , a German physician and pharmaceutical oncology expert who found himself on the other side of the stethoscope. After years of treating cancer and...

Why are you still so tired? If you’ve finished treatment but your energy hasn't returned, you aren't alone. In this episode, host Samira sits down with Naturopathic Doctor and author Dr. Jessa Landmann to dive deep into the world of Integrative Oncology. We move past the "war" metaphors to discuss a concept Dr. Landmann calls "Respecting Cancer." We explore why cancer-related fatigue is fundamenta...

For more patient resources and advocacy, visit Manta Cares at mantacares.com . In this episode, we hear a compelling story of a patient's journey through a severe cough and the subsequent rib pain. She discusses undergoing standard cancer treatment and participating in clinical trials, highlighting the direct impact of medical research on her health. Her current regimen includes a targeted pil...

"Don't rush the process." In this episode, we sit down with Kim Burket, Executive Director of Goodness Village, to discuss a side of the cancer journey that often goes overlooked: the need for a true home. Goodness Village provides affordable housing in Little Rock, Arkansas, for patients and families traveling for life-saving medical treatment. Kim shares her 20 years of hospitality...

Rich — a leukemia survivor, nurse practitioner, and longtime oncology clinician — to talk about what it’s really like to survive cancer, rebuild your life after treatment, and live with long-term side effects. Rich was diagnosed with leukemia at age 28, underwent an allogeneic stem cell transplant at Dana-Farber / Brigham and Women’s, and is now a 29-year survivor. His experience as both a patient...

Is Artificial Intelligence actually helping cancer patients, or is it just noise? In this episode of The Patient From Hell, Samira sits down with Dr. Shadi Nabhan to separate the Hype from the Reality in 2026. We discuss the massive evolution in oncology—from the "library days" of 1995 to the AI-driven diagnostics of today. Dr. Shadi shares his "Airport Analogy" for navigating...

Cancer survivorship isn’t about “going back to normal.” It’s about rebuilding—on purpose. In this episode of Patient From Hell, host Samira Daswani sits down with Harriet Cabelly, LCSW, a grief therapist and cancer thriver, for a grounded, surprisingly funny, deeply useful conversation on what happens during treatment and in the long tail of survivorship—including fear of recurrence (“scanxiety”),...

Exercise isn’t just “nice to have” during cancer, it can function like treatment for the side effects: fatigue, muscle loss (sarcopenia), joint pain, neuropathy, weakness, and even lymphedema risk reduction. In this episode of Patient from Hell, host + cancer survivor Samira Daswani sits down with Sami (exercise + cancer specialist focused on implementation) to break down what the research is fina...

Up to 90% of breast cancer survivors experience sexual health changes, yet almost no one is talking about it. Today on Patient From Hell, host Samira Daswani sits down with Dr. Laila Agrawal, a leading clinician in oncology sexual health, to break the silence around libido loss, vaginal dryness, pain, body-image shifts, dating after cancer, orgasm changes, pelvic floor dysfunction, and how treatme...

We're joined by women’s health advocate and author Leslie Ferris Yerger, founder & CEO of My Density Matters. Diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer just two months after a “clear” mammogram and ultrasound, Leslie uncovers how dense breast tissue can hide cancer, why current screening standards fail many women, and what you can do to protect yourself. Leslie’s mission: make sure her story d...

Dr. Liz O’Riordan — a former breast surgeon turned patient, author and speaker — about what really happens behind the scenes of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. We unpack the full spectrum: from surgery to recurrence, from myths to survival, and the long-term “new” life that follows. Dr O’Riordan brings the rare perspective of having been the doctor and the patient. If you or someone you know is...

Janice Cowden, retired nurse and patient advocate, shares her remarkable triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) story. Five years following successful treatment for stage one breast cancer in 2011, Janice was diagnosed with a stage 4 metastatic TNBC recurrence. As of today she has 8 years of no evidence of disease (NED) under her belt. She shares how she stumbled upon the cancer community that inspi...

Author and motivational speaker Susan Svoboda shares her raw, scientific, and deeply personal journey through breast-cancer diagnosis and recovery. Discover what she learned about modern cancer science, the hidden truths about lymph-node surgery, and why self-advocacy might be the most powerful form of medicine. 00:00 — Why she told no one about her breast cancer 01:30 — The story behind “I Hate t...

In this episode of The Patient From Hell, host Samira engages with Charlotte Bayala, a caregiver who shares her journey through the challenges of supporting a loved one with cancer. The conversation explores the emotional and practical aspects of caregiving, the lack of agency often felt by caregivers, and the importance of self-care amidst the demands of the role. Charlotte reflects on her experi...

In this episode of The Patient From Hell, host Samira Daswani speaks with Neal K. Shah — TEDx speaker, former hedge fund manager, and now social entrepreneur reshaping the caregiving economy. After building a multi-billion-dollar hedge fund in his 20s, Neal’s life changed dramatically when cancer struck his wife. As her primary caregiver, he experienced firsthand the crushing financial toxicity, s...

Grief is not one-size-fits-all. In this episode of The Patient From Hell, grief coach Holly Gainsboro breaks down anticipatory grief after a cancer diagnosis (incl. glioblastoma/GBM), the harm of “be strong,” and simple daily practices that actually help patients, caregivers, and clinicians. We cover how to talk to kids after diagnosis, caregiver exhaustion, why grief isn’t linear, and what to ask...

Samira is joined by legal expert, patient advocate, and author Rebecca — a powerhouse voice in the cancer and healthcare world. Rebecca shares her unique journey from big law to breast cancer advocacy, and offers practical, game-changing advice for patients navigating diagnosis, treatment, insurance, and employment. Whether you're newly diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or simply want to unde...

Samira and guest Chris Schuler delve into the emotional and practical challenges faced during the cancer diagnosis and treatment process. Chris shares his personal experiences as a caregiver for his father diagnosed with glioblastoma, highlighting the confusion and fear that accompany such news. The conversation explores the importance of understanding treatment options, the role of family in care...

Vicki McGrath, an exercise physiologist specializing in breast cancer recovery. They discuss Vicki's journey into creating exercise programs for breast cancer patients, the importance of movement and setting achievable goals during recovery, and personal stories of patients who have benefited from her programs. The conversation also covers the challenges of lymphedema, advice for newly diagnos...

Alyssa Wachley shares her journey as a stage three breast cancer survivor and the founder of Warriors That Pray, a jewelry line that supports cancer warriors. She discusses the emotional and spiritual challenges faced during her diagnosis, the importance of community and prayer, and how her faith evolved through adversity. Alyssa emphasizes the significance of connection and support for those batt...

Valerie David, also known as The Pink Hulk, is a three-time cancer survivor (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, stage 2 breast cancer, and stage 4 metastatic breast cancer) who turned her journey of resilience into an award-winning one-woman show. Through humor, raw honesty, and advocacy, she inspires audiences worldwide—proving that even cancer won’t stop her from taking center stage. Check out Valerie’s sh...