Down There Aware

Have you ever felt like you were being consumed by the uncertainty of life?  It could be a cancer diagnosis, dealing with a global pandemic, or any other thing that causes you anxiety in your life.  Well we have!  This week, Mary and Alex discuss the uncertainties of a cancer diagnosis and what we can do to fight the anxiety that comes along with it.

To lighten up the podcast this week, we are discussing all things television - TV MEDICINE that is!  From ever-available nurses to colorful bed sheets, Mary and Alex compare their personal hospital experiences with those from their favorite medical dramas.

In this week's episode, Mary and Alex discuss ways that parents could teach their children, even from a young age, to be aware of their bodies and to advocate for their personal health and well-being.

Continuing the conversation about pelvic floor health, Mary and Alex sit down with Dr. Amanda Olson. Dr. Olson earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Pacific University in 2005, and a Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from Regis University in 2008, graduating as a member of the Jesuit National Honor Society. She holds a Certification of Achievement in pelvic floor physical therapy (CAPP-PF)...

Being diagnosed with cancer changes everything.  This week marks one year since Alex's endometrial cancer diagnosis.  Mary and Alex sit down to discuss Alex's one-year follow up appointment with her oncologist, as well as what they've learned in the year following such a devastating diagnosis. Alex Massey was diagnosed with stage 1 grade 1 endometrial cancer at the age of 32, after exper...

This week Alex & Mary listen to the first episode of Down There Aware and react to how they were feeling after receiving the diagnosis..  "My Cancer Story" is Alex's account of her cancer diagnosis from July 2019.

On this week's episode, Alex and Mary explore advice they may offer if they were to meet their ten year old selves - good or bad.   Trigger warning - this episode briefly discusses sexual abuse.

Let's talk about feelings!  Although this is generally not where Alex feels most comfortable, this week Mary and Alex dig deep to discuss how they felt when Alex was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in July of 2019.

Mary and Alex consider points in Alex's life where, knowing what they know now, they would have recognized indications of symptoms and signs of her future endometrial cancer diagnosis at the age of 32.  The mother-daughter duo also discuss the need for open conversations with adolescents to afford them information they need to be Down There Aware.

In this episode we discuss with physical therapist Dr. Laura Meihofer, a pelvic wellness expert, how cancer treatments, surgeries, and aging can affect a healthy pelvic floor.  Dr. Meihofer is a yoga teaching, mindfulness practicing physical therapist who strives to demystify the pelvic floor, promote healthy movement, and create a safe space for taboo topics. 

This week, Mary & Alex discuss the importance of having a strong support system when you are faced with a cancer diagnosis.

This week on the podcast, Mary and Alex discuss the importance of grieving and not comparing our losses to the losses of others.

Alex and Mary discuss the challenges of Mother's Day post-uterine cancer and answer some of your questions.

After having a revelation this week regarding her post-surgery body, Alex and Mary discuss scars and how it is important to look past them and give you and your body grace.

Mary and Alex discuss various medical conditions that disproportionately affect women, as well as unique symptoms and risk factors that women have for many common diseases.

This week, Mary & Alex discuss "COVID-19: What People with Cancer Need to Know" a recent presentation organized by UFHealth, North Central Florida Cancer  Cancer Control Collaborative,  and FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered).  During the presentation, Dr. Merry Jennifer Markham, Interim Chief, Division of Hematology & Oncology, Associate Professor, Department of Med...

Alex and Mary discuss some new exciting findings in the world of cancer research, that may be being overlooked by everything COVID-19.

Alex and Mary continue the conversation from last week.  What are we doing in quarantine and what can we do to make the most of this forced downtime.  The pair also explores the impact on non-coronavirus related medical appointments during this unique time.

Today Alex and Mary sit down for a chat and take a moment to reflect on current events and what COVID-19 means for them, and others at high risk.

This week, Mary and Alex interview Dr. Merry Jennifer Markham.  Dr. Markham is the Interim Chief of the Division of Hematology & Oncology and an associate professor in the Department of Medicine. She is a clinical investigator and educator with a focus on gynecologic malignancies. She serves as the Associate Director for Medical Affairs for the UF Health Cancer Center and the Research Lea...

Through the telling of her sister, Maggie’s, cancer diagnosis story, Mary shares how we should be careful not to allow our past experiences to color our decisions about our healthcare, but we should always look at new symptoms with fresh eyes.

In this week's episode, Mary & Alex discuss some of the most cringeworthy things people have said to them (and others) about cancer and caregiving.  Also, they share some tips about what those recovering from surgery, and those caring for them, would rather hear from friends and family looking to show support.

Alex and Mary sit down with their sorority sister, Rachel, to hear her story of a precancerous condition of the cervix, her fight to be heard, and her personal experience with the drug Lupron.

Alex and Mary discuss the possible signs and symptoms that went unnoticed leading up to Alex's cancer diagnosis in July 2019.

Mary, Alex's mama, recalls the days and weeks following Alex's cancer diagnosis.