The Many Faces of Cancer

Today's guest is Renee' Herman. She has been a nurse for over 40 years and has spent the last 6 as a Nurse Navigator for breast cancer patients. She was also diagnosed with breast cancer this past December. We talk all about what nurse navigators do, how important they are during cancer care, and the blessing of their support and care at diagnosis, throughout the treatment journey, and a...

Today's guest is Donna Mazzitelli. She is an award-winning author, writing coach, editor and publisher. She is also a two time cancer survivor. Surviving breast cancer is 2007, she went on a journey and created a brand new career. Seven years later she was diagnosed with anal cancer, taking her on a much more emotional journey and discovering ease, grace and gratitude. We talk all about emoti...

Today's guest is Tara Lehnertz, a colorectal cancer survivor. Diagnosed 3 days after her honeymoon, her journey eventually led her to the support of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, where she is now an advocate and a "buddy" for others going through colorectal cancer.  You can find the buddy service here: https://colorectalcancer.org/resources-support/community-support/buddy-program/...

Today's episode is a solo episode. Technical difficulties in the recording of my last two interviews made them unusable. So while I work to get them rerecorded, it's a great time to talk about this topic. I have seen multiple instances over the past couple weeks of friends (and myself) not being OK and feeling guilty because they weren't OK. I want to break this down and talk about...

My guest this week is Diane Simard, a powerhouse survivor and advocate!! When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was looking for a therapist to help her cope with such a traumatizing diagnosis. She made the disturbing discovery that mental health and cancer did not intersect cohesively in the cancer treatment process. So she went on to found the Center for Oncology Psychology Excellence (CO...

Today's guest is Elizabeth Graves, a two-time survivor of endocervical adenocarcinoma, a less common and more aggressive form of cervical cancer.  Elizabeth is the founder of www.graanted.com, giving patients and their loved ones a place to tell their stories, give and receive joy, and inspire hope.  We all love giving and receiving gifts, and that's one of the main purposes of graanted,...

Today's solo episode is something that has been on my heart almost since I was diagnosed. I love people who are supportive and there for their loved ones.  When I was first diagnosed, I didn't tell anyone outside my immediate family and a few close friends. I didn't want a lot of unsolicited advice. I was overwhelmed by the solicited advice I was getting from my medical team. I know...

I'm so excited for you to hear from today's guest!!  Ellyn Winters-Robinson is a breast cancer survivor. Diagnosed in 2022, she made the choice for a double mastectomy and aesthetic flat closure. She really looks forward to the day when this is provided as an option by surgeons along with reconstruction. She has a great story to tell and is the author of the book "Flat Please Hold t...

This week's guest is Eric Blaylock. He is the husband of Marla Blaylock, whom we met in Episode 3. Eric has a very powerful message for everyone about what it's like to be your wife's caregiver.  Listen to Marla's episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-many-faces-of-cancer/id1733362299?i=1000649677527 The depth of Eric's love and commitment to his wife are...

Today's guest is Jill Disser. Jill is a breast cancer survivor who is on a mission to help others cope with cancer. We talk all about the power of meditation, not just for cancer recovery, but for all of life. Jill breaks down the benefits and gives helpful hints on how to incorporate meditation into your daily routine. She even has her own podcast called Micro Meditations for Anxiety, 3 minu...

Today's guest is Nancy Novack. Diagnosed in 2004 with Stage IV ovarian cancer, her story of trust and gratitude is inspirational.  Talking with other patients during her treatments, she discovered a real need to resources and community and created Nancy's List, a free directory for all kinds of resources for cancer patients and their families. With over 25,000 subscribers all over the wo...

Today's solo episode is all about gratitude. The whole idea of this podcast is stories of hope and inspiration.  While cancer is not inherently something to be grateful for, the practice of gratitude has been clinically shown to improve mood, health, and well-being.  So many amazing ideas, new products, and non-profit organizations have come about because someone had cancer and created someth...

We often think of Stage IV cancer as an automatic death sentence. More often than not, it's now treated more as a chronic disease.  Today's guest, Beth Burniche, has been living with Stage IV breast cancer for six years. Her story is powerful. We talk about the way her life has changed and how she's living each day with this disease. It really makes you look at the world different a...

Today's guest is Dr. Cindy Trice. Cindy is a veterinarian, speaker, serial entrepreneur, cervical cancer survivor, and patient advocate for Cervivor, a non-profit organization creating awareness to end stigma, influence decision and change, and end cervical cancer.  https://cervivor.org/ She is also the co-founder and chief innovation officer for KickIt Pajamas, providing stylish, functional,...

Today's guests are Andrew and Whitney Martin. Their daughter, Rowen, was diagnosed with leukemia at age 3. Their lives became all about her. Divvying up caregiving and still trying to live a normal life and raising a toddler as well.  They quickly learned their strengths and became a team. Andrew was in charge of the at home chemo and treatments and Whitney was the "boots on the ground&q...

Today's guest is Mary Grace. Mary was the primary caregiver for her brother, who battled and passed from pancreatic cancer.  Mary's story is important because being a caregiver is a difficult job. Caregivers tend to lose themselves caring for another and we talk about what that's like, as well as why it's so crucial that they take care of themselves during this time. It's...

Today's solo episode is all about the benefits of walking, both for recovery and health in general. Walking is the single best exercise you can do when going through cancer, in recovery, and for the rest of your life. We'll break down the benefits of walking, as well as easy ways you can incorporate it into your daily life. Link to join Walking in Gratitude Facebook page: https://www.fac...

Today's guest is Justie Ellis. Diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2023, she turned to her holistic background for support during her treatments. She discovered that by taking care of and supporting your body with the right supplementation, she tolerated and recovered from her treatments much better and quicker. We talk about all things health and ways you can support your body du...

Today's guest is Deb Jayne, a successful event manager whose beloved cat ZuZu helped alert her to breast cancer. That story is so sweet, as Deb's journey as a whole. During surgeries and treatment, she received so much support, including numerous care packages. Inspired to help others, she started The BoobyTrap Foundation, a non-profit offering essential care items, like mesh shower scar...

Today's guest is Tyler Daugherty. Diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 24 after years of symptoms that went undiagnosed. Even with complications from surgery and the looming pandemic, Tyler kept an optimistic attitude and continue moving forward in gratitude.  He now works with the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program helping many others https://www.woundedwarrior.af.mil/ I want to get to know yo...

My guest this week is Lynne Williamson. Lynne is a 13 year breast cancer survivor and she, like so many others, has used her cancer experience to help others. She launched a career with Beautycounter, the leading clean beauty brand in the US. She also founded the LOVE HEALS project that donates Chemo Care Kits to cancer survivors throughout the country. Lynne and her husband Shawn created the Bats...

Today's guest in Jenna Benn Shersher, founder and CEO of Twist Out Cancer. Jenna was diagnosed at age 29 with Gray Zone Lymphoma, a very rare form of lymphoma. Feeling lonely (there was very little information about it at the time and no support groups), she decided to dance, and ask others to join her on the dance floor. Out of that came Twist Out Cancer. You will be inspired by Jenna's...

Today's episode is about a topic that I was recently introduced to and I deal with from my own cancer journey. It's about survivor's guilt. The feeling that, since my treatment wasn't as intensive as other people, I'm somehow less deserving of being a cancer survivor. Other people had it worse so I shouldn't make a big deal about it. We're gonna discuss this toda...

My guest today is Kim Marsh. Kim watched her mother experience multiple cancers as she was growing up, and then was diagnosed with cancer herself. She shares her own cancer journey, as well as taking care of her mom, and ultimately saying goodbye.  You can connect with Kim at lowiodinedietitian.com For more information about thyroid cancer and a low iodine diet, please go to www. ThyCa.org I want...

Today's guest is Sarah DeHart. Being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 was a wake up call and helped give her the courage to leave her husband. Trigger warning - sensitive topic of emotional and spiritual abuse Sarah was young when she met her future husband. Red flags were present throughout their relationship. Married with 3 children, she endured years of emotional and spiritual abuse. G...