The Cancer Patient Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Survivorship Pt. 4 Jun 09, 2022

Dealing with survivorship might mean having to deal with people thinking you’re “good now” because you look better physically, or spending too much time going down the what-ifs rabbit holes, or feeling like you are lost without the routine of being in treatment.
Here’s another episode exploring the complexities of survivorship and why cancer isn’t over when treatment ends.
This episode of The Cancer Patient podcast was made possible by Send It Foundation. Send It provides free outdoor adventures such as skiing, surfing, mtn biking, and backpacking for young adult cancer survivors. The mission of the Send It Foundation is to inspire positivity, courage, and gratitude in young adult cancer survivors by creating a vital community through shared experience.

The Cancer Patient Podcast is hosted by Wendy Griffith and Carlo Lopez, produced by Layla Moheimani and engineered by Layla Moheimani and Isaiah Ashburn. Our executive producers are Katie Schou and Caroline Schou. Theme music written and performed by Heritage Park.

To keep up with The Cancer Patient podcast and additional content, follow us on Instagram @thecancerpatient and on Twitter @ogcancerpatient

Ask a Therapist May 12, 2022

If you could ask an oncology therapist one question, what would it be? On this episode we brought in a special guest (oncology social worker, Chris) to answer questions submitted by the Cancer Fam. Wendy and Chris cover things like types of therapy, coping strategies, and more!

Resources:

Chris Balmaceda: http://www.chrisbalmaceda.com/

Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute: https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/brain-tumor/

Escape AYAC: https://www.escapeayac.org/

Queering Cancer: https://queeringcancer.ca/

Fuck Cancer x YASU LGBTQ+ Support Group: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBTN3aIZReUCoHKh_j5jQDHeZFi9mOUHPkGkUbDfgLdNgyIQ/viewform

This episode of The Cancer Patient podcast was made possible by Send It Foundation. Send It provides free outdoor adventures such as skiing, surfing, mtn biking, and backpacking for young adult cancer survivors. The mission of the Send It Foundation is to inspire positivity, courage, and gratitude in young adult cancer survivors by creating a vital community through shared experience.

To keep up with The Cancer Patient podcast and additional content, follow us on Instagram @thecancerpatient and on Twitter @ogcancerpatient

Cancerversary Apr 14, 2022

What is a ‘cancerversary’? Is it the day you were diagnosed? Your last day of treatment? The day you were told that you’re NED? Hear the Cancer Fam’s take on what a cancerversary is and how we celebrate it… with or without cake.

To keep up with The Cancer Patient podcast and additional content, follow us on Instagram @thecancerpatient and on Twitter @ogcancerpatient

Survivor's Guilt Feb 10, 2022

“It should have been me" is one of the heaviest statements that surrounds survivor’s guilt. It’s raw and it’s real, and just like everything else with cancer, there is no universal experience. In this episode, we’ll hear stories from survivors about their survivor's guilt - what it looks like, its triggers, coping mechanisms, and resources for getting through it. Some include; allow the feelings, seek therapy or support from people you trust with those feelings, do something that connects you with the ‘them’, and hold onto the lingering fondness and remember the joy that we share with others.

Resources:

Survivor’s Guilt: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325578

EMDR: https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/

5 Stages of Grief: https://grief.com/the-five-stages-of-grief/

To keep up with The Cancer Patient podcast and additional content, follow us on Instagram @thecancerpatient and on Twitter @ogcancerpatient

Survivorship (Part 3) Jan 13, 2022

Cancer is not a one and done, nor is it over when treatment ends. Survivorship comes with so much uncertainty - there is no more plan and oftentimes no end in sight. On today’s episode of The Cancer Patient Podcast, we continue the series on Survivorship and dig deeper into the emotional toll and mental exhaustion of the cAnCeR jOuRnEy.

Resources:

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

The “New Normal”: https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/life-after-cancer-the-new-normal/

Cancer and Careers: https://www.cancerandcareers.org/en

Triage Cancer: https://triagecancer.org

Perspectives on the term “cancer survivor”: https://www.cancertodaymag.org/Pages/cancer-talk/Considering-the-Term-Cancer-Survivor.aspx

https://theconversation.com/people-diagnosed-with-cancer-often-dont-embrace-the-term-survivor-110942

https://www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(19)37081-4/fulltext

To keep up with The Cancer Patient podcast and additional content, follow us on Instagram @thecancerpatient and on Twitter @ogcancerpatient

Cancer Patients Working in Healthcare Dec 09, 2021

Show Notes:

We often get questions from healthcare workers asking how to effectively communicate with cancer patients without sounding like a cancer muggle. (Great question, nobody wants to be a cancer muggle) What better way to discuss this topic than to hear from cancer patients themselves who are now working in healthcare. In this episode, we’ll explore this unique crossover, specifically how personal experiences with cancer can impact work, how to manage on the job triggers, and advice for fellow patients interested in entering the healthcare field.

Resources:

Lindsay’s blog post - “To Every Cancer Patient I Ever Took Care Of: I’m Sorry. I Didn’t Get It”: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dear-every-cancer-patient-i-ever-took-care-of-im_b_58348345e4b050dfe61876d7

Elephants and Tea: http://elephantsandtea.com/

To keep up with The Cancer Patient podcast and additional content, follow us on Instagram @thecancerpatient and on Twitter @ogcancerpatient

Survivorship (Part 2) Sep 02, 2021

We’re back with Part-2 of our Survivorship series, continuing the complex conversation about why cancer isn’t over when treatment ends. When we’re in survivor mode, we don’t think about what happens next after treatment ends. “It’s over for other people. It’s not over for us.”

The cancer fam responds to share their experiences and perspectives around the process of survivorship, mental health and managing expectations after treatment, the importance of cancer friends, and dealing with uncertainty.

Resources:

Survivorship Clinics:

https://www.cancer.org/health-care-professionals/national-cancer-survivorship-resource-center.html

https://www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/life-after-cancer.html

Defining “Survivorship”: https://canceradvocacy.org/defining-cancer-survivorship/

Making Memories Last: The Art of Legacy Work: https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/making-memories-last-the-art-of-legacy-work.h00-158673423.html

SENDtember with the Send It Foundation
SENDtember

Rising Strong by Brene Brown

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23317538-rising-strong

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25899336-when-breath-becomes-air

The Cancer Patient Podcast is produced by Layla Moheimani and engineered by Layla Moheimani and Isaiah Ashburn. Our executive producers are Katie Schou and Caroline Schou. Theme music written and performed by Heritage Park.

To keep up with The Cancer Patient podcast and additional content, follow us on Instagram @thecancerpatient and on Twitter @ogcancerpatient

Body Image Aug 05, 2021

Let's talk about how body image changes through cancer. And, not only how that affects you physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Body image is a big concept, and a complicated one at that, as it applies to so many different things; the thoughts, feelings, and perceptions one has about their body, but it also relates to your body functioning. While it’s not what people immediately think about when we think about cancer, it’s the most universal thing that cancer patients experience at some point.

Resources:

Cancer & Body Image:

https://www.cancer.net/coping-with-cancer/managing-emotions/self-image-and-cancer

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/changes-to-your-appearance-and-body-image

https://elephantsandtea.com/sexuality/rethinking-body-image-remember-to-love-yourself-2/

Sephora Stands - Classes for Confidence: https://www.sephorastands.com/classes_for_confidence/

Allison Rosen’s Story: Me, Myself and Fill:

https://www.ostomy.org/allison-rosens-story-me-myself-and-fill/

https://www.ccalliance.org/blog/prevention/allison-rosen-always-an-advocate

Adventure Programs for cancer patients:

https://www.senditfoundation.org

https://www.projectkoru.org

https://www.epicexperience.org

https://firstdescents.org

Danae Mercer & Body Positivity:

https://www.instagram.com/danaemercer/

To keep up with The Cancer Patient podcast and additional content, follow us on Instagram @thecancerpatient and on Twitter @ogcancerpatient

Survivorship (Part 1) Jul 15, 2021

Survivorship is not about finding yourself again, but getting to know the new you. The completion of treatment is something to celebrate. However, there is also an erroneous belief that when treatment is over, cancer is over and everything goes back to normal. More often, it is when medical treatment ends when the reality of cancer sets in and the emotional healing begins. In this episode, we begin a series of episodes digging into the complex puzzle of survivorship. Why is it that the cancer journey isn’t over when treatment is finished? The cancer fam responds to share their experiences and perspectives.

Resources:

Survivorship Clinics:

https://www.cancer.org/health-care-professionals/national-cancer-survivorship-resource-center.html

https://www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/life-after-cancer.html

Adventure Programs for cancer patients:

https://www.senditfoundation.org

https://www.projectkoru.org

https://www.epicexperience.org

https://firstdescents.org

Defining “Survivorship”:https://canceradvocacy.org/defining-cancer-survivorship/

Cancer Caregivers: https://amp.cancer.org/treatment/caregivers.html

To keep up with The Cancer Patient podcast and additional content, follow us on Instagram @thecancerpatient and on Twitter @ogcancerpatient

Cancer and Relationships Jun 24, 2021

There are friends that drop off a care package, and there are friends you can call at 2am. A cancer diagnosis often results in tricky dynamics in our relationships, whether it’s with our significant others, family members, or friends. Some relationships are not built to withstand a cancer diagnosis, while others become stronger and closer as a result. This episode of TCPP dives into the many ways our relationships are impacted by a cancer diagnosis, in both good and challenging ways. We hear from a number of listeners about their experiences, and learn helpful tips for how to approach sensitive dynamics, set boundaries, and communicate effectively when relationships are on the line. Plus, how good intentions can backfire when it comes to relationships (hello, toxic positivity!)

Resources:

How Cancer Affects Your Relationships: https://www.webmd.com/cancer/how-cancer-affects-relationships

Send It Foundation Adventure Programs: https://www.senditfoundation.org

Toxic Positivity: https://thepsychologygroup.com/toxic-positivity/

To keep up with The Cancer Patient podcast and additional content, follow us on Instagram @thecancerpatient and on Twitter @ogcancerpatient

Scanxiety Mailbag May 27, 2021

Scanxiety never goes away, and it looks like neither do the voicemail submissions! This episode of TCPP is a bonus mailbag episode featuring more voicemail submissions from the cancer community, all centered around the complicated layers of scanxiety.

Resources:

"Scanxiety": https://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2019/02/5-tips-for-reducing-scanxiety/

Vy Nguyen Koller Grant from Send It Foundation: https://www.senditfoundation.org/programs/vy-grant/

To keep up with The Cancer Patient podcast and additional content, follow us on Instagram @thecancerpatient and on Twitter @ogcancerpatient.

Scanxiety May 11, 2021

'Scanxiety' can be defined as (thanks to Tumblr circa 2004) the feelings of nervousness and apprehension that come in anticipation of a scan or test which determines remission or recurrence. It’s about worrying, but more so about remembering - what might happen, but also what did happen. This episode of TCPP digs into the layers of scanxiety - what it is, how and when it shows up, and different tools and strategies for coping with this complex piece of the cancer experience.
Resources:

"Scanxiety": https://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2019/02/5-tips-for-reducing-scanxiety/
Dan's House of Hope: https://danshouseofhope.org
Breathing Exercises: https://www.parsleyhealth.com/blog/breathing-exercises-for-anxiety/
Learn more about Lee and Send It's virtual programming: https://www.senditfoundation.org/zoom-zoom-zoom/

*Disclaimer: This episode of The Cancer Patient Podcast was recorded in the winter of 2020.

To keep up with The Cancer Patient podcast and additional content, follow us on Instagram @thecancerpatient and on Twitter @ogcancerpatient

Online Cancer Support Apr 21, 2021

In Episode 2 of TCPP, Wendy and Carlo dig into why AYA cancer is often overlooked, and the importance of support specific for AYA's; how it is helpful, what can be improved, and virtual offerings in the time of Covid. They’ll share a variety of great resources available online and in-person, and different approaches for making connections and finding the right support for you (including, how to slide into a cancer patient’s DM’s)

Resources:

@thecancerpatient Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecancerpatient/

MD Anderson myCancerConnection: https://www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/diagnosis-treatment/patient-support/mycancerconnection.html

Imerman Angels: https://imermanangels.org

Send It Foundation virtual support: https://www.senditfoundation.org/zoom-zoom-zoom/

Jay’s Send It Experience: https://www.senditfoundation.org/stand-tall-and-trust-your-edge/

Dallas YACS Support Group: https://utswmed.org/cancer/support-services/young-adult-cancer-support/

MD Anderson AYA Support Groups: https://www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/diagnosis-treatment/care-centers-clinics/childrens-cancer-hospital/support-programs/adolescent-and-young-adult-program.html

Dan's House of Hope: https://danshouseofhope.org

Stupid Cancer Meetups/Dance Parties: https://stupidcancer.org/events/

Lacuna Loft Book Club: https://lacunaloft.org/ya-cancer-book-club/

Lacuna Loft Events/Workshops: https://lacunaloft.org/upcoming-programs/

Elephants and Tea Virtual Support Compilation: https://elephantsandtea.com/covid-19/

True North Treks Online Mindfulness: https://www.truenorthtreks.org/online-mindfulness-classes.html

Dear Jack Foundation “Breathe” Series: https://www.dearjackfoundation.org/breatheseries21/

Epic Experience: https://www.epicexperience.org

YASU Support Groups (including LGBTQ+ and AYA African American survivor support): https://www.yasurvivors.org/find-support

*Disclaimer: This episode of The Cancer Patient Podcast was recorded in the fall of 2020.

AYA's Apr 06, 2021

In collaboration with Send It Foundation, we bring you The Cancer Patient podcast!

In the first episode, we’ll meet hosts Carlo & Wendy. Carlo is a two-time lymphoma survivor and AYA cancer advocate, and Wendy is a licensed clinical social worker who manages the AYA program at MD Anderson. Along with our producer and fellow “lymphomie”, Layla, Carlo & Wendy will bring @thecancerpatient instagram page to life. We’ll talk about the real-life issues of AYA cancer and not shy away from the difficult topics, like social isolation and fertility. The goal of this podcast is to create a space for young adult cancer patients to talk about the real and raw side of cancer with a healthy dose of sarcasm and humor, and how to deal with the unsolicited advice (the “cancer muggle”).

In addition to our hosts, we want to hear from you! We’ll be asking for voicemail submissions and community engagement via the instagram page because this is a place for your voice to be heard.

Resources:

MD Anderson Cancer Center/AYA:

https://www.mdanderson.org

https://www.mdanderson.org/patients-family/diagnosis-treatment/care-centers-clinics/childrens-cancer-hospital/support-programs/adolescent-and-young-adult-program.html

About AYA Cancer:

https://www.cancer.gov/types/aya

Dan's House of Hope:

https://danshouseofhope.org

"Ringing the bell":

https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/why-do-cancer-patients-ring-a-bell-after-treatment.h00-159306990.html

Layla's Send It Experience: https://www.senditfoundation.org/if-i-could-fight-to-survive-my-physical-capabilities-were-limitless/

Stanford/AYA: