But Seriously: The Cancer Podcast

Margaret Lang - Survivor of Rectal Cancer   Margaret, is a real estate agent, mother, former high school teacher and now author, she experienced cancer and transformed her life by successfully meeting that challenge. Hopefully chronicling the journey in her book, "Moving Forward: With, Through, and Past Cancer,” will bring faith and hope to many.   www.movingforwardwithmargaret.com   Margaret has been cancer-free for three years.

Carrie enjoys simple pleasures such as a good glass of Cabernet while listening to live jazz or floating in her pool for hours. Her personal mantra to get through the tough times in life is "Laughter & Lip Gloss" and she stands firmly in her belief that calamari and Chardonnay are a complete meal. Carrie is the Co-Founder and President of The CARE Project, Inc. and host of the "Handle with Care - Cancer and Beyond" podcast.   https://thecareprojectinc.org   Carrie has been cancer-free for ten years.

Marielle was born in the Caribbean but has lived in South Carolina for the past thirty years. She comes from a huge family and has a pretty large family herself. She loves to help others more than I help herself and to learn from others and all the lessons that life hands out.   Marielle is the Buddy Program Manager and Certified Bilingual Patient & Family Support Navigator for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.    www.ccalliance.org   Marielle has been cancer-free for four years.   - recorded June 2, 2021

Leslie is a Mom to four sons and a daughter, a daughter in law, son in law and 2 grandsons. She currently lives in NYC with her husband of 27 years , Steve and their youngest son. Leslie is a certified life coach working with People after cancer treatment ends that struggle to find joy in their new cancer free life. She knows all about this reality and is making it her mission to help people into and through survivorship. Leslie has recently joined the Colorectal Cancer Alliance buddy program in order to help even more people make the transition from patient to survivor. Find her on Instagram at @CoachingBeyondCancer and www.CoachingBeyondCancer.com Leslie has been cancer free three years.   - recorded June 2, 2021

Eileen is an artist working with photography, digital collage, typography, and performative self-portraiture. A professional communications designer, Eileen's finds inspiration in the source material of her trade: advertising imagery, stock art and publicity photography.   After being treated for lymphoma from 2018–20, Eileen underwent a radical shift in identity. Her work is an exercise in self-plasticity and resurrection. By reimagining personal loss, Eileen creates a place for possibility, experimentation and collaboration. She is an MFA candidate (June 2021) at Lesley University.   Eileen has been cancer-free for almost two years.   www.canyoumakehairforme.com   - recorded April 14, 2021

Eileen is an artist working with photography, digital collage, typography, and performative self-portraiture. A professional communications designer, Eileen's finds inspiration in the source material of her trade: advertising imagery, stock art and publicity photography.   After being treated for lymphoma from 2018–20, Eileen underwent a radical shift in identity. Her work is an exercise in self-plasticity and resurrection. By reimagining personal loss, Eileen creates a place for possibility, experimentation and collaboration. She is an MFA candidate (June 2021) at Lesley University.   Eileen has been cancer-free for almost two years.   www.canyoumakehairforme.com   - recorded April 14, 2021

Allie is a confidence coach and she lives in Wales, UK with her fiancé. When she's not cheering her clients on, you'll often find her curled up with a book, talking long walks across the beach or spending time with her family and friends.    Allie often chats about her life experiences on her Instagram page: @alliemorgancoaching and on her website: www.Allie-Morgan.com   Allie has been cancer free for eleven years.   - recorded April 8, 2021

Allie is a confidence coach and she lives in Wales, UK with her fiancé. When she's not cheering her clients on, you'll often find her curled up with a book, talking long walks across the beach or spending time with her family and friends.    Allie often chats about her life experiences on her Instagram page: @alliemorgancoaching and on her website: www://allie-morgan.com/   We laughed so much in this episode. You're going to love it!   recorded - April 8, 2021

Caroline Rose lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, two children, and two dogs. Caroline is focusing on her upcoming book, Dear Riley Rose, and loves sharing her bi-monthly blog with her readers. When Caroline is not writing, she loves spending time with her friends, family, and, of course, with her dogs.   I knew instantly that Caroline and I were kindred spirits. We could have talked for ages. Enjoy!!   www.dearrileyrose.com   - recorded February 10, 2021

Christine is a musician (pianist and singer songwriter), a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, the Founder & Executive Director of The Yellow Umbrella Organization - an HPV awareness organization, she's one of five women featured in the documentary, “Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic,” she's mac-n-cheese connoisseur, and the mother of the cutest papillon ever - Harold, “the Prince of Pickering Wharf”   I loved talking with Christine and felt like we were two peas in a pod which is clearly why she and I just dove right into some pretty vulnerable topics!   Christine has been cancer-free for two years.   0:00:00 How it was discovered 0:08:00 Treatment  0:19:00 Blocking out the pain 0:31:30 The long and painful silence  0:41:00 Scars to Stars   - recorded November 12, 2020

Christine is a musician (pianist and singer songwriter), a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, the Founder & Executive Director of The Yellow Umbrella Organization - an HPV awareness organization, she's one of five women featured in the documentary, “Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic,” she's mac-n-cheese connoisseur, and the mother of the cutest papillon ever - Harold, “the Prince of Pickering Wharf”   I loved talking with Christine and felt like we were two peas in a pod which is clearly why she and I just dove right into some pretty vulnerable topics!   Christine has been cancer-free for two years.   0:00:00 Diagnosed after thirteen normal Pap-smears 0:15:00 Hysterectomy immediately 0:21:00 Where's the music? 0:38:45 The vulnerability of cervical cancer 0:50:50 The Stigma of HPV & Awareness 1:02:00 The Yellow Umbrella Tour 1:15:15 Relationship Impact 1:36:00 Healing within our families   - recorded November 12, 2020

Jake O’Brien is a young outgoing man who has always been fascinated with all things health & self development. He’s been thrown a whole bunch of challenges through his life, all of which he has found a way to overcome. Jake is passionate about fitness, mental health & showing up as the best he can be - no matter what!   I really enjoyed this conversation with Jake because - to put it simply, it’s raw. Jake is strong, honest & vulnerable and willing to be seen exactly where he is even while he’s still in the process of picking up the pieces.   Jake has been cancer-free for six months.    0:00:00 How the cancer was discovered  0:12:00 Emotional health & masculinity 0:31:30 Biopsy & prognosis  0:42:00 Alternative approaches 0:53:15 Radiotherapy 0:59:25 Being on the knife’s edge 1:14:25 Fitness & mental health 1:29:00 Combining traditional & alternative treatments   “The Mask We Wear” - Trailer   Instagram @JakeOBrien   - recorded February 17, 2020

Rachel is the founder and managing partner at Rasa Spa in Ithaca, NY and in charge of services and operations the Spa at the Inns of Aurora. She’s a committee member of the Community Foundation’s Women’s Fund, a board member of Family & Children’s Services, and the current Chair of the Tompkins Chamber and Convention and Visitors Bureau. Rachel has been a photographer for many years and her passion was reignited when she started pointing her camera at birds and it became quite a valuable part of her life as she found her way through her diagnosis and treatment.    I saw Rachel somewhat regularly thought her cancer journey, starting with me all but barging into her home to make sure she was ok, so it was a real treat to catch up with her and learn a little bit more about how she found her way through her diagnosis.   Rachel has been cancer-free for five years.   0:00:00 How the cancer was discovered 0:11:35 Unexpected second surgery  0:19:25 Second opinion for adjuvant therapy 0:25:50 Radiation 0:37:50 Tattoos  0:44:00 Radiation side-effects 0:49:00 Something within the psyche that needed to go 0:56:00 Life opens up through diagnosis & treatment 1:02:30 Tamoxifen    - recorded July 9, 2020

Bethany is a Mindset Coach, a Cancer Thriver, and author of her first book or as she puts it, her first book baby “My Guru Cancer.” A big proponent of living life to the fullest, Bethany is on a mission to help others find freedom with everything life brings, especially those curveballs. What I enjoyed most about the conversation with Bethany was how grateful she is for where she is today and her understanding that she would not have gotten here had she not been diagnosed with breast cancer.   Bethany has been cancer-free for five years.   0:00:00 How it was found 0:10:25 Excited about cancer 0:27:05 You don’t have to believe your thoughts  0:38:45 Infertility 0:44:34 Allopathic vs Holistic treatments 0:58:37 Laughing at the insanity of it all  1:10:30 Silicone “Gummy Bear” implants  1:17:35 Nipple saving mastectomy 1:31:05 Finding peace and acceptance 1:41:45 Having say in how your life will go 1:51:45 Mortality 1:57:08 My Book Baby 2:10:43 Mindset Coaching   - recorded October 7, 2020

Diane and her boyfriend, Cory Stone, reside in a historic neighborhood northeast of downtown Nashville with their 2 cats, Photon and Minnie. They both record and perform together as the duo Coffee with Her online and in local venues. These days, Diane works for one of the “big three” major record labels on a global data team, with the best group of people she can imagine. In her free time, she and Cory enjoy a great cup of espresso, connecting with friends, running, and living a sweet and simple life.   Speaking with Diane left me feeling fulfilled and grateful as she just exuded gratitude for her community that lifted her up in countless ways when she didn’t see a way though or was just looking for a little bit of light.   0:00:00 How it was discovered 0:07:15 Couch to 5K 0:15:20 Insurance & 2nd opinions 0:22:00 Headlamps for Headlights 0:27:05 You can’t fake a full marathon 0:36:10 Worst best year of my life 0:43:50 Post-surgery drains 0:51:55 Couch to 5K - what it took 1:02:15 Expander then implants 1:14:30 Routine appointments 1:20:15 The little big things 1:27:40 What’s truly important   ⁃ recorded October 8, 2020

Kara was diagnosed when she was 18 years old - she’s now 19. She’s a dancer, an artist, an animal lover, and a pediatric cancer advocate. She lives in New York State and she’s a double major in psychology, and health and human services. She aspires to work in child life to support those going through rough times.   0:00:00 How the cancer was found 0:09:45 Amputation the way to go 0:18:15 Prosthetic options 0:24:30 Getting acclimated to a prosthetic 0:32:45 Waking up without a leg 0:38:00 Phantom limb pain 0:47:30 Six months of chemo 0:58:40 Stroke symptoms 1:05:20 Physical Therapy   - recorded January 29, 2021

Shayla is a New York City girl, she’s a runner and loves to work out, she cherishes her time with her friends and she loves to travel!!   Shayla speaks with a groundedness that got all of my attention the first time I heard her a speak. She calmly explains how through the world of cancer she discovered something called "feelings." A word she wasn’t particularly familiar with. Me being someone deeply impacted by his feelings on a daily basis, I really enjoyed listening to and understanding Shayla’s experience.   Shayla has been cancer free for 2.5 years   0:00:00 How the cancer was found 0:10:55 Feeling powerless 0:22:35 Mortality ever present 0:28:25 Move the trauma through 0:38:30 No support group for a young Black woman 0:42:50 “People call them feelings” 0:47:50 Being present 0:55:55 Strong or simply enduring what’s so 1:08:00 Side-effects 1:14:15 Three breast reconstructions 1:20:00 The divine feminine 1:24:45 Post-treatment medications

One of the things that stands out to me about Rachel is the amount of attention she has devoted to her own growth as a person and how it is clearly reflected in how she engages with me and no doubt her clients.   This time of year, besides supporting her clients and building her business, Rachel enjoys gardening and hiking. She lives in coastal Northern California with her partner and dog buddy. She enjoys cooking, creating random art, reading, body movement and building a mind-body connection, and being in nature and with loved ones.   Rachel has been cancer-free for five years.   0:00:00 How the cancer was discovered 0:07:45 Post-surgery 0:11:30 Re-entering the world 0:19:20 Self-advocacy 0:25:50 Patient advocacy 0:33:00 The power of the patient 0:38:35 Benefit of the patient advocate 0:47:34 Diagnosed again at 35 0:55:00 Adult Follicular Lymphoma 1:01:50 High dose chemotherapy 1:16:13 Powerfully engaging with your physician 1:28:30 Creating ceremony in survivorship 1:39:45 Facing mortality and maladaptive behaviors 1:57:00 Empathy   recorded 3/26/2021  

Carole is the mother of four sons and she currently resides in Connecticut with her life partner Michael. She is a co-founder of BLUEM, a Colorectal Cancer patient access space, she’s an Ambassador with Fight CRC as well as The Global Colon Cancer Association, she’s a survivor model for The Colon Club, and her story and advocacy work have been published in many local, regional and national media outlets   Carole has been cancer-free for three years.   0:00:00 How the cancer was found 0:10:20 Prognosis 0:19:15 Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump 0:28:20 Liver Aneurism 0:35:46 Liver donor  0:45:30 Liver transplant 0:50:30 Multiple birthdays 1:03:20 Colorectal Screening 1:11:08 Tertiary Care Units 1:20:00 My_Bluem 1:24:00 Fully ALIVE with cancer!   - recorded 3/19/2021

Hey folks! Last Friday’s Episode Ten with Lauren Tarpley completed Season Two. I’m still blown away that this is happening. I so appreciate every guest who took the time to participate in a conversation with me about their experience and I equally appreciate everyone of you who takes the time to listen in on these extraordinary conversations.   Episode One of Season Three is scheduled to drop on Friday April 9th - which happens to be my 51st birthday. Who knew when I was diagnosed in 2007 that I would still be around - and doing doing this! These next couple of weeks are a perfect time to catch up on episodes you haven’t listened to yet. Have a great couple of weeks and we’ll be back in no time!

Today’s guest is Lauren Tarpley. Lauren is a Mom, Wife, Baker, Foodie, Carolina born, Bourbon & travel enthusiast! She loves cupcakes & making lists.    As soon as I greeted Lauren, she hit the ground running and I spent the rest of the podcast just trying to keep up with her. She does not wait for life to happen.   Her podcast "Life with Little Ones" is a place for parents to learn about other kinds of families. How to raise more inclusive children and how we all cope with parenting in this pandemic and these times. All kinds of families. Same sex, interracial, interfaith. Conscious coupling or intentionally single parents.    Follow on Instagram @blended_kidz & @lifewithlittleones.podcast   Lauren is currently in the midst of treatment and as of March 2, 2021 she is cancer-free.   0:00:00 Getting the phone call 0:08:15 Systematic racism in medicine  0:21:40 How you relate to your doctor 0:24:35 Diagnostics & imaging 0:35:10 Lack of genetic testing data for African-Americans 0:43:00 Chemotherapy  0:47:40 AYA (Adolescent & Young Adult) 0:52:45 Receiving diagnosis 0:58:30 Cancer screening & recurrence rate 1:10:00 MRI scans 1:13:00 Origin of cancer 1:18:10 Caner day to day 1:30:40 BRCA gene mutation test 1:40:00 Progressing thru and after treatment 1:47:00 Others not showing up   - recorded 01/22/2021

Casey’s journey just floored me with what she had to endure and I was deeply moved by the love and presence demanded of her and her family by this seemingly unending diagnosis.   Casey is the author of “Finding Your Way Back to Heart Center; cancer treatment ended now what?”   She’s a cancer survivorship coach: helping women thrive post-treatment, stronger physically mentally & emotionally through her program: A Happier Healthier You. She’s also personal trainer and a cancer exercise specialist. Casey is based out of Chicago and she is a dog mom to a Maltipoo named Lily.   Casey ’s been cancer free for 3 1/2 years.   Instagram @TheHappierHustle Website TheHappierHustle.com  Facebook Group “Thriving After Cancer Treatment.”   0:00:00 How the cancer was found 0:10:15 Adult with pediatric cancer 0:22:00 Petechiae and bruising 0:32:48 Extracting the bone marrow 0:42:45 Get walking! 0:54:08 IT Chemo infusions 1:01:52 Rehab hospital  1:09:13 All that we take for granted 1:18:55 Chemo-brain 1:25:05 Two years of treatment and then a recurrence 1:30:55 Fever 105°F 1:39:40 Sitting in the uncomfortableness 1:52:10 Twenty more good years 1:57:12 Stem cell treatment  2:14:30 Third recurrence   - recorded 04/04/2020

Laura is a wife, a mother, a dog owner, a nonprofit development consultant, and a dedicated do-it-your-self-er who loves to spend time with her family, travel, stay up late and sleep in.   What really stood out to me in this conversation with Laura is how meticulously she researched every aspect of her treatment options, from her physicians and their treatment recommendations, to her fellow patients as far as what they were glad they and what they wish they had done differently.   Laura has ben cancer-free for ten years.   0:00:00 How the cancer was found 0:15:00 Making your needs clear 00:27:43 Additional opinions 00:34:30 Breast reconstruction 00:45:06 Interviewing your doctor 0:57:20 Side effects 1:04:45 Feeling at home in our bodies 1:10:46 Others noticing our altered bodies 1:15:10 Sharing our experience with others 1:25:30 Choosing a direction 1:29:20 Cancer and being a parent 1:36:25 Lifting each other up 1:40:20 Our unique responses to treatment and procedures 1:47:00 Cancer screening   -recorded April 24, 2020

Alexandra is a video producer who lives with her family and two dogs in Baltimore. She likes to spend time in the kitchen coming up with new dinner ideas, but someone else will have to make dessert! She also likes to paint and is frequently in search of a creative outlet. Alexandra has been Cancer-free two years. 0:00:00 How the cancer was discovered0:07:12 Telling her children0:11:15 Your relationship with your caretakers0:17:39 Listing her hair0:26:05 Those who showed up0:35:20 The unremarkable end to treatment 0:41:25 Frozen vegetables on her feet0:49:12 Treatment decisions0:55:15 Bilateral mastectomy1:05:20 Post-treatment check ups- recorded 4/21/2020

Lee is a retired school teacher, a volunteer and mentor at the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes for men with prostate cancer. He’s a personal trainer and uses old school/unconventional strength and mobility training, he’s the owner of Der Rosenmeister Nursery, an antique and modern rose nursery, and he lectures widely throughout the Northeast on sustainable rose growing practices. He is married and has two grown children and a grandson. 0:00:00 How the cancer was found0:09:00 Treatment options0:13:35 Biopsy 0:17:00 Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy0:24:55 Penial Rehabilitation0:32:44 “Frank Talks”0:37:17 All in nine weeks0:42:10 Finding support0:46:28 Caregiver support0:54:13 Erectile Dysfunction1:01:15 Urination recovery 1:04:15 Seeing the insides of our bodies1:11:30 Making the treatment decision1:19:40 Adult Undergarments 1:26:00 Body image and hiding - recorded September 23, 2020

Mandi lives in the Austin, Texas area with her husband and their three dogs. She is an artist and a writer with a great love of the outdoors. Mandi has been cancer-free for almost twelve years. 0:00:00 Surprise diagnosis0:05:00 Treatment0:15:31 “How can we mourn the thing we didn’t even want in the first place?”0:19:00 Being the reason everyone around you is trying not to cry25:54 Spouses addiction0:28:57 Overhearing her diagnosis 0:34:25 Healing in transparency0:43:30 Patient guilt0:53:05 Forgiveness0:59:04 Supporting other survivors1:10:15 The benefits of writing1:21:08 Simply Do and Be1:29:00 Post-treatment followups1:39:35 Treatment for the treatment 1:47:09 Having an incurable diseasehttps://www.facebook.com/mandi.chambless - recorded October 21, 2020

Maria is a geriatric social worker and an academic researcher, a sister and an Auntie, who lives with her wife and their dog in Upstate New York. She is also a founder and moderator of the Facebook group for Lesbian Cancer Survivors and Caregivers, which she started in 2007 during her second breast cancer, when she realized that lesbians were invisible in the existing literature and resources for women with breast and other cancers. Maria has been cancer-free for twelve years. [timestamps will be released soon]

Louise is an artist, administrator and writer from Norwich in the UK. She was originally diagnosed with a rare form of appendix cancer in 2014 and again in 2017. She is currently recovering from her second surgery. 0:00:00 How the cancer was discovered0:05:19 Louise lands at Basingstoke Hospital0:10:12 Treatment: Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) & hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)0:14:15 The immediate impact on Louise and her loved ones0:20:21 Urgency for treatment0:25:05 Time to let it all in0:32:19 Cancer awareness 0:40:58 Cancer clichés0:45:30 Mindset going into surgery0:50:30 Chemo baths1:02:50 Finding your way back up1:08:48 Long-term effects of treatment1:22:00 How the body communicates with us1:26:50 Your reality anchor1:35:41 Removal of the mucinous carcinoma1:39:40 The power of laughter 1:41:09 Supporting those grieving our diagnosis1:48:22 The mother of all surgeries1:52:52 Caregivers2:01:25 Calling doctors by their first name2:08:05 Followup scan2:17:40 Life “extending” surgery2:22:05 We are not our bodies2:28:00 Living the only life we have www.PseudomyxomaSurvivor.orghttps://mypmpexperience.wordpress.com

This is part two of the Laya Ballesteros podcast. Laya is an elementary school art teacher who is passionate about working with our youngest artists and she herself is a mixed media artist. Laya has been cancer-free for three years. [timestamps will be posted soon!]

Laya is an elementary school art teacher who is passionate about working with our youngest artists and she herself is a mixed media artist. Laya has been cancer-free for three years. Also, I promised Laya I would give a shout out to NYBRA Plastic Surgery in Great Neck, NY because Laya just raved about them and their Patient Empowerment Program before, during, and after the podcast!! 0:00:00 Accidentally discovering cancer0:11:15 Second opinion at NYU with Dr. Mancuso0:15:02 Creating her team, Pt 10:24:17 Surgery scheduled0:33:07 Confronted by cancer0:39:35 Creating her team, Pt 20:44:48 Post-treatment shock0:54:30 Asking for help0:58:10 "My unicorn tribe"1:05:33 Emotional freedom1:16:45 Being our authentic self1:24:10 Wellness1:27:07 Surgery Day - recorded April 8, 2020  

Laya is an elementary school art teacher who is very passionate about working with our youngest artists and she herself is a mixed media artist. Laya has been cancer-free for three years.0:00:00 Accidentally discovering cancer0:11:15 Second opinion at NYU with Dr. Mancuso0:15:02 Creating her team, Pt 10:24:17 Surgery scheduled0:33:07 Confronted by cancer0:39:35 Creating her team, Pt 20:44:48 Post-treatment shock0:54:30 Asking for help​0:58:10 "My unicorn tribe"1:05:33 Emotional freedom1:16:45 Being our authentic self1:24:10 Wellness1:27:07 Surgery Day - recorded April 8, 2020

 Defining our cancer experiences without letting cancer define us.

Wow! That was way more work than I had anticipated. Fortunately I love, love, love doing it and I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. Season Two coming in December!

DeLa isA husband A father A musician A brain tumor survivor and A believer!He is the saxophonist for the band slightly stoopid and also leads his own band Dela & steady rock easy. 0:00:00 Bringing awareness to others0:05:08 Symptoms preceding diagnosis0:09:25 Tunnel vision0:13:15 Tumor doubles in size0:16:13 Tumor responds to the threat0:17:39 Brief synopsis of Bert’s cancer journey0:24:18 Scott Palmer0:29:54 When it all hit home0:33:35 Full frontal bilateral craniotomy0:39:37 Anesthesia or local anesthetic0:42: 31 Dela wakes up completely blind0:45:46 From the O.R. to the Stage0:50:13 Radiation therapy0:58:20 The power of music1:03:19 Nurses our heroes1:13:21 Dela’s eyesight returns 1:16:08 The blessing of it all1:21:21 Living fully/On Kilimanjaro1:28:42 We go it alone1:37:29 Radiation breakdown1:43:40 Ringing the bell1:48:33 Post-treatment follow-up https://delasaxmusic.comhttps://www.slightlystoopid.comSocials @delasaxmusic

Maria is a food creator, a Wellness Mentor, a mother and wife. She has been cancer-free for over two years.Follow Maria on Instagram @holisticlivingwithmaria 0:00:00 How the cancer was discovered0:14:16 Scan confirms no metastasis0:18:51 Chemotherapy recommended0:25:30 Self-advocacy0:30:36 Being positive verses being authentic0:33:50 Giving back to the cancer community0:40:05 Penny Brohn Cancer Center0:47:10 Recurrence0:50:59 England’s National Health Service0:58:05 Holistic medicine1:09:45 Long-lasting effects of chemotherapy1:13:30 Possibility of a colostomy1:14:56 Chemotherapy and neuropathy1:18:19 Doctor’s making lifespan predictions1:26:15 Where does cancer come from?1:32:45 Follow up tests Instagram @holisticlivingwithmaria- recorded 06/19/2020

Jason is the Vice-President for the Board of Directors of the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes and the co-founder of the Colorectal Support Group as well as the Young Adult Support Group, now named "Beth's Group" in memory of his co-founder, Beth Brunelle. Jason has been cancer-free for ten years.0:00:00 Surgery and life with a shortened colon0:08:30 Struggles with radiation0:12:12 "No thanks" to elective surgeries0:16:48 Life doesn't just "go on"0:24:47 Medical procedure anxiety0:26:14 How a shortened colon effects diet0:29:55 Prolapse of the stoma0:33:10 Avoiding public places0:38:37 Returning to the regular world0:43:56 Dating with a colostomy0:55:04 A life of gratitude1:05:48 Cancer prepared me for the death of my husband1:11:58 Cancer and covid1:14:37 The gift of tears1:19:14 It wasn't all gratitude1:27:15 Oral chemo verses intravenous1:35:50 Surgery reveals a change in diagnosis1:43:20 Masculinity and treatment 

Sara has worked as a professional book editor, a dishwasher, a philosophy professor, a ballet instructor, a waiter, and an English teacher in Slovakia and Lithuania. She’s ordained clergy, an astrologer, and lives in Ithaca, New York, with her beautiful husband, brilliant son, and a slightly above-average pit bull. Sarah has been cancer-free for eight years.0:00:00 How the breast cancer was discovered0:07:30 Breast feeding0:12:18 Surrounding yourself with strong advocates0:16:02 Loved ones who don’t show up26:39 Doctors working in tandem29:00 Chemotherapy38:30 Eating through treatment!42:51 Marijuana to manage side-effects 46:44 Chemo-brain and recovery from anesthesia 50:21 Post-treatment elective surgeries 56:26 Misdiagnosed 4x58:09 Mastectomies and reconstruction 1:03:15 The body and societal norms1:10:31 Caregivers1:18:34 Cancer coaches and therapists 1:21:17 Cultural expectations of men & women1:24:13 Positive thinking or just lucky?1:28:19 Finding freedom in my diagnosis 1:35:29 Cancer woke me up!1:42:13 Cancer as a gift? -recorded 3/06/2020 

Today’s guest is Rosemary Lang. Rosemary lives in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region of New York State and enjoys hiking and riding motorcycles with her husband and best friend. Rosemary is an inquiry, discovering what it is to live life beyond cancer. Rosemary has been cancer-free for 2 1/2 years. 0:00:00 Clinical Trial to postpone surgery 0:10:50 Recurrence/Ileostomy0:14:20 Community Support 0:17:00 Human touch0:22:55 Nasogastric Tube0:25:30 Change in treatment plan0:30:14 Acceptance0:43:20 Grief and Shame0:52:40 Lower Anterior Resection Syndrome0:59:10 Long-term Survivorship1:11:21 Allowing the sadness to be1:17:20 Physically expressing our emotions 1:23:06 Sex after cancer1:27:41 Self-love1:35:17 The Hero’s Journey - recorded 2/22/202

Eamonn is married to Marilee Murphy and she is the Executive Director of the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes, and they have two sons. Eamonn is the owner and sole practitioner at Finger Lakes Acupuncture in Ithaca. Eamonn has been cancer-free for three years. 0:00:00 The biopsy0:05:10 Being empowered in your diagnosis0:08:15 Determining your treatment0:15:05 Prostate education and support0:17:55 Surgery & anesthesia0:23:15 Vulnerability and uncertainty0:30:39 Coming to terms with cancer0:36:00 Fulfilled while facing your mortality0:43:25 Evolving awareness0:49:15 Cracked open0:56:12 Post-surgery1:04:03 Catheters1:11:04 Laparoscopic surgery1:14:45 Quality of life1:17:38 Follow-up testing1:26:33 Scanxiety - recorded 4/14/2020 

Carrie Ann teaches Maturation to elementary and middle school kids. Her passion is to help everyone love and accept their unique individual body and for Carrie Anne this starts with teaching our youth that puberty is not to be feared but to be embraced. 0:00:00 How the cancer was discovered0:08:35 Port-a cath0:15:28 Six weeks to live0:22:00 Telling her children0:30:10 A gift of awareness0:35:15 Uterus, ovaries, cervix & breasts removed0:42:35 Self-love0:46:04 Navigating chemotherapy0:51:47 Still alive at Christmas0:57:35 Cancer-versary1:07:15 Radiation1:12:20 Masculinity1:17:00 Cancer as a curriculum1:33:45 Mentors1:38:29 Living freely with cancer1:49:50 The support of others1:53:51 Dating after cancer2:08:45 Funeral and wake considerations2:14:15 Being the observer of our own thinking2:19:39 Living in gratitude - recorded 2/28/2020

Shera is a mixed-media artist and painter. She’s a flat-closure advocate and activist - often using her art and social media platforms to share and connect. Shera has been cancer-free for eight years.00:00:00 Cancer almost not discovered00:13:59  Self-advocacy and multiple opinions00:23:35 Community support and masculinity00:28:09 Keeping cancer private00:32:35  Strength and vulnerability00:40:50 Navigating chemotherapy00:44:15 Mastectomy and reconstruction00:49:10 Second breast misdiagnosed00:57:00 When it all seems like too much01:05:35 Breast implants01:07:08 Colorectal resection01:11:41 Second breast misdiagnosed01:14:35 Very first infusion caused menopause01:21:35 Unseen struggles with cancer01:26:18 Breast implant illness01:37:03 Life without breasts01:44:40 Post-surgery intimacy01:51:40 Oncology phone calls02:02:34 Post-cancer limitations02:10:53 Committing to self-care- recorded 1/03/2020

Joe is an archivist at the Corning Museum of Glass and he lives in Ithaca, NY with his wife, his two kids, and their dog Hamilton. Joe has been cancer-free for five years.00:00:00 How the cancer was discovered00:05:40 The physical discomfort of a tumor00:09:20 Informing friends00:20:40 Only one leg00:25:30 Accountability Partners00:33:15 Connecting with fellow survivors00:34:30 Standing infection & open wound00:36:25 Infected titanium rod00:47:44 Recovery from anesthesia00:50:50 Whether or not to keep the leg00:58:00 Immobility01:03:07 Radiation & chemo01:08:05 Aggressive surgery01:12:00 Two months of radiation01:18:30 Ask more questions01:24:20 Prosthetics or second surgery01:32:25 Creating stability01:36:00 There’s no single approach01:39:40 Life after treatment01:41:48 Chronic pain01:48:36 Post-treatment checkups- recorded 2/14/2020

Sharon is a teacher, an Instructional Technology Specialist, a plant-based food enthusiast, a wife of a very supportive husband, and a mother of three amazing kids! Sharon has been cancer-free for six years.00:00:00 How cancer was discovered00:05:30 Inspired by fellow survivors00:07:00 Re-diagnosed00:10:35 PET Scans00:18:40 Speaking with children about cancer00:23:40 Caregivers getting the support they need00:29:00 What we can not control00:34:15 Creating a support network00:36:45 Bert’s Stage IV Diagnosis00:48:05 Family and friends struggle with our diagnosis 00:51:30 Freedom through sharing my experience01:00:10 Getting a second opinions01:16:00 Fecal Incontinence01:24:22 Second Opinions revisited01:22:00 Disability and Employment Rights01:33:00 Colostomy01:39:30 The power of forgiveness01:47:00 Compassion for others- recorded 5/16/2020