Family ChemoTherapy with Adriana Lewin

Dr Kristin Ross shares so much valuable insight as a childhood cancer survivor and as a Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in Medical Family Therapy!    You can learn more about her through visiting her website:  www.cardinalcounselingwellnessgroup.com   Don't forget to join our FB community here!  Do you have PTSD after a diagnosis? Click here to take a 20 question quiz! Join our Mental Health Provider list here   Please rate this podcast!

Join Today's episode to hear really important conversation about End of Life (even before you hear "there is nothing left for us to do). Dr Megan Shaefer is a psychologist who has published research around End of Life. Her experience and knowledge as a compassionate advocate for families really comes through this episode.    If you haven't taken the PTSD quiz, you can find that here:  Take PTSD Quiz Now

This book might be my absolute favorite. It's a client favorite too! And even though it's about a man surviving the Holocaust, he walks us through the existential dilemma you experience when faced with tragedy.  Purchase Your Copy of Man's Search for Meaning here! Don't forget to join our FB community here!  Do you have PTSD after a diagnosis? Click here to take a 20 question quiz! Join our Mental Health Provider list here

Childhood cancer survivor and Certified Child Life Specialist opens up about mental health as a teen going through cancer and how she continues to heal from childhood cancer.  Follow Carissa on IG at @abc.breathworkforkids Don't forget to join our FB community here!  Do you have PTSD after a diagnosis? Click here to take a 20 question quiz!   Professionals: Join our Mental Health Provider list here Join the Pediatric Oncology Psychosocial Professional Network group here. 

Join me at the mic with Rosaria Kozar, the host to Living with Scanxiety. She opens up about her mental health during her son, Brody's, treatment, and the grief that she continues to experience after her loss.  Don't forget to join our FB community here!  Do you have PTSD after a diagnosis? Click here to take a 20 question quiz! Join our Mental Health Provider list here

This book is a great one! Tune in to hear how this quick book can help you at any stage of the childhood cancer "journey." Purchase Your Copy of A Grief Observed here! Don't forget to join our FB community here!  Do you have PTSD after a diagnosis? Click here to take a 20 question quiz! Join our Mental Health Provider list here

Learn what to do and what to avoid when your child says, "Mommy, I'm Scared."

Are you getting ready for upcoming scans or labs and find yourself uncertain how to handle the wait? Listen to find out tips and techniques to help you cope through it!

Learn about what EMDR therapy is and how it can help you process your experience with cancer

Come learn about this amazing book that every family going through childhood cancer should read and process with a professional! The Body Keeps the Score will get you on a path toward healing!   To purchase your copy, click here! Don't forget to Join our Facebook Group!    

Come learn why Therapy is important!  

This episode Adriana talks with Dr Frederic Luskin about forgiveness that we face after misdiagnosis or being ghosted.  Dr Luskin is a professor at Standford, an international speaker and has authored several books on forgiveness.    The book he has authored and recommends:  Forgive for Good  

This episode is JUICY! It is filled with humor and vulnerability about the impact of pediatric cancer on the parent's sex life. It provides insight and tips on how to navigate the AWKWARD and at times DIFFICULT conversations around sex.  You can follow her at @the_jenna_mountain and @aspenhausassociates  

This episode is all about using the 5 Love Languages when faced with a cancer diagnosis in the family. Deborah Barrs is informative and provides practical tips to use in your family when faced with Pediatric Cancer. Deborah Barrs, the author of Strength for the Cancer Journey  and several other books. She was educated and trained in the Five Love Languages before Dr Gary Chapman published this piece of gold book! She is an authorized speaker on The Five Love Languages.  She is an author, speaker, and health educator who is passionate about helping people meet God in the difficult and unexpected challenges they encounter with a medical diagnosis. I highly recommend the book Strength for the Cancer Journey. You can purchase a copy here: Strength for the Cancer Journey on Amazon.  The topic is actually written for any person going through cancer with scripture and journal prompts to meditate and reflect on.  So many of the topics were applicable to parents or teenagers going through cancer. A MUST HAVE! Visit www.familychemotherapy.com@family_chemotherapy@the_adriana_lewin 

Dr Renee Exelbert worked for several years as a Child Psychologist in Pediatric Oncology/Hematology. After working with children with cancer, she was faced with her own cancer diagnosis. Through her personal healing, she found a helpful therapeutic approach through exercise integrated with therapy to work through healing the body, mind and soul. She authored the book Chemo Muscles which is available on Amazon.  To learn more about Dr. Renee Exelbert, visit her website: https://drexelbert.comShe shares about her experience working with children in pediatric cancer and imparts some wisdom. If you are or have a teen/ young adult dealing with cancer, this approach of therapy helps empower the survivor after feeling betrayed by their own body. For a parent, this helps work through the feeling of lack of control when faced with your child's diagnosis.  

Alexandra Neena is a Doctoral Fellow in her 3rd year of Child Psychology  at the University of Michigan. She is a childhood cancer advocate and passionate about mental health in the field of pediatric cancer. Her Instagram is @Alexandra.Neenan.  She is someone to follow on IG! She posts daily on mental health topics and research. This episode, she imparts some knowledge and tells us about how she got involved in advocacy.

It's hard to fathom that a child could have pediatric cancer, but there are times where both a child and a parent/caretaker have cancer at the same time.  In this interview, Adriana with Family ChemoTherapy has the opportunity to interview Amy Sapien, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida, and the face to Pink_and_Gold_momma  on Instagram.  She helps raise awareness that cancer can strike more than once in a home and the physical, emotional and logistical challenges that it brings. 

Who is Laura Sobiech? She is the author to the book Clouds: A Memoir which has now been adapted to the movie Clouds now available on Disney Plus. But who is she really, beside an outstanding author?Ever heard of Zach Sobiech? The teen singer/songwriter to the chart topping song Clouds that bared his soul to the world when he found out he was terminal with osteosarcoma?Well, Laura is the mother to this amazing and inspiring warrior who gained his angel wings far too soon. She is also the mother to his three super siblings.We cancer families understand that the cancer diagnosis of one child affects the entire family system.  This episode is a very candid interview on her story, Zach's story, and her families story on the behind the scenes of how they really coped with Zach's cancer diagnosis. Her book is now available to purchase on all major platforms and there is also the audiobook titled Fly a Little Higher on Audible. 

This episode comes with a bit of a disclaimer: My audio malfunctioned so I sound a bit like a robot. But the content is golden! I interview Blair Scroggs with The American Childhood Cancer Organization, also known as ACCO. Blair shares a little bit of the history of ACCO which is mind blowing yet fascinating. She also shares all the resources available at no cost to pediatric cancer families. She talks about Gold Ribbon Heroes and Founding Hope.  All in all, if you haven't checked out ACCO's website, you definitely should! It is the largest childhood cancer organization in the US that is involved in all things Pediatric Cancer.  Head over to https://www.acco.org to find and customize an order for resources that can be sent straight to your home! I highly recommend the books for children and the Oliver's Story for siblings. Looking to start a non-profit organization? They will hold your hand! Hop on over and donate to this amazing organization if you want to support their mission!

Talking to kids about cancer can be intimidating. In this episode, Adriana Lewin interviews Dr. Candace Chuyou-Campbell about ideas on how to speak to kids about such a big topic at all age levels. 

Make sure you listen to Coping with the Diagnosis Part 1!  Part 2 discusses the following about Pediatric Cancer:  Going to the appointmentDiscussing your options with your decision making partner/spouse/significant other/other adult.  Trust but verify by researching  What to take to appointment:take a notebook to take notesRecord on your phone Be gentle with yourself and take help when offered-You may not not what help you need until a little after the diagnosis -It’s okay to say, “I don’t know, can I get back to you”-Talk to your social worker to find the resources that are available to you-Food trains!   They are SUPER helpful! Learning to take it one day at a timeAllow yourself to feel those emotions Give your best, not perfect.  Discusses the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for cancer families. Psychological NeedsSafety NeedsLove and BelongingEsteemSelf-ActualizationI reference the article I wrote about being ghosted. To read that, go to https://www.familychemotherapy.com/post/ghostedMake sure to check out the website! www.familychemotherapy.com If you would like to guest on my podcast, or would like to invite Adriana to guest, please reach out through the website link! Please kindly rate this podcast and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest!

This episode describes the initial diagnosis and what you may expect at the doctors office. It describes the stages of grief that parents and families of pediatric cancer experience. Adriana discusses what life changes you will experience, and how that can impact your mental health. She shares her personal experience of receiving her child's diagnosis. For more information on topics, visit the website : www.familychemotherapy.com

What is social distancing and how does it apply to families with pediatric cancer? And how do you adjust to social distancing after your child's diagnosis?

An introduction to Family ChemoTherapy: A Corner for Parents and Caretakers Fighting and Surviving Pediatric Cancer. A general overview of the purpose and the topics that will be addressed by Adriana Lewin, a Licensed Professional Counselor and momcologist.  Instagram: www.instagram.com/family_chemotherapyFacebook: www.facebook.com/familychemotherapyTwitter: www.twitter.com/familychemotherapy