Simplify Cancer

This is a conversation I have been looking forward to for a long time: My friend Lee Silverstein, cancer veteran and a beautiful soul! It's hard to make sense of our life after cancer experience, but the way Lee can distil the essence of our shared experience is a joy to behold! Every time we speak, I learn something new and get a valuable lesson. Here is what we cover on this week's episode: The Whac-A-Mole of Cancer What it takes to be an informed patient How to live in the moment Taking your power back after cancer Another way to be mindful each day How people respond to you after cancer Links Episode 077: How To Apply Mindfulness After Cancer with Dr Ronald Siegel Episode 075: Meaning of Life After Cancer with Dr William Breitbart Episode 072: The Magnifying Glass of Adversity with Lee Silverstein     Don't Forget To Sign Up for Your 7 Day Challenge to Take Your Life Back After Cancer!People expect you to bounce back after cancer, but it's not easy – you've got to deal with changes, fatigue and worry that it might come back… Over seven days, I am sharing practical ideas that helped me get the life I want after cancer – sign up free today: #btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .text {font-size:16px;color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 {padding:5px 25px;border-color:#000000;border-width:1px;-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;background:#38b6ff;background:-webkit-gradient(linear, left top, left bottom, color-stop(0%, #38b6ff), color-stop(100%, #38b6ff));background:-webkit-linear-gradient(top, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);background:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);background:-ms-linear-gradient(top, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);background:-o-linear-gradient(top, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);background:linear-gradient(to bottom, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.gradient(startColorstr=#38b6ff, endColorstr=#38b6ff, GradientType=0);box-shadow:0px 1px 1px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .gradient {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .shine {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .active {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .hover {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}Sign Up Today I will never give out your email - view my Privacy Policy

This is the worst part about cancer - the nameless worries that creep into your life, tugging behind you wherever you go... But it doesn't have to be that way! We can put worry in its place where you can enjoy the things that you love with people that you care about the most. And it's critical that you do it NOW. Because how you deal with worry right now will determine the quality of life from this point on. I had no one talk to about it and it seemed like nothing would ever even change... But it can, and it does! This is why I want to share the five big strategies that can help you lead a happier, more fulfilled life after cancer that you deserve to feel more calm and in control of what is going on around you. Here is what we cover on this week's episode: How to bring your worries out into the open so they lose control over you Clawing back your sense of control How to make sense of what is going on to find greater clarity Set clear boundaries to stop worrying from taking over your life How to take focus away from worry Video Links Episode 039: Exercise Boost Through Treatment and Recovery Episode 002: How Exercise Helps Crush Cancer Register for Stable and Predictable Life After Cancer Webinar     Don't Forget To Sign Up for Your 7 Day Challenge to Take Your Life Back After Cancer!People expect you to bounce back after cancer, but it's not easy – you've got to deal with changes, fatigue and worry that it might come back… Over seven days, I am sharing practical ideas that helped me get the life I want after cancer – sign up free today: #btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .text {font-size:16px;color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 {padding:5px 25px;border-color:#000000;border-width:1px;-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;background:#38b6ff;background:-webkit-gradient(linear, left top, left bottom, color-stop(0%, #38b6ff), color-stop(100%, #38b6ff));background:-webkit-linear-gradient(top, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);background:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);background:-ms-linear-gradient(top, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);background:-o-linear-gradient(top, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);background:linear-gradient(to bottom, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.gradient(startColorstr=#38b6ff, endColorstr=#38b6ff, GradientType=0);box-shadow:0px 1px 1px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .gradient {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .shine {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .active {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .hover {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}Sign Up Today I will never give out your email - view my Privacy Policy

It is only when I look back at life after I finished treatment that I realise how much of a struggle it's really been. I had no one talk to about it and it seemed like nothing would ever even change... But it can, and it does! Having spent three years of deep work to get on top of worry and stress I am here to share with you five big things that can help you get there that much FASTER. In each of the big five, I give you practical tools and mindset to make these come to life. Because you don't need theory, but real world implementation! Here are the top five ideas we go through on the roadmap to thrive after cancer in this week's episode: Get your energy levels up Redirect your worry Recharge your relationships Set yourself up to win Make giving a way of life Video Links Episode 039: Exercise Boost Through Treatment and Recovery Episode 002: How Exercise Helps Crush Cancer Register for Stable and Predictable Life After Cancer Webinar     Don't Forget To Sign Up for Your 7 Day Challenge to Take Your Life Back After Cancer!People expect you to bounce back after cancer, but it's not easy – you've got to deal with changes, fatigue and worry that it might come back… Over seven days, I am sharing practical ideas that helped me get the life I want after cancer – sign up free today: #btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .text {font-size:16px;color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 {padding:5px 25px;border-color:#000000;border-width:1px;-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;background:#38b6ff;background:-webkit-gradient(linear, left top, left bottom, color-stop(0%, #38b6ff), color-stop(100%, #38b6ff));background:-webkit-linear-gradient(top, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);background:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);background:-ms-linear-gradient(top, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);background:-o-linear-gradient(top, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);background:linear-gradient(to bottom, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.gradient(startColorstr=#38b6ff, endColorstr=#38b6ff, GradientType=0);box-shadow:0px 1px 1px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .gradient {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .shine {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .active {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .hover {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}Sign Up Today I will never give out your email - view my Privacy Policy

Cancer is no laughing matter, but finding humor through life can help us get through the difficult times and make sense of our journey. My guest today has made humor a way of life, and Michael Shafar has flipped his cancer experience on its head to live it up as part of his stand up. Michael is awesome because in addition to all things funny, he also makes a contribution towards supporting cancer clinical trials for below the belt cancer that we talk about today! Links Michael Shafar (official website) Michael Shafar (Twitter) ANZUP Cancer Trials Group Limited I put this book together to help you thrive in times of uncertainty (plus find out how you'll be helping ANZUP cancer trials):   Don't Forget To Sign Up for Your 7 Day Challenge to Take Your Life Back After Cancer!People expect you to bounce back after cancer, but it's not easy – you've got to deal with changes, fatigue and worry that it might come back… Over seven days, I am sharing practical ideas that helped me get the life I want after cancer – sign up free today: #btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .text {font-size:16px;color:#ffffff;font-weight:bold;}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 {padding:5px 25px;border-color:#000000;border-width:1px;-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;background:#38b6ff;background:-webkit-gradient(linear, left top, left bottom, color-stop(0%, #38b6ff), color-stop(100%, #38b6ff));background:-webkit-linear-gradient(top, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);background:-moz-linear-gradient(top, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);background:-ms-linear-gradient(top, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);background:-o-linear-gradient(top, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);background:linear-gradient(to bottom, #38b6ff 0%, #38b6ff 100%);filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.gradient(startColorstr=#38b6ff, endColorstr=#38b6ff, GradientType=0);box-shadow:0px 1px 1px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .gradient {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .shine {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .active {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}#btn_1_5095f450e13754607e74fd13894c14a2 .hover {-moz-border-radius:6px;-webkit-border-radius:6px;border-radius:6px;}Sign Up Today I will never give out your email - view my Privacy Policy

You cannot choose cancer, but you can choose what comes next – Dr. Wendy Lichtenthal Wendy helps people who go through cancer and I love the unique perspective in understanding your cancer experience to create the new normal that helps you move forward in life. Here is what we cover in our discussion today: Why […] The post Episode 078: Making Sense of Life After Cancer appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

Isn’t it weird how everyone talks about mindfulness, but no one seems to know how to put it to work it in everyday life? And how do you even know that you’re actually doing it? Many times I found myself staring into space in an attempt to find calm and relax, but no matter how […] The post Episode 077: How To Apply Mindfulness After Cancer with Dr Ronald Siegel appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

You don’t think about cancer when you’re young. Your hopes and your dreams they still lie ahead even when you haven’t found them yet… And that is why it hits you SO DAMN HARD. You never see it coming and what’s worse, neither does anyone else. Your friends find your cancer weird to talk about […] The post Episode 076: Young Adults Guide to Life Beyond Cancer with Geoff Eaton appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

How do you make sense of life after cancer? What are you even supposed to do with yourself after all of this? And how do you go on living and living well knowing that death is real? This is Joe Bakhmoutski and welcome back to the Simplify Cancer Podcast! I have a fascinating conversation for […] The post Episode 075: Meaning of Life After Cancer with Dr William Breitbart appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

Today, I am talking to Carly Flumer about advocating for your health during cancer. Carly shares her approach to share your story and get the support that you want on social media. I wish I thought of this when I was going through cancer – oh Carly, where were you then?! Here is what we […] The post Episode 074: Standing Up for Your Health During Cancer with Carly Flumer appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

Today, I am talking to my favourite cancer thrivers and fellow podcasters Gabrielle and Alex about making sense of life beyond cancer. Alex and Gabrielle speak to the challenges we all go through, but always looking forward, towards the future and making your difference on your terms! And you can’t get enough of that, can […] The post Episode 073: How To Let Go and Thrive After Cancer appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

Today, I am talking to my friend Lee Silverstein of WE Have Cancer about finding yourself again beyond cancer to live a happier, more fulfilled life. I love the way Lee looks at life – and he never looks back! Here is what we cover in our discussion today: How cancer changes the way that you […] The post Episode 072: The Magnifying Glass of Adversity appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

In this episode of Simplify Cancer Podcast, we talk about better ways of dealing with cancer during the pandemic, coping with uncertainty, and reducing the risk of severe infection. Our special guest is Professor Jeff Dunn, Chief Executive Officer of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Jeff is an expert in cancer control and has helped […] The post Episode 071: How to Make Self-Care a Priority When You Have Cancer appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

In this episode of Simplify Cancer Podcast, we talk about better ways of dealing with cancer during the pandemic, coping with uncertainty, and reducing the risk of severe infection. This is particularly crucial in the time of COVID-19 pandemic. Our special guest is Dr Christopher Steer, a medical oncologist who specialises in helping older adults […] The post Episode 070: Cancer, COVID and Coping: A discussion with Dr Christopher Steer appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

In this episode of Simplify Cancer Podcast, we are talking to Damien Bolton, a clinical professor at the University of Melbourne and head of Austin Urology Unit here in Australia. Damien is incredibly passionate about driving change to really improve the quality of life and the outcomes for patients who are living with prostate cancer, […] The post Episode 069: Empowering Men Living with Cancer during the Pandemic: A discussion with Prof Damien Bolton appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

In this episode of Simplify Cancer Podcast, we talk about better ways of dealing with isolation, staying in good shape during isolation, and keeping your energy levels up. This is particularly crucial in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our special guest is Dale Ischia, an exercise physiologist who specialises in exercise and cancer, and here is what […] The post Episode 068: Cancer, Isolation and Staying Active: A discussion with Exercise Physiologist Dale Ischia (Moving Beyond Cancer) appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

Today, I’m talking of Darryl Mitteldorf of Malecare, a non-profit organisation that helps men fighting cancer together. Darryl is an advocate for men’s health, a clear thinker and a beautiful human being. Here are some things that we cover today: Pandemic in the USA through the eyes of New Yorker How the crisis in the […] The post Episode 067: COVID-19 Pandemic Update From New York appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

Today, I am talking to Raina Macintyre, an expert in biosecurity and infectious diseases. Raina shares surprising details about COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some things that we cover today: The surprising outbreak of the novel coronavirus How COVID-19 affects our immune system What you can do to lower the risk of infection and much, much […] The post Episode 066: Understanding the COVID-19 Pandemic When At Risk appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

Today, I am talking to Eva Segelov, Professor of Oncology at Monash University and Director of Oncology at Monash Health. Eva is incredibly passionate, empathetic and kind, and today she shares exactly what you need to know when you are going through cancer treatment during COVID-19 pandemic! Here are some things that we cover today: […] The post Episode 065: Cancer Treatment In A Time of Uncertainty appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

https://simplifycancer.com/podcast/SimplifyCancerE064KhevinBarnes.mp3 Today, I am talking to my favorite male breast cancer survivor, health advocate and modern day renaissance man Khevin Barnes! Khevin is here to bring his unique blend of hope, fun and inspiration we all need after cancer!! Here are some things that we cover today: Key distinction in how men and women deal […] The post Episode 064: Celebrating Life After Cancer appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

https://simplifycancer.com/podcast/SimplifyCancerE063AlanWhite.mp3 Today, I am talking to prostate cancer survivor, men’s health advocate and author Alan White. Alan is a no-nonsense kind of a guy who gets straight to the point – and that’s what you need when you’re dealing with cancer! Here are some things that we cover today: Breaking the news around cancer Why […] The post Episode 063: Getting On Top Of Cancer With Alan White appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

https://simplifycancer.com/podcast/SimplifyCancerE61.mp3 Today, my friend Troy from GeekAloud is talking to me about my new book called Simplify Cancer: Man’s Guide to Navigating the Everyday Reality of Cancer! So excited to finally share some great training here because I know it can help! It’s the book I wish I had – a practical, hands on guide […] The post Episode 061: Joe’s Quest to Simplify Cancer For Men appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

https://simplifycancer.com/podcast/SimplifyCancerE62BookTour.mp3 Today, I am giving a complete virtual tour my new book called Simplify Cancer: Man’s Guide to Navigating the Everyday Reality of Cancer! So excited to finally share some great training here because I know it can help! It’s the book I wish I had – a practical, hands on guide on dealing with […] The post Episode 062: Simplify Cancer Virtual Book Tour appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

You never expect to get testicular cancer. Getting the news is such a shock to the system and you are completely unprepared! It’s a crazy time in your life when you don’t know what’s going on, or how things will turn out. Having gone through chemotherapy and operation for testicular cancer, I’m here to share […] The post Episode 060: What You Must Know About Testicular Cancer appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

We know that life after cancer treatment is not always easy.  Maybe you don’t have as much energy as you’d like, or still dealing with side-effects, or maybe you’ve put on weight. And today, I’m talking to Lauren and Elise, they’re nutritionists who specialise in oncology and they share fantastic advice on getting your nutrition […] The post Episode 059: Your Nutrition After Cancer Treatment appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

https://simplifycancer.com/podcast/SimplifyCancerE058.mp3 Lauren and Elise are nutritionists who specialise in oncology.  They share practical actionable advice on nutrition that you can apply right now and in a way where you’re not denying yourself anything, so you are not going to feel miserable, which is so crucial. Here are some things that we cover today: Why diets […] The post Episode 058: Your Nutrition During Cancer Treatment appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

I found out about Stan by reading his book and it really spoke to me because it covers all the difficult topics that come with talking to someone with cancer.  Stan is a really deep thinker who uses his own cancer experience to distill his wisdom into practical ways of dealing with cancer. Here are […] The post Episode 057: Caring for The Person with Cancer appeared first on Simplify Cancer.

Hey, this is Joe Bakhmoutski and welcome to Simplify Cancer Podcast! I've got a great conversation for you today.  I'm talking to my new friends, Gabrielle and Alex. They have a podcast called Soar Above Cancer, which I love and we have a fantastic chat today about what it's really like to be a young adult who's dealing with cancer. Here are some things that we cover today: The shock of being diagnosed with cancer as a young adult The importance of calling on your support network through treatment How relationships and friendships can change after cancer and much, much more! Links Soar Above Cancer website Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/soarabovecancer/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/soarabovecancer/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/alexmandarino/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/alex.mandarino.12 Full Transcript Joe:                 It's so fantastic to have you on, guys.  Alex, I really want to start with you first, what was life like before cancer? Alex:                Yes, so myself, before the time of diagnosis, right before that, I was about 20 years old, so I was in university, I was studying my Bachelor of Commerce degree.  That was interesting.  I was very into my academics.  I was very interested in school and into the business aspect, working as often as possible and on my studies and things like that.  When you're 20, you have a big social life, so I was trying to hang out with friends as often as possible, go out on Friday/Saturday nights, even physically I was in the gym as often as possible. I was very active, I was building up muscle.  At that time, in your life, you're figuring out where you are in terms of what you want to do, in terms of the type of person you want to be, you're meeting new people, you're meeting new friends.  It was a very fast-paced lifestyle in a sense.  It was at the time where you feel a little bit carefree and on top of the world. When you're 19/20 years old, first of all, you feel like you know everything and you feel like when you plan something out, you feel like that's what's going to happen and you're going to see it through to fruition.  Obviously, at the time of diagnosis, it changes your perspective on things, but prior to that, I was a very active human being.  It was a big drastic change when that happened. Joe:                 Yes, absolutely.  What about you, Gabrielle, what was it like for you? Gabrielle:        I was also in university.  Actually, similar experience as Alex, I was 19, I had completed my second year of my bachelor's degree.  I was like Alex, very involved with school, with friends, focusing on just getting it done and enjoy that life of a young adult.  That, like Alex said, is kind of carefree and really out there.  You get to experience a lot of new things and living on my own for the first time, too.  Then the diagnosis happens.  Then there's that huge drastic shift that a lot of young adults do live where you might become dependent again and the life just isn't the same. Joe:                 Yes, absolutely.  Gabrielle, what was going through your mind when you first found out that you had cancer? Gabrielle:        I tend to like to think that I was really thinking, “I've got this.” I think I was to some degree.  I think I was in denial, too, at first, about how big this cancer experience would actually become.  I like to think that my first initial thought was, “I can do this.” I've got this, we can go from there, and whatever happens, I can manage.  It won't be easy, but I can manage it. Joe:                 Yes, it's great that you felt that you could work it out.  Alex, did you feel the similar way? Alex:                I would say so, but initially, I would say shocked.  I'd say for the first ten seconds or so, I didn't really know how to react.  Obviously, your parents are in the room, so you want to be strong.  It's a new experience.

Hey, this is Joe Bakhmoutski and welcome to Simplify Cancer Podcast! Today you meet with Lee Silverstein who had cancer twice in his life, once as a child and once as an adult.  He has such an incredible attitude and he's using it to live the life the best way that he can and to help other people through his podcast called We Have Cancer.  Through this podcast, Lee shares information, inspiration, and hope for living the best life you can despite cancer. Here are some things that we cover today: Lee's inspirational A-G-E approach to dealing with cancer One powerful mindset that can help you during treatment How relationships and friendships can change after cancer and much, much more! Links We Have Cancer podcast Full Transcript Joe:                 Lee, I love your photos on Facebook and on your website and with you and your Batman gear.  Can you talk about that? Lee:                 I've been dealing with colon cancer for eight years.  The largest colon cancer support organisation in the U.S.  is the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.  They do a run, a 5k run, and a walk at different cities all over the country.  Each weekend a different city.  The first one is always in Tampa, Florida, which was last weekend.  Instead of giving out, like most of these events, they give out t-shirts, but because it's the other part of the body, they give out boxer shorts.  That's where the undi-name comes from.  People dress in funny costumes.  I was always a batman fan when I was a kid, so we called my team: Lee's Superheroes, and we all dressed up with batman shirts and shorts and boxers and all of that. Joe:                 Yes, that's fantastic, Lee.  I love that because I think both you and me, and I guess actually many of us, have really uncomfortable cancers in the most uncomfortable parts of the body.  Like, I had testicular cancer, you had colon cancer.  It feels weird to start to talk about it because it's private and sensitive, right? Lee:                 True, but I tell people when it comes to my disease, everybody uses the bathroom, everybody uses the toilet, and because we all do it, it shouldn't be something embarrassing.  I know it is, but I tell people: Don't let embarrassment kill you.  I interview so many people on my podcast who either they themselves waited and waited too long because they were embarrassed to say anything, to talk to their doctor.  Then the disease was more advanced than it should have been.  What's worse?  Being a little bit embarrassed or having to go through chemotherapy? Joe:                 Yes, exactly.  I think that's why it's even more important, like you say, to talk about it and to be honest and upfront.  Just so people feel more comfortable to show up at the doctors and say, “Can you have a look at this?  Can you check it out?” Lee:                 Absolutely.  You're absolutely right. Joe:                 Lee, I was really shocked to hear your story that you really first had cancer as a child.  What was that experience like? Lee:                 Well, from what I remember, when I was four or five years old, I'm surprised how much I do remember, the story behind that is when I was growing up, I had one sister at the time, another sister came along a few years later.  We were always getting sick, especially in the winter time, strep throat, throat infections.  When I was a kid, the popular surgery was to have your tonsils out if you kept getting throat infections.  They said, “We think we should take his tonsils out.” My parents took me to the hospital the day before the surgery just to do all the testing and bloodwork and all of that.  Something showed up very unusual in my blood test.  They said, wait a minute, this is not good, something's going on here.  They did some tests and found a spot on my kidney.  It turned out to be a rare form of paediatric kidney cancer called a Wilms Tumour.  Now, a Wilms Tumour if caught early,

Here is what is covered in this episode: Worries during cancer, they grow like grass – needs to be cut regularly or it will take over I tried to get into mindfulness, but realised that I already live life this way, taking each day one at a time, appreciating the little things I tried meditating without success – I'd lie down and feel relaxed but still have a million thoughts buzzing around in my head It didn't help - still tense, still all over the place… I discovered that the mind releases tension through intense focus, not relaxation Focus directs where you PLACE your energy by doing exercise for the body and the mind Do what's right for you – choose something you like that you can sustain over time You can't escape worry during cancer – but you can release all that built up energy when you channel into focus on physical and mental sports Links PLACEMENT Vlog: Dealing with Uncertainty Support Pillar 3 of 3 - Removing tension and stress on regular basis

Here is what is covered in this episode: With cancer, it's so hard to make sense of it all - at times, you feel so lost, there is no energy, no spark… But this one time, I thought to myself – what if this my last day, what would I do now? Seemed scary when it first popped into my head, but the more I thought about it, the easier it has become to only do things that I enjoy, that are important to me right now With this clarifying question, you are only doing things that really matter and everything else is a distraction I picked out fun, the one aspect of our relatioship that I wanted to stand out for him, andhe responded to it in a powerful way Starting out, you ask yourself this regularly and gradually it becomes second nature When you tune out all distractions, your worries fade into the background, you are bringing PURPOSE around everything that you do Links PURPOSE: Support Pillar 2 of 3 Vlog

Here is what is covered in this episode: Everyone sees you in a particular way, and that builds up gradually to form one powerful feeling It seems like an incredibly complex process that we have no control over, yet do so unconsciously with every interaction And when we start to change it, something magical happens! With my son, I thought – how do I want him to see me, remember me? I picked out fun, the one aspect of our relatioship that I wanted to stand out for him, andhe responded to it in a powerful way It also brought incredible relief to me because I was present, in the moment, focussed on our interaction, not worring about cancer or what might happen This process of selective memories has completely transformed the way I see myself now and how I am with people I truly care about You create a certain POISE, the way you carry yourself and that creates the right balance in your life It gives you the tools for living in the moment which is so valuable because with or without cancer, it can be taken away Links Vlog Dealing with Uncertainty during Cancer Support Pillar 1 of 3: POISE

Here is what is covered in this episode: Panic attack can happen at any time it takes over and you're not myself anymore You start to worry: - What if I fall down or faint, or stop breathing? How do other people see me, can they tell what's going on? But fighting it and trying to keep it under control which makes things worse, leaving you worn out and exhausted A good way to think about it is like a train coming towards you – you can't stop it so get out of the way My technique for dealing with it is called "Feed to Beast" - give it what it wants and it will go away! What I say to myself: "Here it is again, I knew it was coming, I'm going to let it happen and get out of the way Let this waves of panic come and wash over you, and soon it will leave you alone At the end, do a sharp and intense physical movement like jump and clap to break apart whatever tension is left Links How To Stop Panic Attack in 2 Minutes or Less Vlog

I know that cancer changes the way you look at things, the way you think about the future, even the way you see yourself, but even when things are tough, there is still the light at the end of the tunnel, you can make it through and have the life that you want despite cancer! And that's what I'm talking about today with my new friend, Jim Adams.  Here are some things that we cover today: Reflecting on the cancer experience 28 years later Dealing with the ups and downs of cancer treatment The transformational role of the support group Getting the most out of life after cancer and much, much more! Links Finding Hope Podcast Finding Hope podcast on iTunes Episode 047: Cancer Caregiver's Journey Full Transcript Joe:                 Jim, I'm super excited to be talking to you because I found your podcast and it just really speaks to me because is where I'm from.  Jim, I really want to first of all, start with life, with your life before cancer.  Tell me, was that like? Jim:                  Let's see, what was it like?  Well, when I was diagnosed, it was back in 1991, and I had a real rare form of testicular cancer.  It was called non-seminoma germ cell testicular cancer.  It wasn't in my testes, it was actually a tumour growing from the back of my abdomen.  The way it's been explained to me is, when you're in the first trimester, this was called the germ cell that travels down your spine and one deposits in each teste.  Well, for some reason, one didn't make it all the way down and it didn't deposit in one of my testes and it, for some reason, at 25, it just started growing from the back of my abdomen. Unlike a lot of other people who are not feeling sick, I ended up losing weight, I got misdiagnosed a number of times.  I had one doctor tell me that he thought I had chlamydia and I needed to share it with my girlfriend at the time, which was crazy because I didn't have chlamydia.  At one point, I could actually feel the tumour in my abdomen.  I could actually push into my stomach and I could feel there's something in there, something's not right.  Went into the emergency room and they started doing testing and checked me in.  They did test after test after test, biopsies, they did colonoscopy, they did down your throat.  I forget what that's called.  They couldn't figure out what it was, so they ended up doing exploratory surgery.  Then the way it's described is this tumour has what's almost like a yoke sack on it. Once they opened me up, they were able to figure out that it was germ cell.  The funny thing is, the doctor came walking and he said, “We could have done a pregnancy test” because my kind of cancer, it will be positive on a pregnancy test.  He said, “If we had just given you a pregnancy test, we wouldn't have had to have exploratory surgery.” Yes, so they stapled me up and started me on chemotherapy right away.  At the time, I had complete intestinal blockage, too, so nothing was coming out. They started me on chemotherapy, and I had five rounds of chemo.  They always told me it would be chemotherapy and at the end there would be another surgery.  I had five rounds of chemotherapy and then at the end, I had another surgery, which even to this day, I on occasion go see that doctor and he's only done one or two, like what he did with me.  The surgery started at 6:30 in the morning and didn't finish until 7:00 o'clock at night.  They said the doctor looked worse than I did. Joe:                 Wow.  That's rough, Jim.  That's crazy. Jim:                  Yes, it was a pretty rough beginning, in the sense of with chemotherapy, it makes you feel like crap.  Having had an abdominal surgery and throwing up was no easy task.  It was a painful task.  At that point, we had the surgery, the surgery there were eight or nine doctors in there when I had it because the tumour, it was bi-lobal, so there were two tumours the size of melons.  They were wrapped around my aorta sitting on ...

Here is what is covered in this episode: When you go through treatment, you get worries that pop up in your head It starts with something small like an ache or a pain and then somehow you start thinking about something awful then it spirals out of control until you can't stop thinking about it I believe it's because we lose so much control with cancer things just seem to come out of nowhere So the key to get your power back and that starts with looking at what is within your control It seems like you can't do anything about it, but when you break it down, it turns out that you have control or influence over most things 1 thing beyond your control is whether the treatment has worked... Everything else is up to you: How much you know about what's happening How you deal with worry Dealing with treatment, what to expect and how to manage it better Your support network Life around cancer Your recovery after treatment Links How To Divert Your Thoughts Away From Cancer Vlog

Here is what is covered in this episode: Treatment is tough and it's important to tackle cancer on every level Mental: to deal with pressure of balancing life and treatment, staying on top of your worries, doing more things that bring you more fun and joy over the long term Physical: being prepared for treatment to speed up recovery, managing side effects better when you know what to watch out for early on, setting yourself up for better life after treatment Social: how to get people in your life to support you on your terms and supporting those people you care about most by being honest and direct about what's bothering you and what you need Links How to Stay on Top of Life During Treatment Video 

Look, I know that supporting someone you love through cancer can really be the toughest job in the world.  Not only do you have to support them through it, but you somehow have to try to find a way to deal with all the craziness and the uncertainty yourself.  Today, we get to hear what it's like to be a caregiver from Honore, who went on this extraordinary adventure of supporting her husband through cancer.  Here are some things that we cover today: The shock of cancer diagnosis in your 20s The tough challenge of switching roles as a caregiver Top advice on keeping life and treatment apart How to deal with stress and uncertainty when your partner has cancer The importance of keeping to new rituals and much, much more! Links 128 Days & Counting: Website and Blog 128 Days & Counting on Amazon 128 Days & Counting on Goodreads Episode 015: When Your Loved One Has Cancer Full Transcript Joe:                What was your life like before cancer? Honore:            Life before cancer feels really simple now.  My husband and I, Tom, we were married three years.  We had been together just over six.  We were in our late 20s, establishing our careers and enjoying the opportunities of travel.  We were at that age where every weekend was a wedding or a bachelor party or a bachelorette party.  We were just in that time in our lives where we were constantly moving and really got to enjoy those first couple of years of marriage.  Things were great.  It came so abruptly that that time in our life just seems foreign now. Joe:                 Absolutely.  How did you first find out that Tom had cancer? Honore:            We were actually very fortunate.  Tom was having a weird cough and some pain in his chest.  He didn't really think anything of it.  I remember him coming up the stairs that night and just making a face a little bit and pushing on his chest.  He said something just felt weird.   We thought, okay, a cold is coming or something like that.  It's September, all the back-to-school stuff and we went to sleep that night and about five o'clock the next morning, I woke up and he was putting clothes on and he was getting ready.  He said he needed to go to the hospital.  Fast-forward an hour or so later, and he had an x-ray and they saw a shadow in the mediastinal, so in his chest. From that, they sent him to a CT and there was a baseball-sized tumour sitting in the centre of his chest, essentially, in the mediastinal.  What was causing that chest pain for him was the fact that the tumour was touching his heart.  We were actually in a way very fortunate because it mimicked symptoms that you don't mess around with.  You go into the ER when you're having chest pain like that. Where some people who had gotten this type of cancer in their abdomen and it takes longer to diagnose because you just think you're having a food allergy or something like that.  We were very fortunate in a way that it was in his chest.  We got to the hospital a little bit 6:00am, by three o'clock that afternoon, we knew it was a late stage-three cancer.  His particular cancer was a non-seminoma germ cell tumour, which is a rare form of testicular cancer. Joe:                 Yes, wow, it's just such a shock, isn't it, because you just never see it coming.  What was the first thing that went through your mind? Honore:            That I would wake up.  It's funny because naively, in a way I woke up out of a dead sleep to Tom saying, “We need to go to the hospital.” There's an element of that that I honest to goodness thought I was in a dream.  I would wake up, it would be okay, I would wake up, this is just one of those really vivid dreams you have.  Unfortunately, not.  Once I accepted that reality in that day anyway, I think it took long to truly accept our reality, but knowing that I wasn't in a dream, unfortunately, what you think of is every bad story you've ever heard about cancer and the financial impact it...

In short: Resilience is not about being positive... It's doing your best to work around things that get in your way! And you need the ability to recharge it during the many ups and downs throughout your cancer adventure But where do you find it – I believe that it has to come from people in your life your life is in danger you don't know what to expect or how things are going to turn out, so this is truly the time when you need your people the most It's makes sense to Accept that you should not deal with cancer on your own No need for drama - just being straight up and honest and direct about what's going on for you People in your life want to help, but they don't know how - guide your people on what they can do to be there for you to get support on your terms This support is now integrated into your life when you have real conversations They are going to feel included and they are going to be grateful And there are going to be people who won't step up even you made it very clear about what's going to help you Let them be and Move On – focus on those who stayed Support from people you care about is going to pull you up instead dragged down by worry and uncertainty Links Emotional Resilience During Cancer Treatment

In short: Some people in your life go missing just when you need them most There were people who let me down cancer treatment that put me on a quest to find out why Having collected and analyzed hundreds of reasons people have provided, I can share with you 3 top reasons why people fade away during cancer Reason #1: Their own fear of death and dying gets in the way of supporting you when it's easier to turn away from Reason #2: People don't want to offend you by saying the wrong thing so they do the worst thing possible, which is nothing at all Reason #3: It can be hard to notice sometimes that we can grow distant with people and be close friends in name only and it may take a disaster like cancer to bring that to light To get the support you want, it's best to explain to your people exactly what you want from them to be there for you Those who truly care about you will be grateful for giving them the opportunity to support you on your terms Send an email with a list of practical things that people can volunteer for Links 3 Reasons Why People Disappear From Your Life During Cancer Vlog  

I'm super excited today because we have Linda who is a world-leading expert at applying mindfulness to dealing with worries and uncertainty, both during cancer and beyond.  Here are some things that we cover today: The truth about mindfulness Untangling past, present and future Two ways of coping with trauma Putting mindfulness into practice Step by step diaphragmatic breathing walk through and much, much more! Links About Dr Linda Carlson Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery Mindfulness Based Stressed Reduction Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery Book Am Mindfulness Mobile (Apple App store) Am Mindfulness Mobile (Google Play) Episode 029: What You Must Know About Clinical Trials Before Starting Treatment Full Transcript Joe:                 Tell me, what's mindfulness and why is it important when you're dealing with cancer? Linda:              Okay, well, let's start with the basic question, what is mindfulness anyway?  If you look at the simplest definition, mindfulness is just paying attention in the present moment with an open and accepting attitude.  It's simple but it's not easy because when you think of where your mind normally is, there's research saying we have anywhere from 50,000 – 70,000 thoughts every day.  50,000 – 70,000 individual thoughts.  Yes, they've done research where they ping people with little beepers and they ask them, what are you think about and they ask their moods.  It turns out that, make a guess, how often do you think that our minds are not in the present moment? Joe:                 Most of the time? Linda:              We might think that, but in this study, they found that about half the time people's thoughts weren't on what they were doing.  In conjunction with that, they also found that people were happier when their attention and their thoughts were in the present moment.  If you ask yourself the question, why would that be?  Why is it that when my mind is wandering, I'm less happy?  Well, you can look to where the mind goes often.  If you look at our habitual ways of thinking, our minds might be in the past. You might be reliving something and saying thing, or could have, should have, would have, or if only this, or if only that, things would be better.  Then you feel really down on yourself, you can have regrets.  You can get angry and resentful, right, when you're thinking on the past, because you can't change any of that.  You can get really wrapped up in blaming yourself for how things went.  Or, for a lot of people and a lot of people with cancer, their minds are zooming off to the future, they're worrying about, what if this?  What if that? I don't know what's going to happen.  What does my future hold for me, so then you get all stressed out and worried, right?  All that ruminating in the past makes you depressed, all that worrying about the future makes you anxious, so you miss the moments when you live your life, which is only in the present moment.  It turns out when we are able to keep our attention and our awareness in the present moment, we tend to be happier because we're not so stuck with things we can't change or things that may never happen.  That's generally the idea of mindfulness, is learning to be awake and aware in the present moment.  There's also lots of myths around, what is mindfulness, that it's important to dispel. One really common myth is that your mind just goes blank, right?  There are no thoughts and it's all blissful and you're floating like one of those yogis sitting in a lotus position.  That's a common roadblock because people might try mindfulness practice and their mind doesn't go blank and it isn't calm and peaceful.  They think, “I don't know how to do it or I'm doing it wrong, or I just don't get it.  I can't do it, it's impossible.” Right? Joe:                 Yes, I've been there, done that. Linda:              It's really important to understand that mindfulness or awareness in...

When it comes to making decisions about your cancer treatment, you expect your specialist to have all the answers so you know exactly what you need to do, but often, that's not how things turn out. You may have different treatment options, each with its pros and cons. All of a sudden, you have to make life and death decisions over things you don't really understand… So how do you go about making a decision that is right for you? This is what I learned from experience that may help. In short: You expect your specialist to lay out the treatment step by step, but often, there are you are the one deciding which road to take Yes, it's scary because you are asked to make life and death decisions over things you don't even understand... But it's also empowering because you now in charge of your life again, you are empowered to decide which road to take going forward Your specialist guides you through the process, but it helps to dig deeper to understand what's really going on under the hood Search for each option on a reputable evidence based website like Cancer Council in Australia Now that you know the facts, ask cancer survivors for their experience These folks went down that road before, gone through those treatment and had to make decisions like the one you need to make right now Find the right forum with my Online Community Guide under the Tools section on SimplifyCancer.com When you combine expertise and facts with real life experience and know how, you can make informed decisions about treatment There is no such a thing as the right decision so make a decision that's right for you in this point in time Whatever decision you make is bound to be the right one for you right now! Links Making the Right Decision About Your Cancer Treatment Vlog  

Waiting room hammers home the reality of cancer – yes, this IS actually happening, and it's happening to you, of all people! Your entire life turns upside down when you are confronted with the ultimate uncertainty... But when you are prepared for what you need to bring with you and what you want to take away from your appointment, you create confidence for getting yourself through treatment in the best way possible. Here are some things that I am going to discuss in this episode: When it comes to oncology, it takes a lot of effort to not only become a specialist, but also to stay in this profession As an oncologist you are required to stay up to date with learning and latest research The advice you are getting is based on best practice from around the world You can I trust that they know what they are doing, trust the advice you're going to get, trust that there are solutions to most problems If there is trust, then you can ask any questions you want and have the confidence you are going to get right answers for you Come prepared by asking questions about worries that are bothering you and fears that keep you up at night Make notes about answers and ask your specialist if it's ok to record the conversation for reference Bring a friend to take mind off cancer and crosscheck any information later When you're prepared for your oncologist visit, you can remove away so much of your stress and worry Links Taking the Stress Out of Your First Oncologist Visit Vlog  

With cancer comes uncertainty.  Often, you don't really know what's going on, yet, you have to make decisions over things that you don't really understand.  How do you know what's happening?  How do you know what's the best option for you when it comes to treatment?  Is clinical trial the right way to go?  These are just some of the things we're talking about to David who is a radiation oncologist and who also wrote a fantastic book called "Taking Charge of Cancer". Here are some things that we cover today: How taking charge of your treatment can improve your chances Why understanding medical reports can make a difference Simple strategy to get a (free!) second opinion How understanding treatment goals can shape your decision making and much, much more! Links Taking Charge of Cancer Episode 029: What You Must Know About Clinical Trials Before Starting Treatment Full Transcript Joe:                 David, you say that taking charge of your treatment can really improve your chances.  What does it mean to you? David:              Taking charge of your treatment can help to make sure that you are getting the best possible cancer treatment.  We know that across the world, there are big differences in quality of cancer treatment.  By making sure that you are getting access to your medical records, understanding your medical records.  Making sure that you're getting the best high-volume surgeons or radiation doctors, you can really make sure that nothing is missed and that things are proceeding as they should.  Unfortunately, sometimes in the media, we hear stories of cancer treatment gone wrong. One example of that is, not too far from where I am, there were a couple of breast cancer patients who had mastectomies, they had their breasts removed, only to find out afterwards that they didn't have cancer at all.  That the original biopsy that was done before the mastectomy was done, it didn't show cancer, but the report was misread by their surgeon.  Obviously, that's very tragic and it's something that we could avoid if we can start empowering patients to do things to take charge of their cancer, like getting their pathology reports and learning to understand them. That's what the book really does, it's meant to be a guide book on how to take those steps, how to understand these reports that are written in a language that many of us don't work with on a daily basis. Joe:                 Yes, that's a fantastic point you make, David.  What are the sorts of things that as a patient you should watch out for in the report, in the medical report? David:              Well, I think the first thing is to know which medical reports are needed.  Really, the important reports are the reports from imaging.  If you have a CT scan or if you have an MRI scan, getting the report from that.  Also, getting the report from the pathology.  The pathology report is something that's written, if you've had a biopsy, or if you've had a surgery.  When you've had a biopsy or a surgery, the specimen that they take is sent to a doctor called the pathologist, who looks at the specimen under a microscope and issues a report. All of the treatment stems from the pathology report and the imaging for most patients.  Along with those two reports, usually when you meet your doctor for the first time, they also write a report, which we call a consultation report.  In that consultation report, they will summarise everything that's going on.  It's a fantastic tool if you can get a copy of that, to understand your type of cancer, the stage that you're at and what the goals of treatment are.  Some hospitals now have a setup where you can login and you can access your reports online. At other centres, you have to go and get them printed off, which can come at a cost.  I find that many people, when they get copies of their reports, they really like having them.  What I often do when I see a patient who has had a scan,

When you're dealing with cancer, your oncology nurse is there for your every step of the way - asking you about your symptoms, administering treatment. Your nurse is answering the most pressing questions that you have right now and ultimately, helping you preserve your dignity at a time when you really need it the most. Right now, we're talking to one amazing nurse, her name is Natasha and she's helped so many folks like you and me to get through treatment in the best way possible.  Natasha also does a lot of really amazing work around clinical trials, so we get to find out what that's really like, so let's dig in! Here are some things that we cover today: Why self-compassion is critical throughout cancer treatment Dealing with uncertainty How clinical trials can work for you and much, much more! Links ANZUP Trials Group ANZUP ClinTrial Refer app Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Episode 029: What You Must Know About Clinical Trials Before Starting Treatment Full Transcript Joe:                 Natasha, it's so scary to go through treatment, I guess because you don't really know what's going on and you don't really know how things are going to turn out.  Is there really any way to prepare for cancer treatment? Natasha:         No, I don't think there is.  Knowledge is important but also listening to your body and getting to know your body and what doesn't feel right for you and what does feel right for you and gathering that information as much as possible about what's normal for you and what's not normal for you.  Trying to do that right from the very beginning.  I think that's really important, but just being nice to yourself and looking after yourself as much as possible.  You know, I heard someone call it self-compassion, not being hard on yourself and going, “I've got to be tough, I've got to be strong.” That's good to believe that but also, I feel sick because I'm having some really heavy-duty treatment with side-effects and I feel really bad at the moment.  Just not being hard on yourself about that.  Do you know what I'm saying? Joe:                 Yes, absolutely.  I think it makes so much sense because you do have a tendency or even to put on a brave face and go, “Yes, I can do this.  I'm okay”, when in reality it just wears you out.  You have to balance your normal everyday life, you might be working, you might have a family, you might have friends, you might have everything going on.  At the same time, you've got this treatment that explodes into your life.  You have to figure out how everything works and dealing with side-effects.  You have to navigate the system.  You've got oncologists and your medical team and how does it all fit together?  Yes, it can be a bit of a maze, right? Natasha:         It can.  To be honest with you, I've been a nurse for a long time, I don't want to say how long because it will probably be embarrassing for me.  I'm still working it out.  The system is always changing.  It's not like there's this static way that things go and then you go, “Okay, now I know how it works, we're going to okay for the rest of our lives.” It's constantly changing. You'll come back in six months and you don't call that person anymore, we've reworked thing.  Now they're more efficient and you've got to call this person.  There's just constant change.  There's change in your everyday life.  There's change in how your body is responding to treatment.  There's change in what's going on in the health system.  It's a lot to navigate.  You still have to have a job and pay your bills.  You know, be with your family.  It's a lot. Joe:                 Exactly.  What advice do you have on dealing with uncertainty, especially for someone who's going through treatment? Natasha:         Probably my best advice is to say uncertainty is okay and it's normal.  If you're feeling uncertain, that's a normal thing.  We just don't know.

I have a really special guest in Sami who is an expert in exercise and cancer who will share why exercise is so crucial during cancer, and how you can do it in a way that really helps you to get the outcomes that you want and also do it in a way that is safe and is really going to make you feel better over the long-term! Here are some things we cover today: Why exercise is crucial during cancer treatment Types of exercise that will help you most during recovery Surprising fact: doing exercise saves you money on health The key to living an active lifestyle that serves you Simple rules of thumb for better nutrition and much, much more! Links Cancer Wellness For Life weBuild Episode 012: Your Nutrition Needs During Cancer with Julie Lanford Full Transcript Joe:                 Sami, you know cancer and exercise, you don't think of the two that go together.  Tell me, why is exercise important during cancer and after cancer?  Is it even safe? Sami:               Definitely, I'm going to address the safety thing first.  The safety and feasibility studies on exercise and cancer have been going on about 15 years now.  We've really determined that or nearly every single type of cancer, maybe some of the real rare cancers we haven't studied in clinical trial, but the safety and feasibility has always been great.  You'll certainly see an adverse event once in a while but not very often. I think one of the biggest things that we know about cancer and exercise is that so many of our cancer treatments, or just the experience of cancer, the more sedentary behaviour, just the lifestyle changes and also, the not feeling so good, lead people to be more deconditioned.  Exercise when done correctly really helps combat those side effects.  I think what's really important for people to understand is, if they exercise, if they improve their strength, their function, it helps them reduced side effects even years after their diagnosis and treatment. People that don't exercise after treatment don't always rebound the same way that somebody that exercises.  Not only is it safe, I think it's one of the most effective and under-utilised tools.  I think in large part because people are scared.  They're just not sure what to do, which we understand as exercise oncology people, it is the biggest barrier that we have. Joe:                 Yes, fantastic, Sami.  What do you do?  What sort of exercise can help you during treatment? Sami:               I think one of the most important things people need to understand is not all exercise is the same.  I think that's the exact question we ask.  One thing to keep in mind is that walking tends to be the most recommended or prescribed type of exercise, but walking is really the same muscles as doing your activities of daily living or taking care of your daily activity, making food or getting dressed, etc.  For a lot of folks with fatigue, it's not helpful for them to dip in the same gas tank and use the same muscles.  We're really pushing people to resistance training, to build those strength muscles back. Let's say you were doing laundry, every single week, you were carrying four or five loads of laundry up the stairs, down the stairs in your house.  Right, then you go through cancer treatment and what happens to that task?  Well, somebody might do it for you because people want to help which is great.  Whatever those lifestyle changes are, and you don't do that laundry for maybe two months.  When you go back and do that load of laundry, the first time you go walk up the stairs, it's hard. A lot times, those strength muscles that you don't use, you lose, and so we really recommend a lot more of the resistance training type of exercise because that's actually going to reduce fatigue the quickest and help people get back to their activities of daily living.  Resistance training simply means overloading muscles.  Standing out of your chair might be resistance tra...

In her quest for life, Petrea has come through cancer to really find herself again.  She has discovered a unique approach to find peace of mind during the craziness and the certainty that comes with cancer. Here are some things we cover today: Finding peace of mind during cancer Responding rather than reacting to crisis situation How commitment to living makes you more resilient The best definition of forgiveness you are likely to come across 4 key characteristics that help you get through cancer The path to forgiveness and freeing yourself and much, much more! Links Quest for Life and Petrea King Programs and Workshops Petrea King Books Quest for Life - A Handbook for People with Life-Threatening Illness Spirited Women (for women with breast cancer) Your Life Matters - The Power of Living Now Petrea King and Quest for Life Foundation Episode 036: How To Be More Resilient During Cancer with Michael Carr-Gregg Full Transcript Joe:                Petrea, the first thing I really wanted to ask you is, when did you first come across cancer? Petrea:             When I was nursing.  When I was 17, I went into nursing and so I nursed a lot of people with cancer at that time.  Also, before I went into nursing, it's a much longer story, but I'd grown very quickly 23cm in one year and my knees had started dislocating when I was 13.  I spent three years in hospital having my femurs cut and my lower legs turned out and my tibias cut, and my lower legs turned in.  In those days, they'd just invented portable x-ray machines, and because my bones wouldn't unite, they sometimes x-rayed me two or three times per week.  I think in hindsight, that might have been the reason why I developed cancer then in my 30s. Joe:                 Wow, what was that like? Petrea:             Which bit, being in hospital for three years? Joe:                 Well, being in hospital for three years and then getting cancer in your 30s? Petrea:             Well, when I was diagnosed, I knew something was wrong because I was covered in bruises.  I would bruise very easily.  I went to my doctor who referred me to another one.  When I had all of the blood tests, I was actually living in California at the time.  When I had all the blood tests, it came back as my white blood cell counts were completely skewed.  Then I had bone marrow biopsies and finally, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in September of 1983.  I was told that I wouldn't see Christmas of that year.  My brother had just taken his life, as well, so it was a very painful time for our family.  I have to say, I didn't feel like I fought for my life.  I'm a little bit against this idea of battles and fighting the disease and people lose their battle with cancer.  I just don't think that's helpful.  We use such a warm mentality and yet, this is something within our own body.  Being at war with a part of your body doesn't sit well with me. Joe:                 That's such a great perspective, Petrea.  How did you see it?  How did you react when you found out and how did you deal with it?  That it wasn't that and it was a part of you?  How did you approach it all? Petrea:             Well, those three years in hospital as a teenager had given me a lot of time to focus on the deeper questions about existence that I was already preoccupied with.  Why are we here?  What's the purpose of human life?  How do you know you've lived a good life?  Like a lot of people, I had a split façade where I had a highly polished one for everybody outside but had a very private inner life.  I'd also grown up with my mad, chaotic brother who was the one who did finally take his life.  He told me before he was ten that he knew that he had to take his own life by the time he was 30. That's when I remember thinking, “I have to grow up really quickly, so I can look after Brendan.” That finally gave me a sense of why I was alive.

Look, I know there are just a million things you need to worry about when you're dealing with cancer - you have to plan around treatment, worry about side-effects, and keep your family and friends in check... It's tough, but there are also many solutions out there to make life easier - and that's what we're talking about today with Haryana.  Haryana takes her incredible medical expertise and she's transposing it over the real world, to find better ways of dealing with cancer, from the time that you're diagnosed to the life after treatment. Here are some things we cover today: Why patient voice needs to be an integral part of clinical practice The criticality of clinical trials and what they can do for you Making decisions over treatment Best tips to prepare for your specialist appointment and much, much more! Links Dr Haryana Dhillon - The University of Sydney Cancer Council 13 11 20 Question prompt lists for people with cancer - Cancer Institute NSW Episode 007: How To Use Your Inner Resources To Better Deal With Cancer with Suzanne Chambers Full Transcript Joe:                 There's so much great advice here.  I'm sure you're going to love it.  Yes, Haryana, I've noticed on Twitter that you went to the ANZUP Pedalthon, what was that experience like? Haryana:         It was great.  I went last year but I didn't ride.  This was the first time I had been riding because I've had now two grants from the below the belt Pedalthon, so I went last year and was just a part of a panel discussion.  This year was great because we got out early and did the ride, I had all of the teammates that I had, so we were on the ANZUP dream team.  We had all been funded by the below the belt money.  It was just really nice to be part of that.  It was a great feeling because there were more than 250 riders.  I'm not the fastest rider, so it was pretty impressive when the lead pack went fast.  They were very speedy, and it was tight all the way through.  Until the very end.  It was good.  Great fun to be a part of it. Joe:                 Yes, that's fantastic.  What a great turnout, as well. Haryana:         Yes.  It was.  Good fundraising and I think part of it, I think it was just really nice, we did another panel discussion at the end over lunch, it was just really nice to be able to demonstrate what we do with the funding and how we use it.  We had two people who were looking, one person who was looking at bio markets for new ways of delivering treatments for prostate cancer.  Someone else who was ways of trying to identify how people are responding early on. Of course, the project that I was doing about the patient experience and the patient reported outcome measures, so trying to incorporate those into clinical practice, so we could pick up earlier what their symptoms are.  Being able to explain to people that's what we do, and the trials groups is not just about new treatments, but it's about the whole experience and just trying to help people to be able to live longer, but also live with less symptoms and with a better quality of life, as well. Joe:                 Yes, that's fantastic.  Haryana, tell me about the project that you're going to be working on, about the symptoms, what's that all about? Haryana:         There's been a lot of interest over the last few, well, quite a long time, actually, about trying to incorporate quality of life measures and patient reported outcomes into clinical practice.  It's been a bit challenging to do that because the measures that we used to need to be scored and then it's not really quite clear how you might best deliver that information back to the clinicians to make it easy for them, to incorporate that. A few years ago, there was a principle study where a team in the U.S.  had done this, they actually demonstrated by incorporating patient reported outcomes into routine practice, they increased the survival of the patients in the study,

Having cancer blow up in your face is never easy, but it's especially tough when you are only just beginning to make your way through life as a teenager or a young adult. Michael has been through cancer himself and he and went on to become a psychologist helping thousands of young people to deal with cancer.  He's also built this incredible support system through CanTeen, an organisation that helps so many young people to deal with caner emotionally and socially.  Michael is simply an amazing person and a brilliant mind! Here are some things we cover today: 4 key developmental tasks teenagers struggle with the most during cancer Why peer support group is crucial during cancer 3 key factors that enable us to deal better with cancer Key approach to build resilience for young adults How to deal with uncertainty and much, much more! Links CanTeen Dr Michael Carr-Gregg The Grief Book Good Thinking: A Teenager's Guide to Managing Stress and Emotion Using CBT Change your Thinking by Sarah Edelman moodgym - Online self-help for depression and anxiety This Way Up MindSpot Episode 026: Stand Up For Your Rights Episode 033: Your Sexuality and Intimacy Through Cancer Full Transcript Joe:                 Michael, so how did you first come across cancer? Michael:          I was diagnosed with a garrotted tumour in my neck when I was 18 years of age.  I was basically told that once the diagnosis had been made that there was very little hope, that I had about three months to live. Joe:                 Wow. Michael:          That's how I came across cancer. Joe:                 That's shocking.  What happened next? Michael:          I was given a choice of having palliative care or I could have lots of head and neck radiotherapy, but it was explained to me because this was the mid-70s, that the amount of radiotherapy that they would have to use to kill the tumour would kill a lot of the tissue around it.  There was no guarantee that I would survive the treatment, but I elected to have the treatment.  It was pretty horrible, I didn't enjoy it very much, but I'm here, so it was a good decision. Joe:                 That changed the course of your life? Michael:          It certainly did, certainly did.  When I was in hospital, I read a book which changed my life.  It was a book called: The Private Worlds of Dying Children.  It was a book by a medical anthropologist called Myra Bluebond-Langer.  Very strange name.  What she'd done is, in the 70s, she'd gone into a children's leukaemia ward and she just stayed there for a year talking to the children, just playing with them. She discovered so much interesting stuff.  The thing that really struck me is that even the policy on this children's leukaemia ward was not to tell them that they were dying, they all knew anyway, but they also knew that they had to keep that knowledge from their mothers and fathers.  Myra called this the mutual pre-tense syndrome.  I just became fascinated by the whole area of psychology, cancer, and what later became as psychosocial oncology. Joe:                 Yes, that's really amazing, Michael, and you started CanTeen, which was the first support group for teenagers and children around cancer, which is absolutely amazing.  How did that come about? Michael:          I wrote my PhD at the University of New South Wales on adolescents with cancer.  I didn't stay for one year, I stayed for four years on the ward, just talking to the kids as they lived and died.  I discovered that the doctors back then assumed that if they made the young people's bodies resilient to the disease that their minds would follow.  In fact, it didn't work that way at all.  Many of the kids had significant psychological problems in addition to battling cancer. It struck me, and this is what my PhD said, that we need to look after their minds, as well.  This was, I think I finished in 84',

Let's be honest, it's hard to be positive when cancer has turned your entire world inside out, but we can still look for ways to focus on things that make life a little bit easier, things that give you joy and sharing good times with people that you care about. That's what we're talking about today with Ros - she is a cancer survivor who is incredibly passionate about healing and wellness and wrote a book called: "Laughing at Cancer:  How to Heal with Love, Laughter, and Mindfulness".  Here are some things we cover today: Reframing the way we perceive cancer Staying connected in these trying times The healing power of laughter and mindfulness and much, much more! Links Laughing at cancer LaughLife Wellbeing Programs CancerAid: Australia's No.1 Cancer Management and Support App Episode 021: Laugh Your Way To A Better Life Despite Cancer Full Transcript Joe:                 Ros, what I want to start with first is, I want to ask you how did you find out that you had cancer? Ros:                 I had some mucus and blood in my stools.  As much as I was concerned, I wasn't really alarmed because a couple of years before that, I'd had a Yardi Parasite, which we think we got from a family holiday in Thailand.  I just thought, “All right, I picked up another parasite.” I went to the doctor and I'd actually done a stool test and nothing came back.  Anyway, the symptoms just kept getting more and more, and the doctor, she didn't know what to do with me.  She said, “Right, let's just get you checked out.  I really don't expect them to be able to find anything, but we'll just do it.  Peace of mind.” I had a colonoscopy and woke up from the anaesthetic, and the gastroenterologist said, “You're one lucky lady, we just removed a polyp, but all looks well.  See you later.” Joe:                 That's a good start. Ros:                 Yes, well, there was no story then.   Then four days later, or five days, I can't really remember, but basically, the gastroenterologist knocking on the door saying, “Really sorry, got that wrong, it's actually really nasty and there are some cells outside that polyp.  Really need to refer you onto a colorectal specialist to see what your options are.” That's what I did.  I went along to the colorectal specialist.  I had my 43rd birthday spent in his consulting suite.  I was essentially given three options.  One was, to do nothing more and to just keep my fingers crossed that the cancer hadn't spread. The second option was to do a partial bowel resection, which would have most likely dealt with the situation but again, no certainty because even with all the advances in medical technology, the only way to assess the length in the bowel, is to do a full bowel resection.  You can't access the length any other way.  The only way that I could with 100 percent certainty know what we're dealing with, was to opt for a bowel resection.  That entailed, because the polyp was in my rectum and very low down, it's quite difficult for healing.  I was told I'd be getting a temporary ileostomy, so that bag that sits on the outside of your stomach for three or so months during the healing. Joe:                 Crap. Ros:                 Yes, crap on the outside.  Sorry, Joe, I joke.  I asked the question that nobody really wants to ask and once you've asked, you think, “Why did I ask that?” I said, “Do you have any idea as to how the likelihood or the percentage of the cancer having spread?” He said he didn't, he said it could be two to three and then I saw another specialist a week or so later or within that week and he thought maybe three to five.  Nobody knew.  At the time, I thought, I was lecturing in health promotion.  Done a Master of Public Health.  I've done quite a bit of work with statistics and I hate statistics. When we talk about statistics, when it's someone else and when it's a population, one/two/three percent, it doesn't sound that much.

Isn't it true that cancer brings home the reality that you're not forever and so you ask yourself, what happens if I die?  Have I been the person that I've always wanted to be? How are people going to remember me?   Joseph answers these huge existential questions every single day. He's a rabbi who does some unbelievable work in a hospice helping people who are facing cancer to bring out life and make peace with it. Here are some things we cover today: Universal questions about life and death Surprising path to forgiveness What happens after we die (according to Judaism) The right way to say sorry (and why we mess it up) How to reconcile heritage and modern life Why every new day is a second chance and much, much more! Links Never Long Enough by Rabbi Joseph Krakoff The Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network Episode 011: Who Is Going To Stay With You Through Cancer Full Transcript Joe:                 Joseph, I've just read up on all the incredible work that you're doing in the hospice, how did you get started? Joseph:            I was a congregational rabbi for about 16 years.  I found in the course of doing that work that I was spending a lot of that time in end-of-life care.  I was really drawn to the people that were so much in need.  There was a lot of vulnerability to that end-stage time period, end stage illness, both from the patient's perspective as well as the family's perspective.  I've really spent a lot of time in the hospital holding people's hands, just really helping them reconcile relationships that they wanted to reconcile before they died. After 16 years of doing this over and over again and really feeling like I was making a meaningful impact, I decided to do this full-time.  In the summer of 2014, I joined the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network here in Detroit.  The work that I do every single day, we manage almost 200 patients a day that are facing end-of-life illness.  Some in Hospice care, some not yet in Hospice care, some in palliative care. Treating them, their pain and their symptoms, getting them all aspects of help from social work care, to spiritual care, which is what I do, to bringing the music and art and all kinds of different enrichments that will uplift their dignity. Joe:                 Joseph, that's so fantastic.  I don't have words to describe it.  Cancer is such a really tough time for someone, you're confronted with so many things, you're confronted with ultimate questions about life and death and your place in the world.  I guess do any themes come up over and over that you see it for yourself? Joseph:            Yes, a lot of times, I think a common theme, a common thread, is people are really reflective about the life that they lived, the values that they lived.  If they have children or not even children, but family members, nieces, nephews, do they pass those values onto their loved ones?  That's a big piece in terms of values and did they live their values?  That's number one theme.  Another theme is the reconciliation of relationships.  Are there relationships that need to be reconciles or at least an attempt at reconciliation before they leave this world, so that they can leave this world with a sense of purity of mind and spirt and soul?  It's also a time for honesty too. A lot of times, what I find is family members don't want to admit that their loved one is dying because of course, it's very hard to deal with emotionally, psychologically.  What I find is that more often than not, a person that's dying wants to be honest about it, so that they have a chance to say goodbye.  Giving that person an opportunity to say goodbye, together their family, together their friends, together to say goodbye is really an important meaningful ritual I think that transcends religion, I think it's part of the human spirit. A lot of people die suddenly and don't have the opportunity to say goodbye.  If you have an extended illness,

Cancer sweeps into your life like a hurricane, and you're not the same person you were before treatment, and sometimes it's tough to adjust to those changes, and even tougher to open up about it with people you love, with people you care about.  And that's where we need to talk about sexuality and intimacy and how it works through cancer so today you're going to hear from Sage who has such an eloquent and down to earth way of working through things, you're getting the best advice on the planet! Here are some things we cover today: Key distinction between sexuality and intimacy Separating sexuality from image Who is the best person to turn to speak about sex and intimacy Top online resources that can make a huge difference for you and much, much more! Links Sage Bolte Sex and Intimacy (Living Beyond Cancer) Sex and Intimacy After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (Young Survivor Coalition) National LGBT Cancer Network Self-Image and Sexuality (National Cancer Institute) Sex & Intimacy Discussions on Stupid Cancer Community Episode 026: Stand Up For Your Rights Full Transcript Joe:                Sage, it's such a pleasure to meet you.  Thank you for your time. Sage:              Absolutely.  Thank you for having me.  I appreciate it. Joe:                 Cool, Sage.  I think I really want to start with some definitions about talking about sexuality and intimacy.  Are they the same thing? Sage:               Sexuality and intimacy are not the same thing.  They are two different things, although, they might come together in a sexual and intimate relationship.  Intimacy is really a human need.  It's about connectivity and desire to be in community or connectedness with someone, to feel safe and trusted in a relationship with someone.  We might be intimate with our best friends.  We might be intimate with our partner, our family, people from our faith communities.  That intimacy, again, is about that connectivity and connection. Where sexuality is really about how we define ourselves and parts of ourselves as humans.  Yes, it might have to do with sexual activity, but really, it is up here in our brain.  How do we define ourselves?  What does sexuality look like?  That might be, again, sexual activity including intercourse, but it might be touching hands, expressing sexual expression.  They can also be strongly influenced by our spiritual backgrounds, our cultural backgrounds and guide us to what we feel comfortable with or not comfortable with.  It might be in some cultures or faith practices, we keep our bodies very hidden or covered because that's sacred.  That expressing sexual expression would only be within the sanctity of a marriage/relationship that the body or the sexual acts would only be seen by that person. Sexuality is freer that they may feel very comfortable expressing their sexuality more outwardly.  Neither, again, right nor wrong, it's all very individual.  Sexuality, again, is just really again an individual expression. Joe:                 Yes, Sage, that was beautifully put.  Such a personal and, like you say, a sacred thing.  That it's not only critical to a relationship if you're in that, but to also how you see yourself.  I think that cancer can obscure that, so that not only it's difficult for you to deal with it, but it's also difficult to acknowledge it as a problem for yourself.  What's your perspective on that? Sage:               Yes.  I think sometimes that also, that depending on where you live in America, the way sexuality is expressed is probably different and probably in other countries, as well.  As well as the media, right?  The media, at least in America, over sexualises everything.  Things that are sexualised would be things like looking at the breasts or the butt or who has the most rock-solid body gets over sexualised.  When that's considered sexy or sexual, my goodness, that not only sets up 90 percent of us for failure,

When it comes to friends and family supporting you during cancer, it's a tricky balance to maintain: on one hand, you don't want to Impose or come off like you can't handle it, but then again you want to let them in and help because they want to be there for you, but they don't know how.  Today I'm talking to Rachael who went through cancer herself and created a solution a mobile app that can break those barriers and make it easy for people in your life to help out and for you to get the support you want, on your terms. Here are some things we cover today: How diagnosis turns your world upside down The hidden struggles of living through cancer The biggest challenge behind asking for help How CanDo helps you get the support you want and much, much more! Links CanDo app Garvan Institute of Medical Research Episode 023: Getting The Support You Need, On Your Terms Full Transcript Joe:                 Hey, Rachael, I love your app.  I must admit, I was thinking about this before, a way of getting people to support you on your terms.  I think this is so fantastic. Rachael:          Yes, thank you.  It's been a labour of love to get to this point.  There are lots of plans for the future, as well, so it's been a big deal, a lot of work. Joe:                 Yes, I can only imagine.  Yes, I was talking to Ben Smith from the University of New South Wales, that's when he told me about it.  I was like, wow, that's exactly what we need. Rachael:          Yes, well, I've been lucky enough to get a lot of support from most of the big main cancer organisations.  They all recognised the need for it.  I think a lot of them just either don't have the money to do it or it's not their culture to get those things done.  Yes, there are lots of plans for the future to make it bigger and better and all that kind of stuff, but it's been great for me, as well. Joe:                 Fantastic.  Rachael, I want to take a moment to go back in time in a time-machine to a time before cancer.  What was life like before?  What was life like then? Rachael:          I had a pretty senior job in an advertising agency.  I have a 25-year background in advertising.  I had just taken on a pretty big job.  Had a brand-new mortgage on my first apartment, single, living in Sydney and having a lot of fun.  It was a Saturday morning when I accidentally found quite a large lump in my right breast.  You instantly feel the other side because you want to feel if it's symmetrical, because you think if it's symmetrical, maybe it's something that's supposed to be there. It was on the underside then I thought it might be something attached to my ribs.  It wasn't symmetrical, so I was pretty quick to go to my GP.  Maybe two or three days later.  She had a look at it and the first thing she said, I remember every word, she said, “I don't like it.” Then went into a week of scans and ultrasounds and biopsies and things like that from that point on.  Just trucking along in life and everything is normal and doing normal things, then all of a sudden, literally, your world turns upside down in an instant. Joe:                 Yes, it's crazy, isn't it?  I remember when I found out, those words are kind of etched into your mind.  What was it like for you?  What were your first thoughts when you got your diagnosis? Rachael:          Well, the diagnosis was kind of a staggered process.  When I went to have my mammogram and ultrasound, and it was the week before Christmas, so I remember the doctor, she was great.  She called around to try and find somewhere that could actually take me the week before Christmas, because they're usually really busy in that time because they're about to close down for the couple of weeks.  The radiologist had stopped talking to me, or the radiographer had stopped talking to me. My sister had cancer, so my sister had a rare form of sarcoma called: Synovial Sarcoma.