That 6-Letter Word

The Chemo Chat Show - https://www.youtube.com/user/sarahmillsloveSarah's Instagram Handle - @sazzymills

Lindsey had just received her MBA, was working in corporate finance, and at the age of 29 was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor. In this week's episode, we sit down with Lindsey as she takes us through this life-altering diagnosis and her steps to becoming the person she is today. She gives insight into how your mindset, alongside meditation, makes all the difference in your journey. We are so excited for her to share her advice and story in this episode!

Alula - myalula.com

Cancer always catches us off guard and throws wrenches in plans, but rarely are plans so deeply and quickly impacted as when one is already in the middle of a major life transition, as with today's guest, who was 14 weeks pregnant with her first child when she was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer. Alessandra joins us to share her experience navigating life as a pregnant cancer patient. We're so glad to have her here to speak about her pain, joy, fear, and excitement throughout this unique journey, and we're so excited to welcome her son Luca into the world!

Head for the Cure: https://www.headforthecure.org/ 

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: https://www.lls.org/Camp Quality USA: https://www.campqualityusa.org/Camp Quality Michigan: https://www.campqualityusa.org/mi/Make-A-Wish Foundation: https://wish.org/

Emily's Blog, Wonky Arm - https://wonkyarm.wordpress.com/Pink Pearl Canada - https://pinkpearlcanada.org/Young Adult Cancer Canada - https://www.youngadultcancer.ca/ 

Good Stock Consulting: https://www.goodstockconsulting.com/Lauren's Podcast, Life with Little Ones: www.blendedkidz.com/podcast Instagram handles: @lifewithlittleones.podcast & @typeaguidetocancer

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: https://www.lls.org/Leukemia & Lymphoma Phone Number: 1-800-955-4572Lauren's Email: LAUREN.WAGNER@lls.orgLauren's Lymphoma YouTube Journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrWl5nLNdio&t=1s&ab_channel=lauren201002

NOTE: WE ARE NOT IN THE MEDICAL FIELD!!! Fill in the blank: Does ______________ cause cancer? Most of the time, whatever you fill in the blank with, is probably false. In this episode, Nikki and Emily discuss their favorite myths and share their opinions on each of them. Reminder to everyone: please Google it before saying it.

Did you know that some doctors don't even talk about fertility preservation with their young adult cancer patients? Well, thankfully Nikki and Emily's doctors did. Just like with anything in life, fertility preservation is not the same for every person. In this episode, Nikki and Emily talk about their differing experiences with freezing their eggs, as well as the commonality they share: gratitude for the advice, resources, and support that enabled them to maintain control of their reproductive lives.

The title really sums it up with this one! Nikki & Emily have their 4 college roommates on the podcast this week. Please welcome Alyssa, Emily (the other Emily), Hailey, and Sarah! We can't imagine a better first group of guests than those who shared the majority of Nikki & Emily's college memories, and who are vital parts of their support systems, even from different parts of the country.

Nikki and Emily share their experiences when the other was going through their diagnosis. They talk about how helpless they felt while the other person was going through the thick of it, how difficult it was to be so far away from one another, and how through their different experiences, it has brought them closer together. They also share the lessons they have learned on being there for somebody going through a difficult situation, even from miles away.

Nikki and Emily talk about the physical side effects their bodies endured throughout treatment and post-treatment. They discuss everything from hair to aphasia to incredible steroid rage. Nikki and Emily bare it all.

Relationships are hard, especially when you're dealing with that 6-letter word. In this episode, we talk about our relationships: the new, the old, the successful, and the ones that no longer exist the way they used to. We talk about the trials and tribulations of sharing your cancer story - or any big challenge - with those you love, those you used to love, and those you have yet to love.

How do you even begin to talk about cancer, let alone your personal experience with it? We aren't exactly experts, but we have had some practice sharing our stories. On this episode, we discuss how and when we chose to tell friends, family, colleagues, and strangers all about our crazy journeys, as well as the feelings that come with this type of vulnerability.

In this episode, Nikki shares her journey through a lymphoma diagnosis, chemo treatment, and recovery during a raging pandemic. She discusses the decision to shave off her hair, the frustration of getting multiple biopsies, and celebrating New Years in a hospital room. 2020 has been rough, but Nikki reminds us to keep waking up and fighting through it.

In this episode, Emily takes us through her brain cancer diagnosis. She shares some (now funny) stories of her time in the hospital, her challenges with her speech and socialization skills post-surgery, and takes us inside her mind during her recurring appointments.

Please allow us to introduce ourselves. We are Nikki and Emily, two young women with more life experience than we ever planned to have by age 25. We're here to talk about it and can't wait for you to join us on this wild ride, so buckle up!