The Unexpected Life Podcast

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This is a podcast about living a life that was unexpected due to pediatric cancer. Our podcast is here to support people that are dealing with critical illness either as a patient or as a person supporting someone with critical illness.


    • Jun 27, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 36m AVG DURATION
    • 19 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Unexpected Life Podcast

    Episode 19: We Are Back In The Saddle Again

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2022 35:19


    This is Episode 19 of the Unexpected Life Podcast.  In this episode we catch everyone up on what the past few months have looked liked, and share some stories about health events with our son and Lance.  Thanks for joining us in The Unexpected Life.  

    Episode 18: We share some of our thoughts on giving to charity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2022 36:27


    The Unexpected Life Podcast episode 18 - today we talk about charity, which was brought about by an article that we read about Saint Judes Childrens Research Hospital.  We also talk about getting older, and dealing with trauma that surrounds Lance's back surgery.  Thank you for joining us in The Unexpected Life.

    Episode 17: We talk about the hardships involved with end of life, and navigating through grief

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2022 40:51


    This is Episode 17 of The Unexpected Life Podcast.  On today's episode we talk about being the hardships of going through end of life with a loved one, how it's something that we don't just get over, but have to learn how to hold, and that trauma isn't something that will go away all together.  Thank you for joining us in this Unexpected life.  

    Episode 16: We Are Finally Back

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2022 37:11


    This is Episode 16 of The Unexpected Life Podcast.  In this Episode we discuss were we have been for the past few months, and why we haven't been able to record a show.  Thanks for sticking with us in This Unexpected Life.  

    Episode 15: Update from Lance

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2021 3:23


    We just wanted to update everyone on where our plans for the next month.  

    Episode 14: We talk about where we were last week, National Cancer Survivors Day, and we share about the loss of sweet friend to cancer this week.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2021 26:02


    This is the 14th episode of our podcast!  Today we talk about where we were last week, National Cancer Survivors Day, and we share about the loss of sweet friend to cancer this week.  Thank you for joining us in The Unexpected Life.

    Episode 13: We talk about a recent Zoom call with Davis' Doctors, how we got into a big fight this last week, and talk about how we continue to learn that Cancer is forever.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2021 35:30


    This is the 13th Episode of The Unexpected Life Podcast.  On today's episode we talk about a recent Zoom call with Davis' Doctors, how Amanda and Lance got into a big fight this last week, and remind everyone of the reasons why we continue to learn that Cancer is forever.  Thank you for joining us in The Unexpected Life.  

    Episode 12: We talk about how cancer has affected our marriage, as well as other relationships. We also talk about clearing expectations and not letting negative expectations creep in.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 41:13


    This is the 12th episode of The Unexpected Life Podcast.  Today we discuss the ways that cancer has affected our marriage, as well as other relationships. We also talk about clearing expectations and not letting negative expectations creep in.  Thank you for joining us in The Unexpected Life.    

    Episode 11: We discuss Mother's Day, and what it has been like for Amanda to be labelled a "Cancer Mom".

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2021 35:56


    This is the Eleventh Episode of The Unexpected Life Podcast.  Today on the episode we discuss Mother's Day, and what it has been like for Amanda to be labelled a "Cancer Mom".  Furthermore we talk about the importance of Moms advocating for themselves when it comes to caring for their children with critical illness.  Thank you for joining us in The Unexpected Life.  

    Episode 10: We discuss being a student of your spouse, the nuances of social interactions around critical illness, and having to share your personal tragedy.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2021 40:07


    This is the tenth episode of The Unexpected Life Podcast!  In this episode we talk about being a student of your spouse, and how that helps to build relationship.  We then talk about the nuances of social interactions around critical illness.  Finally we discuss having to share your personal tragedy, and why and how much you should do it.  Thank you for joining us in The Unexpected Life.  

    Episode 9: We talk about what it is like to navigate parenting different children in their unique responses to cancer life.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2021 40:54


    This is the ninth episode of The Unexpected Life Podcast!  In this episode we talk about what it is like to navigate different children with their own unique responses to living an unexpected life do to cancer.  We also discuss considering what other people have to offer you in regards to parenting, illness, and just life in general. The Unexpected Life Podcast starts with the story of how childhood cancer took away our comfort and the fantasy that we are in control.  This podcast is intended to be a place where we can talk through living The Unexpected Life.

    Episode 8: We talk about our kid free trip to Nashville, how important it is to make time for yourself regardless of your current circumstances.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2021 36:12


    Episode 8:  In this episode we talk about our recent trip to Nashville, and we discuss how important it is to make time for yourself regardless of your current situation.  We also discuss the necessity for people who you can depend on in your life to help facilitate your ability to get away and recharge your batteries.   The Unexpected Life Podcast starts with the story of how childhood cancer took away our comfort and the fantasy that we are in control.  This podcast is intended to be a place where we can talk through living The Unexpected Life.

    Episode 7: In this episode we discuss how to entertain a child at the hospital.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2021 40:21


    This is episode 7 of The Unexpected Life Podcast!  In this episode we discuss our methods for entertaining a child while at the hospital.  We also discuss the challenges of trying the set expectations of what the patient will need, and how we got through the unexpected circumstances while in treatment.   The Unexpected Life Podcast starts with the story of how childhood cancer took away our comfort and the fantasy that we are in control.  This podcast is intended to be a place where we can talk through living The Unexpected Life.

    Episode 6: We share the latest results from Davis last scans, we update everyone about our house, and start to discuss the financial strain as a result of critical illness.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2021 39:40


    This is episode 6 of The Unexpected Life Podcast!  In this episode we share the latest results from Davis last scans, we update everyone about our house purchase, and start to discuss the financial strain as a result of going through critical illness.  Thank you for joining us in this Unexpected Life.  

    Episode 5: Today we talk about our unique experiences with 'Scanxiety' and what we have found to be helpful that we implemented to cope with and prepare for our son's upcoming scans

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2021 41:20


    This is the fifth episode of The Unexpected Life Podcast!  In this episode we talk about our unique experiences with 'Scanxiety', and what we have found to be helpful that we implemented to cope and prepare for our son's upcoming scans. Thank you for joining us in this unexpected life.

    Episode 4: We talk about going to the ER for the first time after our cancer diagnosis, what to bring to make hospital life bearable, and have a special guest join us at the end

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2021 36:52


    This is the fourth episode of The Unexpected Life Podcast!  In this episode We talk about going to the ER for the first time after our son's cancer diagnosis, we discuss what we would bring to the hospital to make hospital life bearable, and end the show with our very first special guest that you don't want to miss. The Unexpected Life Podcast starts with the story of how childhood cancer took away our comfort and the fantasy that we are in control.  This podcast is intended to be a place where we can talk through living The Unexpected Life.

    Episode 3: We discuss advocating for yourself or the person in your life with critical illness, and share some ideas about how to educate yourself when you are living a life around critical illness.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2021 41:48


    This is episode 3 of the The Unexpected Life Podcast.  In this episode we start a discussion about being an advocate for yourself, or for the person in your life that has critical illness.  We also talk about the importance of educating yourself as best as you can while in the midst of  critical illness.   Thank you for joining us in The Unexpected Life.

    Episode 2: We update everyone on continued treatment for chemotherapy side effects, we discuss what was helpful for us in our first hospitalization and how people show up around critical illness.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2021 48:07


    This is the second episode of The Unexpected Life Podcast.  In this episode we talk about continued treatment for our son's due to side effects from chemotherapy.  We then discuss what was helpful for us for the first 10 day hospitalization after finding out about Davis' cancer.  Lastly, we discuss the role that other people have in our family's life, and how different people show up when there is critical illness.  The Unexpected Life Podcast starts with the story of how childhood cancer took away our comfort and the fantasy that we are in control.  This podcast is intended to be a place where we can talk through living The Unexpected Life.

    Episode 1: We introduce ourselves, discuss how our life changed when our son was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and why we are starting this podcast.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2021 38:15


    This is the first episode of The Unexpected Life Podcast!  In this episode we introduce ourselves, and we discuss why we have started this podcast.  We also begin telling the story of our journey with pediatric cancer.  The Unexpected Life Podcast starts with the story of how childhood cancer took away our comfort and the fantasy that we are in control.  This podcast is intended to be a place where we can talk through living The Unexpected Life.

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