Oya knew he was sick, but his inclinations were met with people telling him he was a hypochondriac. Oya recounts the moment in his life when he decided to increase his health insurance after being told by doctors that he was fine for many years prior. It was during the insurance company’s own testing that […]
Moving Forward with Myeloma: Oya’s Story Read More »
When you think about a pediatric patient, they are not a child living in a vacuum. They are part of a very complex system that is suddenly impacted by a cancer diagnosis. Psychosocial care helps to address every piece of that complicated system to successfully get patients the treatment that they need. Join Alicia and
How Will My Child’s Cancer Diagnosis Impact Their Emotions? Read More »
One of the most important reasons to seek a second opinion is to protect yourself from misdiagnosis. Researchers have found that the rates of misdiagnosis and mistreatment are higher than you might suspect. Join Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), as they speak with Dr. Pallawi Torka, Assistant Professor of Oncology and Co-Program Director of the
The Value of a Second Opinion Read More »
They say hindsight is always 20/20. Looking back, Tim Card remembers how his body may have been sending signals that something was wrong, but how he often attributed them to his active and busy lifestyle. Tim received his shocking lymphoma diagnosis after logging onto his medical portal, while awaiting test results. Tim is Penn State Cancer Institute’s first chimeric antigen
“The Only Way Through It, Is Through It”: Tim Card’s Story Read More »
Did you know that if somebody is eligible for Medicaid and also eligible for COBRA coverage, some states may actually pay their private COBRA premium? Learn about this and more as Alicia and Lizette chat with Monica Bryant and ask her questions that many of you have asked! Monica is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer for
Monica Answers YOUR Questions About Cancer and the Law Read More »
Eating a well-balanced diet is important, especially with a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. A proper diet during and after cancer treatment can help you feel better, maintain your strength, and positively impact recovery time. Listen in as Alicia and Lizette speak with Gina DeLuca. Gina is an Outpatient Oncology Dietitian for the Center for Cancer Care
Diagnosed with Myeloma: What Should I Eat? Read More »
Listen in as Alicia and Lizette speak with Casey Biltz Marsh. Casey is a high school mathematics teacher and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) survivor. With Spring Break approaching, Casey noticed her increasing fatigue however, attributed it to the demands of a high school teacher during that time. Casey realized something was very wrong when she attended a
Still Sparkling After AML: Casey’s Story Read More »
Listen in as Alicia speaks with Jason Khalipa. Jason is a devoted father, world champion, and global businessman. Jason is a force of nature in the fitness world whose life was turned upside down when his daughter, Ava, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2016 at the age of 4. Jason and his wife, Ashley, dedicated
Training for the Unknown: Jason’s Story Read More »
Mirinda David Alejandro To kick off Caregiver Awareness Month, we invite you to join the conversation as we chat with three caregivers! Listen in as Alicia and Lizette speak with Mirinda, David and Alejandro about their varying caregiving roles. Mirinda, David and Alejandro will share how their loved ones’ acute myeloid leukemia
A Conversation with Caregivers Read More »
Listen in as Alicia and Lizette speak with Alan Kraimer. Alan is an acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivor who owns a small medical supply distribution company in Georgia. In 2014, what Alan and doctors believed to be strep throat soon proved to be otherwise. It was not until his third visit to Urgent Care that
My ALL Diagnosis: Alan’s Story Read More »
Listen in as Alicia and Lizette speak with Stan Friedman. Stan is a trial lawyer and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) survivor from Savannah, Georgia. After receiving abnormal lab work and noticing swollen lymph nodes that his doctor pointed out, Stan was referred to a hematologist/oncologist for a bone marrow biopsy. Join them as Stan describes
My MCL Diagnosis: Stan’s Story Read More »
On this episode, Alicia and Lizette speak with Chuck Colletti, a two-time survivor of Stage 4 follicular lymphoma. Chuck was diagnosed in early 2016 when he underwent 7 months of chemotherapy which put his cancer into temporary remission. Unfortunately, 7 months later, it returned in a more aggressive form. With options dwindling, he was accepted
How CAR T-cell Therapy Saved My Life: Chuck’s Story Read More »
Survivor’s guilt is not an unusual reaction among those who have experienced a traumatic event, especially those impacted by cancer. Join in as Shona sits down with Micheline Toussaint onsite at CancerCon 2019. CancerCon is an annual conference held every year by Stupid Cancer, an organization that provides support to young adult cancer survivors. Micheline
Survivor Guilt: Common Yet Under-Discussed Read More »
On this episode, Alicia and Lizette speak with Dr. Rayne H. Rouce. Dr. Rouce is a pediatric hematologist and oncologist at Texas Children’s Cancer Center where she is a member of the Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant programs. She works as part of The Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Baylor College of Medicine,
CAR T-cell Explained: Recovering from CAR T-cell Therapy Read More »
Join in as Shona sits down with Elissa Baldwin onsite at CancerCon 2019. CancerCon is an annual conference held every year by Stupid Cancer, an organization that provides support to young adult cancer survivors. Elissa is a young adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) survivor. After a bone marrow biopsy two weeks earlier, she went on
My AML Diagnosis: Elissa’s Story Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Rayne H. Rouce. Dr. Rouce is a pediatric hematologist and oncologist at Texas Children’s Cancer Center where she is a member of the Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant programs. Specifically, she works as part of a research program called The Center for Cell and Gene Therapy
CAR T-cell Therapy Explained: What Is It and How Does It Work? Read More »
Join in as Shona sits down with Ellen Polamero onsite at CancerCon 2019. Ellen is a clinical social worker at City of Hope in Duarte, California. CancerCon is an annual conference held year by Stupid Cancer, an organization that provides support to young adult cancer survivors. This is the fourth year that Ellen has hosted
Coping with Cancer as a Couple Read More »
Like any therapy that is administered in oncology, there is great promise but also, unfortunately, several toxicities and side effects that must be understood and monitored. Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Jonathon B. Cohen, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine
CAR T-Cell Therapy Explained: Understanding Potential Side Effects Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Mohammad Maher Abdul-Hay, a hematologist and bone marrow transplant physician in New York, New York who is affiliated with multiple hospitals including NYC Health and Hospitals, Bellevue, and NYU Langone Hospitals. On this episode, Dr. Abdul-Hay explains how ALL is treated and addresses pre-treatment considerations. He
Treating Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Read More »
There have been few advances in treatment for AML in 40 years. Why is acute myeloid leukemia (AML) so difficult to treat? What is the current treatment for AML? How is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) striving to change that? How are targeted therapies being used for patients? Is immediate treatment for patients necessary for
Treating Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Read More »
As a junior in college and an intramural volleyball player who attributed the increasing pain in her right arm to the sport, Dawn Scott was forced to take notice when she woke up one day and realized that her arm was so swollen that she could not bend it. Although blood clots run in her
Adopting After Cancer: Dawn’s Story Read More »
Join Alicia as she speaks with young adult leukemia survivor, Stephen and his wife, Rebecca. This episode was recorded onsite at the filming of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s young adult reunion video, which you can access here. As Stephen prepared when he would introduce Rebecca to his parents, he realized that he was experiencing
Dating with a Diagnosis: Stephen & Rebecca’s Story Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Martha Arellano, Associate Professor of Hematology and Oncology and Program Director of the Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Program at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. On this episode, Dr. Arellano defines acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and how it is diagnosed. She
Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Diagnosis & Prognosis Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Mohammad Maher Abdul-Hay, a hematologist and bone marrow transplant physician in New York, New York who is affiliated with multiple hospitals including NYC Health and Hospitals, Bellevue, and NYU Langone Hospitals. On this episode, Dr. Abdul-Hay defines and explains how acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is diagnosed
Diagnosing Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Marc Braunstein, a Board-certified hematologist, medical oncologist at NYU Winthrop in New York, NY. This is episode four of our five- part episode series, ‘Removing Mystery from Myeloma‘. On this episode, Dr. Braunstein explains how management of myeloma differs between younger and older patients. He stresses
Removing Mystery from Myeloma: Management of the Elderly Myeloma Patient Read More »
Join Alicia and Shona from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as they speak with Dr. Racquel Innis-Shelton, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the University of Alabama Multiple Myeloma Clinic at the University of Alabama. On this episode, Dr. Innis-Shelton describes the process for a bone marrow transplant, the difference between autologous and allogeneic transplant, how a patient is screened
Removing Mystery from Myeloma: The Truth About Transplant Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Marc Braunstein, a Board-certified hematologist, medical oncologist at NYU Winthrop in New York, NY. This is the second episode of five that will be part of ‘Removing Mystery from Myeloma‘ series. On this episode, Alicia and Lizette discuss the topics pertaining to myeloma patients and caregivers.
Removing Mystery from Myeloma: Questions to ask, Bone Health and Clinical Trials Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with a young adult and Stage II Hodgkin lymphoma survivor, Merissa Pemberton. Having just finished her master’s degree, started her first full-time job, and moved into her first apartment on her own, Merissa believed life was finally settling down. After receiving an alarming call while on vacation, Merissa
Dating with a Diagnosis: Merissa’s Story Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as they speak with Dr. Ann LaCasce, Program Director of the Dana-Farber/ Partners CancerCare Fellowship, the largest hematology/oncology training program in the country. On this episode, Dr. LaCasce explains the difference between chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), CLL and its connection with Agent Orange exposure, resources available for Veterans,
CLL: Risk Factors, Resources and Research Read More »
Join Alicia and Shona from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as they speak with Dr. Racquel Innis-Shelton, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the University of Alabama Multiple Myeloma Clinic at the University of Alabama. This episode is the first of five that will be part of ‘Removing Mystery from Myeloma‘ series. On this
Removing Mystery from Myeloma: Diagnosis & Treatment Read More »
Listen in as Alicia and Lizette chat with Dr. Ann LaCasce, a Program Director of the Dana-Farber/ Partners CancerCare Fellowship, the largest hematology/oncology training program in the country. While studying pre-med, Dr. LaCasce took additional classes that piqued her interest in art history. After managing an art gallery in New York for five years and returning to medical
Understanding a CLL Diagnosis Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Robert Chen about the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Dr. Chen is a hematologist/oncologist at City of Hope in Duarte, California. On this episode, Dr. Chen explains the different variables taken into consideration when choosing the proper treatment for a MCL patient. He also discusses
Treating Mantle Cell Lymphoma Read More »
November is Caregiver Awareness Month! On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, we’d like to thank caregivers for their kindness in caring for their loved ones. Your dedication does not go unnoticed. On this episode, Alicia and Lizette speak with Dr. Marni Amsellem, a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with patients and caregivers
Coping as a Caregiver Read More »
With over 60 types of lymphomas, a lymphoma diagnosis can be very confusing. Listen in as Alicia and Lizette speak with hematologist/oncologist Dr. Robert Chen from City of Hope in Duarte, California about mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). On this episode, they discuss how MCL is diagnosed, indolent vs aggressive lymphomas, and the importance of knowing what to research before attempting to learn about a
Mantle Cell Lymphoma: Indolent vs Aggressive Read More »
Emotions are complex. We all can agree on that. On this episode, Alicia and Lizette speak with Julie Larson, a licensed clinical social worker who has spent her career working in oncology supportive care. Julie speaks about topics that arise within her own private practice with patients and caregivers. She addresses the fear of missing
All Emotions Serve a Purpose Read More »
Hearing the words, “you have cancer” rattles your core, regardless of who you are. On this episode, Alicia and Lizette speak with Dr. Marni Amsellem, a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with patients and caregivers who are adjusting to cancer and other health-related challenges and seeking to build their coping skills and resilience. Dr.
Cancer and Mental Health Read More »
Young adult cancer survivors have unique needs, different from pediatric and adult patients. Live on June 21, 2018, the first ever Young Adult Cancer Action Day, listen in as Guest Speaker Shona Lovie, from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, speaks with Kate Houghton, President and CEO of Critical Mass of The Young Adult Cancer Alliance,
Young Adult Cancer Action Day: Advocating for Young Adult Survivors Read More »
Most people are aware of common side effects of cancer treatment such as nausea and hair loss. However, most people who undergo cancer treatment develop complications that affect the mouth. Listen in as Alicia and Lizette speak with Dentist Dr. Nevin Waters, who founded his own practice in 1975 with the goal of treating each
Dental Awareness within Cancer Care Read More »
Many may be familiar with graft versus host disease (GVHD) however, veno-occlusive disease (VOD), otherwise known as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), is also one of the most frequently encountered complications after stem cell transplantation. Listen in as Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speak with Dr. Joseph Antin, Chief of the
Transplant & Veno-Occlusive Disease (VOD) Read More »
Listen in as Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speak with psycho-oncologist, Elizabeth Harvey. Elizabeth works with and supports cancer patients, their families and caregivers throughout their cancer journey. Elizabeth has spent over 20 years working in research for cancer drug development and also worked alongside the late Dr. Jimmie Holland,
Psycho-Oncology: Caring for Body & Mind Read More »
Describing her life as a ‘storybook’, Kimberly Alexander shares with Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society how her world was turned upside down after her late husband and NFL linebacker Elijah was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. What began as pain in his feet, usually disregarded due to his active lifestyle, Elijah was
No Playbook for Caregiving: Kimberly’s Story Read More »
Listen in as Guest Speaker, Shona Lovie, from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speaks with Founder of Stupid Cancer, Matthew Zachary onsite at CancerCon 2018 in Denver, Colorado. Film composer and concert pianist by the age of 21, Matthew was confident about what his next steps would be until life threw him the proverbial curve
Live at CancerCon with Matthew Zachary: Founder of ‘Stupid Cancer’ Read More »
Listen in as Guest Speaker, Shona Lovie, from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speaks with Heather Juliet, a young adult survivor and an attendee onsite at CancerCon 2018 in Denver, Colorado. Heather knew something was wrong for many years but each time she went to the doctor she was met with ‘you’re fine’, ‘you’re too
Live at CancerCon with Heather Juliet: Young Adult Advocate & Mentor Read More »
Listen in as Guest Speaker, Shona Lovie, from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speaks with Melanie Stachelski onsite at CancerCon 2018 in Denver, Colorado. Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at 29 years old after celebrating her first wedding anniversary, Melanie describes how staying in a good place mentally was one of her top priorities.
Live at CancerCon with Melanie Stachelski: Therapist & Young Adult Survivor Read More »
Listen in as Guest Speaker, Shona Lovie, from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speaks with Sara Davenport, a young adult survivor and Blood Cancer panelist, onsite at CancerCon 2018 in Denver, Colorado. Having been diagnosed with thyroid cancer first and later with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Sara talks about her journey, how she was introduced to
Live at CancerCon with Sara Davenport: Panelist & Young Adult Survivor Read More »
Join us on this episode as Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speak with Dr. Pallawi Torka, Assistant Professor of Oncology and Co-Program Director of the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program, at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer in Buffalo, NY. Dr. Torka speaks about her experience diagnosing and treating Hodgkin lymphoma and why shared
A Bright Future for Hodgkin Lymphoma Read More »
Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring mothers, motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. In this episode, Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speak with survivor Katy Ursta, a mother of two adorable young boys. Katy speaks about her diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma at age 30, and how
Motherhood & Survivorship Read More »
Caring for a patient means caring for the entire patient. Listen in as Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speak with Dr. Daniel Epner, professor in the Department of Palliative Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, about his experience being an oncologist for nearly 20
Encouraging Empathy Within Cancer Care Read More »
In its early stages, cutaneous t-cell lymphoma (CTCL) may be mistaken for a skin condition like eczema. Many people have a hard time grasping how something that arises in the skin is actually considered a blood cancer. Listen in as Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speak with Dr. Jasmine Zain,
CTCL: Skin Lymphoma, Not Skin Cancer Read More »
Rachelle is a commercial actor, model, mother, wife and lymphoma survivor, who shares with Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) how her world changed after an annual visit to her OBGYN doctor. A lump which she attributed to one of the effects of pregnancy, ended up being something she never would
I Am a Person, Not a Percentage: Rachelle’s Story Read More »