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 »
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 »
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 »
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 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Good nutrition is important for cancer patients. Eating the right kinds of foods can help patients feel better and stay stronger. On this episode, Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speak with nutrition educator, Margaret N. Martin, RD MS LDN CDE, about dietary information to keep in mind before, during and
Remembering Nutrition Throughout Your Cancer Journey Read More »
Twenty-three years old and living in New York City, Glamour magazine Editor Erin Zammett Ruddy finds herself writing her biggest story yet when she is diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Upon diagnosis, this writer, author, blogger and survivor, along with her husband Nick, make the brave decision to stop treatment three times in hopes of
Stopped Treatment, Started a Family Read More »
Fatigue is the symptom most frequently reported by individuals with cancer. However, cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is very different from daily fatigue. Listen in as Alicia and Lizette speak with Patrice Al-Shatti, LMSW, who shares how calling cancer-related fatigue a symptom does it as a disservice as it is actually considered a syndrome. She explains the
Cancer-Related Fatigue: Syndrome Not Symptom Read More »
Listen in as Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speak with Carma Bylund, Ph.D, a behavioral scientist with international expertise in healthcare communication, who shares how research has proven that good doctor-patient communication results in patients making more informed decisions, better quality of life, and better outcomes for patients. Carma provides
Effective Communication within Cancer Care Read More »
After a cancer diagnosis, people with cancer and their loved ones may feel “out of step” during the holidays. A diagnosis can prompt new questions during this time, such as: How do I take care of myself during the holiday rush? How can I celebrate when I have so many other things on my mind? How can I manage
Coping with the Holidays after Cancer Read More »
Join Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as they sit with Rebecca Nellis, Executive Director of Cancer and Careers. Learn about the rights of employees who have been diagnosed with cancer and how Cancer and Careers works to empower and educate people with cancer to thrive in their workplace, by providing
A Cancer Diagnosis Within the Workplace Read More »
Listen in as Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speak with Monica Bryant, COO & Co-Founder of Triage Cancer, who shares quality information on healthcare-related issues for those diagnosed with cancer. As a cancer rights attorney, she believes a patient’s life should not be in jeopardy due to a lack of
What You Need to Know About Cancer & Health Insurance Read More »
Listen in as Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) chat with John F. Gerecitano, MD, PhD, Clinical Director of Lymphoma Outpatient Services at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Margaret (Peg) McCormick, RN, BSN, MA, Consultant, Clinical Trials Support Center. Hear about the role clinical trials play in cancer treatment, who can
Why You Should Consider a Clinical Trial Read More »