Cancer U Thrivers

Cancer U

Cancer patients, caregivers, survivors, and providers share inspiring stories to teach you how to navigate our complex healthcare system. On the Cancer U Thrivers Podcast, real people share true stories.

Host Andrea Wilson Woods is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and patient advocate. She founded the nonprofit Blue Faery after losing her sister Adrienne, whom she raised, to stage IV liver cancer at age 15. Andrea is the CEO and co-founder of Cancer University, an online platform for cancer patients and caregivers.

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Share Your Story: Jodie Lin

Cancer U Thrivers

05/03/22 • 33 min

Jodie Lin is a 2X breast cancer survivor/thriver, wife, mother of five wonderful children, animal lover, and National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, NASM certified Nutrition Coach, and Holistic Cancer Coach. Jodie is passionate about helping others balance their health and advocate for themselves.

01:13: Can you take us back to the very beginning of that first journey with breast cancer?
03:09: I don't have a family history of breast cancer.
05:13: There were lumps that I was starting to feel in my breast.
07:14: They sent my biopsy results to John Hopkins.
09:03: It was just a scary number, and I didn't want to deal with those odds.
11:02: I was kind of focusing on her health and trying to help her.
13:17: They came back saying that both implants had ruptured and that was the source of my pain.
15:08: My first thought was I don't want to do chemo.
17:37: Research has shown that many women who have had bilateral mastectomies or just mastectomies end up with damage done to the nerves.
19:47: What was your worst moment in all of this?
20:35: How about your best moment?
22:09: I got certified in holistic cancer coaching.
24:40: What is one thing you wish you had known at the very beginning of that first cancer journey?
26:44: I literally had to chase after the diagnosis and that's really frustrating for some people.
27:38: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the U.S., what would it be and why?
29:46: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
30:54: Aside from Cancer U, what's one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

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Share Your Story: Anna Leonarda

Cancer U Thrivers

04/29/22 • 31 min

Anna Leonarda is a nine-year breast cancer survivor who struggled with endometriosis, painful intercourse, and lack of libido for many years. Approximately eight years after diagnosis, she got divorced. Traditional dating apps didn’t cater to people with sexual limitations so she created a dating app for individuals with sexual dysfunction/limitations.

01:39: How did you get diagnosed?
03:12: When I got the diagnosis, I was in shock.
05:19: I had a one-sided mastectomy.
07:16: I lost all my hair, and the side effects weren't horrible.
09:06: I'll join support groups on Facebook with 17,000 women that have vaginismus.
11:25: My mom had breast cancer, and she lived a good 10 years.
13:30: My chest looked yellow and brown.
15:38: What about the deep flap?
16:56: Did you end up doing that surgery?
20:06: What was your worst moment?
21:59: What is the one thing you wish you had known at the beginning of your cancer journey?
22:42: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the U.S., what would it be and why?
23:56: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions.
25:11: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?
27:24: If you're using this app, it means that intercourse is not a possibility.

Resources

Share Your Story: Tim Sohn

Cancer U Thrivers

03/29/22 • 26 min

Tim Sohn is an almost 15-year survivor of chronic myeloid leukemia. He shared his story for the first time in June 2021. Tim is a husband, a dad to Megan, 10, and Katelyn, 6. He also owns his own business, Sohn Social Media Solutions, where he produces memorable live shows and virtual events. He also coaches impact-focused brands and nonprofits on how to create their own.

03:46: Take us back to the very beginning.
05:37: I've reached out to leukemia survivors through LinkedIn.
07:54: Luckily there are several options when it comes to CML and oral chemo medication.
10:39: You don't know what the cause of the headaches is?
12:45: What was her reaction when she did find out?
13:55: What was your worst moment?
15:10: What was your best moment?
17:19: What is the one thing you wish you had known at the beginning?
18:06: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the US?
20:22: Don't take anything for granted.
22:52: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions.
24:50: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Email Tim here: tim@sohnsocialmediasolutions.com

Share Your Story: Jennifer Smrz

Cancer U Thrivers

04/19/22 • 24 min

After Jenn was diagnosed with breast cancer at 43 followed by five surgeries and 18 months of treatment, coupled with dealing with anxiety/depression, she is passionate about helping others by sharing coping strategies and helping them take control of their lives. She has made it her passion project to share her research and educate people on the importance of reading labels and knowing what ingredients are in our foods and household products.

01:32: I found a small marble-sized lump on my left breast.
03:20: They learned of a tumor that was deep in my chest cavity.
04:59: What kind of surgeries were they?
06:59: It sounds like you finished up treatment, both chemo, and radiation before Christmas 2019.
08:16: How did Covid affect your follow-up?
11:05: Everything has been on my left side.
13:17: They would pump me up and they had to do it quite slow.
14:25: What was your worst moment?
16:34: Did you hear my experience in the mammogram?
18:04: What is one thing you wish you had known at the very beginning of your cancer journey?
20:10: I wasn't excited about having my fifth surgery.
20:48: If you could only do one no more to one thing to improve health care in Canada what would it be?
22:05: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions.
23:01: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

Jenn on LinkedIn
Jenn's Coaching profile
Jenn's Journey to Healthy Living Facebook Group
Email Jenn at jennsmrz@gmail.com
Call Jenn 416.831.8392

Share Your Story: Rebecca Durance Hine

Cancer U Thrivers

04/12/22 • 39 min

Rebecca is a breast cancer thriver, having been diagnosed when she was just 28. She is an actor, writer, teacher, and integrative cancer care advocate. In 2019, she founded Solis Cancer Community, where she shares weekly posts and blog articles that cover topics on integrative and whole-body healing pre- and post-cancer.

02:26: It was a big shock to everyone because my mammogram had been negative.
04:46: People don't like going to the doctor, especially when they're nervous about something.
07:25: I did Herceptin for a year.
09:14: I did a lot of research on statistics and recurrence rates.
11:35: How involved were your family and friends?
14:06: Those were two of the scariest things for sure.
15:30: Aren't you afraid that if you have a recurrence, you're going to regret not doing those treatments?
17:28: I started meditating to deal with the stress of the situation.
19:12: Cancer has changed my life in so many ways.
21:22: I didn't believe in myself for a long time.
24:01: I had a cold every three weeks.
25:37: I was waking up every hour and a half.
26:50: What is one thing you wish you had known at the beginning of your cancer journey Rebecca?
28:49: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in Canada, what would it be and why?
30:43: We see the best outcomes from a combined treatment path.
31:23: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions.
33:14: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

Share Your Story: Ben Cooper

Cancer U Thrivers

04/05/22 • 39 min

Ben Cooper is a Christian, husband, father of five, author, speaker, and beekeeper. Ben used his second cancer diagnosis as a therapy to launch his writing journey of Christian devotionals and children's books. His love of farming and nature is the backdrop of his writing.

01:13: Take us back to the beginning of that first cancer diagnosis and tell us where your journey began.
03:52: I was already scheduled to have a specialist in Baltimore look at me.
06:29: Was it considered throat cancer?
08:20: My step-grandfather had had neck cancer.
10:07: I don't want my kids to be shocked to see a different dad come home from the hospital.
12:07: My percentage with the surgery was a 35% survival rate.
15:07: Did you make it to five years?
18:49: Why couldn't they get you in sooner?
20:28: Writing was my second therapy.
22:42: If I'm involved, I'm 120% involved.
23:42: What was your worst moment?
26:15: I was not wrong in challenging the hospital and saying, why didn't you tell me this?
28:09: My wife was in tears.
30:05: Almost 20 years later, I have a sinus infection every day of my life.
32:27: People I didn’t even know sent me letters of encouragement.
33:18: What is one thing you wish you had known at the very beginning?
34:19: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the U. S., what would it be and why?
35:05: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions.
36:19: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

Share Your Story: Kelley Sgroi

Cancer U Thrivers

04/26/22 • 36 min

Kelley was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in September 2011, two days before her 41st birthday. She had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction, chemotherapy, radiation Today, Kelly is 10 years cancer-free.

01:22: I was working out one day, and I had this stabbing pain in the side of my left breast.
03:23: I'm telling my parents regardless.
04:55: How old were your kids?
07:26: I've always heard that cancer doesn't hurt so why did this hurt?
09:10: There weren’t a lot of surgical options in there other than reconstruction.
10:57: October I had surgery.
13:28: I remember after my pregnancy; I couldn't feel my feet because they were so swollen.
15:09: She was telling me she had never had anyone have this kind of emotional reaction to this medication before.
17:24: I never ended up in the hospital.
18:58: I was able to accept the radiation part.
21:08: I started researching master's degree programs.
23:22: If it wasn't for cancer, I would still be a dental hygienist.
24:32: What is that one thing you wish you'd known at the very beginning?
25:45: Now I have this new implant that they think is ruptured.
27:19: Nobody told me that I was going to have issues with my chest muscles for the rest of time.
28:07: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the U.S., what would it be and why?
30:02: I had a full hysterectomy because I was having all kinds of issues after chemo.
31:11: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions.
34:14: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

Share Your Story: Elizabeth Benditt

Cancer U Thrivers

03/25/22 • 33 min

Liz Benditt is currently President and CEO of The Balm Box, a self-care and gifting site for breast cancer patients. In addition to teaching undergraduate business marketing courses at the University of Kansas, Benditt also serves on the Education First Shawnee Mission board of directors and volunteers with National Charity League. She lives in the Kansas City suburbs with her husband and two children.

01:54: Take us back to the very beginning.
04:16: We'd like you to have surgery within the week.
05:58: 11 months after having been diagnosed with melanoma, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
08:32: I ended up in the hospital for two weeks while they tried to figure out a drug protocol that would get me off I.V. Calcium.
10:27: Thyroid cancer is very common.
11:36: For whatever reason, my body needed a higher-than-normal range of calcium for normal calcium production.
13:38: It was on my nose, and it was just big enough that it required plastic surgery to cover it.
16:06: This was what was going to help me avoid being disfigured.
18:47: The fatigue hit me like a brick.
20:53: What was your best moment?
21:52: What is the one thing you wish you had known at the very beginning of your cancer journey?
23:03: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why?
24:31: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
25:59: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?
26:54: Then the pandemic hit and suddenly, I wasn't super busy anymore.
30:52: My vision is to get beyond breast cancer and to offer packages for a whole variety of cancer treatments.

Resources

Share Your Story: Freddye Stover

Cancer U Thrivers

03/22/22 • 45 min

Freddye is a mother, a nurse, and a singer. She has been a nurse for 34 years! She has been a professional singer for 25 years. She currently works as a GI surgical oncology outpatient nurse with pancreatic, rectal, and colon cancer patients. She performs for charitable events every year. She has performed in local hospitals. As a twice breast cancer survivor, she gives her time and energy to those who are fighting their cancer and to those who have lost a loved one to cancer.

01:39: Tell me about becoming a nurse and why oncology?
04:07: My mother ended up dying of two different kinds of cancers.
06:46: Did nursing school prepare you to be an oncology nurse back then?
09:27: I was 30 when I graduated from nursing school.
10:52: Take us back to the beginning of your cancer journey.
13:36: Cancer runs rampant in my family on both sides.
15:43: You had a mastectomy on one breast?
17:03: I told him I said I think it's back.
20:04: I had to laugh my way through it both times because my friends and family were so morbid.
22:52: They say nurses make the worst patients.
25:02: She had lymphoma and colon cancer.
28:04: I think he died less than three months within the diagnosis.
31:15: We've seen a lot as far as cancer and death in our family, but I'm trying to understand it.
31:57: What was your worst moment?
34:33: What about your best moment?
35:58: I was the first one to graduate from a four-year college.
38:52: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why?
40:13: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions.
41:31: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

Meet The Expert: Dr. Christine Sauer

Cancer U Thrivers

05/10/22 • 37 min

Dr. Christine Sauer is a retired MD and ND. She has not only treated cancer patients but she has also been a caregiver for her mother-in-law and Christine has volunteered in palliative care.

01:51: Why did you decide to become a doctor?
04:31: One of my patients with end-stage melanoma died in my arms.
06:59: Can you tell us what led you to get into palliative care?
10:04: I feel like we are very much aligned because we're all going to die.
12:52: He didn't want to be resuscitated and he had that in his directive.
15:03: Many patients touched my heart.
17:04: I've seen lung cancer patients in Germany that never smoked.
20:55: Her life was filled with love and care for others.
21:11: Tell me what was your worst moment during your entire career as a physician?
22:16: What about your best moment as a physician?
23:59: He has a brain bleed.
25:46: What is one thing that you wish you had known at the beginning of your journey as a physician?
27:40: If you can only do one thing to improve health care in Canada and Germany, what would they be and why?
30:57: We do have a shortage of primary care physicians here.
32:49: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions.
34:25: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

FAQ

How many episodes does Cancer U Thrivers have?

Cancer U Thrivers currently has 123 episodes available.

What topics does Cancer U Thrivers cover?

The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Podcasts, Self-Improvement and Education.

What is the most popular episode on Cancer U Thrivers?

The episode title 'Share Your Story: Jodie Lin' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Cancer U Thrivers?

The average episode length on Cancer U Thrivers is 40 minutes.

How often are episodes of Cancer U Thrivers released?

Episodes of Cancer U Thrivers are typically released every 6 days, 23 hours.

When was the first episode of Cancer U Thrivers?

The first episode of Cancer U Thrivers was released on Apr 12, 2021.

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