Survivor Chat with Brad and Josie: Initial Cancer Treatment Part 2

Explicit content warning

05/17/24 • 34 min

In this second part of the podcast episode, hosts Brad and his co-host delve into Brad's harrowing experience with aggressive cancer treatment. Initially diagnosed with an indolent form of cancer, Brad's condition rapidly worsened, leading to an emergency hospitalization due to a burst tumor in his lung. The episode details the intense therapeutic measures taken, including aggressive chemotherapy, the physiological and psychological toll, and the extensive hospital stay.
Brad shares his firsthand experiences of treatment, recovery challenges, and complications, ultimately highlighting the resilience required to endure such a grueling medical journey. The episode also touches on the importance of personalized care, the potential impact of prehabilitation, and the evolving nature of oncology treatment methodologies.
Helpful Links:
https://www.elsevier.com/products/clinicalpath
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fertility-and-sexual-side-effects/fertility-and-women-with-cancer/preserving-fertility-in-women.html
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fertility-and-sexual-side-effects/fertility-and-men-with-cancer/preserving-fertility-in-men.html
https://www.dana-farber.org/health-library/how-prehabilitation-can-benefit-cancer-patients

General Links:

Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/
Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera
G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd
CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

General Links:

Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/
Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera
G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd
CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

Previous Episode

Survivor Chat with Brad and Josie: Initial Cancer Treatment Part 1

Discovering cancer during a prenatal checkup was a curveball I never saw coming. Listen closely as I open up about my battle with HPV-related cancer, diving into the emotional rollercoaster from the initial diagnosis of low-grade dysplasia to the eventual necessity of treatment for high-grade dysplasia. Brad joins me, offering a unique lens through his own fight with lymphoma, casting it as an unwelcome guest, much like a pregnancy.
The conversation then shifts gears to a critical comparison of healthcare systems as we juxtapose the Dutch model against the American one. We dissect the subtler points of socialized medicine, discuss the implications of holistic versus aggressive treatments, and the delicate balance required in managing cancer care. This episode peels back the layers of ethical considerations in personalized medicine, the insightful impact of rapid body autopsy programs, and the myths surrounding treatment aggressiveness.
Join Brad and me as we navigate these intricate waters, aiming to shed light on the complexities of cancer care and the pursuit of patient-centric treatment strategies.
Helpful links for this episode:
https://www.mdedge.com/hematology-oncology/article/164392/practice-management/rapid-autopsy-programs-seek-clues-cancer/page/0/5

General Links:

Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/
Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera
G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd
CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

Next Episode

Survivor Chat with Brad and Josie: Cancer Recurrence

How do you navigate the turbulent waters of cancer recurrence and its treatment?
In this emotionally charged episode, we share deeply personal stories of battling persistent abnormal cells, undergoing numerous medical procedures (surgery, radiation, and stem cell transplant), and the heart-wrenching decision to opt for treatments that come at large risk of loss of fertility, loss of life, and loss of quality of life. We will discuss the unique nature of each of our cancer journeys (Brad's lymphoma and Josie's solid tumor), all through the lens of lived experiences. Prevention strategies are also discussed.
Helpful links:
https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/vaccine-for-hpv.html
https://bethematch.org/transplant-basics/how-blood-stem-cell-transplants-work/how-donors-and-patients-are-matched/
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/types-of-transplants.html

General Links:

Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/
Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera
G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd
CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

CancerSurvivorMD® - Survivor Chat with Brad and Josie: Initial Cancer Treatment Part 2

Transcript

G [Josie] van Londen00:01:06.911

Hello everybody , welcome to the second part of our podcast episode about Brad's and my discussion about our initial cancer treatment phase . The previous episode we talked a lot about my cancer treatment and some philosophical conversations , and now we will start right off by talking with Brad about his story . So let's go , Brad , your turn .

Brad Buchanan