Life on Pause

Whether small or large, physical scars often mark the bodies of cancer survivors. In this episode, the Life on Pause crew shares stories of moving through the world with a body and spirit transformed by the experience of cancer.

Even after recovery, cancer can still leave challenging effects on those who have experienced it. However, taking part in a new adventure can be beneficial and healing for cancer survivors. First Descents is a program for young adults impacted by cancer that provides them with outdoor adventures and helps them heal through psychosocial support and rewarding experiences.

Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults living with cancer. Within this episode, our hosts chat with guest speaker Mackenzie McGrath, Vice President of First Descents, about the program and its therapeutic effects on young adults influenced by cancer.

Listen to our hosts and special guest Mackenzie discuss the First Descents program:

Guest Introduction (0:30)

Our host Gus introduces the topic of this episode, and our special guest speaker, Mackenzie McGrath. Mackenzie is the Vice President of First Descents, a program that provides outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions.

First Descents (1:30)

Mackenzie tells listeners about the First Descents program and inspiration behind its development. She and host Gus share their experiences traveling, meeting other young adults, and having new experiences during their First Descents trips.

Healing Effects (8:50)

Experiencing the great outdoors can have therapeutic effects for individuals impacted by cancer, and Mackenzie speaks about the benefits of setting the program within nature. She also discusses how the program supports young adults, providing developmentally appropriate psychosocial support and peer-to-peer connection for cancer survivors within this demographic.

Designed for Positive Opportunity (12:15)

The hosts and Mackenzie speak more on the program and its trained staff members and how attention to aspects like safety, outdoor activity, and nutrition education makes it a safe and positive experience for attendees.

Confidence and Body Positivity (18:15)

The cancer journey can leave people feeling physically fragile and limited. First Descents is designed to produce psychosocial outcomes, with outdoor adventures that strengthen attendees' body image and physical confidence. Our speakers share their thoughts on the program's psychosocial aspects and how they can benefit former cancer patients.

Safe Havens (23:14)

Cancer can have lasting mental and emotional effects on those who have had it, even after treatment ends. Our hosts and Mackenzie share their havens and practices for reaching inner peace and the activities that they find therapeutic.

New Perspectives (26:46)

Sometimes in life, we find ourselves in situations that can open our eyes to new perspectives. Mackenzie and our hosts share their moments that provided new perspectives on life and the cancer experience.

Challenges and Rewards (37:56)

Challenging oneself and stepping out of comfort zones can be difficult but rewarding. Our speakers discuss examples of being rewarded through challenges and how the First Descents outdoor adventures motivate people to take on new experiences.

For each young adult diagnosed with cancer, a doctor speaks a few words and a new chapter in life begins. This collection of stories captures the similarities and differences in young adults’ experiences leading up to diagnosis and afterwards.

Life with cancer looks different for everyone, and for young people especially, it can be challenging to manage a diagnosis while still moving forward with life's other experiences. On this episode of Life on Pause, our host Brady Lucus chats with guest speaker Colton Cook, a college student who has been in treatment for his cancer diagnosis. Together they discuss what it's like to have cancer while trying to maintain normalcy in life as a young adult.

Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults living with cancer. Within this episode, listeners can gain insight into one person's real-life journey navigating life and treatments as a young adult with cancer.

Listen to Brady and special guest Colton discuss the cancer treatment experience:

Guest Introduction (0:30)

Our host Brady Lucus introduces listeners to guest speaker Colton Cook. Colton is a creative writing student at Susquehanna University. He is also currently a patient at Hershey Penn State Hospital, where he received treatment for his cancer diagnosis.

Coping with Creativity (0:57)

Colton speaks about his decision to pursue a college education in creative writing while being treated for cancer. He explains how his creative writing and mindset have contributed to his coping with having cancer. Additionally, he speaks about his experiences being treated during COVID-19 and coming to terms with not having control.

Adjusting to Life With Cancer (3:30)

After being diagnosed with cancer in 11th grade, with the help of medical technology, Colton finished high school and began college while still receiving treatment. He provides listeners a glimpse into what it was like moving forward during such turbulent times regarding his health and the state of the world during COVID-19.

Treatment and Coping Methods (8:17)

Colton tells listeners about his clinic experiences and his methods for coping throughout this time, like using his pets as a form of animal-assisted therapy. He also speaks about his family's experiences coping with his illness.

Life on Pause and Looking Ahead (11:57)

Colton plans to continue pursuing his education in creative writing in the future. He explains how his cancer diagnosis affected his life and caused setbacks. However, he has found his own ways to help establish normalcy in his life.

Fears and Effects (14:20)

Brady asks Colton about his fears regarding his cancer diagnosis and how his diagnosis has affected his future. Colton shares his thoughts and talks about cancer's effects on his creative writing and storytelling.

Listener Takeaways (18:33)

To conclude the episode, Colton provides his thoughts and suggestions for individuals going through college after being diagnosed with cancer. Additionally, he shares the one piece of information that he hopes listeners would take away from his story.

The cancer journey can introduce many changes into a patient's life, creating new obstacles and challenges for them to endure. But taking on a new life philosophy may be able to support patients in managing these difficulties and gaining a healthy perspective on the life that they have.

Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults living with cancer. Within this episode, host Brady Lucas is joined by guest Cayla Conover. Cayla is a trauma surgical ICU nurse who is experiencing stage four colon cancer. As an individual who has experience with caregiving and receiving cancer treatments, Cayla shares her perspective on how to navigate these challenging positions and how to maintain a celebratory mindset throughout the cancer journey.

Listen to Brady and Cayla discuss the cancer experience:

Past and Present (0:30)

Medicine has always been part of Cayla's life as a trauma surgical ICU who was raised by parents in the medical field. She shares what inspired her to become a nurse after studying for a bachelor's degree in public health. Cayla describes how her experience doing research with trauma patients and nurses in action influenced her decision to go into nursing. Additionally, she shares her medical history before receiving her stage four colon cancer diagnosis in July of 2021.

Symptoms to a Diagnosis (2:59)

Symptoms should always be taken seriously and addressed as soon as possible. Cayla shares the symptoms she experienced leading up to her cancer diagnosis, including persistent abdominal pain in her late 20s. By sharing this information with listeners, she hopes to raise awareness about her condition and inspire others to advocate for themselves and their medical needs.

In the Family (8:17)

Cayla has her own medical knowledge and experience throughout her career and comes from a family with a medical background as well. She explains how her experience may have differed from other patients due to her background in medicine when understanding her initial diagnosis and comprehending the severity of her illness. Cayla also expresses her desire for improvement within the healthcare system and the struggles of trying to advocate for yourself when the healthcare system often fails to take symptoms seriously.

Using Humor (10:23)

"Moby Debt" is the name that Cayla gave to her tumor, and she often uses humor as a coping method through her cancer experience and to help her process her illness. Additionally, she explains how she used humor to cope as a nurse to handle uncomfortable situations within her experience as a healthcare professional. She and Bradley also bond on the idea of humor as a protective mechanism for cancer patients, enabling them to make jokes about themselves as a way to control the narrative and conversation surrounding their diagnosis.

"Not Dead Yet" (12:41)

Throughout the interview, Cayla often uses the phrase "not dead yet," which represents how she lives her life. She shares with listeners how the phrase originated as a reason to celebrate life and life's good days while you have them. Cayla says that she feels like she has embraced this idea of not being dead yet, and wishes to live as much life as possible and celebrate every good day she has.

Cayla's Life Philosophy (14:49)

Cayla believes that listeners, whether they're cancer patients or not, can benefit by adopting her life philosophy of "not dead yet." She shares her thoughts on the importance of getting out of your head, taking life's unexpected events into perspective, and trying to live and experience your life fully when you have it. She urges listeners to appreciate life, finds the little things that bring joy, be with the ones you love, and make memories.

Staying In Tune (16:27)

Before her diagnosis, Cayla was passionate about fitness. But now, her relationship with fitness and wellness has changed. She explains that the progression of her disease and recovery from surgery has made her feel less inclined to work out. Rather than let this disappoint her, it gave her a new perspective on trying to honor what her body wants and needs. She has also changed her relationship with food, now eating what feels good. She emphasizes the importance of staying in tune with your body, listening to its needs, and taking each day as it comes.

Stage Four (20:11)

Cayla is at a stage of her cancer diagnosis where it has progressed, requiring her to receive palliative chemo and move in the direction of indirectly planning the end of her life. She takes this opportunity within the podcast to share her thoughts on this stage in her life and things that she would like the world to know about her, her life, and her story.

Advice (21:49)

Cayla pro...