Navigating Cancer TOGETHER

Caregiving is hard! In this episode of Navigating Cancer TOGETHER, Talaya Dendy dedicates the show to caregivers and features Allison Breininger, founder of The Negative Space. Allison shares her journey as a caregiver for her husband diagnosed with Fanconi Anemia (FA), a rare genetic disease leading to multiple cancers. She discusses the underappreciated role of caregivers, the importance of acknowledging their efforts, and the support systems she established through her non-profit. The episode covers the emotional and logistical burdens caregivers face, offers practical advice, and highlights the significance of having accessible mental health resources.

✨Highlights from the show:

[01:58] Allison's Personal Caregiving Journey

[04:30] Challenges and Realities of Caregiving

[09:26] Impact of Cancer Diagnosis on Caregivers

[12:57] Mental Health and Support for Caregivers

[17:16] Basic Needs and Advice for New Caregivers

[23:57] The Guilt and Challenges of Caregiving

[26:49] The Media's Portrayal of Caregiving

[32:08] Practical Self-Care Tips for Caregivers

[37:06] What NOT to Say to Caregivers

[38:55] The Importance of Acknowledging Caregivers

[42:14] The Negative Space: Resources and Support

Reflection: As a caregiver, how did this episode make you feel? Did it resonate with your experiences as a caregiver?

If you are someone who has had a cancer diagnosis, how did it make you feel? Have you had a conversation with your caregiver?

📰 Blog: https://www.ontheotherside.life/caregiving-unmasked

👩Connect with Allison:

Website: https://www.thenegativespace.life

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/negspacelife/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Negative-Space/61553388981859/

Podcast: https://www.thenegativespace.life/podcast/

Podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/insicknesspodcast/

Resources:

CaregiverCon,https://www.caregivercon.com

IANA Care,https://ianacare.com

Other Episodes You'll Enjoy:

How to Be a Caregiver with No Regrets with Rayna Neises, https://podcast.ausha.co/navigatingcancertogether/how-to-be-a-caregiver-with-no-regrets-with-rayna-neises

🎧Do you listen to music or podcasts on Spotify? ➕Add us to your listening queue.

💌Join the NCT newsletter to stay in the loop about new episodes, events, products, and services. Join here: https://podcast.ausha.co/navigatingcancertogether?s=1.

Get your FREE Guided Meditation: Calming Your Mind After a Cancer Diagnosis. https://www.ontheotherside.life/guidedmeditation

🦄About Me:

In 2011, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, out of the blue. I did not have any prior health concerns or issues. Fast forward, the dreaded cancer diagnosis opened my eyes, introduced me to my purpose, and led me to where I am today.

As a Cancer Doula, I use my 13 years of experience with cancer to support and guide others diagnosed with cancer. Many people are not familiar with what a cancer doula is. Think of me as your personal guide and patient advocate. Schedule a 30-minute Meet and Greet call to confidentially share the challenges you are facing and learn more about how I can support you. bit.ly/OTOSCalmingEnergyMeetNGreet

Learn more about On the Other Side at https://www.ontheotherside.life/. Connect with me on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/talayadendy/), or sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter (https://bit.ly/OTOSNewslet...

Host Talaya Dendy discusses a sad and unfortunate incident involving a stage four cancer patient named Andrena McMayo. Andrena was let go by Wayfair while she was on disability, which came as a surprise to her. Talaya shares Andrena's story and highlights the gaps in support and understanding that exist for cancer patients. This episode sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals navigating cancer and emphasizes the importance of awareness and advocacy.

✨Highlights from the show:

00:01:29 - Andrena McMayo's Story: Job Loss During Cancer
00:05:36 - Understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act
00:06:44 - The Impact of Cancer on Career and Identity
00:09:39 - Reevaluating Life and Career Post-Diagnosis
00:13:27 - Strategies for Protecting Your Job
00:19:24 - Focusing on What You Can Control

📰 Blog: https://www.ontheotherside.life/post/navigating-cancer-and-job-loss

Resources:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): https://www.ada.gov/topics/intro-to-ada/

American Cancer Society Summary of ADA: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/financial-insurance-matters/health-insurance-laws/americans-with-disabilities-act.html#:~:text=The%20ADA%20protects%20you%20if,from%20current%20or%20potential%20employers

Wayfair's Shameful Layoff - Can You Lose Your Job On Disability Leave?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWuGRPiRAiA

Connect with Andrena:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrenamcmayo/

LinkedIn Post About Job Loss: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/andrenamcmayo_wayfair-breastcancerawareness-activity-7155768562387709952-md78?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drena_mack/video/7330728940455218437

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/andrena-mcmayo-2023?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

Other Episodes You'll Enjoy:

Social Security Disability: The Importance of Section 13 Disability Listings for Cancer Patients with Spencer Bishins: https://smartlink.ausha.co/navigatingcancertogether/social-security-disability-the-importance-of-section-13-disability-listings-for-cancer-patients-with-spencer

How to Share Acts of Love When Cancer Shows Up at Work and In Your Personal Life:

https://smartlink.ausha.co/navigatingcancertogether/how-to-share-acts-of-love-when-cancer-shows-up-at-work-and-in-your-personal-life-with-kim-hamer

🎧Do you listen to music or podcasts on Spotify? ➕Add us to your listening queue.

💌Join the NCT newsletter to stay in the loop about new episodes, events, products, and services. Join here: https://podcast.ausha.co/navigatingcancertogether?s=1.

🦄About Me:

In 2011, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, out of the blue. I did not have any prior health concerns or issues. Fast forward, the dreaded cancer diagnosis opened my eyes, introduced me to my purpose, and led me to where I am today.

As a Cancer Doula, I use my 12 years of experience with cancer to support and guide others diagnosed with cancer. Many people are not familiar with what a cancer doula is. Think of me as your personal guide and patient advocate. Schedule a 30-minute Meet and Greet call to confidentially share ...

Steven is a Movement Master, Author, and Recovery Advocate who is passionate about helping others navigate towards a happier, healthier life. His lifelong love and a key foundation to his own spiritual fitness is 'movement' and he firmly believes our relationship with our body is vital for emotional, physical, and spiritual health.
Steven’s online members' community, SWE Studio, offers 300+ mindful movement video classes and wellness resources including Pilates, Qigong, Meditation, Laughter Medicine, and more for the body, mind, and soul.
Steven had a successful career as a contemporary dancer, working at New York City Opera, Metropolitan Opera, and appearing on Broadway in Disney’s, The Lion King but often used drugs and alcohol to cope with anxiety and self-doubt. Since making the conscious decision to get sober twenty years ago, he has impacted countless lives through movement and his keen ability to connect and relate to others.
During his study of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Steven discovered a love for the ancient Chinese movement practice of Qigong and became a Certified Qigong Instructor. Added to that, Steven is a Pilates teacher and has taught individuals and groups for over 20 years.
Steven’s writings, articles, and life experiences created the inspiration for his first book, Recovering You, Soul Care and Mindful Movement for Overcoming Addiction. Published by New World Library, the book’s unique self-care focus is complemented by the use of Qigong movements.
Steven hosts a monthly Heart/Mind Moments YouTube series with videos on physical, emotional, and spiritual health, and his movement and mindfulness work has received over one million views on YouTube.

Terry Tucker has been an NCAA Division I college basketball player, a Citadel cadet, a marketing executive, a hospital administrator, an undercover narcotics investigator, a SWAT Team Hostage Negotiator, a high school basketball coach, a business owner, a motivational speaker, an author, and most recently, a cancer warrior. He is the author of Sustainable Excellence, Ten Principles To Living Your Uncommon and Extraordinary Life. Terry and his wife have lived all over the United States and currently reside in Colorado with their daughter and Wheaten Terrier, Maggie. In 2019, Terry started the website, Motivational Check to help others find and lead their uncommon and extraordinary lives.

In this heartfelt episode of Navigating Cancer TOGETHER, Talaya Dendy had the privilege of speaking with the remarkable Dr. Sophia Edwards-Bennett, MD Ph.D., a board-certified radiation oncologist with an impressive background from institutions like Harvard's Cancer Therapeutics and Research Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Cornell Medical College. Dr. EB. is not only a multiple award-winning radiation oncologist but also a cancer ambassador, best-selling author, dynamic international speaker, podcaster, YouTuber, and advocate for a holistic approach to cancer treatment.

We delved into the intricacies of radiation therapy, a treatment that remains a mystery to many. Dr. EB explained that it involves high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and emphasized that patients do not feel pain during the treatment. She also discussed the criteria for recommending radiation therapy, which depends on factors like the cancer stage and patient comorbidities. We learn about Dr. EB's "why" and so much more! This episode was a testament to the power of empathy, hope, and the human spirit in navigating cancer together.

✨Highlights from the show:

[00:02:34] Radiation therapy explained.

[00:05:17] Radiation therapy determining factors.

[00:14:42] Balancing clinical and emotional needs.

[00:19:36] Addressing patient resilience during treatment.

[00:24:44] Importance of faith and hope.

[0:34:04] Dr. EB's Prose for Cancer Patients

📰 Blog: https://www.ontheotherside.life/post/understanding-radiation-therapy-and-the-power-of-empathy-in-patient-care

🩺👩🏾‍⚕️Connect with Dr. EB:

Website: https://www.mydoctoreb.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mydoctoreb/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mydoctoreb

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/revoxylife

Listen to this Episode On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-cancer-together/id1580570728?i=1000645276728

Other Episodes You'll Enjoy:

A Seasoned Medical Oncologist Explains Why Cancer Still Sucks with David J. Stewart, MD, FRCPC, https://smartlink.ausha.co/navigatingcancertogether/a-seasoned-medical-oncologist-explains-why-cancer-still-sucks-with-david-j-stewart-md-frcpc

Healthcare Is a Matter of Education with Robert Yoho, https://smartlink.ausha.co/navigatingcancertogether/healthcare-is-a-matter-of-education-with-robert-yoho

🎧Do you listen to music or podcasts on Spotify? ➕Add us to your listening queue.

💌Join the NCT newsletter to stay in the loop about new episodes, events, products, and services. Join here: https://podcast.ausha.co/navigatingcancertogether?s=1.

🦄About Me:

In 2011, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, out of the blue. I did not have any prior health concerns or issues. Fast forward, the dreaded cancer diagnosis opened my eyes, introduced me to my purpose, and led me to where I am today.

As a Cancer Doula, I use my 12 years of experience with cancer to support and guide others diagnosed with cancer. Many people are not familiar with what a cancer doula is. Think of me as your personal guide and patient advocate. Schedule a 30-minute Meet and Greet call to confidentially share the challenges you are facing and learn more about how I can support you. https://bit.ly/OTOSDiscovery

Learn more about On the Other Side at https://www.ontheotherside.life/. Connect with me on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/talayadendy/), or sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter (