Conversations about Cancer

Rick

A set of intimate conversations with people that have battled cancer. These conversations provide life strategy advice, not medical advice. We cover topics ranging from how to talk with your family members, getting second opinions, and much more. If you or someone you love is battling this disease, you may find some helpful advice in this podcast

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Episodes

Living in Two Worlds - Living with Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer for men over 60. One man in nine will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. This episode is about how one man learned to battle, and learn to live with this cancer. When John was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer he was told the average lifespan for someone in his age and condition was 5.3 years. We talk about what its like to live with a calendar that runs out on September 18, 2021. John finds it is freeing. We tal...

Jun 14, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Either Way....It will be OK

Today Shea and I talk with Cindy about cervical cancer. Cindy's is a story of perseverance, hope, and inspiration. A story of being a young mother of 2 children newly diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 42. Cindy discusses her treatments of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. She discusses the multiple relapses of her cancer. And the discusses how she came up with a novel therapy that combined Avastin with chemotherapy that worked against her cancer. She has been cancer free for 11 ye...

Jun 06, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Scanxiety - The Twilight Zone of Surveillance

Shea and Rick discuss the period right after treatment known as "Surveillance". This is a unique chapter of the cancer journey that lasts for many years. Surveillance is the process of monitoring your body to see if there is any cancer activity. This is usually done with a combination of blood tests and imaging that is re-checked every couple months. Shea and Rick discuss the pre-scan anxiety (Scanxiety) that is a persistent component of this part if the cancer experience. They discuss technique...

May 23, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Rick's Cancer Treatment - chemotherapy for testes cancer

Rick was diagnosed with a rare presentation of testes cancer. There was no source tumor in either testes. Because this was a rare presentation of the disease the doctors wanted to be aggressive in treatment. The initial treatment plan was 4 cycles of BEP chemotherapy. Followed by radiation therapy and surgery. As there was no obvious source tumor the initial surgery plan was to remove both testes. Rick sought a second opinion. This second opinion resulted in a less aggressive treatment plan that...

May 19, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Shea discusses her diagnosis and treatment of Mucinous Ovarian Cancer

Mucinous Ovarian Cancer is a rare type of ovarian cancer. Shea and I discuss the process of getting diagnosed with this rare cancer. We explore the challenges of figuring out a treatment plan, especially with a rare cancer. We discuss the importance and difficulties in getting second opinions. We also discuss the unique problems with ovarian cancer such as saving eggs and preparations for future parenthood.

May 15, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Introduction to the Podcast

Our first episode of Conversations about Cancer. My name is Rick. I am a survivor of seminoma, a type of testicular cancer. I had a rare presentation of testicular cancer where there was no source tumor in either testes. This happens in less than 1% of testes cancer patients. Because this presentation was rare, I needed to do some work to get the right care. This journey helped me understand how difficult it is sometimes to navigate cancer treatments. I have been a survivor for over 20 years and...

May 09, 2020•12 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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