The Ugly Truth No One Talks About: Resenting Healthy People
Combating Cancer
Episode 39- Show Notes: In this deeply honest episode of Combating Cancer, host Gwen Kelly opens up about the uncomfortable and often unspoken feelings of resentment towards healthy people while battling cancer. She shares her personal journey with stage three astrocytoma brain cancer, discussing the emotional toll of feeling resentful and how it stems from unprocessed grief, fear, and loss of control. Gwen emphasizes the importance of acknowledging these feelings rather than shaming them, offering a compassionate space for those affected by cancer to process their trauma emotionally. Join...
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Two Brothers, One Battle: Joey Hamann Opens Up
Combating Cancer
Episode 38- Show Notes: In this episode of Combating Cancer, host Gwen Kelly interviews Joey Hamann, who shares his journey with Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone cancer diagnosed during his junior year of high school. His experience included chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant from his brother Johnny. Joey discusses the challenges of facing cancer at a young age, the emotional strain on his family, and the importance of faith and community support. The episode highlights Hamann’s Helping Hands, a foundation Joey and his family established to support pediatric cancer patients. His...
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From Diagnosis to Date Night
Combating Cancer
Episode 37- Show Notes: In this episode of Combating Cancer, host Gwen Kelly opens up about her personal experiences of dating while battling stage three astrocytoma brain cancer. She reflects on the challenges of seeking normalcy and connection during treatment, sharing her past fears and the unexpected support she received. Gwen offers advice on understanding emotional maturity, sharing trauma on one's terms, and being honest about the realities of dating with cancer. She emphasizes that cancer doesn’t make someone unlovable but instead reveals the depth of true love. Gwen concludes by...
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Turning the Tide: Dave McKeag on Overcoming Pancreatic Cancer
Combating Cancer
Episode 36- Show Notes: In this episode of Combating Cancer, host Gwen Kelly welcomes Dave McKeag, a pancreatic cancer survivor and her former middle school principal. Dave shares his personal journey from his diagnosis in October 2021 through his treatment and recovery, emphasizing the importance of a positive attitude, physical fitness, and a robust support network. The discussion highlights Dave's experiences with chemotherapy, the Whipple surgery, and his approach to staying active and engaged despite the challenges of cancer. Dave's story is one of resilience, determination, and hope,...
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Embracing Life's Paradoxes: Gratitude Amidst Grief
Combating Cancer
Episode 35- Show Notes: In this heartfelt episode of Combating Cancer, host Gwen Kelly shares her personal journey with stage three astrocytoma brain cancer, diagnosed at the age of 19. Gwen emphasizes the emotional weight of living with cancer, touching on the simultaneous existence of gratitude and grief. She provides a raw and unfiltered look at the complexities of surviving cancer, highlighting the importance of allowing oneself to feel and process emotions without a strict timeline. Gwen hopes to create a space where listeners, whether patients or caregivers, feel seen, understood, and...
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From Diagnosis to Determination: Nolan's Narrative
Combating Cancer
Episode 34- Show Notes: In this episode of Combating Cancer, host Gwen Kelly shares her personal journey with Astrocytoma brain cancer and introduces special guest Nolan Hsu. The conversation covers Nolan's diagnosis with grade two oligodendroglioma, their mutual experiences with treatment protocols, and the challenges faced during chemotherapy and radiation. They also discuss the origins and mission of the Brain Cancer Research Alliance (BCRA), highlighting their efforts to fund novel treatments for brain cancer. The episode emphasizes the importance of community, caregivers, and maintaining...
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Reflecting on the Journey: What I’ve Learned So Far
Combating Cancer
Episode 33- Show Notes: In this episode of Combating Cancer, host Gwen Kelly shares her cancer journey from being diagnosed with stage three astrocytoma brain cancer at 19 to starting and evolving her podcast. Gwen discusses the isolating experience of being a young cancer patient and the calling she felt to share her story. She reflects on how the podcast has facilitated personal healing and connected her to a community of fighters, survivors, caregivers, and grieving families. As the New Year approaches, Gwen outlines her renewed goals for the podcast, emphasizing the importance of...
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Creating Christmas Hope: The Story of Hamann's Helping Hands
Combating Cancer
Episode 32- Show Notes: In this heartfelt episode of Combating Cancer, host Gwen Kelly invites Johnny Hamann, a former college baseball player and founder of the nonprofit Hamann's Helping Hands, to share his impactful journey. Johnny opens up about supporting his brother Joey through a rare form of bone cancer, becoming his bone marrow donor, and the inspiration behind starting a nonprofit to bring Christmas joy to children hospitalized during the holidays. Tackling themes of faith, family, and resilience, Johnny's story is a powerful testament to turning personal pain into purpose. He also...
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Living with the Long-Term Effects of Cancer: A Survivor's Journey
Combating Cancer
Episode 31- Show Notes: In this episode of Combating Cancer, host Gwen Kelly shares her personal journey with stage three astrocytoma brain cancer, discussing the long-term side effects she experiences post-treatment and surgery. Gwen covers a range of issues, including physical limitations, social anxiety, memory problems, sensory overload, and the emotional struggles of adapting to a new normal. She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging these challenges, grieving the loss of former selves, and finding resilience during recovery. Gwen also encourages listeners to share their own stories...
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Generational Resilience: A Family's Battle Against Cancer
Combating Cancer
Episode 30- Show Notes: In this episode of Combating Cancer, host Gwen Kelly speaks with Anthony Cesarini, who shares his family's extensive history with cancer across generations. Anthony recounts the experiences of his father, mother, sister, and brother with various types of cancer, as well as his own proactive health measures. The episode delves into the emotional impact of caregiving, the value of hospice care, and the importance of showing support for loved ones diagnosed with cancer. Anthony's story emphasizes resilience, family support, and the significance of early detection....
info_outlineEpisode 33- Show Notes:
In this episode of Combating Cancer, host Gwen Kelly shares her cancer journey from being diagnosed with stage three astrocytoma brain cancer at 19 to starting and evolving her podcast. Gwen discusses the isolating experience of being a young cancer patient and the calling she felt to share her story. She reflects on how the podcast has facilitated personal healing and connected her to a community of fighters, survivors, caregivers, and grieving families. As the New Year approaches, Gwen outlines her renewed goals for the podcast, emphasizing the importance of addressing unspoken challenges, such as survivor's guilt and emotional recovery. She expresses gratitude for the support and stories shared by her listeners and invites them to continue being a part of the Combating Cancer community.
Discussed in this episode:
- Welcome to Combating Cancer
- Gwen's Personal Cancer Journey
- The Birth of the Podcast
- Finding My Voice and Healing
- The Emotional Journey of Cancer
- Looking Ahead: Future Topics and Gratitude
More from Gwen:
Get in touch with our team for sponsorship inquiries or guest host submissions: gkelly@assethr.com
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