Chaplain Kim’s Holiday Tips for Cancering Patients and Families
The Cancering Show
In this heartfelt episode of The Cancering Show, Dr. JYP welcomes back Chaplain Kim Crawford Meeks to discuss the complexities of celebrating the holidays while dealing with cancer. They explore the bittersweet nature of the season, emphasizing the importance of modifying expectations, planning ahead, and cherishing moments with loved ones. Chaplain Kim shares practical advice on managing emotions, supporting family members, and including children in celebrations. They also discuss commemorating a loved one who is no longer present, and ensuring everyone feels valued and included. Whether...
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A Nonsmoker’s Cancer Story with Leah Phillips
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Dr. JYP speaks with Leah Phillips, a nonsmoker diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer in 2019. Leah emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-advocacy in health, sharing her journey from initial misdiagnosis to targeted therapy success. Despite an initial prognosis of six to 12 months to live, Leah has surpassed expectations with a targeted drug that led to significant tumor reduction and stability for over four years. Leah discusses her participation in clinical trials, the benefits of multimodal therapy, and her role in the . For more about Leah, see...
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Breaking Free From Nicotine: Insights With Susan Crutchfield
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Dr. JYP and guest Susan Crutchfield discuss the complexities of tobacco addiction and strategies for quitting smoking. They highlight the importance of nonjudgmental support, individual motivations ("your why"), and the availability of various medications and therapies. The dangers of vaping, especially among youth, are also covered, emphasizing nicotine's addictive nature and health risks. The Great American Smokeout is promoted as an event that encourages smoking cessation through peer-to-peer engagement. The significance of early lung cancer detection, particularly through...
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How to Read Your Results #3: Pathology Reports
The Cancering Show
Dr. JYP concludes a three-part series focused on understanding the most common medical reports received by Cancering patients. This episode delves into pathology reports and how patients can use them to better understand their condition. Dr. JYP describes the key elements of pathology reports and defines terms such as "benign," "malignant," “carcinoma,” and “sarcoma.” She discusses how detailed reports from biopsies aid in staging cancer and the implications for treatment options. She reminds listeners that pathology reports should always be discussed with a doctor, and that reviewing...
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How to Read Your Results #2: Blood Chemistry Tests
The Cancering Show
Dr. JYP continues a three-part series focused on understanding the most common medical reports received by Cancering patients. In this second episode, she discusses blood chemistry panels. She explains common abbreviations suck as BNP (basic metabolic panel) and CNP (comprehensive metabolic panel), guiding listeners through key components including sodium (NA), potassium (K), magnesium (MAG), kidney function tests (BUN and creatinine), and glucose levels. She discusses the importance of understanding normal ranges, the potential causes for abnormalities and the most common questions patients...
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How to Read Your Results #1: CBC Labs
The Cancering Show
Dr. JYP kicks off a three-part series focused on understanding the most common medical reports received by Cancering patients. In the first episode, she discusses the basics of the Complete Blood Count, or CBC, which shows levels of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, highlighting the implications for high or low counts, especially for cancer patients. She also addresses treatments and precautions for those with low blood counts, urging listeners to feel empowered to understand their lab reports and to ask questions of their healthcare providers. 3 Key Episode Takeaways ...
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Men's Health and Prostate Cancer Prevention with Dr. Christopher Keel
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Dr. JYP talks with USA Health urologist about prostate cancer and men's health. They start by weighing the reasons for why some men avoid seeing a physician and discuss how the advent of Viagra for erectile dysfunction helped motivate many men to go to a doctor’s office. Dr. Keel highlights the importance of screening for prostate cancer starting at age 40 or 45 depending on family history. He explains how robotic surgery has improved treatment outcomes and reduced side effects. Dr. Keel also explores the usefulness of genetic testing for high-risk patients and how new...
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Staying Well During Cold And Flu Season
The Cancering Show
In this episode of the Cancering podcast, Dr. JYP discusses how to avoid illnesses such colds, flu, and COVID while undergoing cancer treatment. She offers practical tips such as handwashing, using up-to-date hand sanitizer, and avoiding others who are ill. Dr. JYP gives advice on when to wear a medical mask and when to use an N95 to reduce the risk of infection. She also talks about the importance of home testing for COVID and flu, as well as when to call the doctor's office for certain symptoms. This episode covers the usefulness of supplements such as vitamin D and zinc, which can...
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Advocating For Africatown with Rev. Christopher Williams
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce interviews Rev. Christopher Williams Sr., pastor of Yorktown Missionary Baptist Church, about the struggles and resilience of Africatown, Alabama. Rev. Williams highlights the powerful impact of community support and the opening of the Africatown Heritage House Museum. He discusses high rates of cancer in his congregation and the area, and environmental concerns related to a now-closed industrial plant. Despite frustrations, local advocacy has led to positive changes, including new community resources to improve the lives of residents. Rev....
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Overcoming Ocular Melanoma with Ashley McCrary
The Cancering Show
In this episode, Dr. JYP talks with , a mother of four and survivor of ocular melanoma. Diagnosed in 2012, Ashley recalls that two of her college friends from Auburn University had also suffered from this rare eye cancer. She tells the story of having her right eye removed and how she later learned that the cancer had spread to her liver. Despite her devastating diagnosis, Ashley shares how she stays positive and finds purpose through her faith and intentional interactions with fellow eye cancer survivors and others. She talks about her foundation, , which helps fund travel for cancer...
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In this episode, Dr. JYP talks with Gina Gregory, a breast cancer survivor and a second-time Cancering Show guest. Gina shares her journey five years after her initial diagnosis, discussing the difficulties of living with cancer and the side effects from treatment, such as receding gums and ringing ears. She is open about the challenges, as well as the strength and faith she gained along the way.
Gina offers advice on how survivors can manage their health after cancer, including eating a balanced diet (and finding a middle ground with organic foods), and making time for regular workouts. Having celebrated five years of survivorship, she continues to take her medication and stay healthy. She also highlights the importance of finding support, maintaining humor and connecting with others.
Hear More From Gina Gregory
Cancering Show EP5: Warrior Princess Gina Gregory
3 Episode Key Takeaways
1. Embracing Survivorship with a Balanced Approach:
Gina Gregory shares her journey as a five-year cancer survivor, emphasizing the long-term nature of Cancering. She touches on the importance of a balanced diet that isn’t solely focused on “natural” foods, and the need for regular workouts. Survivorship is a process, she says, involving a combination of medical follow-ups, maintaining a positive mindset, and making wise lifestyle choices.
2. The Power of Community and Openness:
Gina openly discusses the challenges she faced during and after her treatment, including unexpected side effects, such as receding gums and tinnitus, and her coping strategies, such as weightlifting to build strength and humorous storytelling for emotional resilience. She also underscores the value of having shared her experiences on Facebook Live, which provided catharsis and engaged her community. Gina and Dr. JYP also discuss the necessity of staying connected with healthcare professionals and support networks to fend off online misinformation about cancer and survivorship.
3. Advancements in Cancer Care and Long-Term Impact:
The latest advancements in cancer treatments, such as immunotherapy, have significantly improved the outlook for patients and the quality of survivorship. Gina expresses gratitude for the care she received at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute and speaks about her current activities, including her role on the Mobile City Council. This episode underscores how cancer survivors can find strength and a new perspective on life during the journey.
Show Overview
02:23 Adjusting and forgetting: The new normal emerges
05:05 Surviving cancer treatment, dealing with side effects
06:33 Sharing the Cancering journey publicly
11:40 Post-diagnosis focus on healthy eating and exercise
15:04 Experiencing side effects, but managing well
16:43 Diagnosis and treatment, facing the whirlwind and moving forward
19:27 Immunotherapy and new medications
24:36 Staying vigilant, remaining positive and trusting the professionals
27:30 Supportive colleagues during the illness
29:24 Valuable advice for cancer patients
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USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute
The Cancering Show is brought to you by USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute. MCI is a cutting-edge cancer research and treatment center built to fight cancer smarter in Mobile and Baldwin counties in Alabama. Our researchers and clinicians focus daily on the struggle against cancer, serving a potential catchment population of more than 4.1 million people, with a singular focus of advancing cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond with science, technology and hope.
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