Heather Loses Garrett To Accidental Overdose
The Surviving Siblings®
On Episode 5 of Season 9 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host Maya Roffler is joined by Dr. Heather Taylor, a surviving sibling, therapist, and grief advocate, who shares the story of losing her brother, Garrett, to an accidental overdose, and how that loss completely reshaped her life, her career, and her mission in the grief space. Heather takes us back to her childhood growing up in a small town in Washington State, where she and her younger brother Garrett were raised surrounded by nature, imagination, and a deep sibling bond. They were each other’s constant—playing outside,...
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Erica Loses TJ To A Car Accident
The Surviving Siblings®
On Episode 4 of Season 9 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host Maya Roffler is joined by Erica Bohn, a surviving sibling who shares the story of losing her brother, TJ, in a car accident over 30 years ago, and how that loss shaped her life, her healing, and ultimately her path into helping others. Erica takes us back to her childhood growing up in a close-knit Midwestern family. Both she and her brother TJ were adopted as babies, raised in what she describes as a loving, “perfect” family, until one summer night in 1995 changed everything. TJ, just weeks away from starting his senior...
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Gyani Loses Pete To Cancer
The Surviving Siblings®
On Episode 3 of Season 9 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host Maya Roffler is joined by Gyani, a surviving sibling and grief professional, who shares the story of losing his brother, Pete, to cancer, and how earlier loss in his life shaped the path he walks today. Gyani takes us back to his first encounter with grief at 13, when his father died of cancer. Raised in what he describes as a “Leave It to Beaver” style family. Mom, dad, and five boys—he reflects on how grief rippled through their family system like a bomb, in a time when there were few tools or conversations available to...
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Earla Loses Leigh-Ann To Pancreatic Cancer
The Surviving Siblings®
On Season 9, Episode 2 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host Maya Roffler is joined by Earla Dawn, who shares the story of losing her sister, Leigh-Ann, to pancreatic cancer. Earla takes us back to their childhood on the prairies, four siblings, endless fun, and the kind of relationship that started with “fighting like cats and dogs”… and grew into a deep, lifelong bond. Leigh-Ann was the polished one, the “always put together” sister, a devoted mom, a dog lover, and a woman who reinvented her life, starting over after divorce, and eventually moving across the world to Spain in...
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Stephen Loses Stacy To A Car Accident
The Surviving Siblings®
On episode 1 of Season 9 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast® host, Maya Roffler is joined by Stephen Stott who opens up about the tragic loss of his sister, Stacy, to a car accident 24 years ago. Stephen was just 16 when his life changed forever. After being "voluntold" to accompany his sister to a cheerleading camp six hours away, he shared a moment of deep personal truth with her the first person he ever came out to as queer. Just days later, on the drive home, they both fell asleep behind the wheel. Stacy didn’t survive. Stephen did. What follows is a deeply moving story of grief,...
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Chelsey McHale Interviews Maya Roffler On Sibling Loss
The Surviving Siblings®
On episode 10 of season 8 of The Surviving Siblings® Podcast, guest host Chelsey McHale takes over the mic to interview podcast founder and host Maya Roffler in a deeply personal and reflective conversation. With 2026 marking 10 years since the loss of her brother Andreas, Maya opens up about what this milestone means to her, how her grief has evolved, and the legacy her brother continues to leave behind through this powerful community. From the early days of navigating violent loss to founding the podcast, the summit, and a thriving support network, Maya shares what she’s learned from...
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Katherine Loses Colin To Cancer
The Surviving Siblings®
On episode 9 of Season 8 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host, Maya Roffler sits down with Katherine Mandzak, a writer and advocate, as she opens up about losing her beloved younger brother Colin to a rare and aggressive form of bile duct cancer. From growing up as inseparable homeschool siblings to navigating a shocking cancer diagnosis, Katherine shares the raw reality of becoming the only surviving sibling and how her identity, grief, and life path were forever changed. She walks us through the six-month rollercoaster from diagnosis to hospice, the sacred final moments, and the...
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Dan Loses Patti To Appendicitis
The Surviving Siblings®
On episode 8 of Season 8 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host, Maya Roffler speaks with Dan Dunsmore, a devoted brother, father, and educator who shares the heartbreaking story of losing his sister Patti at just 13 years old to a sudden and misdiagnosed case of appendicitis. Dan takes us back to 1968 in South Knoxville, Tennessee, and walks us through the idyllic beginnings of his childhood, followed by a series of devastating family losses, each one reshaping the course of his life. Dan opens up about the traumatic last words he spoke to Patti, the moment he found himself alone in a...
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Dawn Loses Justin To Suicide
The Surviving Siblings®
On episode 7 of Season 8 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host, Maya Roffler sits down with Dawn, a surviving sibling who opens up about the unexpected loss of her brother Justin, just weeks before his wedding day. Dawn shares the full arc of their sibling bond, from pranks and family laughter, to the hidden pain Justin carried, to the shock of losing him to suicide in 2013. Through her storytelling, Dawn brings light to the complexities of grief, sibling guilt, the impact of hidden addiction and gambling, and the long road toward healing. This conversation is a tribute to Justin, a...
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Tommy Loses John To Addiction & Tim To Cancer
The Surviving Siblings®
On episode 6 of Season 8 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host, Maya Roffler sits down with Tommy, a surviving sibling who lost two brothers—John to addiction and Tim to cancer. Tommy shares a powerful testimony of family, trauma, guilt, grief, and recovery offering a rare and vulnerable glimpse into what it means to survive sibling loss from two very different but equally devastating causes. Raised in Queens, New York, Tommy opens up about growing up in a family marked by love, loyalty, and generational addiction. He candidly recounts the progression of his brother John's substance use...
info_outlineOn episode 2 of Season 8 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host, Maya Roffler welcomes Lori to share the heartfelt journey of losing her sister, Gina, to breast cancer. What begins as a candid reflection on sibling dynamics soon unfolds into an honest, powerful testimony of anticipatory grief, advocacy, and resilience.
Lori opens up about growing up as the “quintessential middle child” in a close-knit family, the evolution of her relationship with Gina from sibling rivalry to deep sisterhood, and how their bond strengthened through the challenges of Gina’s cancer diagnosis at age 37. As a nurse, Lori offers a unique lens, balancing her clinical instincts with emotional turmoil as she watched her sister fight a devastating disease.
The episode dives deep into themes like anticipatory grief, family caregiving, shifting family roles, the emotional toll of being both a sibling and a medical professional, and the moment Lori truly stepped into the role of Gina’s advocate, making the most difficult decisions no sibling ever wants to face.
Ultimately, Lori reflects on how Gina’s legacy shaped the mother, nurse, and person she is today and offers compassionate advice for anyone walking the painful road of sibling loss to cancer.
In This Episode:
(0:00:00) – Meet Lori and Her Sister Gina
Maya welcomes Lori, who reflects on her childhood with her older sister Gina, their sibling rivalry, and how they grew closer as adults.
(0:03:00) – The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Lori, a nurse, recounts the moment Gina called her about a lump — and how the diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer at age 37 turned their world upside down.
(0:06:00) – Treatment, Hope, and Medical Realities
Lori explains Gina’s treatment journey, the challenges of triple-negative breast cancer, and the emotional toll of watching her sister become a patient.
(0:13:00) – From Sister to Advocate
Lori describes how she transitioned from “just” a nurse and sister to becoming Gina’s full-fledged medical advocate, particularly as treatment options ran out.
(0:18:00) – Anticipatory Grief and Bargaining with the Universe
She shares her internal struggles — including moments of bargaining and wishing she could trade places — and the power of naming those feelings.
(0:25:00) – A Pivotal Night, a Fish Tank, and a Shift
Lori recounts the night she lost hope — and how it became the turning point that moved her from fear to fierce protection of Gina’s dignity.
(0:29:00) – Final Days, Hard Decisions, and Saying Goodbye
An intense and brave retelling of the days leading to Gina’s passing, including making a DNR decision, choosing comfort care, and honoring Gina’s wishes.
(0:33:00) – Cremation, Closure, and a Closed Casket
Lori shares the emotional moments surrounding Gina’s service and the deeply personal decision to protect her sister’s dignity, even in death.
(0:37:00) – Grieving While Working in Healthcare
She opens up about returning to work days after the funeral, navigating poor grief support at her job, and the need for better bereavement understanding.
(0:41:00) – Time Doesn’t Heal — It Helps You Adjust
Lori reflects on how grief evolves — why time doesn’t heal but does allow you to adapt — and how her family honors Gina in small, beautiful ways.
(0:44:00) – Keeping Gina’s Memory Alive for Her Children
She talks about raising Gina’s daughters with love and intention, helping them understand who their mother was, and showing up as a steady presence.
(0:48:00) – Legacy, Compassion, and Becoming a Better Human
Lori shares how Gina’s life and death transformed her — making her a better nurse, mom, and human being with deeper empathy and compassion for others.
(0:53:00) – Advice for Surviving Siblings and Caregivers
She offers powerful advice for those experiencing anticipatory grief or recent loss: “Show yourself grace. Do what’s best for you in the moment.”
Listen to the full episode of “Lori Loses Gina To Breast Cancer” now on all major platforms.
This episode is sponsored by The Surviving Siblings®
Connect with Lori:
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1E4oRefW19/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Tik Tok: http://www.tiktok.com/@mad.face.girl
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mad.face.girl
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Email: forevergina@myyahoo.com
Connect with Maya:
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Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/survivingsiblingspodcast/
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Maya's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaroffler/
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Twitter: https://x.com/survivingsibpod
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Website: thesurvivingsiblings.com
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Facebook Group: The Surviving Siblings Podcast
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YouTube: The Surviving Siblings Podcast
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Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheSurvivingSiblingsPodcast