Cancer Interviews
It is our sincere hope that however cancer may be impacting you or your loved ones, that you will find the Cancer Interviews podcast and our interviews with amazing cancer survivors, caregivers, oncology professionals and others, helpful, informative and encouraging! Our guests share their stories with things like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, stem cell transplants, bone marrow transplants, the emotional ups and downs of being a cancer patient, being a caregiver for a loved one fighting cancer, as well as cancer nutrition and allow them an opportunity to tell us about their life before, during and after their cancer journey. We do not provide medical advice on this podcast. Please remember, you are not alone and we invite you to be a part of our team, where together, everyone achieves more! We are sharing the journey together and we wish you the very best possible outcome, with your cancer journey!
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147: Helinka Carr survived bowel cancer | ileostomy bag | pelvic radiation disease | colonoscopy
06/22/2025
147: Helinka Carr survived bowel cancer | ileostomy bag | pelvic radiation disease | colonoscopy
When Helinka Carr experienced limited rectal bleeding, because it was limited, she never thought her problem could rise to the level of cancer. She also thought the bleeding might be diverticulitis, which had been suffered by members of her family. However, at the urging of her doctor, she underwent blood tests and a colonoscopy. The latter revealed that she had bowel cancer. Thanks to two surgical procedures, she achieved survivorship but has to wear an ileostomy bag. She tires easily, but had the energy to start a line of ostomy lingerie for bag-wearing women diagnosed with below-the-belt cancers. Helinka Carr said when one experienced rectal bleeding for three weeks, that was the standard in the United Kingdom for being a candidate for bowel cancer. Helinka while noticed bleeding in her rectum and in her stool, it didn’t exist to the degree that aligned with the accepted standard for bowel cancer. She also said her family had a history of diverticulitis, which also led her to believe that she was not a candidate for bowel cancer. Nonetheless, her general practitioner urged her to get the bleeding checked out. After a series of blood tests, Helinka underwent a colonoscopy and bowel cancer was indicated. Once upon learning of her diagnosis, she immediately refused chemotherapy. She agreed to a regimen of radiation treatment, combined with her self-styled complimentary hearing. It took two surgeries, but her tumor was removed. Helinka detested the radiation therapy, and firmly believes her practicing complimentary healing all by itself could have removed the majority of her tumor. Despite achieving survivorship, the radiation continued to affect her. She suffered from pelvic radiation disease, which robbed her of any feeling in her rectum or bladder, creating major problems any time she had to urinate or defecate. Helinka’s care team said she would need to be fitted for an ileostomy bag. At first she was told she would only have to wear it for twelve weeks; but after it was removed, she was incontinent and was told she again would have to wear the bag, this time on a permanent basis. Helinka has figured out a way to manage the bag, go out and enjoy normal activities and get six to eight hours of sleep each night. Helinka’s experience inspired her to devise a line of ostomy lingerie. It is attractive underwear destined for bag-wearing women diagnosed with below-the-belt cancers. By way of advice, Helinka Carr says regardless of your cancer diagnosis, you need to fiercely advocate for yourself. That means asking lots of questions, and if your doctor cannot sufficiently answer your questions, to get another doctor. Additional Resources: Helinka’s lingerie line: Unspokenrosebud-Etsy
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146: Guy Nakoa survived Stage IV breast cancer | mastectomy | ibrance | letrozole | radiation treatment
06/07/2025
146: Guy Nakoa survived Stage IV breast cancer | mastectomy | ibrance | letrozole | radiation treatment
Guy Nakoa has survived two diagnoses of Stage IV breast cancer. He initially felt a lump in his breast while showering in 2000. Because it wasn’t causing him and because he didn’t think could not get a type of cancer associated with women, I went more than a decade before he chose to have the lump checked out. In 2014, he sought medical attention, he was diagnosed and in 2016, he had the lump removed; but in 2020, the cancer returned. He was hoping it could be removed with chemotherapy and radiation treatment, but over his initial objection, he agreed to a mastectomy of his left breast in 2024. For the rest of his life, he will need to be on two medications, ibrance and letrozole. Guy says from time to time he experiences fatigue but is very happy to be alive. Guy Nakoa is from Wailuku on the island of Maui in Hawaii, but he has worked all over the world as a chef. He was on a job in Alaska in 2000, when while taking a shower, he was shocked to feel a lump in his left breast. Guy didn’t tell anyone about it because it wasn’t causing him any pain, and he felt too embarrassed to admit he may have a type of cancer that is generally associated with women. He finally decided to have the lump examined in 2014. His doctor didn’t seem to think there was anything cancerous and told Guy not to worry about it. Guy was misdiagnosed and he believes that, like he was, his doctor might have had difficulty connecting the lump with cancer because Guy is male. Guy went to another doctor, and in 2016, he underwent a biopsy, which revealed he had breast cancer. Guy Nakoa had the lump removed in 2016. He underwent a chemotherapy regimen in 2017 and again in 2018. He says he lost his sense of taste, his anxiety level went “through the roof” and he had a tough time getting to sleep. The surgery was a success, but in 2020, the cancer returned. Guy wanted to again treat it with chemotherapy and radiation, but his doctor urged him to get the breast removed. Guy eventually relented and the mastectomy took place in 2024. Guy says these days, he can do just about anything he could do before he first felt the lump, but fatigue sometimes sets in, in a way it didn’t prior to his diagnosis. By way of advice, he is quite adamant that, regardless of what seems irregular, if you notice something, anything abnormal about your health, to immediately seek medical attention. Additional Resources: Support Groups: The Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance Man Up To Cancer HIS Breast Cancer Awareness
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145: Sheila Romanski twice survived breast cancer | autologous stem cell transplant | lumpectomy | diep flap
05/28/2025
145: Sheila Romanski twice survived breast cancer | autologous stem cell transplant | lumpectomy | diep flap
Sheila Romanski is with us today after overcoming two diagnoses of breast cancer and the removal of a tumor in her left shoulder thanks to an autologous stem cell transplant. She tells the @CancerInterviews podcast her initial of Stage 1A breast cancer in 1996 came after her doctor suggested a routine mammogram at age 36 when at the time mammograms were not performed on women that young. Radiation treatment successfully addressed that diagnosis, but the following year, the cancer had metastasized to her shoulder. That brought on the stem cell transplant, plus chemotherapy and more radiation. All seemed well until 2008 when the breast cancer returned as Stage 4 triple negative infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Shiela opted for a double mastectomy with reconstruction, which was followed by a second, more aggressive form of chemotherapy. She has been pronounced NED (No Evidence of Disease), and now enjoys a healthy lifestyle, leading a non-profit that aids cancer victims. Sheila Romanski advises everyone to do self-examinations for breast cancer. She admits had she done so, her breast cancer would have been caught sooner. In 1996, it was rare that 36-year-old women went in for routine mammograms, but Sheila’s doctor suggested such an exam. Thanks to that suggestion, a 2cm tumor was found. She underwent a lumpectomy and radiation treatment. While it appeared cancer was in her rear-view mirror, in 1997, a lump was found in her collar bone area. That was treated with four chemotherapy treatments and autologous stem cell transplant, a procedure involved her own stem cells. The chemo and the transplant last four months. For Sheila, this time in her life was very challenging. She was no only battling cancer, but she was raising four small children. However, she says she was able to get through because of support from her friends and her church, and because attending to the needs of her kids took her mind off cancer. Sheila’s health appeared to be on the right track until 2008 when another routine mammogram revealed micro-calcifications in the same breast as her original diagnosis. She decided a double mastectomy would be her best option. It would include a procedure called a diep flap, which involves taking skin from other parts of the body. However, her surgeon said Sheila would have to lose twenty pounds before diep flap could be performed. It took Shiela ten years to lose the weight and by that time, her surgeon said she no longer performed diep flap. However, she said she could get Sheila “fixed up” and in 2021, thirteen years after mastectomy, reconstruction was complete. Sheila Romanski has gone on to found Crystal Roses, a non-profit that seeks to aid those diagnosed with cancer. Additional Resources: Support Group: Crystal Roses
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144: Daniel Garza, Anal Cancer Survivor – Laguna Beach, California, USA
05/23/2025
144: Daniel Garza, Anal Cancer Survivor – Laguna Beach, California, USA
In 2015, Daniel Garza experienced bloating and difficulty completing a bowel movement. A subsequent digital rectal exam revealed a mass on his sphincter, which led to a diagnosis of anal cancer. A surgical procedure got rid of the cancer, but it also resulted in his losing half of his sphincter and the temporary presence of a fistula, a tear which was like a second anus. He underwent a chemotherapy regimen of 5-fluorouracil, followed by radiation treatment, but another major challenge awaited Daniel, as he had to wear an ostomy bag, which he does to this day. He deals with the bag and has continued his work as an advocate for those with HIV and anal cancer, in addition to being an actor and a comic. Daniel Garza thought he was in good health until he was plagued by a nasty variety of symptoms. He experienced bloating, stomach pain, bowel movement blockage and anal bleeding. The initial conclusion of his doctor was that he had a strangulated intestine tied to a hernia he suffered years earlier. He prescribed a number of treatments, which did no good. Daniel went back to the doctor and went through blood tests and a CT scan. But it was a subsequent digital rectal exam that revealed a mass on his sphincter. That led to a biopsy and a diagnosis of squamos cell carcinoma of the anus, also known as anal cancer. The mass was on one side of Daniel’s sphincter. Surgery removed the cancer but also removed half of his sphincter. Next up was chemotherapy, a type known as 5-fluorouracil, then radiation treatment and time in a hyperbaric chamber. The cancer was gone, the aforementioned fistula healed, but to dispose of the waste in his system, Daniel had to be fitted with an ostomy bag, which he eventually named Tommy. He went through three ostomy nurses and two types of bags before he felt comfortable managing the bag. These days, Daniel Garza says he is doing his best to make peace with Tommy. It hasn’t stopped him from continuing his life as an advocate for those dealing with HIV and anal cancer. He also travels the world as an actor and a comic. Additional Resources: Support Groups: Man Up To Cancer: Cheeky Charity:
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143: Rick Upchurch survived chronic myelogenous leukemia | oral chemotherapy | blood cancer | tasigna | nilotinib
04/19/2025
143: Rick Upchurch survived chronic myelogenous leukemia | oral chemotherapy | blood cancer | tasigna | nilotinib
Former NFL star Rick Upchurch seemed to be in good health, but in 2010, he began to experience night sweats, fatigue and aches and pains. He saw his doctor, who ordered blood work. The test results revealed his white blood cell count was very high, and his general practitioner gave him the address of another doctor to see. Rick and his wife were shocked to learn the doctor they had been told to see was an oncologist. That doctor called for a bone marrow biopsy, which confirmed Rick had chronic myelogenous leukemia, a rare form of blood cancer that is tied to a genetic mutation called Philadelphia chromosome. The onocologist prescribed a chemotherapy regimen for Rick, but to some degree he was relieved to learn that it would be a regimen of oral chemotherapy. The medication was known as tasigna, which also goes by the name of nilotinib. Rick had to take these pills three times a day, which he still has to do, and will have to do for the rest of his life. Rick Upchurch’s chemotherapy regimen led to survivorship, but again, he has to take the tasigna three times a day, something he will need to do for the rest of his life. He has his good days and bad days. On the bad days, he still experiences the fatigue, night sweats, achy muscles and joints; and he sometimes has diarrhea, as his body has a tough time processing the tasigna. However, he is grateful to be alive and grateful for the good days, in which he can lift weights, get on the elliptical and go for walks. Rick and his wife, Donna, also engage in a number of activities that support children with cancer.
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142: Jeff Kallis survived renal cell carcinoma | kidney cancer | right kidney nephrectomy | diverticulosis | ct urogram
04/04/2025
142: Jeff Kallis survived renal cell carcinoma | kidney cancer | right kidney nephrectomy | diverticulosis | ct urogram
Jeff Kallis survived renal cell carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer. When he experienced pain in his lower flank and saw blood in his urine, he sought medical attention. A CT urogram revealed a stone in his left kidney and a mass in his right kidney. A biopsy confirmed he had clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Jeff underwent a radical nephrectomy on his right kidney. The operation was painful, but a success. Through exercise and a healthy diet, Jeff says he feels better than he did before his diagnosis. He shares his story with the @CancerInterviews podcast. Jeff Kallis was enjoying an active lifestyle in late 2021 when he experienced some nasty symptoms for the first time. They included pain in his lower flank. He thought the pain would go away, but it didn’t, and in fairly short order, he saw blood in his urine. That’s when he sought medical attention. His primary care physician first sought to rule out kidney stones and the possibility of urinary tract infection. Tests showed no presence of a UTI, but a CT urogram did reveal a stone in Jeff’s left kidney. That, he expected. What he didn’t expect was subsequent news that of a mass in his right kidney. Jeff’s urologist thought Jeff had kidney cancer but wanted to be sure and ordered a biopsy on the right kidney. Its results confirmed he had Stage III clear cell renal cell carcinoma. He was relieved to know that treatment would not include chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Immunotherapy was considered and rejected, but Jeff went ahead with a nephrectomy, removing his right kidney. The operation was painful but considered a success. Following the procedure, Jeff moved around very slowly, but as the pain subsided, he became more active. He combined slowly increasing exercise with a healthy Mediterranean diet provided by his wife, who he says is an excellent cook. Jeff Kallis is cancer free but goes in for checkups every six months. He says he physically feels as well as he did before his diagnosis but emotionally feels better than he did pre-diagnosis as he concentrates on healthy diet and exercise. Additional Resources: Support Group: Kidney Cancer Association: Jeff’s Website: Jeff’s Book: One Kidney – Dealing with Kidney Cancer
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141: John Morley survived T2 Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer | cystectomy | prostatectomy | splenectomy
03/29/2025
141: John Morley survived T2 Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer | cystectomy | prostatectomy | splenectomy
What John Morley originally thought was a urinary tract infection turned out to be a diagnosis of bladder cancer. At first, he was told it was a mild form of the disease. Then the diagnosis was upgraded to T2 Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, requiring a radical cystectomy meaning he would need to get his bladder removed. His care team next told John he would also have to get his prostate taken out. Next a mass was detected on his spleen, which meant that it, too, would have to be removed. Treatment and recovery were tough, but he now urinates into a bag known as an ileal conduit, has become acclimated to it and leads a healthy lifestyle. John Morley of Haymarket, Virginia is a Navy veteran who enjoyed scuba diving, hiking and other outdoor activities when in late 2021, he noticed blood in his urine. He sought medical attention with his primary care physician, who upon learning of John’s symptoms, referred him to a urologist. The urologist called for cystoscopy, a procedure in which a camera is inserted in the patient’s urethra, and based on its results, said a biopsy would be needed. John received a blend of bad and good news. He was told he had bladder cancer, but because it was T1 Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, the cancer had not spread from his bladder. John and his wife felt like celebrating and went out to dinner. However, a short time later, John Morley was called back into the doctor's office. He and his wife were told a followup check of his pathology report showed his cancer had been upgraded to T2 Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer. Not only did this mean John would have to undergo a radical cystectomy to remove his bladder, but the procedure would have to be preceded by two or three months of chemotherapy, a regimen that would include cisplatin and gemacitabine. As he wondered what life would be like without a bladder, the news for John got worse. He was told he would have to undergo a prostatectomy for the removal of his prostate. Then a mass was detected in his spleen, and the spleen would have come out as well, all three in the same surgery. The multi-faceted surgery was a success, but John had to decide how he was going to urinate. Over two other options, he chose an ileal conduit. It was attached to his stomach, close to his navel. The urine drained into a urostomy bag. Following the operation, John relied on walking to help him slowly regain his strength. He has a good command of his use of the urostomy bag, and though it wasn’t what he enjoyed pre-diagnosis, John Morley has returned to a healthy lifestyle that includes scuba diving. Additional Resources: Support Group: The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Group: John Website:
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140: Jessica Wharton survived breast cancer | chemotherapy | taxol | super radiation | red devil | ptsd
03/17/2025
140: Jessica Wharton survived breast cancer | chemotherapy | taxol | super radiation | red devil | ptsd
When Jessica Whorton discovered lumps on her left breast in 2011, she sought medical attention. The doctors she spoke with said breast cancer was not indicated. She walked around with the lumps for another nine months before seeking a second opinion. Tests revealed she had Stage 3A invasive ductal carcinoma. Doctors urged that she get a double mastectomy even though her right breast was still healthy. After chemotherapy and radiation, Jessica achieved survivorship in 2013. Jessica thought there was something wrong when she detected three lumps on her left breast in 2011. She had them looked at, but doctors said they didn’t feel anything that seemed cancerous. Jessica did nothing for the next nine months, but then decided she needed to be seen by a different care team, led by a plastic surgeon. After tests and a biopsy, he said while her right breast was healthy, there was cancer in her left breast. As if that diagnosis weren’t enough, her care team urged Jessica to undergo a double mastectomy to minimize the chance of a recurrence in the right breast. The following week she underwent the procedure, and it was successful. Jessica was told her post-surgery regimen would have to start with what is known as the ‘red devil,’ a highly-potent chemotherapy cocktail. She suffered the usual side effects, including extreme fatigue and hair loss. After the red devil, Jessica was supposed to go on Taxol, but she had an allergic reaction to it and the Taxol was discontinued after two dosages. Next up was super radiation, requiring 30 visits administered five days a week. Jessica said the Taxol experience made the radiation even tougher, and just when she started feeling better after her weekly two days off, she would have to go in for more radiation. However, things changed for the better and in 2013, Jessica Wharton was told she had gone into remission. The day she got the news was, she said, “Like winning the lottery.” She has been in remission ever since. Jessica says to this day she still feels the effects of PTSD and is not able to return to the workforce on a full-time basis, but she is grateful that cancer is in her past.
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139: Susan Svoboda survived hormone positive breast cancer | estrogen inhibitor | invasive ductal carcinoma | lumpectomy
03/12/2025
139: Susan Svoboda survived hormone positive breast cancer | estrogen inhibitor | invasive ductal carcinoma | lumpectomy
Susan Svoboda was accustomed to going in for her mammogram every November. She enjoyed a healthy lifestyle, which included running 65 half marathons. But in late 2021, after her mammogram, she was called to return to the doctor’s office. After scans and a biopsy, she was diagnosed with Stage 1-2 invasive ductal carcinoma. Given her healthy routine, Susan was shocked, but she quickly had to turn her attention to her treatment. In 2022, she underwent a successful lumpectomy. Because of the location of the lump, and her low Oncotype DX score, the oncologist told Susan she would not have to undergo chemotherapy. Instead, she would need to get radiation treatment, 15 rounds over three weeks; but her oncologist also suggested her regimen include estrogen inhibitor pills for the next five years. Susan consulted reading materials and talked to numerous women who had tried the pills. All of them had something to say that helped her to make the difficult decision to refuse the estrogen inhibitors. Susan Svoboda found her way to survivorship. She says that while she doesn’t do half marathons, she still some light running and goes walking every day. Her journey inspired her to spend 2022 writing a book, “I Hate The Color Pink.” She says the satisfaction that comes from writing the book is its spreading a message of information and hope. By way of advise, Susan advises women to get their mammograms and when dealing with doctors to ask questions, lots of questions. Addition Resources: Susan Book, available on Amazon: “I Hate The Color Pink”
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138: Albertina Dancy survived liver cancer | fatty liver disease | radiation treatment | chemotherapy
03/09/2025
138: Albertina Dancy survived liver cancer | fatty liver disease | radiation treatment | chemotherapy
In 2021, Albertina Dancy began to experience abdominal pain, but that wasn’t all. She also had gastrointestinal issues, jaundice and other problems. However, she didn’t take them seriously and thought they could be successfully addressed with over-the-counter remedies. When that didn’t happen, she sought medical attention. Albertina’s doctor said the symptoms, combined with her existing fatty liver disease, merited a trip to an oncologist. A series of scans and tests, plus the stiffness of her liver, led to a diagnosis of liver cancer. The diagnosis left Albertina depressed, wondering if she would get well again. She regrets not seeking medical attention at an earlier time because doctors said her only treatment option with a regimen of radiation treatment and chemotherapy. The chemo was extremely tough on Albertina. She was in constant pain, felt extreme fatigue and was demoralized about losing all her hair. However, she achieved survivorship and says because she pays close attention to diet and exercise, her health is better than it was prior to her diagnosis. By way of advice, Albertina Dancy strongly advises anyone suffering unusual health issues to immediately seek medical attention. Additional Resources: American Liver Foundation:
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137: Karen Humphries twice survived cholangiocarcinoma | bile duct cancer | liver resection | xeloda | chemotherapy
02/25/2025
137: Karen Humphries twice survived cholangiocarcinoma | bile duct cancer | liver resection | xeloda | chemotherapy
After a long list of health issues, Karen Humphries was diagnosed with a rare type of bile duct cancer called cholangiocarcinoma. She was initially diagnosed in 2021 with Stage 2B gallbladder cancer, had her gallbladder removed, after which the diagnosis was changed to Stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma. Karen underwent a two-part liver resection and a chemotherapy regimen and went into remission. Two years later, she was again diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma. Her treatment included biliary stents. Karen knows her cancer is incurable but has survived and leads a happy life. Karen Humphries’ life has been marred by numerous health-related issues. Because of a rare genetic condition, in 2010, she had to wear a colostomy bag. A decade later, she experienced severe vomiting, pale colored stools, an inability to eat solid foods, pain in her right-side ovaries, among others. She sought medical attention and got a gallbladder scan. That led to the removal of her gallbladder and a diagnosis of Stage 2B gallbladder cancer. The diagnosis was later revised as cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of bile duct cancer. Karen underwent a two-part liver resection, appendix and radical lymph node abstraction, and a six-month chemotherapy regimen with xeloda. She responded well and went into remission. However, in 2023, after biopsies of her neck and liver, the cholangiocarcinoma returned. Doctors told her that her initial diagnosis of Stage 2B gallbladder cancer was actually Stage 4 cholangiocarinoma all along. Her treatment included biliary stents. Karen’s cancer has been labeled ‘incurable,’ but she undergoes periodic CT and PET scans, and her condition has stabilized. She maintains an upbeat approach to life and mentors others who have been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma and other forms of cancer.
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136: Erin Cummings survived Stage 3B Hodgkin lymphoma | full body radiation | MOP chemotherapy | laetrile
02/13/2025
136: Erin Cummings survived Stage 3B Hodgkin lymphoma | full body radiation | MOP chemotherapy | laetrile
Erin Cummings is still going strong despite being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 1972. At age 15, she noticed a lump on her throat and another on her chest. That led to a diagnosis of Stage 3B Hodgkin lymphoma. She was shocked at her diagnosis but initially had trouble putting into perspective just what she was up against because she cancer was something suffered by old people. Even though she achieved survivorship, she still deals with residual side effects from her treatment regimen. Nonetheless, Erin has gone on to compete in eight marathons and has established a nonprofit which seeks to aid long-term survivors who also deal with the late effects of cancer treatment. Erin Cummings of Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts was a freshman in high school when she saw that she had a lump on her throat and on her chest. She didn’t think much of them until her sister saw them and brought it to the attention of their mother. Erin was taken to a nearby hospital and a week later, she was diagnosed with Stage 3B Hodgkin lymphoma. She said she benefitted from not knowing much about cancer because she thought it was something by old people and wouldn’t pose a problem for her. This was in 1972, and available treatment options were much different than those available today. Those options included cobalt radiation treatment, surgery, and a new protocol still considered to be in an experimental phase called chemotherapy. Erin’s parents didn’t want her having anything to do with chemotherapy and temporarily considered taking her to Mexico to be treated with laetrile. Erin underwent a lymphangiogram to determine the exact location of the cancer. After that came full body radiation, surgery to remove her appendix and a form of chemo called MOP chemotherapy. She said the side effects of the radiation and the chemotherapy were nasty, but there was also a difficult emotion piece. Erin said in those days, people thought that cancer was contagious. As a result, her friends were told by their parents to neither touch her nor get near her. This combined with Erin being a teenager made her demoralizing cancer experience ever worse. However, Erin Cummings got through the treatment and became cancer-free five years later, in 1977. At the ten-year mark, she decided it was time to take control of her body, trained for, and eventually ran in her first marathon. Before she concluded her competitive running, Erin was in eight marathons in Boston and New York City. Because she is still encountering the late effects of her cancer treatment and has met others in the same position, Erin established Hodgkin International, a nonprofit which provides help to people around the globe experiencing similar late effects. Additional Resources: Support Group: Hodgkin International:
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135: Genetic testing helped Art Still to survive amyloidosis | stenosis | atrial fibrillation
01/28/2025
135: Genetic testing helped Art Still to survive amyloidosis | stenosis | atrial fibrillation
Art Still’s body felt the ravages of playing professional football for twelve years, but when he suffered atrial fibrillation, he sought medical attention. His doctor suggested he undergo a genetic test, which revealed he had the variant for a disease known as amyloidosis. While not cancer, if left untreated in a timely manner, it can lead to various types of blood cancer. Early detection, periodic shots and medication will not get rid of the variant, but they will team up to keep from developing into blood cancer. Art pays attention to diet, exercise and the right amount of sleep, and says he enjoys a healthy lifestyle. Art accepted carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger and a torn biceps muscle as the byproducts of his NFL career, but atrial fibrillation was different. Through the National Football League Players Association, he went to New Orleans for a thorough physical and mental examination. His doctor suggested Art undergo a genetic test to see if Art had a variant for amyloidosis, a disease which if left untreated can be linked to various types of blood cancer. A brother of his had undergone heart replacement, and another brother needs one. That combined with the suggestion from the doctor was enough to get Art to take the test, and sure enough, it indicated he had the V122I variant, which Art says affects one in 25 African-Americans. He is now on a regimen that includes medications and periodic shots. It will not rid Art of the variant, but keeps it at bay so that it doesn’t become cancerous, affecting other organs like kidneys and the brain. Art Still wants to maximize awareness of amyloidosis, and has established a website that provides a wealth of information on the subject so that like Art, others can get in front of the disease. Additional Resources: Art’s website:
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134: Diana Ash survived Stage 1C Ovarian Cancer | oophorectomy | BEP chemotherapy | Lupron injection
01/10/2025
134: Diana Ash survived Stage 1C Ovarian Cancer | oophorectomy | BEP chemotherapy | Lupron injection
Diana Ash had suffered from irritable bowel syndrome much of her life, but in 2019, she believed the IBS symptoms she felt were something altogether different. Her concerns were proven correct when an ultrasound indicated a mass near her abdomen the size of a “mini football.” Not long after that, she was diagnosed with Stage 1C Ovarian Cancer. Diana underwent an oophorectomy, a surgical procedure that successfully removed one ovary and one fallopian tube. After the surgery, she had to undergo BEP chemotherapy, an extremely aggressive regimen. However, she achieved survivorship and has written a book about her experience. Diana Ash led an active lifestyle in her hometown of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She enjoyed hiking, running and diving; but ever since she was a small child, Diana dealt with irritable bowel syndrome. In 2019, in addition to IBS’ typical symptoms, she experienced fatigue and loss of appetite. When she sought medical attention, she was told her problem was IBS and nothing more. To Diana, that was not a satisfactory response. She insisted on blood work and an ultrasound. The latter revealed a mass near her abdomen. It measured 10 X 16 cm, or as she said, “the size of a mini football.” Diana pressed doctors for more information and accurate information, and she was eventually diagnosed with Stage 1C ovarian cancer. She was shocked with the diagnosis, but relieved that her cancer had been caught at an early stage, which is not typical for those diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Diana underwent an oophorectomy, a surgical procedure which removed one of her ovaries and one of her fallopian tubes. The surgery was a success, but her surgeon said the procedure was the easy part of her treatment. Next up was an extremely aggressive chemotherapy regimen. BEP chemotherapy includes cisplatin, bleomycin and etoposide. Diana experienced the usual side effects, but was even more difficult was her being told that she would no longer be able to run or dive. There was also the matter of childbearing. She received a Lupron injection, which meant she had to deal with its side effects while dealing with the side effects from her chemo regimen. She was eventually able to freeze some of her eggs, which will enable her to have kids. Diana Ash achieved survivorship and wants to help others diagnosed with cancer. Fueled by a message emphasizing optimism and self-advocacy, she wrote “Take Back The Power,” available on Amazon. The book was written in English, but as a bilingual Canadian, she hopes to one day translate the book into French. Additional Resources: Diana’s Book: “Take Back The Power,” a guide for young women with cancer
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133: Joe Brennan survived Testicular Cancer | Orchiectomy | Spermatocele | Epididymis
01/07/2025
133: Joe Brennan survived Testicular Cancer | Orchiectomy | Spermatocele | Epididymis
On today’s @CancerInterviews podcast, Joe Brennan tells us how he survived testicular cancer. He says in April 2024, he noticed his right testicle was unusually hard, and immediately sought medical attention. His urologist called for an ultrasound, which revealed a cyst on the testicle, which led to a diagnosis of seminoma pT1a, or Stage One testicular cancer. That led to an orchiectomy, a surgical procedure that removed his right testicle and his spermatic cord. Joe said recovery from the surgery was much tougher than the procedure itself, but after two weeks he was back at work as a financial coach. He says these days his health is back to what it was before his diagnosis. Joe was in the shower one day when he noticed that while his left testicle felt normal, the right testicle was hard, “like a baseball.” He didn’t waste time and scheduled an appointment with a urologist, who made a fist and said a normal testicle will feel like the ‘meat’ part, or soft part of the hand; but said if a testicle has that sort of hardness, like a knuckle, that should be a cause for concern. When the urologist determined Joe’s right testicle had that hardness, he said an ultrasound should be performed on Joe’s testicles. It showed a cyst on the right testicle, the urologist said cancer was likely indicated, and he was right. The necessary procedure was an orchiectomy, which was surgery aimed at removing the cancerous testicle and Joe’s spermatic cord. Joe said he was under a general anesthetic for the two-hour procedure, which was a success. However, he said what followed was much more difficult. He thought he would be back at work as a financial coach in a day or two, but that wasn’t the case. Joe Brennan said he was laid up for close to two weeks. He said he experienced a lot of pain “down there.” He had trouble walking, couldn’t do any heavy lifting and needed to take Vicodin for a couple days before switching to ibuprofen. He was eventually able to return to work, could walk normally and could play with his small children, which included picking them up. Joe says those two weeks were tough. He said he would allow himself an hour each day to be sad, which sometimes involved breaking down in tears, as he still wasn’t certain about his recovery, but other than that hour, he wanted to be positive and upbeat for his wife and children. Joe Brennan says he is doing fine but advises men to “check their balls” once a month, so that if anything is wrong, the prospect of testicular cancer can be detected and addressed at an early stage, as his was. Additional Resources: The Testicular Cancer Society: Joe on Instagram: Joe on Facebook:
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130: Robin Centner is a Colon Cancer Previvor | Genetic Testing | Previvor | Kidney Cancer | Genetic Counselor
12/20/2024
130: Robin Centner is a Colon Cancer Previvor | Genetic Testing | Previvor | Kidney Cancer | Genetic Counselor
In this episode of the Cancer Interviews podcast, we will hear from Robin Centner of Ryland Heights, Kentucky. She learned she has the PMS2 gene, which is one of the genes that causes Lynch Syndrome, a form of colon cancer. She found this out through genetic testing. She was inspired to get tested because her father died of colon cancer at age 52 and her mother passed away from kidney cancer at 49. Robin is what is known as a previvor. Because of genetic testing, she learned of the PMS2 gene and because of its presence, with additional and frequent testing, if she is diagnosed with colon cancer, it will be detected at the earliest possible stage, positioning her for a positive outcome. When Robin learned that one of her cousins has Stage IV colon cancer, at age 46, she went in for her first-ever colonoscopy. It revealed one polyp, but it was non-cancerous and was removed. Her gastroenterologist asked her to come in for another colonoscopy a year later. This time she saw a different GI specialist who said that second colonoscopy indicated Lynch Syndrome and urged Robin to see a genetic counselor for testing. This was in 2012, when genetic testing was in its infancy and cost more than $1500, a procedure many insurance companies would not cover. Nonetheless, Robin Centner got the genetic testing, which later led to her immediate family getting it as well. One of her boys, Connor, tested positive for Lynch Syndrome, but because of genetic testing, the Syndrome was detected early. She says if one’s family history includes colon cancer and/or kidney cancer, genetic testing is an excellent idea, as it positions family members for early detection if cancerous polyps are found. Robin says among the symptoms of colorectal cancer are that of lingering abdominal pain, lingering diarrhea or constipation. Robin Centner says very simply, “genetic testing saved my life,” and that the same procedure that cost her more than $1500 in 2012, now runs about $300, and that is if it not covered by insurance.
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132: Samina Cepal survived cervical cancer | cisplatin | brachytherapy | pap smear | chemotherapy
12/12/2024
132: Samina Cepal survived cervical cancer | cisplatin | brachytherapy | pap smear | chemotherapy
In late 2018, Samina Cepal went in for her routine pap smear, but her visit turned out to be anything but routine. It led to a CT scan, a pelvic ultrasound and a diagnosis of cervical cancer. Samina underwent a grueling regimen of chemotherapy (cisplatin) and radiation therapy, simultaneously. She experienced acute fatigue, weight loss, hair loss and despair, but three months later, her doctor said she had no evidence of disease. These days, Samina can exercise, which includes vigorous use of a hula hoop, and has regained her appetite and her pre-diagnosis weight. Samina Cepal referred to her annual pre-Christmas pap smear as her gift to herself. She had never experienced anything abnormal with any of her previous pap smears, and had every reason to think this visit would be no different. However, when the nurse noticed bleeding, she wanted Samina to be seen by a doctor. The doctor ordered a pelvic ultrasound and said it appeared Samina had cancer. A subsequent biopsy revealed she had Stage 3B cervical cancer. In early 2019, Samina began a regimen of chemotherapy, which morphed into a simultaneous regimen of chemotherapy and 28 doses of radiation therapy. While Samina now makes her home in Birmingham, United Kingdom, at the time she was living in her native island of St. Lucia. Limited resources forced phases of her treatment to take place in Martinique and Guyana. Her treatment regimen concluded with brachytherapy, which included painful insertion into her vagina. Samina barely had any energy but was determined to survive because she wanted to be there for her two teenage sons. Three months from the time she was diagnosed, she was stunned to hear from her doctor that there was no longer any evidence of disease. Samina had little strength, but she found a way to fly home to St. Lucia, in time to be present at a celebration of her son’s eighteenth birthday. Samina is amazed when she thinks of how much she has overcome to return to almost the same level of health she enjoyed prior to her diagnosis. She enjoys long walks, gets to workout and exercise, and really enjoys using her hula hoop. Additional Resources: Cervivor: https:www.cervivor.org
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131: Cynthia Mitchell lives with Stage IV Bile Duct Cancer | Liver Resection | Oral Chemotherapy | Xelota
11/14/2024
131: Cynthia Mitchell lives with Stage IV Bile Duct Cancer | Liver Resection | Oral Chemotherapy | Xelota
Cynthia Mitchell has been diagnosed with intraheptic cholangiocarcinoma, a type of bile duct cancer. Her story is about how she, like many with such a diagnosis, never attained complete survivorship, but is living a rich, fruitful live. In 2021, she experienced severe heartburn. When it persisted, she underwent an ultrasound, which revealed a large mass on her liver. Further tests determined Cynthia had cholangiocarcinoma just before Christmas Day, and she had a liver resection scheduled for January 2022. The procedure was a success, but had a recurrence the following summer and it was Stage IV. Cynthia then went on a regimen of oral chemotherapy. She took capecitabine, also known as xelota. The regimen was very difficult. Cynthia was told she will never achieve full-on survivorship, but she is able to do exercise on a limited basis and leads a happy life with her husband and two children. Prior to her diagnosis, Cynthia enjoyed great health in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She ran, engaged in aerobics and weight training. However, in 2021, she began to experience severe heartburn, followed by acute right quadrant pain. She saw her primary care physician who dismissed her pain as symptoms of menopause. When the problems persisted, she went in for an ultrasound, which showed a large mass on her liver. A subsequent CT scan confirmed what looked like a metastatic lesion. Then just before Christmas that year, a liver surgeon examined an MRI, said it was cholangiocarcinoma, and scheduled a liver resection for the following month. The surgery went well. She had clean margins, no lymph node involvement, and at that time it was confirmed Cynthia had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Her care team said she had a 20 percent chance of survival for five years, which under the circumstances was considered a high rate. In March 2022, Cynthia went on a regimen of oral chemotherapy, with capecitabine. Even though oral chemo is not supposed to be as traumatic as other types, she suffered all the side effects tied to chemotherapy, such as nausea, fatigue, cognitive issues and hair loss, all this while she trying to raise two children. Cynthia got through that regimen and is now on a less difficult targeted therapy. If her health was 100 percent before her diagnosis, she says health is now between 85 and 90 percent. She cannot exercise as strenuously as she once did, but says she can talk her dogs for a walk, sometimes as many as ten kilometers a day. Cynthia knows that now and going forward, she will have certain limitations, but is very grateful to live what she calls a full life. Additional Resources: Support Group: Canadian Cholangiocarcinoma Collaborative:
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129: Rebecca Esparza survived ovarian cancer and thyroid cancer | cisplatin | bleomycin| etopicide
10/22/2024
129: Rebecca Esparza survived ovarian cancer and thyroid cancer | cisplatin | bleomycin| etopicide
Rebecca Esparza is a survivor. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and thyroid cancer, and she is still with us, advocating for others diagnosed with cancer. In 2001, when she appeared bloated, she sought medical attention, thinking the problem was tied to fibroid tumors. However, she was diagnosed with Stage 2B mixed yolk sac ovarian cancer, a rare form of the disease. While she was undergoing surgery, doctors made the decision to perform a “life-saving” radical hysterectomy. The operation was a success, but she needed to go on a chemotherapy regimen involving cisplatin, bleomycin and etiopicide. Rebecca achieved survivorship, but in 2008, she was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. Treated with radioactive iodine, she again survived. These days, Rebecca, in her hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas, is an energetic cancer patient advocate on an individual and legislative level. Rebecca Esparza was leading an active lifestyle in 2001, one which included running and aerobics. However, she started to experience fatigue and back pain, feeling bloated all the time. She had had fibroid tumors in the past and thought they might be the problem, but her doctor ordered a transvaginal ultrasound. Surgery was performed. It removed the tumors, but also revealed a rare form of ovarian cancer. Rebecca called this the darkest time of her life. Not only had she been diagnosed with cancer at age 30, but during the surgery, doctors felt in order to save her life, they would have to perform a radical hysterectomy. Furthermore, because of work situation, Rebecca did not have health insurance or $20,000 for a deposit on the cost of her treatment. She was eventually able to proceed with the next step of her treatment, chemotherapy, thanks to indigent care aid from her county. That regimen included three drugs. They were cisplatin, bleomycin and etopicide. The four-month regimen was very toxic, very difficult, but Rebecca survived. She ate little and when she did eat, she could rarely keep anything down. As a result, she lost 40 pounds, leaving her with a weight of 80 pounds. The drugs damaged her nervous system and to this day, she has neuropathy, resulting in numbness and tingling in her arms, hands, feet and legs. Unfortunately for Rebecca Esparza, her cancer journey was not over. In 2008, she was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. A few months after her diagnosis, she underwent a left neck dissection in which they removed the entire thyroid and 15 lymph nodes. She was prepared to on a regimen of radioactive iodine, consumed in pill form; however, a body scan revealed that wouldn’t be necessary because the surgery removed all the cancer, and once again, Rebecca was in remission. Today Rebecca endures the complications from her treatment for both cancers, but feels blessed she is still around to experience those complications. She advocates for individuals diagnosed with cancer and she goes before state legislatures in an attempt to increase funding for cancer research.
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128: Celeste Guptill survived appendix cancer | omentum | mucin | heated chemotherapy | hysterectomy
09/26/2024
128: Celeste Guptill survived appendix cancer | omentum | mucin | heated chemotherapy | hysterectomy
When Celeste Guptill noticed her stomach appearing swollen to an unusual degree, she thought it might be due some sort of gastrointestinal issue. However, a CT scan showed she a tumor that produced a fluid called mucin, which produced the swelling. The tumor was surgically removed, which led to a diagnosis of pseduomyxoma peritonei, a rare form of appendix cancer. She needed a second surgery, called HIPEC, which includes heated chemotherapy. The recovery from the chemotherapy was much than the procedure itself, but Celeste achieved survivorship, and has happily gone back to being a mother of eleven. Celeste Guptill of Keizer, Oregon had just had her tenth child and was posing for a family photo shoot. Upon seeing the photo, she noticed that her stomach area seemed more swollen than usual. At first, she thought she this was a result of aging, as she was turning 40, that or something gastrointestinal. But she could feel something abnormal in her stomach and decided to get it checked. That led to a CI scan, which revealed a tumor. Celeste’s primary care physician referred her to a gynecologist, who said she couldn’t treat the tumor because it appeared cancerous. She next saw an oncologist at Oregon Health Sciences University in nearby Portland, who said the tumor needed to be surgically removed and biopsied to find out what kind of cancer it was. At first, doctors thought it was ovarian cancer, but after the biopsy, they couldn’t figure out what type it was. They eventually confirmed it was pseduomyxoma peritonei, a rare form of appendix cancer, also known as PMP. They initially proposed a hysterectomy, because without one, the cancer could spread, but Celeste opposed the idea, and the idea of the hysterectomy was shelved. Celeste located a PMP specialist at MD Anderson in Houston, and decided to get treated there. After a six-month waiting period, she underwent a step procedure called HIPEC. It included what is known as heated chemotherapy, administered while under a general anesthetic. The procedure removed most of the omentum, where a lot of abdominal cancers originate. They go in and scrape, remove everything cancerous, then seal the area back up. Celeste said the recovery was very painful. She had tubes in her, through which surgical debris was removed, she was creeped out by her normally dry skin becoming “greasy and waxy,” and she experienced some hair loss. However, the doctor said the surgery was a success, as it was able to remove all of the cancer. Celeste Guptill has achieved survivorship, claiming that physically she can do everything she could do prior to her diagnosis. Because she did not have her uterus removed, she went on to have an eleventh child, which she calls her miracle baby. Additional Resources: Support Group: PMP Pals:
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127: Sarah Bennett survived neuroendocrine | Whipple procedure | duodenum | endoscopy | oral chemotherapy
09/21/2024
127: Sarah Bennett survived neuroendocrine | Whipple procedure | duodenum | endoscopy | oral chemotherapy
After experiencing gastrointestinal issues in 2022, it took a total of four visits to ERs and an urgent care before a CT scan revealed Sarah Bennett had a mass in her duodenum, near her pancreas. The mass later led to a diagnosis of a rare cancer, neuroendocrine. She did not have to undergo a Whipple procedure, but did have to take an oral form of chemotherapy. That preceded a successful surgical removal of the mass. Sarah achieved survivorship and said her health is very close to what it was before her diagnosis.
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126: Jon Brent survived acute lymphoblastic leukemia | dexamethasone | methotrexate | prednisone
08/22/2024
126: Jon Brent survived acute lymphoblastic leukemia | dexamethasone | methotrexate | prednisone
Jon Brent shares his story of surviving acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of blood cancer. He was diagnosed at age two. Jon had to undergo an aggressive chemotherapy regimen, which included vincristine, dexamethasone, methotrexate and prednisone; but that wasn’t enough, because he also had to face a bone marrow transplant. Between his diagnosis and his treatment, Jon has been in pain all his life, and expects to always be in pain. Nonetheless, he approaches life with a smile and happily takes part in ultimate Frisbee and playing the drums. Jon Brent of Windsor, Ontario, Canada was an energetic toddler, then suddenly in 1995 he became unaccountably lethargic. His parents sought medical attention. Blood work revealed very high white blood cell counts, which led to his diagnosis of acute lymphblastic leukemia. Jon was told his type of cancer has a very low survival rate. Doctors prescribed three years of experimental chemotherapy protocols. The medications he took included vincristine, dexamethasone, methotrexate and prenisone. Unfortunately, after those three years, Jon relapsed and had to undergo a bone marrow transplant. Jon was grateful that unlike bone marrow transplants from an earlier time, much of his procedure was executed with a pill. That said, byproducts of the transplant were shingles, chicken pox and Stage IV Graft Versus Host Disease, which affected his stomach, liver, skin and lungs. As if cancer wasn’t tough enough, Jon Brent had to deal with it while going to elementary school, where kids can be cruel. However, Jon credits his mother with teaching him how to “self-regulate” and how to deflect the inevitable barbs from his classmates. By way of advice, Jon Brent reminds anyone diagnosed with cancer that they are not alone. He says the grief from a cancer diagnosis is non-linear. It comes with sadness, some anger and a lot of questions. Jon says one doesn’t have to endure a setback and pretend it doesn’t hurt. He says everyone on a cancer journey can and should be on a team. Additional Resources: Support Groups: Man Up to Cancer: Childhood Cancer Canada:
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125: Hans Rueffert survived gastric stomach cancer | acid reflux | gastrectomy | jejunum | peristalsis
08/17/2024
125: Hans Rueffert survived gastric stomach cancer | acid reflux | gastrectomy | jejunum | peristalsis
In this Cancer Interviews podcast, Hans Rueffert shares the story of how he survived Stage 3B gastric stomach cancer despite double digit surgeries that resulted in the removal of his stomach, jejenum and esophagus. Following the surgeries, he had to go on a regimen of chemotherapy and radiation. Hans, a chef by trade, achieved survivorship, but without a stomach, closely monitors what he eats and how much he eats. Incredibly, Hans Rueffert says he has as much energy as he had, pre-diagnosis, and is an active participant in pickle ball. Hans Rueffert is a chef from Jasper, Georgia, and says in the restaurant business, stress comes with the territory. So, in 2005, when he experienced acid reflux, blood in his stool, and had trouble swallowing, he dismissed them as occupational hazards. But when he experienced what he thought was a heart attack, he called 911. He had severe chest pains and the left side of his body was numb. Soon he was in the hospital, where he was told his blood oxygen level was that of an infant, and doctors suspected internal bleeding. Further probing revealed a tumor at the junction of Hans’ stomach and esophagus. Subsequent biopsies resulted in a diagnosis of Stage 3B gastric stomach cancer. As if his diagnosis wasn’t bad enough, Hans was told the five-year survival rate for his type of cancer was around ten percent. He says in 2005, the protocol was to perform surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. The procedure would involve a partial gastrectomy and a partial esopagectomy, the removal of the top half of the stomach and the bottom of the esophagus. The procedure is also known as a gastric pullup. The surgery was a success. Next up was the chemotherapy, which Hans said “cooked” the junction of the stomach and esophagus, known as the anastomosis. As a result of the chemo and subsequent radiation, Hans developed leaks in the anastomosis necessitating an additional dozen surgeries. Doctors concluded that to stop these leaks, they would have to perform yet another surgery, in which all of Hans’ remaining stomach and esophagus would have to be removed. Without a stomach and an esophagus, Hans says he can chew and swallow almost anything, but without a stomach, the process of breaking down food becomes more difficult. As a result, he has to closely monitor what he eats and how much because there is less room to store what he has consumed. Hans Rueffert is able to maintain a healthy diet and incredibly, he says his energy level has returned to what it was prior to his diagnosis. He has taken up pickle ball. Additional Resources: Support Group: The Gastric Cancer Foundation:
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124: Hardeep Phull, MD is an oncologist and patient advocate | Clinical Trials | Immunotherapy
08/10/2024
124: Hardeep Phull, MD is an oncologist and patient advocate | Clinical Trials | Immunotherapy
Hardeep Phull, MD is an oncologist, but he is also a patient advocate. When conventional forms of immunotherapy and chemotherapy are not effective for a cancer patient, Dr. Phull will advocate for his patients to position them for a clinical trial, if they meet the criteria to qualify for the trial. Dr. Phull says patient advocacy needs to start with the patient, but there are instances in which the patient’s doctor can advocate, such as working with an insurance company to make sure it covers a necessary procedure. Another way a doctor can advocate for his or her patient is through empathy and empowerment. Dr. Phull says he has seen patients go from “non-compliant” to cooperative, thanks to empathy. Dr. Phull says in some instances a patient will want to change doctors, which these days is quite understandable as an increasing number of cancer doctors are specializing in one or two types of cancer. He says if a patient wants to be treated by a doctor more specialized in their type of cancer than he is, he will try to connect the patient with such a specialist. Three primary forms of cancer treatment are immunotherapy, genomic testing and chemotherapy. Dr. Phull says a combination of the three can be prescribed, in some cases along with a clinical trial. He says at one time genomic testing cost tens of thousands of dollars; now the same procedure has a co-pay of less than one hundred dollars. Dr. Phull says clinical trials combine the standard of care with a newer sort of therapy, and the explosion of clinical trials will lead to an increase in good patient outcomes. He adds whatever science has achieved as of today will be far greater ten years from now. However, in order for a patient to qualify for a clinical trial, he or she must meet a long line of criteria. And before the clinical trial may begin, a certain amount of time must elapse after the completion of a more convention treatment regimen, such as chemotherapy, to get the chemotherapy out of the patient’s system. This is called a washout. Dr. Hardeep Phull says insurance companies will often deny coverage of a necessary procedure because it saves money. That results in he and the nurses on his staff expending untold hours with the reviewers from the insurance companies to make a case for the patient. Dr. Phull says it is frustrating to deal with a reviewer who is often reading from a script when articulating the company’s coverage denial. He says many times the patient is angry and many times in this situation, the doctor or nurse is angry; but Dr. Phull says he has changed his approach to one of empathy for the reviewer who he suspects deals with angry callers all day. He has found that an empathetic approach often gets the reviewer to take a closer look at the appeal, which often leads to coverage. Additional Resources: Websites: Hardeep Phull, MD on LinkedIn:
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123: Don Helgeson survived three types of cancer | malignant melanoma | colorectal cancer | prostatectomy
07/26/2024
123: Don Helgeson survived three types of cancer | malignant melanoma | colorectal cancer | prostatectomy
Cancer just will not get the best of Don Helgeson. A retired member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, he survived malignant melanoma in 1996 and colorectal cancer in 2007. Just when he thought the disease was in his past, he was diagnosed with Stage 3B prostate cancer in 2020. He opted to have his prostate removed, but thanks to successful surgery, he achieved survivorship and enjoys excellent urinary and sexual function. Don Helgeson of Nanaimo, British Columbia, was in 27 years old in 1996 when he noticed an unusual looking mole on his shoulder. Seeking medical attention, he had the mole removed; but a few weeks later, the same doctor asked to return, at which he told Don he had malignant melanoma. Not long after that, he underwent a small surgical procedure to have an area of tissue and skin removed. The cancer was caught early, Don still goes in for annual checkups with a dermatologist and has not had a recurrence. Members of Don’s family had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Among them was his mother, who urged him to get checked out, and in 2007, such a checkup resulted in his being diagnosed. This brought on another surgical procedure, an entire re-section. He was quite grateful to learn he did not have to wear a colostomy bag. Each year, Don goes in for a colonoscopy and has remained free of colorectal cancer. In 2020, Don Helgeson was experiencing some urinary issues. Around that time, his uncle passed away from prostate cancer at age 65. In their last conversation, he said Don should get blood work done. It revealed a PSA of 12.2, which was about four times more than the average for someone just beginning their fifties, as Don was. That led to biopsies, CT scans, MRIs and bone scans. Within a few months, he was diagnosed with Stage 3B prostate cancer. Having just married his second wife, Don was concerned about the effect the diagnosis would have on their marriage, but his wife, Lisa, and other family members were an outstanding source of support. In January 2021, he elected to undergo a prostatectomy. The surgeon was able to not cut the nerves that would prevent Don from achieving an erection. Meanwhile, after wearing a catheter for 16 days, he had it removed and was happy to learn he was capable of, in large part, regulating his ability to urinate. By way of advice, Don says if one is diagnosed with any type of cancer, he or she should know that they are not alone and to speak to those who have been similarly diagnosed.
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122: Christine Handy survived HER2+ breast cancer | mastectomy | herceptin | taxol | lumpectomy | MRSA
06/22/2024
122: Christine Handy survived HER2+ breast cancer | mastectomy | herceptin | taxol | lumpectomy | MRSA
Christine Handy withstood osteomyelitis in her right arm, a lumpectomy, two mastectomies and a MRSA infection en route to surviving HER2+ breast cancer. It wasn’t easy, but her road to survivorship included a 28-round chemotherapy regimen with herceptin and taxol. She has gone on to resume her career as a runway model, author, film producer and motivational speaker. In addition to being a runway model and the other of small children, Christine Handy of Miami, Florida enjoyed an active lifestyle that included tennis and surfing. However, at age 42, while showering she discovered a lump on her chest. At the same time, she noticed her hair thinning and a loss of appetite. This led to her diagnosis of breast cancer. Her diagnosis of HER2+ breast cancer necessitated the usage of the drug herceptin, which added 12 rounds of chemotherapy. Combined with taxol, Christine went through 28 rounds of chemo covering a grueling 15 months. Christine Handy’s cancer journey involved problems other than cancer. She was also dealing with osteomyelitis, a bone infection in her right arm, which required a picc line into the arm for about six weeks. At the time Christine was diagnosed with cancer, her right arm had just been reconstructed from cadaver bones and bone grafts. Doctors agreed that Christine started breast cancer-related chemotherapy right away, it would dissolve the bone grafts in her reconstructed arm. Her oncologist said it would be better to perform a lumpectomy, without chemo, which would not adversely affect the procedure done on her arm. It was about a month when chemotherapy began, which would require one mastectomy in 2013, and a second one at a later time. The chemo left Christine very frail and thin, weighing about 90 pounds. She was very ill and that resulted in the second mastectomy not taking place until 2016. The second mastectomy had its challenges. The second procedure involved implants needed several revisions, six in all, which were both painful and frustrating. There was more pain and frustration for Christine Handy when she learned she had a MRSA infection on her implant. This infection, originally diagnosed as a staph infection, had her in and out of the hospital for an additional three months. Even after her chemotherapy treatment ended, there were other problems. She lost a few teeth, had a liver spot and had to see a heart doctor, which she does to this day. Christine said it wasn’t until four years her chemo concluded that she started feeling like herself again. Christine is back to modeling and helping women. She urges anyone on a cancer journey should not try to do so alone. Additional Resources: Christine’s Book: Walk Beside Me, available on Amazon Christine’s Film: Hello, Beautiful Christine’s Website:
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121: Deb Krier survived Stage IV HER2+ breast cancer, then survived skin cancer and thyroid cancer.
06/15/2024
121: Deb Krier survived Stage IV HER2+ breast cancer, then survived skin cancer and thyroid cancer.
The unstoppable Deb Krier survived Stage IV HER2+ breast cancer, basal cell carcinoma and papillary thyroid cancer, enduring 33 surgeries. In 2015, Deb Krier of Mapleton, Georgia, went in for a routine mammogram. She had no idea that would be start of a lengthy cancer journey. After the procedure, she was asked to return to the clinic. Although the mammogram did not reveal a lump or a bump, it did reveal tiny flecks known called microcalcifications. Next up for Deb, were two needle biopsies, known as stereotactic biopsies. Both came back negative. Even though Deb was diagnosed Stage Zero, doctors called for an MRI. Viewing the results, the surgeon suggested some lymph nodes be removed. The surgeon was stunned when of twelve removed lymph nodes eight were positive, and just like that, Deb went from Stage Zero to Stage Three. This necessitated a visit to an oncologist. Deb Krier and her oncologist decided to chemotherapy, then surgery, then radiation treatment. They also agreed on a massive chemotherapy regimen. Deb cannot name any of them, but there were no less than eight drugs in her chemo cocktail. She had a port put in her shoulder, and her initial chemotherapy session lasted eight hours. There were complications from Deb’s chemotherapy regimen. It caused damage to her colon, resulting in septic shock. This required emergency, life-saving surgery on her colon. She also suffered hair loss, brain fog and fatigue. Next up was the surgery, and Deb opted for a double mastectomy without reconstruction decision she felt was the right decision at the time, and still does. She said she no longer wanted to worry about her breasts and wanted them both gone even the cancer existed in only one. She also didn’t like the idea of “foreign objects’ being put into her body. Meanwhile, when Deb experienced pain in her ribcage and the test came back as “inconclusive,” doctors changed her diagnosis to Stage IV, so that they give it the highest level of treatment. From all her surgeries, Deb could look at herself and see lots of scars, but when she looks at them, she realizes without the scars, she wouldn’t be alive. However, cancer was not done with Deb. In 2021, while visiting her primary care physician, she pointed out a sore on her arm. Deb was referred to a dermatologist, who conducted a biopsy and said showed basal cell carcinoma. Deb said it was a very small patch, easily burned off. She still sees a dermatologist once every six months. Then in 2023, Deb Krier was diagnosed with a third cancer, papillary thyroid cancer. She told her doctor she would have a spasm. The doctor ran a CT scan, and it showed lesions on her thyroid. After more tests and shots and biopsies, she learned she had papillary thyroid cancer. There were two tumors, but they were caught so early that the removal of Deb’s thyroid was relatively easy. By way of advice, Deb Krier reminds anyone diagnosed with cancer that they are not alone. She also advises one diagnosed with cancer to do plenty of research and to always be their own advocate. Additional Resources: Deb’s website:
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114: Vicki Wolf Survived Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
06/10/2024
114: Vicki Wolf Survived Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
Vicki Wolf was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 37. Ductal Carcinoma in SITU was successfully addressed with a lumpectomy. However, Vicki was diagnosed with the same type of cancer just two years later. Again, a lumpectomy. When Vicki was 47, she was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. She survived that diagnosis but was again diagnosed with this type of breast when she was 58. That was in 2017. Vicki survived, but not before undergoing a double mastectomy. She now leads an active lifestyle and works as an advocate for men with breast cancer after her brother, Harvey Singer, was diagnosed. They formed a non-profit, His Breast Cancer Awareness.
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120: Melinda Bachini survived cholangiocarcinoma | bile duct cancer | bilirubin | hemngioma | cisplatin
06/08/2024
120: Melinda Bachini survived cholangiocarcinoma | bile duct cancer | bilirubin | hemngioma | cisplatin
In this episode of the @CancerInterviews podcast, host Bruce Morton hears from Melinda Bachini, who survived cholangiocarcinoma, a form of bile duct cancer. Doctors removed two thirds of her liver, but three months later, the cancer returned, and she was put on a chemotherapy regimen of gemcitabine and cisplatin. The chemotherapy had terrible side effects, and Melinda fought to get on a clinical trial of tumor infiltrating lymphocyte therapy. The clinical trial led to survivorship. A paramedic from Billings, Montana, in 2010, Melinda began to experience shoulder pain and upper gastric pain. At first, she thought those were tied to the rigors of her job, but when the pain got worse, she sought medical attention and underwent a CT scan and an MRI. That led to a biopsy, which confirmed Melinda had cancer, but doctors could not immediately determined what type of cancer it was. Three weeks after her diagnosis, they concluded it was cholangiocarcinoma. Melinda said for many diagnosed with bile duct cancer, the cancer spreads from the liver. In her case, the cancer was confined to her liver, and she underwent surgery to have two-thirds of her liver removed. After the procedure, doctors confirmed the cancer was cholangiocarcinoma. There is a high rate of recurrence for cholangiocarcinoma. Three months after Melinda’s surgery, a post-operative checkup revealed there were signs of tumors in her lungs, so the cancer had spread. That’s when for the first time she had heard the words, “Stage IV terminal.” At age 41 and the mother of six, she wasn’t ready to give up. The cancer soon spread from her lungs back to her liver, so doctors put her on another chemotherapy regimen, this time with a drug called taxotere. That didn’t work, either, so Melinda was ready to stop the chemotherapy because of its nasty side effects and just to live as long as she could. Melinda had learned of a clinical trial at the National Cancer Institute, applied to be accepted in the trial and was accepted. Because the Maryland-based NCI is federally-funded, it covers all related expenses. The trial was called GI-TIL, which stands for Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocite therapy. She was the ninth person to enter into this type of trial and the first with cholangiocarcinoma. As Melinda Bachini began the trial, she had tumors on both lungs and her liver, and figured she probably had only a few months to live. However, not long after the trial began, she thought it was working because a cough she had had, went away. She was in the hospital three to four weeks and she said it was an aggressive treatment. She said they surgically pull tumors. She said they grow T-cells into the billions, then put them back into her to fight the cancer. Melinda returned about 18 months later, and doctors had pinpointed which type of T-cells could best attack the cancer. The cancer started growing again, but the continued combination of GI-TIL therapy and a drug called pembrolizumab, kept the cancer at bay, and her final treatment was in March 2017. Melinda has gone on to work to help others diagnosed with this rare cancer. She began as a volunteer with the Utah-based Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, and is now its Chief Patient Officer. Additional Resources: The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation:
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119: Four times Kay Kays survived pancreatic cancer | whipple procedure | pacreatectomy | gemcitabine
06/01/2024
119: Four times Kay Kays survived pancreatic cancer | whipple procedure | pacreatectomy | gemcitabine
Kay Kays of Sun City, Arizona survived four diagnoses of pancreatic cancer between 1994 and 2008. Her specific diagnosis was pancreatic cyst mucinous adenocarcinoma, a rare form of pancreatic cancer. There was no chemotherapy specifically for pancreatic cancer, but did qualify for a Whipple procedure, a reconstruction of the digestive system, following her first diagnosis. Her final diagnosis was preceded by a spot on her right lung and the surgical removal of the lung. Incredibly, Kay can still engage in hiking, she can deal with being the high altitudes that come with being an air passenger, and she finds time to help others diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In 1994, Kay, an avid hiker and tennis player, suddenly found herself feeling extremely tired. She ended up in a hospital’s emergency department. That’s where a mass on her pancreas was detected, and she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Kay went in for a Whipple procedure. It involved an incision made across her chest and stomach. After the procedure, Kay said she had to carry about a dishpan for about two weeks because she could not keep any food down, but a few weeks after that, her digestive system returned to normal. Her life came close to returning to normal, as well. That changed in 1999. A CT scan was run and revealed the cancer had returned to her pancreas. This time Kay underwent a pancreatectomy, in which her pancreas and spleen were removed. Because of the operation, she became a brittle diabetic. In the beginning, she had to get five shots a day. Kay had to change her diet, cutting out greasy foods and sugar. She also had to take digestive enzymes. Only three months later, Kay Kays was again diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Another CT scan revealed a lymph node. It took approximately a year before she could undergo surgery to remove the lymph node. During that time she was put on a chemotherapy regimen with a cocktail of zofran and gemcitibine. Kay said the side effects of the gemcitibine were hair loss and fatigue. Kay got past this surgery and the chemotherapy, and when she thought the worst of her cancer journey was in the past, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer one more time in 2008. Pancreatic cancer often spreads to the lung, liver and lymph nodes, and this diagnosis was tied to a spot on her lung. Kay had to fight to undergo a biopsy, but eventually had one done and it confirmed that she once again had pancreatic cancer. She elected to have her right lung surgically removed. The good news for Kay Kays is that since 2008, cancer has not returned. By way of advice, Kay urges those diagnosed with cancer to never lose hope. Additional Resources: Support Group: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network:
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