Adventures with Scars

Lauren's guest in this episode is Stephanie S. Abbott. Stephanie is a cancer survivor, a former healthcare executive, and author of "Buried or Planted - 100+ Expert Insights from a Healthcare Executives' Journey as a Cancer Patient". Stephanie has served in multiple leadership roles to include Chief Experience Officer for Adventist Health, Division Vice President Patient Experience for HCA and Corporate Assistant Director Patient Experience for Intermountain Health.  

Stephanie has spearheaded the design of patient and caregiver experiences, emphasizing culture, process enhancement, and patient safety. Her individual mission is to inspire teams to deliver care that is safe, dignified, and dependable within an environment that fosters compassion, trust, and collaboration. Her overarching vision is that patients feel uniquely cared for, encountering the healthcare journey they desire.

Stephanie has earned her Fellow with the America College of Healthcare Executives and a Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma. Stephanie received a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida and a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in healthcare administration from South University.  

To find out more about Adventure Therapy Foundation go to www.adventurefound.org. 

In this episode, Lauren has a wonderful conversation with Nancy Ferro. Nancy founded Epic Experience after her oldest son Michael was diagnosed with testicular cancer.  5 years after Michaels diagnosis she had witnessed what the outdoors and being with other cancer thrivers could do to offer hope.  

Nancy is married to her husband Mark and they have their children, Michael and Amanda Ferro, Colin and Tricia Ferro, Kerry Ferro and her greatest gift her grandson Cameron.   Mark and Nancy also have 2 dogs, a lab, Disco and a one year old Golden Retriever Brinkley.   She loves the outdoors and especially being around horses. 

To find out more about Adventure Therapy Foundation go to www.adventurefound.org or to find out more about Nancy's nonprofit Epic Experience go to https://www.epicexperience.org/ .

Lauren welcomes Brigitte Cutshall to the podcast in this episode. Brigitte is a health advocate and speaker who is passionate about encouraging others to lead their happiest, healthiest lives. After dealing with breast cancer twice, melanoma and a rare primary brain tumor, her goal is to “empower others not just to survive, but thrive.” Brigitte is the founder of Gemini Media, a creative enforcer, Real Things Living podcast host, and has authored several books. She brings 30+ years of experience in the publishing and communications industry to help others share their stories and messages of hope. Brigitte enjoys staying active with her family, dogs, and of course…running and hiking.

On this episode of Adventures with Scars Lauren welcomes guest Terri Curtis. 

Terri is the C-suite of the Curtis family.  She has been an amazing human for 47 years, a pediatric occupational therapist for 25 years and a mother for 16years.  She is currently writing the chapters of her life as she continues on her journey as a breast cancer advocate, MBC thriver and general badass.  She is here today to challenge you and open your eyes to the reality of living with Metastatic Breast Cancer. 

On this episode Lauren welcomes guest Judith Fitzgerald.
Judy was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in 2009. Her year of treatment included a double mastectomy and reconstruction. Since her diagnosis, she has been an active advocate for breast cancer prevention and founded Sisters4Prevention in 2010.

Judy serves as a consumer advocate for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Grant Program, and is an active blogger on social media.  Her passion is diet and lifestyle changes that can help survival, as well as supporting the development of a vaccine for the prevention of breast cancer.  She serves as an advocate for the Phase I clinical trial of the breast cancer vaccine at the Cleveland Clinic developed by Dr. Vincent Tuohy.  In 2019, she initiated a group to lobby Congress for a “Women’s Health Initiative”.  Such a program did allocate specific funds to support research for the prevention of women’s cancers with the funding of the NCI Prevent Program. 

In 2015, she was selected by Ford Motor Company as a “Warrior in Pink” for her service to the breast cancer community. She is working with the Biden Moonshot Team to advocate for psychological support for cancer survivors post treatment.  She is passionate that this is the time when help is needed most, and support is too often given least.

Judy serves as an advocate for Friends of Cancer Research, Komen Advocates in Science, the FDA and NIC/NCI.  She is a retired teacher and lives in West Palm Beach Florida with her husband John and is blessed with 5 grandchildren.

She is the author of a book,  A Teacher’s Journey…What Breast Cancer Taught Me and the website www.Sisters4Prevention.com.  Links to her Youtube Channel and Podcast are found on her website.  Her book is available on Amazon.

In this episode, Lauren welcomes Tania Streete to the podcast.

Tania is a single mother of two sons with disabilities. Her youngest son is now 19 years old and has Down syndrome. Her oldest son is 28 years old with Brain Damage, Epilepsy, Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), learning disorder, Irlen Syndrome, and Dyslexia. 

In 2008, Tania and her boys relocated to Brentwood where she became a volunteer assistant coach for the Special Olympics Track and Field team. Tania, also has a 8 year old granddaughter. In addition to attending college full time, Tania completed her Crime Scene Investigator and Criminal Law Specialist Certificate, Certificate of Accomplishment, and Certificate in Administration of Justice. 

Tania has also worked as a Financial Crimes Investigator for a large financial company where she acquired skills useful when assisting families in her advocacy. In addition, Tania interned at the Napa County Sheriff crime lab. 

In 2013, Tania served on the Brentwood Union School District's (BUSD) Parent Special Education Community Advisory Committee (CAC) as a social media & Parent Outreach Volunteer, school representative and later as Social Media Coordinator for the BUSD Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). 

Tania takes pride in conducting research and providing information and resources through numerous social media outlets, parent groups, special foundations, and the community at large.

On this episode of Adventures with Scars Lauren is pleased to welcome guest Mahwish Syed.

Mahwish Syed is an award winning fashion and interior designer, celebrated author, cancer survivor, and devoted mother. Her creations have adorned bodies and homes for over two decades, fostering spaces that nurture and heal. Featured in distinguished publications like New York Times, Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, and Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, her designs transcend boundaries. Her book "Purgatory to Paradise" unveils her triumphant cancer journey, showcasing how design became her healing sanctuary. Committed to empowering others, she advocates for personal paradises, affirming that genuine beauty is immediate and attainable for all.

In this episode Lauren shares her insight about the difficulties with a broken identity that comes with a cancer diagnosis and how that identity is rebuilt. Take a listen and let us know what you think or if you would like to share your own experience email us at [email protected]. 

To find out more about Adventure Therapy Foundation visit us online at wwwadventurefound.org 

We are so pleased to welcome to the podcast in this episode Amanda Medina! Amanda is 39 years old and from Texas. She is a mother to a 21-year-old son and has a wonderfully supportive boyfriend. She was diagnosed July 17th 2018 with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer De Novo.

She is currently no evidence of active disease.

She is a Registered and Certified Dental Assistant of over 17 years.

Since her diagnosis she has found herself advocating and involving herself around the MBC community. 

This episode features a conversation with Lauren and Audrey Graves, a mom and educator who was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer after the birth of her son in 2006 and currently is living with Metastatic Breast Cancer. 

Audrey shares her journey through being a mom and an educator, she currently works as the Principal of the Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired. She shares openly about cancering and divorce and the real life facts about dating with cancer. 

So take a moment and enjoy getting to know Audrey.