Beyond The Clinic: Living Well With Melanoma

In this compelling episode of “Surviving the Spotlight,” we sit down with Jessica Gilstrap, a melanoma survivor and independent filmmaker, whose inspiring journey from cancer diagnosis to creative success is both moving and motivating. At just 19 years old, Jessica's life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma—a discovery that came not from a routine check, but from a serendipitous visit to her doctor for a different issue.

Jessica’s story unfolds with the urgency of immediate surgery and the emotional rollercoaster of battling a life-threatening illness. After numerous biopsies and surgeries, she emerged with a renewed outlook on life, embracing sun safety while maintaining her passion for travel and adventure.

Today, Jessica channels her experiences and newfound perspective into her work as an independent film producer. Her dedication to bringing compelling stories to the screen is matched by her commitment to advocating for sun safety and helping others navigate their own challenges.

In this episode, Jessica shares her personal journey, the impact of her melanoma diagnosis on her life choices, and how she has integrated sun safety into her daily routine without sacrificing her love for travel and exploration. She also offers practical advice on skincare and sun protection, aiming to empower others to live fully and safely.

Join us to hear Jessica's incredible story of resilience, creativity, and advocacy, and learn how she turns her challenges into opportunities for helping others and making a meaningful impact.

Join us for an insightful episode of "Restful Recovery," where we explore the crucial interplay between sleep and cancer with Dr. Daniel Barone, a leading expert in sleep medicine. Dr. Barone, the Associate Medical Director at the Weill Cornell Center for Sleep Medicine, shares his extensive knowledge and experience in the field, offering valuable guidance on how sleep impacts cancer treatment and recovery.

Dr. Barone's illustrious career began with his summa cum laude graduation from Fordham University, followed by his medical degree from New York Medical College. His path included an internship in Internal Medicine at Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center, and subsequent Neurology training, where he was named Chief Resident. He completed his Neurology residency at Beth Israel Medical Center and a fellowship in Sleep Disorders at Stony Brook University Medical Center.

As an Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology at Weill Cornell Medical College and an Attending Neurologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Dr. Barone specializes in managing various sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome. His certifications and affiliations, including those with the American Academy of Neurology and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, underscore his expertise.

In this episode, Dr. Barone discusses how sleep affects cancer patients, strategies for improving sleep during treatment, and the latest research findings. His insights are drawn from his peer-reviewed publications, media appearances, and his books, "Let’s Talk About Sleep" and "The Story of Sleep: From A to Zzz."

Tune in to learn how better sleep can be a powerful ally in cancer care and recovery, and gain practical tips for improving your sleep health during challenging times.

In this episode, we are joined by Tobi Sample, a melanoma survivor, to share an extraordinary and inspiring story. Today, prepare to be moved and inspired as we delve into Tobi's miraculous journey of survival against melanoma.

Tobi, ten years ago, faced a diagnosis that would have halted many in their tracks. But not Tobi. To celebrate her 10th anniversary of No Evidence of Disease, she did something most of us only dream of - she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Tobi Sample, Melanoma Survivor

Tobi Sample was first diagnosed with stage IIb melanoma in 2008. When the cancer returned in 2013, spreading to her spine, humerus, clavicle, sacrum, rib, and lung, she faced a daunting battle. That summer, she found herself too weak to even get out of bed. In a stroke of fortune, her husband discovered a promising clinical trial at UC Chapel, and Tobi was accepted. Over the next year, she bravely traveled from southern Indiana to North Carolina every three weeks. Remarkably, she has been in remission for nearly a decade, showing no evidence of the disease.

A lifelong athlete, Sample was resolute in her desire to reclaim her active lifestyle. Gradually, she regained her strength, participating in half-marathons and even training for a 2022 hike up Mount Kilimanjaro.

In 2019, Tobi reached out to AIM at Melanoma, driven to initiate a walk in the Louisville area to spread awareness and raise funds for research. She believes firmly, “Until there’s a cure, there’s more that needs to be done.”

Tobi feels immensely grateful for the chance to watch her children mature into adults, now 26 and 23, cherishing the life she fought so hard to protect.

In this deeply insightful episode of our podcast, we explore the often-hidden challenges melanoma patients and survivors face—stress and anxiety. Living with melanoma or surviving it is a testament to strength, but it comes with its own set of emotional hurdles. To shed light on this critical issue and offer some groundbreaking strategies for coping, we are honored to have Dr. Judson Brewer, MD, PhD, a leading expert in mindfulness and stress reduction, and the Director of Research and Innovation at the Mindfulness Center at Brown University.

OUR GUEST

Judson Brewer, MD, PhD

Director of Research and Innovation at the Mindfulness Center, Brown University, School of Public Health

Jud Brewer, MD PhD, is the Director of Research and Innovation at the Mindfulness Center and associate professor in Behavioral and Social Sciences at the School of Public Health and Psychiatry at the Medical School at Brown University. He also is a research affiliate at MIT. A psychiatrist and internationally known expert in mindfulness training for addictions, Brewer has developed and tested novel mindfulness programs for behavior change, including both in-person and app-based treatments for smoking, emotional eating, and anxiety.

He has also studied the underlying neural mechanisms of mindfulness using standard and real-time fMRI, and source-estimated EEG, and is currently translating these findings into clinical use (see www.drjud.com for more information). He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, presented to the US President’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, foreign Parliaments, trained US Olympic athletes and coaches, and foreign government ministers and has been featured on 60 minutes, at TED (4th most viewed talk of 2016 with over 17 Million views), in the New York Times, Time magazine (top 100 new health discoveries of 2013), Forbes, Businessweek, NPR, National Geographic, and the BBC among others. He is the author of The Craving Mind: from cigarettes to smartphones to love, why we get hooked and how we can break bad habits (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2017) and the New York Times best-seller, Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind (Avery/Penguin Random House, 2021). Follow him on twitter @judbrewer.

In this episode, we unlock one of the most challenging aspects of the cancer journey — having difficult conversations. Whether you're a caregiver, a patient in the throes of treatment, or a survivor navigating life after cancer, this episode is for you.

Our guest, Bridget Sumser, LCSW, a Clinical Social Worker, offers insights, guidance, and support on how to approach, engage in, and emerge stronger from the conversations that matter most. Our unique angle isn't just about what to say, but how to say it, starting from a place of empathy, compassion, and understanding.

We understand the power of language and its impact on healing, connection, and resilience. We'll guide you in creating a space where difficult dialogues can lead to deeper connections, providing comfort and support when it's needed most.

Whether it's discussing prognosis, treatment options, or simply how the day feels, this episode brings you strategies, perspectives, and the reassurance that you're not alone. Join us as we tackle the tough talk with tenderness, making room for what truly matters in the heart of the cancer experience.

Bridget Sumser

Bridget Sumser is a health educator, her research and academic work centers on palliative care education. This includes implementing courses and strategies that bring together members of various professions as well as studying how different specialists can best integrate palliative care principles and techniques into their practices. She also investigates how palliative care practices — both primary and specialty — are learned by social workers.

Sumser earned her master's degree at the New York University Silver School of Social Work, where she also completed a Zelda Foster fellowship in palliative and end-of-life care. She also completed a palliative care social work fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in New York.

Sumser is a member of the Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network, which honored her at its annual assembly in 2015 as an Emerging Leader in Palliative Social Work.

Surviving cancer or finishing treatment often leaves survivors feeling elated, as if they've conquered the world. However, there's also a profound, more vulnerable emotion that many experience: the fear of recurrence, or the dread of cancer returning.

Although it's a common fear among survivors, dealing with this fear can be challenging. It poses a significant obstacle, particularly when all you desire is to progress and live your life.

To learn more about fear of recurrence and how to manage it, we tapped an expert at Banner Health, Dr. Rena Szabo, PsyD as our guest for this episode.

Dr. Szabo works at the intersection of psychology and medicine. Dr. Szabo specializes in exploring the biological, psychological, cultural, societal, spiritual, and environmental factors of life and how each of these affects physical health and quality of life. Her use of evidence-based practices within an integrative oncology setting allows her to provide holistic, person-centered care.

In today’s episode, we're talking about a profoundly touching topic—caring for someone with melanoma. Today, we're discussing the roles, challenges, and triumphs of those who stand by their loved ones in the fight against melanoma—caregivers. They are the unsung heroes who provide the support and strength needed to face each day anew.

Our guests:

Sue Capozzi: Sue has devotedly served as a caregiver for her husband, John, who, despite his current stability, was diagnosed with Stage III melanoma in 2019, which progressed to Stage IV the following year. Throughout his challenging treatment journey, John has faced numerous hurdles but is currently doing well.

Now retired, Sue and John reside in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, a stone's throw away from the beach. They cherish their time sailing, kayaking, and enjoying moments with their dog, always mindful to apply copious amounts of sunscreen. The couple enjoys the company of their married son, a granddaughter, and eagerly await the arrival of another grandchild in the spring of 2024.

Driven by the importance of melanoma education, Sue became a Peer Connect mentor in 2022. In this short span, she has provided guidance to several caregivers, finding deep fulfillment in offering support. Sue hopes to extend the same level of support and understanding she has received, contributing positively to the lives of others on their melanoma journeys.

Nancy Earle: Nancy devoted herself as a caregiver to her son, Will, following his Stage III melanoma diagnosis in 2016, which escalated to Stage IV within the same year. She took a two-year hiatus from her career to support him daily through his illness and treatment. Together, they navigated the complex landscape of medical opinions, trials, and treatment centers. On March 4, 2018, Nancy and her family bid a heartfelt farewell to Will.

Before retiring, Nancy had a dynamic career as a lawyer and event producer. Now, she relishes her retirement in Bellport Village, New York, alongside her husband. They take joy in their three surviving sons, their partners, and their grandchildren. Driven by a desire to honor Will's altruistic spirit, Nancy engages with several organizations. She serves on the advisory board of INTERSOS, a Rome-based international NGO, working to raise awareness of its humanitarian programs. Locally, she contributes to the environmental committee and has begun writing a book chronicling Will's courageous battle over his final two years.

In 2021, Nancy became a Peer Connect mentor, driven by the critical need for melanoma awareness. She supports caregivers, some fortunate to have loved ones in remission and others mourning their loss. Offering a beacon of information and comfort is crucial for caregivers, who often grapple with fear and emotional turmoil. Nancy provides a compassionate ear and guidance to help them take the next step forward.

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Ever wondered how animals can make a huge difference in people's lives? 🐶🐱 In this podcast, we delve into the fascinating world of animal-assisted therapy and explore its incredible benefits for both physical and mental well-being. From calming anxiety to promoting social interaction, animals undeniably impact human happiness and healing. 🌟

Join us as we unveil heartwarming stories and scientific insights about the transformative power of furry companions.

About our guest:

Writing has been medicine for Nancy Slonim Aronie. At nine months old, her son Dan was diagnosed with diabetes. Then, at twenty-two, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. During the years she and her husband took care of Dan, and when he died at age thirty-eight, Aronie could not find the book she needed. So she wrote her memoir.

In teaching memoir writing, Aronie has found that everyone has a story to tell and that telling it is important. Sharing “this is who I am, these are the things that shaped me, this is where I am now” allows a kind of magic and healing to happen. In this podcast she shares how to write through where YOU have been and experience deep understanding, profound healing, and even unexpected joy.

About Our Guest:

Nancy Slonim Aronie has been a commentator for National Public Radio’s All Things Considered. She was a Visiting Writer at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, wrote a monthly column in McCall’s magazine and was the recipient of the Eye of The Beholder Artist in Residence award at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Nancy won teacher of the year award for all three years she taught at Harvard University for Robert Coles.

Join us as we dive deep into the emotional path of survivorship. Dr. Liu sat down with Samantha Siegel, MD, a relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma patient, to discuss her walk as a physician, caregiver, cancer patient, mom, and wife. This powerful podcast episode explores the highs, lows, and everything in between. Dr. Sam shares her inspiring story of resilience, hope, and healing. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking strength and support on their own survivorship path.

Our Guest:

Samantha Siegel, MD, Physician. Cancer/BMT Crusher. Survivorship Advocate and Integrative Medicine Enthusiast. Addressing resilience and burnout in healthcare through storytelling.