We’re talking to Chantal Firouz this week and we’re so excited!! Chantal was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in August 2020 and just recently finished chemo treatment a few weeks ago. She opens up about how she discovered the cancer, continuing to be active and move her body throughout treatment, how much more powerful she feels now than before cancer and cultivating a stronger relationship with herself throughout this experience.

Chantal is also studying to be an NLP coach and is currently a practicing transformation coach, helping others to get rid of those limiting beliefs that we all have and guiding people on how our thoughts affect our behaviors and actions. She’s so passionate about helping others live their best lives and we loved hearing more about NLP.

Follow and contact Chantal on her Instagram @chantalfirouz

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Episode 30 is out now!!! We can't believe we've already had 30 incredible guests on this show! This week you're hearing from Kelly Pyle, a fellow Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor. Kelly has had no evidence of disease since May 2020!

She highlights how cold capping saved both her hair, confidence and identity throughout treatment and afterwards, and why our hair is more than "just hair." We chat about the logistics of cold capping, the company she used for It and why Paige and Maddy weren't able to.

Kelly also talks to us about how her relationships and support system brought her so much light throughout this experience and why it's so important to have a strong support team around you if possible. 

Follow Kelly on Instagram @kellypyle2011 

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We’re speaking with Vanessa Pettjohn this week, a two time Rhabdomyosarcoma survivor, limb loss survivor and  a licensed clinical social worker providing emotional support to patients at an outpatient cancer center. Vanessa opens up about her experience getting diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer at just 15 years old, the recurrence she had at 17, losing her arm to the disease and how she recovered both physically and mentally.

She also talks about how this experience has led her to the career she has now, being let down by the healthcare system after her amputation, getting her independence back and so much more. Vanessa is truly a bright light in this cancer community!

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We're speaking with 17 year old Elodie on this week's episode who was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer at just 16. Elodie has had no evidence of disease since May 2020 and she speaks with us about how she discovered the 2.5 pound tumor inside her, trying to do school and be a "normal" teenager while also being forced to think about her mortality, and how she went to TikTok to find support and other people that she could relate to. She also shares with us the inside scoop on the book she is writing and how the fact that there were no materials out there for a 16 year old cancer patient is driving her to publish something that other teenagers will be able to find comfort in. 

Keep up with Elodie on Instagram and TikTok @pointytomatoe 

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In this week's episode of Cancer Actually F***ing Sucks we're speaking with Anaelli Castro, a two time Rhabdomyosarcoma survivor, a rare form of sarcoma. Anaelli was diagnosed at 17 and then again 13 years later. We talk about feeling emotionally numb and in survival mode during chemo and radiation treatment, the depression and anxiety that comes after and how she was able to get out of It. She explains how important It is to ask for help and find support wherever you can with other people you can relate to. 

Anaelli opens up about wanting to find her purpose after cancer and how the organization Regarding Cancer helped her immensely through It all. Regarding Cancer pairs cancer patients with a survivor of that same cancer to help support them through the ups and downs of their diagnosis. To get in touch with them to find support or volunteer, check out their website regardingcancer.org. 

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This week we're speaking with Stacy Davis, a registered dietician who has been in the field for over 15 years! As a health coach and someone who is struggling with her own health issues, Maddy and Paige have tons of questions for Stacy and if you geek out on nutrition like we do, you'll love this episode! 

Stacy gives us so much info on how to both gain weight and maintain weight during chemo while still staying as healthy as you can with easy food choices and tips. She gives us her top 3 tips for someone that was just recently diagnosed with cancer, shares how she's been able to help several of her family members through their own cancer journey, and how much food and nutrition plays a role in getting healthy and staying strong. 

Join Stacy's group on Facebook The Cancer Nutrition Community and follow her on Instagram @flavorfullifestyle 

You can also get touch with her through her website stacyrobertsrd.com 

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We are so excited about this week's guests Nick & Angie Giallourakis. This son and mother duo are the co-founders of Elephants & Tea Magazine - a publication dedicated to sharing real, honest stories of the AYA cancer community. They talk about how seeing Steven, Angie's son and Nick's brother, go through not only the physical side effects, but also mental side effects of cancer, such as PTSD and anxiety, pushed them to want to make a difference in the adolescent and young adult cancer space and help other patients and survivors find comfort in others' stories. 

They give us a true view into what it's like being on the supporter side of cancer, how they got inspired for the name Elephants & Tea, and all of the other incredible support that is out there for this cancer community. 

Check out their website here: https://elephantsandtea.com/ and contact Nick at [email protected] to learn more about how to submit your story!

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We are so thrilled to have Nina on this week's episode. At the time of recording, she was three days away from her three month scan (It came back clear and she's still in remission)! We talk about how those three months after treatment are some of the hardest any cancer survivor has to go through. We get deep into talking about scanxiety, how our minds play tricks on us from the fear that we have once chemo is over, and survivors guilt and how that affects cancer patients during treatment. Nina opens up about her experience being diagnosed on the exact day the Covid-19 pandemic was announced and how being alone in the chemo room might've actually been a blessing in disguise. 

Follow Nina on Instagram @ninaluker

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This week's guest is Simran Jatar, a childhood Ewing Sarcoma survivor and current med student studying to become a pediatric oncologist! Simran was diagnosed with a super rare form of sarcoma in her right heel bone at just 8 years old. After 14 rounds of chemo, 21 blood transfusions and radiation she has been in remission for 14 years. Simran opens up about how having cancer at such a young age made her grow up very quickly in the process and how it was difficult to relate to other kids going back to school. She is now hugely involved in the cancer community and is such an inspiration! She hosts an annual toy drive at Texas Childrens' Hospital, is a counselor at Camp Periwinkle and is in her first year of med school to become a pediatric oncologist. 

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We're back and starting 2021 off with Bethany Hart! Bethany was diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer 4 years ago and has had no evidence of disease since March of 2017. Bethany opens up about being diagnosed while pregnant with her first child and how she dealt with the loss of her daughter, how important It is for women to be on top of their health, PTSD after treatment and adopting her first son! She also chats with us about her foundation Hallie Strong that she started alongside her husband Kevin. The Hallie Strong Foundation provides free care packages of fun socks for cancer patients going through treatment to provide extra comfort and a little cheer during such a difficult time. 

Donate, send a care package, or receive one at halliestrong.org and follow Bethany on all social media channels @halliestrong 

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