Cancer U Thrivers

Steven is a Confidence Coach helping people leverage their strengths to take action.

• 00:33: In November 1986, Stephen Sullivan was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia, also known as AML.
• 02:23: I had him get on the phone and talk to my dad.
• 03:58: There's so much beauty around you, stop and appreciate it.
• 06:16: I didn't realize at the time is it nearly killed me.
• 08:26: The treatment plan was pretty standard back then. They said that they would do three rounds of induction with chemotherapy.
• 12:43: I came down with a serious illness that put me back in the hospital.
• 15:02: We discovered that I picked up hepatitis C.
• 17:33: I really questioned whether to even pursue any more treatment.
• 20:16: We've successfully achieved remission again, but because you relapsed, you're probably going to relapse again.
• 22:40: I was fortunate my father was a physician [and] had access to medical libraries.
• 26:04: I'm going to live with my remission as long as I have it.
• 27:34: Do you think that there's a tendency in that Hippocratic oath to do no harm, do you think there is a tendency specifically in cancer to overtreat?
• 31:53: What was your worst moment?
• 34:04: What was your best moment?
• 38:25: What is that one thing you wish you had known at the very beginning of your cancer journey?
• 39:20: If you could do only one thing to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why?
• 40:20: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
• 41:47: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

• American Cancer Society
• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
• Connect with Steven on LinkedIn

Gary Burley is a retired National Football League (NFL) veteran. And he’s been in a Superbowl. Gary is also a cancer survivor whose mission after recovery has been to pay it forward.

• 00:33: Gary Burley is a retired National Football League veteran and he's actually been in a Super Bowl.
• 02:07: One day I started noticing my knee would swell.
• 04:05: I'm thinking all right, you're going to have to find a donor.
• 06:07: I took more antibiotics and medicines than you could ever dream of.
• 08:35: I went back to the doctor to find out that I needed a kidney transplant.
• 10:18: You’re going to have to do dialysis at some point, not right now, but get all your affairs in order.
• 12:14: How can we help other people that are going through this?
• 14:10: If I hadn't gotten early detection, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you today.
• 16:14: You're so talented that you might want to consider going to college.
• 18:09: I land in the middle of the night in a town that I've never been in before.
• 20:08: He said cultivate every relationship that you possibly can because you're only going to play for so long, that’s why they call the NFL not for long.
• 23:38: What was your worst moment?
• 24:50: What was your best moment?
• 26:48: What is the one thing you wish you had known at the very beginning of your cancer journey?
• 27:42: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why?
• 31:00: Every year there's a fight to get federal dollars for cancer and it's a struggle.
• 33:54: People just don't realize how serious cancer is until you get it.
• 34:45: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
• 36:02: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

• UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Prostart Academy
• Email Gary
• Gary on Facebook

About the sponsor

This episode is sponsored by Side Effect Support, an online resource for cancer patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers to reduce harmful oral side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

• Go to SideEffectSupport.com
• Get 10% off your first order with the coupon code CANCERU. 

Dr. Shani Fox guides cancer survivors through their greatest challenges, including taming fear of recurrence, repairing devastated relationships and making the most of the life they survived for. “For all the excuses I could think of, the dream wouldn’t go away.”

• 00:25: Dr. Shani Fox guides cancer survivors through their greatest challenges.
• 02:55: That’s quite a life to have lived where you can say that you live your life exactly the way you wanted to be able to live it.
• 05:46: I realized that actually, ever since I was a child, I really wanted to be a doctor.
• 09:05: Tell us how you went about that. What it was like and how did you create this new career?
• 12:05: Nine months later, I was accepted to medical school and decided I would move.
• 14:11: Cancer takes us down to the bottom of the bottom.
• 16:05: We really help people get back to a place where they feel okay.
• 18:25: Primarily I'm known now for helping people fighting people through this after journey.
• 20:55: What is one thing that you wish you had known at the beginning of your father's cancer journey?
• 25:50: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why?
• 28:20: Yeah, people are addicted to food. They need to stop, and it’s an addiction.
• 29:38: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
• 30:33: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

• Reach out to Dr. Shani Fox
• Dr. Shani Fox’s Facebook page
• Women Rising Beyond Cancer Facebook Group

Joel Evans was the first person in his family to go to college. While he was working, he was a part-time MBA student. He then switched to full-time status and got his Ph.D. For 44 years, he was a business professor at Hofstra University. He has a great wife, two adult daughters, and two sons-in-law. Right now, he’s teaching a class virtually for graduate students in product management. He is a professor emeritus.

• 00:33: Joel Evans was the first person in his family to go to college.
• 02:02: So, I got the CT scan and then he said I want you to come over to my office.
• 04:10: There was a lot of stuff he didn't tell me because he didn't want me to get more nervous.
• 07:33: And I said, we're not canceling the wedding, and I am going to be there.
• 09:11: Can you explain what the Whipple [surgery] is?
• 11:46: He was able to get all the cancer out.
• 13:08: For those that are not diagnosed early enough to have surgery, the mortality is usually within six months.
• 16:13: You need to work with a doctor that considers you to be an adult and talks to you.
• 18:40: We’re going to work as hard as you do to make sure you live as well as possible for as long as possible.
• 20:01: I also had low white blood cell counts a few times.
• 23:08: I think it makes a huge difference when patients have a goal.
• 24:22: I started to sit down, and I got dizzy. And that's the last thing I remember until I was in the hospital.
• 26:13: I promised myself that I was not going to miss any other time after the surgery until I retired.
• 29:10: I didn't want to steal from her center of attention, but every time people saw me, they started crying.
• 31:10: What was the worst moment for you during all of this?
• 36:02: What was your best moment?
• 36:45: What is one thing that you wish you had known at the beginning of your cancer journey?
• 39:10: If you can only do change one thing to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why?
• 40:10: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
• 41:58: Aside from Cancer U, what is a resource that you recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

• Joel’s book Surviving Cancer and Embracing Life: My Personal Journey
• Joel’s blog Survivingcancerembracinglife.com
• Email Joel [email protected]

Cancer has plagued Krystal Barter’s family for generations: her Mum at 36, her Nan at 44, and her great-grandma at 68. In her twenties, Krystal discovered this was not by chance, but that she was the carrier of a genetic mutation, BRCA1. At the age of 25, she surgically removed her breasts and she became a preventative cancer advocate launching Pink Hope.

• 01:10: Why don't you take us back to the beginning of your cancer journey?
• 03:25: The only two survivors in my family are myself and my mom.
• 05:39: I don't ever think I ever really got my mom back.
• 07:20: How did it affect your relationship with your mother?
• 09:24: How much are they aware of this family history from a young age?
• 11:05: When did you get tested? Why was that the right time? And what did you do?
• 13:50: The geneticist said Krystal you're positive, but your outcome will be completely different.
• 17:14: I went for a mammogram every year and an ultrasound.
• 18:58: I decided that I was going to try and help others get access to genetic testing.
• 20:58: I've had lots more surgeries that pale in comparison to the mastectomy.
• 23:18: I shared my story on 60 Minutes.
• 27:20: I found it hard to get the support I needed.
• 29:13: It was hard being in high school and hating my breasts in my own body.
• 29:40: What was your worst moment?
• 31:14: I had to have everything removed, obviously [a] hysterectomy.
• 35:18: What is one thing that you would do to improve the health care system in Australia?
• 39:23: We have lobbied for change for BRCA gene testing.
• 42:05: The health care system is broken and that's being kind.
• 42:53: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
• 44:30: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

• Pink Hope
• Pink Hope on Instagram
• Facing Hereditary Cancer Empowered (FORCE)
• Krystal on LinkedIn
• We Humanise Health

Stephanie Warner is a midwest cancer survivor and thriver. With twenty years of nursing experience and four years of surviving cancer behind her, she brings compassion and support to help others through value-based teaching and mentoring. She shows others how to embrace their strength and thrive in their own lives.

• 02:42: Since this is the first time that I'm seeing you, let's just go ahead and let's just do an exam.
• 07:24; There was an overwhelming sense of fear.
• 09:19: I was sitting there for an hour and I was so sick.
• 12:04: It’s so overwhelming with the diagnosis right away and there's so much information.
• 14:19: My tumor size was at its maximum size.
• 15:53: It was five hours of surgery.
• 18:44: Was there any discussion about harvesting your eggs at all?
• 19:58: I came out of recovery and I was in a lot of pain afterward.
• 22:33. It just got to the point where my cycles were so beyond painful.
• 24:37: So how do you think being a nurse shaped your cancer experience?
• 28:30: They removed 27 lymph nodes in my pelvic area.
• 29:50: It looked like a rash starting that isn't very typical or common.
• 32:19: I went to pick something up and I felt like my pelvis was going to snap in half.
• 34:39: I've learned that if I stay very active, these things don't flare up as much.
• 36:35: Based on your diagnosis, we are willing to contribute funding to your egg retrieval.
• 38:32: We came out of that retrieval and 13 eggs were able to be retrieved.
• 39:37: What is the one thing you wish you had known at the very beginning of your cancer journey?
• 40:32: If you could do only one thing to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why?
• 41:59: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
• 42:50: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers? 

Resources

• American Cancer Society
• Livestrong
• Email Stephanie at [email protected]
• Call Stephanie at 507.380.5431

Victorianne Russell Walton is a two-time Breast Cancer Survivor. She is a CEO, a Breast Cancer Advocate, a Motivational Speaker, Radio Host, Lifestyle Coach, Chronic Disease Instructor, and Oncology Patient Navigator Trainer.

• 03:15: I know my body; I knew that there was a problem.
• 05:24: The oncologist that I was seeing, on my third request, he told me to stop calling.
• 07:00: When he relayed the message that I was interrupting his golf game, I was furious.
• 09:07: Do you believe your physical doctor or your spiritual doctor?
• 11:33: They put these pins in you, so they know where the tumor is.
• 13:14: My fingernails fell off, my toenails fell off, my mouth turned black, my teeth cracked.
• 15:21: What was your worst moment?
• 16:19: What was your best moment?
• 18:00: Not only was it back, but it mutated to triple-negative.
• 20:45: Everybody has a journey, and everyone's journey is different.
• 22:04: I listened to those messages and they remind me of who I am.
• 24:16: And I said, sir, you'll kill me before I kill you.
• 26:40: When they took him to the emergency room, the doctors discovered the cancer.
• 28:23: She said, oh my gosh, you didn't die.
• 32:14: I'm still here for a reason.
• 36:33: And the next day it's like, okay, what can I do? Who needs my help?
• 38:15: What is the one thing you wish you had known at the beginning of your cancer journey?
• 40:26: What is one thing you would do to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why?
• 43:25: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
• 44:00: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

• Call Vicki at 301-442-5105

Randy Lopez is a featured spokesperson for the Colon Cancer Alliance and a stage four cancer survivor. He was featured in CNN’s Special Investigation Saving Your Life hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Randy appeared on CBS’ Health Watch Colorectal Cancer Digestive Health Awareness Webcast hosted by Dr. Travis Stork of The Doctors. He was previously a board member for the National Colon Cancer Coalition based in Minnesota.

• 00:25: Randy is a featured spokesperson for the Colon Cancer Alliance and a stage four cancer survivor.
• 02:16: She just did a digital exam and told me it was an internal hemorrhoid.
• 04:33: I remember just being so painful.
• 06:26: That went well and then went through chemo.
• 08:10: Did they take a portion of your colon out?
• 10:01: By that time, we had just moved back to California.
• 12:23: We’re not recommending you go through chemo again.
• 14:45: I was doing meditation to keep my mind going.
• 16:15: How long was this sort of second treatment?
• 18:33: We're grateful for the doctors.
• 20:15: But if I saw people that are going through cancer, they're in their 70's.
• 22:04: I found five or six people who had survived stage four liver cancer, exactly what my sister had.
• 24:43: What was your best moment during all of this?
• 26:41: I think you definitely find out who your friends are.
• 28:18: I remember sitting in the passenger seat and looking out the window and I just lost it.
• 30:25: I wanted to hear the word change and when we finally heard the words change, it was bad news.
• 32:10: I don't want to forget that there were days that I did not feel at all like I can't even cope.
• 35:28: I just went to have an endoscopy just this last week.
• 36:37: What is the one thing you wish you had known at the very beginning?
• 37:30: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why I would change?
• 38:59: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
• 40:12: And aside from Cancer U, what is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

• Tweet Randy @randylopez or @stage4survivor
• Randy’s Theatre company
• Faces of Blue: Check Your Colon
• Check Your Colon at Mount Kilimanjaro

Grace Charrier is a global patient leader and public health advocate serving on several international cancer and health panels. Grace also serves as a Legislative Ambassador for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS-CAN) where she enables conversations and collaborations.

• 00:33: Grace Charrier is a global patient leader and public health advocate serving on several international cancer and health panels.
• 02:33: I just fell in my bathroom.
• 05:09: And that was when it was discovered.
• 07:45: I had to be as positive as possible and make affirmations that I was going to get out of it.
• 10:25: That was chemotherapy. I couldn't keep anything down.
• 12:24: Did you choose to do reconstruction at all?
• 14:30: How is your daughter during all of this?
• 16:30: We’re on top of this, we're on top of this mom, we're going to get through it.
• 18:16: My worst moment was sitting in limbo, waiting.
• 19:40: What was your best moment during this time?
• 23:04: Now my money goes on charities.
• 24:46: Especially where I come from, cancer is considered a death sentence.
• 27:34: What is one thing you wish you had known at the very beginning of your cancer journey?
• 29:30: How do you tackle having a relationship now?
• 32:55: If you want me for who I am then and I love you and you love me, that shouldn't be the problem, right?
• 35:18: When you're not looking, you're just being yourself, focusing on yourself being your best self, that's when the right person shows up.
• 37:24: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why?
• 43:40: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
• 44:35: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers? 

Resources

• Impossicant!: Quirky Inspirational Tales From A Cancer Survivor (Grace’s book)
• American Cancer Society
• The Lancet

T.J. Sharpe is a Stage IV melanoma patient who shares his journey through cancer in the Patient #1 blog. He was diagnosed in August 2012 with melanoma tumors in multiple organs, four weeks after his son was born, undergoing six surgeries and four immunotherapy treatments over two clinical trials.

• 00:34: T.J. Sharpe is a stage four melanoma patient who shares his journey through cancer in the patient number one blog.
• 02:15: With your history of melanoma and these spots on a chest X-ray, we think you have a recurrence of your cancer.
• 04:26: How did you know the first time that you even had melanoma at that early stage?
• 06:36: The tumor in my small bowel was 8.5 centimeters, so I had that for a while.
• 08:23: The oncologist tells her that her husband's going to be dead in two years.
• 10:10: I had a colostomy bag for 2.5 years.
• 14:16: Tell us about the first clinical trial
• 16:15: I went from being the first person in this trial to talking through my entire cancer journey.
• 17:28: What was your worst moment during all of this?
• 19:45: What was your best moment?
• 21:47: They finally said that they don't think I had any active cancer.
• 23:57: How do you look at your life differently now than before?
• 26:17: What is the one thing that you wish you had known at the very beginning of your cancer journey?
• 28:30: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why?
• 34:55: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
• 36:16: And aside from Cancer U, what is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers? 

Resources

• Stupid Cancer
• Cancer Support Community
• First Descents
• TJ Sharpe’s Website
• Tweet TJ @teamTJSharpe
• TJ on Facebook