Cancer U Thrivers

Ginny Dent Brant is a speaker, writer, counselor, educator, and wellness advocate. Brant’s triple award-winning book Unleash Your God-Given Healing: Eight Steps to Prevent and Survive Cancer was written with an oncologist after her cancer journey. Her cancer prevention blog is at www.ginnybrant.com.

• 01:26: Would you please take us back to the very beginning of your cancer journey?
• 03:23: My absolute worst moment was when I met with the surgical oncologist after my MRI.
• 05:11: We didn't know how far the cancer had spread at that point.
• 07:01: Did you stay at Cancer Treatment Centers of America?
• 09:20: I do know this: people that have healthy lifestyle habits do better in the cancer treatment journey.
• 11:12: By the time they removed the tumor and cleared the margins, it left me with a small breast which was fine.
• 13:03: I ended up doing two miles that day.
• 15:18: I was able to put a routine together that not only oxygenated my body but held my bone density.
• 17:16: I'm curious what you think about Chinese medicine. Because in Chinese medicine, certain emotions reside in certain organs of the body.
• 19:31: I find this research that shows that grief can suppress the immune system.
• 21:28: I believe it was that acupuncture; she was stimulating my red blood cells to build themselves back up.
• 24:00: What was your best moment in all of this?
• 26:40: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why?
• 28:50: You must be your own best advocate because cancer is a huge money-making business.
• 30:00: I was their first patient to get the Vitamin C infusions 24 hours before chemotherapy.
• 31:38: Are you ready for the Thriver Rapid Fire questions?
• 33:29: What is one resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

• Ginny’s website
• Ginny on Facebook
• Unleash Your God-Given Healing: Eight Steps to Prevent and Survive Cancer

Joy Clausen Soto is the founder of the annual Dolphin Interaction Program for patients from Rady Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Joy is a Stage 2 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor, a dolphin trainer, TEDx speaker, and the director and subject of the documentary Just One Year –A story of triumph over cancer.

• 01:46: I had this cough, and the cough wouldn't go away, kept getting worse and worse instead of better.
• 03:45: We went to urgent care which is right around the corner from where he lived.
• 05:10: The next week I was diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin's lymphoma and my diagnosis ended up changing.
• 07:50: What did the doctor tell you about the diagnosis and what were your expectations about it?
• 09:27: That's one of the things I would tell people to do is to make sure you get someone else to check out your slides to make sure it is what it is.
• 11:07: Did you have to go down to Children's Hospital Los Angeles?
• 13:03: What happened with film school?
• 17:06: He was there for me for every single chemotherapy treatment, every blood transfusion.
• 19:32: Did you go back to film school?
• 22:12: You have to be selfish and that's what I did.
• 24:09: What was your worst moment?
• 26:20: What was your best moment?
• 27:47: What is one thing you wish you had known at the very beginning of your cancer journey?
• 28:36: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why?
• 30:11: Are you ready for the Thriver Rapid Fire questions?
• 32:16: Aside from Cancer U, what would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

• Joy’s website
• Joy on LinkedIn
• Joy’s book: Joy: The story of a dolphin trainer, filmmaker, and cancer survivor
• Joy’s documentary
• Joy’s TED Talk

In 2018, Helen King was diagnosed with HER2 + breast cancer. She was 37 years old and had no family history. Everything happened quickly once she was diagnosed. Two weeks later, after a biopsy, she had her right breast removed and 24 lymph nodes removed. Then she endured 18 months of treatment. Cancer has had a profound impact on her life.

• 02:31: I just found a lump in my breast by chance in the shower and it was the day before I was starting a new job.
• 04:33: They can't confirm cancer until they have those biopsy results.
• 06:01: Did they give you any options about the mastectomy?
• 09:16: I just think it would have been a much easier option in a lot of ways, to not have either breast.
• 10:50: I had a mastectomy, fertility treatment, and then went straight into chemotherapy.
• 14:51: I guess when you when people have had cancer, they'll understand that everything comes down to percentages.
• 16:34: I think the hardest time in my experience is afterward.
• 18:10: You are not alone and there's just not enough for survivors.
• 20:31: I don't think people realize just how much a cancer diagnosis impacts you.
• 22:54: I was put into menopause during my treatment.
• 24:32: How does it feel knowing your mammogram is coming up?
• 25:59: What was your best moment in every all of this?
• 27:26: What is the one thing you wish you had known at the beginning of your cancer journey?
• 27:52: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in New Zealand would it be and why?
• 29:17: Because of the way that things are funded, we just don't have the same access to the drugs that you guys have.
• 30:13: Are you ready for the Thriver Rapid Fire questions?
• 31:55: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

• The C-Word — Kiwis Talk About Cancer
• C-Word Radio
• Email Helen at [email protected]

Known as the Insightful Copywriter, Gloria Grace Rand shows service-based entrepreneurs how to create a business with more Impact, Influence, and Income! She is an inspirational speaker and author of the best-seller Live. Love. Engage. – How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Start Being Yourself.

• 01:42: Tell us about the cancer journey and how you became the caregiver.
• 03:31: What she had was a grapefruit-sized tumor that was wrapped around her muscle.
• 04:59: Her oncologist even said that the chances of her getting this cancer were like getting hit by lightning.
• 07:22: She had to be in a wheelchair and so she couldn't drive either.
• 10:26: She was just taking longer and longer to come back because it was depleting her white blood cells.
• 12:00: She went into the hospital because she had a bowel obstruction.
• 14:27: She went off to college when I was seven years old and did not move back home again.
• 16:28: Of all those hurdles which one was the most difficult for you?
• 20:18: Children leave, so do husbands and lovers, but sisters are the only ones with us from birth till death.
• 22:43: She was talking with someone about end-of-life things.
• 24:57: I do know that the meditating did help me.
• 27:57: What is the one thing that you wish you had known at the beginning of this journey with your sister?
• 29:21: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why?
• 31:19: Are you ready for the Thriver Rapid Fire questions?
• 33:38: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?
• 36:40: Friday mornings I would drive out and sit for a couple of hours and write in my notebook.
• 39:03: I dedicated it to Michaela because I really felt that it was that journey that she was on that really sparked this.

Resources

• Buy Gloria’s book
• Gloria’s website
• Gloria on Facebook
• Email Gloria
• Call Gloria 1.786.942.8321

Bami Adenipekun founded Inspired To Soar with the mission to give everyone impacted by cancer the tools to live fulfilling lives. Bami has been a patient and loved one of someone with cancer. She infuses every client with positivity and helps to restore their confidence so they can achieve audacious goals.

• 01:30: The beginning of my cancer journey was when my late mother was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 42 in Nigeria.
• 03:13: You were diagnosed when you underwent a double mastectomy to prevent cancer.
• 05:05: They decided to go into my lymph nodes to make sure it hadn't spread.
• 07:17: I'd also seen the impact of chemotherapy not just on my sister but my friends.
• 10:25: Where were you living and getting your health care?
• 12:03: It just makes things so very difficult for myself and my younger siblings.
• 15:00: How has that [mother and sister’s deaths] impacted you?
• 17:05: Sisters are the only ones with you from birth till death.
• 19:25: How has your experience been as the daughter and sister of a cancer patient versus being a patient yourself?
• 21:21: If you don't have the answers then find somebody who has the answers.
• 25:30: I always say this every human being wants to be heard, wants to be understood.
• 27:17: They give you the sleeve and the whole point is that the sleeve helps to redirect the fluid to where it needs to go.
• 28:13: What was your worst moment?
• 30:09: What was your best moment?
• 32:40: If you could only do one thing to improve health care where you live in the UK, what would it be and why?
• 34:05: Don't just dismiss them, listen to them, get them the test that they need.
• 35:05: Are you ready for the Thriver Rapid Fire questions?
• 36:42: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

• Bami’s Coaching Website
• Bami on LinkedIn

Marci Greenberg Cox is the author of Mommy Has a Boo-Boo: Explaining Breast Cancer to Children. In 2018, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer, had a double mastectomy with no reconstruction, and is now cancer-free.

• 02:02: Maybe it's just something because I overdid a weight.
• 04:40: She gets on the phone, and you hear those words, I am so sorry you have cancer.
• 06:37: I mean as soon as I found out, I was on the phone with doctors.
• 08:58: She goes it's because I smoked.
• 10:13: I had that choice of a lumpectomy versus a double mastectomy.
• 12:08: It was a 13-hour surgery.
• 14:14: I'm done because I said no more surgeries.
• 17:40: I'm very happy with my decision because I have a whole new wardrobe.
• 20:20: Did you have to have any other treatment?
• 22:43: It's going to put me into menopause.
• 24:51: I'm on that pill for 10 years.
• 26:58: What was your worst moment during all of this?
• 29:34: That was a game-changer for me because I didn't get sick after that.
• 30:25: What was your best moment out of all of this?
• 33:10: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the U.S., what would it be and why?
• 35:44: Are you ready for the Thriver Rapid Fire questions?
• 37:13: Aside from Cancer U, what is a resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?
• 39:45: You've got to have those discussions because those kids are so intuitive.
• 42:06: It's all this practical stuff that you learn.

Resources

• Marci’s website
• Marci’s Facebook page
• Call Marci at 480.695.9683
• Email Marci

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Karla Mans Giroux is a cancer thriver living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Karla was originally diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. Eleven years later, a metastatic cancer challenge arose. With a goal to live to be 100+, this did not align, and so she began to manage the hell out of this challenge.

• 01:13: Can you take us back to that first journey with breast cancer?
• 03:00: I had a head-shaving party.
• 05:10: I felt the lump on my own and I thought oh this isn't right.
• 06:57: I went for a free flap reconstruction.
• 09:09: What is one of your theories and what did you change?
• 12:02: What changes those cancer cells from being able to grow and not die off in the way that they're supposed to?
• 13:23: Eleven years later it came back.
• 15:24: There was something suspicious on my spine.
• 17:20: You've got a history of breast cancer and now we see it in the bone.
• 19:21: They never actually got a clean biopsy.
• 21:12: I kept at my lifestyle changes and continue to look at whatever toxins in my life I can control.
• 23:23: I did it because it was the right thing to do, but I stepped up my game.
• 25:09: All those classes are always constantly preparing you for some performance.
• 27:08: What was your worst moment?
• 29:27: The worst [moment] was the metastatic diagnosis and just the fear that came up from that diagnosis and not understanding what that meant.
• 31:47: What was your best moment?
• 33:10: If you could only do one thing to improve health care in the U.S., what would it be and why?
• 34:57: Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.
• 36:54: Are you ready for the Thriver Rapid Fire questions?
• 40:32: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?
• 43:02: I have found that an integrative approach that [with] conventional meds and these lifestyle changes can make the world of difference for people.

Resources

• Karla’s personal website
• Karla’s Health Navigator website
• Call Karla at 1.847.902.0659
• Email Karla

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. 

Cathy is a graduate of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, a Certified Professional Cancer Coach, and a breast cancer survivor. Her personal and professional experience has given her a profound understanding of the importance of cultivating health during cancer care and for cancer prevention.

• 02:20: My mom had had breast cancer five years before me.
• 04:37: If that technician had not grabbed me on my way out the door it could have been much worse.
•  05:54: She said we found some in the lymph nodes and I started to cry right away.
•  08:10: I had you know for safety’s sake I think they took out 13 of them.
•  10:19: Did you do the reconstruction after chemo and radiation?
•  12:29: Why did you choose reconstruction?
•  14:30: My thought process was I want to do everything in my power to never go through this again.
•  16:09: I didn't ask other people's opinions about what I should do.
•  18:15: I don't want to dive into things that I really can't do anything with.
•  20:30: What they do is they can take the fat and they can put it up into the breast area.
•  22:04: My cancer was estrogen positive.
•  25:30: What was your worst moment?
•  29:05: What was your best moment?
•  32:40: It took a while for it to sink in.
•  34:48: What is the one thing that you wish you had known at the beginning of your cancer journey?
•  36:10: If you could do only one thing to improve health care in Canada, what would it be and why?
•  37:05: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
•  38:10: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

• Cathy’s website
• Cathy on Facebook
• Call Cathy 416.473.1299
• Email Cathy

Onyx Keesha is an award-winning director of film and stage. She is passionate about telling women’s stories. Her art is her activism. After being diagnosed with breast cancer and enduring surgery, 20 weeks of chemo, and 9 weeks of radiation she now has a new perspective on life. One she is ready to share.

• 02:03: I was able to catch my breast cancer when it came relatively soon.
• 04:08: My treatment was very aggressive because I had it at such a young age.
• 06:14: He gave me the push to fight and that's what I did.
• 08:07: My doctor said 20 weeks of chemo.
• 10:44: I traveled when I was on chemo.
• 12:15: Now we're onto the hormone therapy for 5 – 10 years.
• 15:13: I had to do is continue to show up and continue to fight.
• 17:54: That's the journey I'm starting right now and talking to a holistic doctor.
• 19:03: What was your worst moment?
• 21:25: What was your best moment?
• 22:39: Did you already have that community before being diagnosed?
• 25:12: I just think it's important that as women, we share our stories.
• 26:05: What is the one thing you wish you'd known at the very beginning of your cancer journey?
• 29:42: If you could do one thing it's hard to improve health care in the US, what would it be and why?
• 32:30: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
• 34:23: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

 Resources

• Onyx on Facebook
• Email Onyx

Karey Spransy is a stage IV-4 colon cancer survivor who uses her experience to teach others how to be more resilient through the Joy Of Moving On. She uses grace and humor to make you laugh, cry, and cry-laugh about the absurdities of life and feel inspired to find your JOMO.

• 02:20: We met in the totally again romcom way at a sales conference in the US.
• 04:10: Yoga was just part of my routine, at least three or four days a week.
• 06:19: I'm in so much pain, I can hardly stand up straight.
• 08:32: They’ve got to make sure that my colostomy is working properly.
• 10:05: My mother had already beaten breast cancer.
• 12:14: Colon cancer was not even on my radar at all.
• 14:03: I was incredibly sensitive to cold, even room temperature water felt like I was drinking glass.
• 15:57: So instead of there being a green stem, that's the exit for your body.
• 18:26: That thing on your left ovary has grown.
• 20:04: I went on the family medical leave act at that point.
• 22:06: I told my friends and family how much they loved me.
• 24:30: I ended up getting a full hysterectomy.
• 26:26: With a colostomy, you can pretty much eat like you normally do because it's way down in your colon, and it comes out like normal solid stool.
• 28:13: I still get bad bouts of diarrhea that will keep me home for two or three days at a time.
• 29:12: What was your worst moment?
• 32:31: What was your best moment?
• 34:08: What is one thing you wish you had known at the beginning of your cancer journey?
• 36:10: What is one thing that you would do to improve health care in the US?
• 38:59: Thriver Rapid Fire Questions
• 40:20: Aside from Cancer U, what is one resource that you would recommend for cancer patients and caregivers?

Resources

• Karey’s website
• Karey on Instagram
• Email Karey