Jordana Edelstein is a nutrition coach, mom and daughter from New Jersey. Her work was born out of her own experience of finding healing with body image and relationship to food. She helps others find tools to show up as their best self and build healthy relationships through food, movement, mindset and more. You can find out more about her here: https://www.jordanaedelstein.com/

In this conversation, we talk about the ups and downs of being a caregiver to a parent with cancer. Jordana shares in such a beautiful way the love for her mother and the story of their journey together. So grateful to have her on the podcast. Thanks for wearing the cancerpants and sharing your experiences with us! 

Music: “Right Where I Belong” by Wendy Colonna www.wendycolonna.com

Cover Art Photo credit: Suzanne Koett https://www.suzannekoett.com/

Serial entrepreneur, recovering marketer, film lover and admitted live music groupie, Becky prides herself in fostering an uplifting work environment where everyone's superpowers are welcomed. Becky began her career in the marketing world, most notably as co-founder and President of Mercury Mambo, a 20-year multicultural experiential marketing agency. In 2019, She jumped head-first into the Insurance Industry, quickly developing a love for all things insurance. She's passionate about working with business owners, entrepreneurs and families. When not working alongside her great agency team, Becky plays an active role in strengthening her community serving as a Board Member for the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Mamma Jamma Bike Ride for Breast Cancer. She earned a BA from Texas Tech University and a Masters in Advertising at The University of Texas at Austin. She feeds her love for cycling and all things bike, by maintaining a part-time, ok really some-time, job at the best bike store in Austin, Trek Bikes Lamar.

In this episode, Becky and Rochelle talk about big life pivots, how cancer creates the opportunity for really big things to happen, how her life is different because of cancer, the gifts of cancer vs. the cancer itself and the story behind the Annual Texas Mamma Jamma Bike ride. Thank you, Becky for beautifully reminding us what cancer teaches.  

Texas Mamma Jamma https://www.mammajammaride.org/
Music: 

“Right Where I Belong” by Wendy Colonna www.wendycolonna.com

Cover Art Photo credit: 

Suzanne Koett https://www.suzannekoett.com/

In this episode, the host of Cancerpants, Rochelle Trudo goes solo to share some of her journey with cancer in regards to body image, chemo weight and some ideas about giving yourself time to heal. She’ll be back next week with a new interview. 

Did you know? Rochelle works with Cancer Thrivers and caregivers providing accessible Mind Body Therapy, book groups and more. Follow the link to book a free 30 minute discovery call to learn more about how her work might help you. BOOK NOW

If you’d like to share your story here on the Cancerpants podcast, you can email Rochelle directly at [email protected] or you can text @ 512.820.4965. 

Music: 

“Right Where I Belong” by Wendy Colonna www.wendycolonna.com

Cover Art Photo credit: 

Suzanne Koett https://www.suzannekoett.com/

Kim Vieira is a resident of Kennebunk and is employed by Camden National Bank as a Senior Vice President, Market Manager working with the business community to support their growth needs. She is a single mom to three adult children and is passionate about supporting needs in her community through volunteering and board positions in various organizations.

In this episode Kim shares with me the story of her cancer experience to date. We chatted about treatment during covid and how she stayed in lock down to make sure she didn’t get sick and miss her surgeries. Kim also shares three ways she feels cancer has changed her life. Her positivity is real and honest. Kim has a huge heart and I am happy to be living in the same community with her. Thank you Kim for being here and being YOU! 

Medical terminology mentioned in the episode:

Characteristics of Cancer Tumors (ER/PR+, HER 2 NEG, ETC)

Expanders

Lumpectomy

Bilateral Mastectomy

Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer

Hormone Blocking Medication for breast cancer treatment

Music: 

“Right Where I Belong” by Wendy Colonna www.wendycolonna.com

Cover Art:

Suzanne Koett https://www.suzannekoett.com/

This is a special bonus episode with an amazing stress resiliency coach. Our conversation covers: 

Jessica’s story, Importance of learning how your body and brain work, managing stress, importance of breath work, how consistency of practice is important to making significant changes in our habits and patterns around stress, advocating for self and self care to alleviate stress, cultivating your space and what you put in your mind, moving forward in your own way, being realistic about mindset and attitude in the thick of cancer treatment, watching out for shame and being intentional about taking care of yourself, celebrating all the accomplishments big and small, resiliency. This was an amazing conversation and I hope you enjoy these wisdom gems that Jessica provides with so much passion! 

Music: 

“Right Where I Belong” by Wendy Colonna www.wendycolonna.com

Cover Art:

Suzanne Koett https://www.suzannekoett.com/

Julie Nielson has been teaching at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaird for 34 years. She lives in Austin, Texas with her wife and very magical cat. She is a dear friend to many and is always the life of the party with her beautiful smile and upbeat spirit. 

Julie was Rochelle’s Partner when she went through cancer treatment. This is a trip down memory lane as Rochelle asks Julie some intimate questions about that experience they shared 12 years ago. 

Some of the things they cover in the conversation:

Getting a cancer diagnosis, knowers, emotions when you find out your partner has cancer,

self-care while caring for a loved one with cancer, fighting vs. embracing cancer, resiliency, Nature, the iimportance of community, embracing change, getting support as a support person and more! 

Music: 

“Right Where I Belong” by Wendy Colonna www.wendycolonna.com

Cover Art:

Suzanne Koett https://www.suzannekoett.com/

A survivor of Stage II triple negative breast cancer and DCIS (Stage 0 breast cancer), Angela Patterson hails from Texas but now lives in Colorado with her husband and teenager. She is finishing up a doctorate of business administration and works as an analyst.

This is an intimate conversation about her journey with breast cancer. Here are some of the topics we cover:

Poetry 

Endurance

Change

Diagnosis during pregnancy

Being a new mom and getting cancer treatment

Helpful Community… (Lot’s of Lasagna)

Processing grief

Tips on supporting your loved ones who are going through treatment. 

Finding meaning and metaphor in the visceral experience of having cancer.

Empowerment in treatment and what is right for you. 

Breast Cancer Resource Center Pink Ribbon Cowgirls Support Group

Music: 

“Right Where I Belong” by Wendy Colonna www.wendycolonna.com

Cover Art:

Suzanne Koett https://www.suzannekoett.com/