In this powerful conversation, G [Josie] Van Londen, MD, shares her journey with primary mitochondrial disease and the life-changing impact of the investigational drug elamipretide. She describes the invisible toll of her condition, the relief of a long-awaited diagnosis, and the real-world improvements she’s experienced on treatment. As she urges the FDA to reconsider its recent denial, Josie highlights what’s at stake—not just for herself, but for the entire rare disease community.

This link contains more resources (podcasts and news articles) as well as action items (to contact legislators and FDA). 

And here is a link to the podcast transcript with links to explain the terminology/definitions. 

General Links:

• Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/
• Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera
• G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd
• CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

In this episode, Dr. Josie welcomes Colleen Dwyer Diehl, LCSW, a clinical social worker at Cancer Bridges, to introduce an exciting new mini-series on cancer survivorship. 

Colleen shares her journey, the mission of Cancer Bridges, and the impactful programs they offer to support cancer patients and survivors. Together, they explore the Living Life Post-Cancer Treatment program, a structured initiative designed to help individuals navigate life after active treatment. 

They also introduce the five essential elements of survivorship care, which will be explored in depth in upcoming episodes. Whether you’re a survivor, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this episode offers valuable insights and resources for thriving beyond cancer.

Relevant links for this episode:

• Cancer Bridges at https://cancerbridges.org/
• Cancer Bridges Membership Forms at https://cancerbridges.org/become-a-member/
• Living Life Post Cancer Treatment at https://cancerbridges.org/specialized-programs/
• Once you become a free member and gain access to the calendar, you can view and register for the monthly Monday evening Post-Treatment group. 

General Links:

• Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/
• Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera
• G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd
• CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

In this episode, we sit down with Patrick Bringley, MA, author of All the Beauty in the World, to explore his profound journey from working at The New Yorker to spending a decade as a museum guard at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Patrick shares how the loss of his brother to cancer led him to seek solace in art, offering him space for reflection, healing, and a deeper appreciation of life’s beauty and struggles. 

We discuss the power of art in processing grief, the intersection of the mundane and the sublime, and how his time at the Met transformed his perspective. Join us for a heartfelt conversation about loss, love, and the unexpected paths that lead us toward meaning.

Relevant links for this episode: 

• https://www.patrickbringley.com/
• https://www.metmuseum.org/
• https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/04/arts/design/patrick-bringley-met-guard-memoir-play-charleston.html

General Links:

• Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/
• Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera
• G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd
• CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

Caregiving is a journey that touches many of our lives in profound and often unexpected ways. It is a role that demands resilience, compassion, and adaptability. 

In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Gary Marzolf, whose lifelong experience with caregiving began at a very young age and has evolved through decades of personal challenges and triumphs. Gary’s story offers wisdom, inspiration, and insight into navigating the delicate balance between caring for others and taking care of oneself.

Links relevant to this episode: 

• Reiki: Hands That Heal by Joyce Morris
• Reiki for Emotional Healing by Tanmaya Honervogt
• Affirmations for Living Beyond Cancer by Bernie Siegel

General Links:

• Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/
• Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera
• G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd
• CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

“A Life Beyond Reason: Chris Gabbard on Loss, Caregiving, and Spiritual Growth”

In this deeply moving episode, Chris Gabbard, PhD, MA, professor and author of A Life Beyond Reason, shares his profound journey as a caregiver to his son August, who was born with severe disabilities due to a mismanaged birth. Chris reflects on the emotional and philosophical challenges he faced during and after August’s life, discussing the profound spiritual and personal growth that caregiving brought into his life. Alongside co-hosts Brad Buchanan and Dr. G van Londen, Chris explores themes of trust in the healthcare system, the therapeutic power of writing, and the ethics of caregiving. This conversation will resonate with anyone navigating grief, caregiving, or searching for meaning in life’s most challenging moments.

Relevant links for this episode: 

• Chris Gabbard's website and link to his book "A Life Beyond Reason".
• "Unspeakable Conversations" article in the New York Times.
• Peter Singer's website. 
• Eva Feder Kittay's website. 
• Atul Gawande's book "Being Mortal".

General Links:

• Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/
• Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera
• G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd
• CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

Discover the essential tools and wisdom to empower yourself or a loved one through a cancer journey in our latest episode. Featuring author Jill Squire, BSN, RN, OCN,  and her groundbreaking book "Cancer Journey Guide and Journals: Empowerment in Diagnosis and Treatment and Beyond," we explore practical strategies to support cancer patients from diagnosis through long-term survivorship. 

This conversation promises invaluable insights into self-advocacy, effective communication, and the significance of tracking symptoms and treatments in a user-friendly format.

Engage in a heartening discussion on the power of self-care activities like birding and mindfulness, which are essential tools for managing symptoms and maintaining mental wellness. Learn how to build a robust cancer care team, navigate tough conversations with loved ones, and utilize guided journals to keep track of your journey. By sharing personal stories, practical advice, and compassionate guidance, our panel aims to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to take charge of your healthcare experience.

We also delve into the critical aspect of building trust with healthcare providers and the role of daily symptom tracking in shared decision-making. Jill Squire provides expert tips on creating useful diaries to document experiences, which can significantly enhance communication with healthcare professionals. Concluding on a light-hearted note with a pun to bring some humor, we express gratitude to Jill and reflect on the book's unique value for anyone facing a challenging diagnosis. Join us for this heartfelt and informative episode designed to uplift and empower.

Relevant links for Jill Squire: 

• Jill's first book. 
• Jill's LinkedIn profile. 
• Jill's podcast.
• Jill's facebook profile.
• Jill's Patreon profile. 
• Jill's YouTube profile. 

General Links:

• Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/
• Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera
• G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd
• CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

Could you endure the excruciating pain of cancer therapy complications and still find gratitude in the experience? Join us as Brad shares his gripping story of survival following a stem cell transplant in early 2016. Brad takes us through the agonizing process of total body irradiation, chemotherapy, and the harrowing reality of developing severe acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). His gut-wrenching account of intense pain, temporary blindness, and gastrointestinal distress, coupled with the initial misdiagnosis by his medical team, gives us a raw glimpse into the grueling battle he faced. 

Through Brad's narrative, we delve into the intricacies of managing a hostile immune system and the long-term effects of cancer treatment, such as bone health deterioration, sexual dysfunction, and difficulty swallowing. Brad's insights emphasize the importance of self-advocacy and informed decision-making within the medical landscape. Despite the overwhelming challenges, Brad's story is one of resilience and gratitude, highlighting his appreciation for the life-saving procedure and the crucial role of extracorporeal photophoresis (ECP) in his recovery. 

We also explore the emotional and relational toll of chronic illness as Brad candidly discusses the strain on his mental health and family dynamics. From managing severe health conditions while shouldering family responsibilities to the bittersweet reality of early retirement due to disability, Brad's journey sheds light on the profound impact of chronic illness on personal and professional life. 

The episode concludes with a heartfelt exchange between Brad and Josie, filled with mutual gratitude and reflections on resilience. It leaves listeners with a sense of hope and admiration for Brad’s extraordinary strength.

• Relevant links: Brad's book about GvHD and Podcast episode with Brad's wife and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's info about Graft vs Host Disease (GvHD). 

General Links:

• Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/
• Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera
• G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd
• CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

Join us as Brad and I dive into the unspoken challenges related to cancer therapies. We share our personal experiences with honesty and vulnerability. 

We had so much content that we split it into two parts. This is the first part, in which we tackle the often-overlooked subjects of fertility, intimacy, bone health, accelerated aging, and the emotionally taxing effects of stigmas associated with cancer. In future episodes, we hope to tackle these topics in more detail.

Brad and I share our stories in the hope of resonating with and supporting fellow survivors who are walking a similar path.

General Links:

• Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/
• Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera
• G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd
• CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

I sit down with Kate Washington to discuss her compelling book, "Already Toast," which delves into the profound and multifaceted caregiving journey. Kate shares her deeply personal experience of caring for her husband as he underwent a stem cell transplantation for lymphoma. We explore the highs and lows, the triumphs and challenges, and the emotional and physical toll that caregiving can take. Through her narrative, Kate provides invaluable insights and reflections that resonate with anyone who has navigated the intricate path of supporting a loved one through a serious illness. Join us for a candid and heartfelt conversation that sheds light on caregiving's often unspoken realities and complexities.

https://www.kawashington.com/already-toast.html 

General Links:

• Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/
• Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera
• G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd
• CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/

How do you navigate the turbulent waters of cancer recurrence and its treatment? 

In this emotionally charged episode, we share deeply personal stories of battling persistent abnormal cells, undergoing numerous medical procedures (surgery, radiation, and stem cell transplant), and the heart-wrenching decision to opt for treatments that come at large risk of loss of fertility, loss of life, and loss of quality of life. We will discuss the unique nature of each of our cancer journeys (Brad's lymphoma and Josie's solid tumor), all through the lens of lived experiences. Prevention strategies are also discussed. 

Helpful links:

https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/vaccine-for-hpv.html

https://bethematch.org/transplant-basics/how-blood-stem-cell-transplants-work/how-donors-and-patients-are-matched/

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/stem-cell-transplant/types-of-transplants.html

General Links:

• Disclaimers: https://cancersurvivormd.org/disclaimers/
• Brad Buchanan: https://linktr.ee/bradthechimera
• G [Josie] van Londen: https://linktr.ee/cancersurvivormd
• CancerBridges: https://cancerbridges.org/