Guest Name: Carlie Gonzalez

Carlie was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma (bone cancer) in October 2015. After seeing her doctor upon experiencing shoulder pain, a CT-scan revealed a tumor, and she was sent to Boston Children’s ER for an MRI and biopsy.  Carlie's treatment has included surgery and chemotherapy. She completed treatment in spring 2016. She used music and singing and her positive spirit to beat the disease.

 Carlie, a graduate of  Milford High School loves to sing and feels that singing has been hugely therapeutic for her since her diagnosis. She is involved with the music therapy program at the Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies at Dana-Farber. Carlie is grateful to the Jimmy Fund, Dana Farber Cancer Center, The Boston Red Sox and the town of Milford for their endless support. "Life is Like a Song to Me" is a children's book which shares the story of  Carlie Gonzalez of Milford MA and her fight and ultimate recovery from cancer.

Purchase her book, “Life is Like a Song to Me” here:

https://tinyurl.com/466n6cb8

In this episode:

• 2:03 Hear about Carlie’s reaction to her cancer diagnosis at the age of 14.
• 4:42 How Carlie stayed positive through her diagnosis and treatment, and the emotional roller coaster for her and her family. 
• 7:57 A unique view on destiny coming into play: taking a bad situation and turning it around to spread positivity and help others. “Everything is meant to be.”
• 8:55 Carlie and her medical team use music to pass the time by singing in the hospital. Check out the video here!
• 10:55 Holding onto hope “even the size of a mustard seed” and Charlie’s advice for others who have been diagnosed with cancer. 
• 12:45 Music was a driving force behind Carlie’s healing process and self-expression. It was a form of self care for her. Hear about how she felt not being able to sing for a period of time.
• 14:55 Navigating the aftermath of treatment. Healing as a survivor and what it means for family and friends. The difficulties Carlie had with going back to school.
• 20:52 The hard truths about friendships: how some relationships grow stronger and others falter. The importance of staying in a community and not self isolating.

This is a One Mission Podcast.

Cancer can steal a kid’s childhood – we help them get it back through
programs and activities that foster friendship, fun, and positive
distractions from treatment. Whether it’s putting on holiday
celebrations, providing art and music therapy or paying for expensive
hospital parking, we make life brighter for children and their families
from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond.

https://onemission.org/

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This podcast is presented by Provident Healthcare Partners.