Episodes - The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast

Join Alicia and Shona from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as they speak with Dr. Racquel Innis-Shelton, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the University of Alabama Multiple Myeloma Clinic at the University of Alabama. On this episode, Dr. Innis-Shelton describes the process for a bone marrow transplant, the difference between autologous and allogeneic transplant, how a patient is screened for transplant, post-transplant symptoms, and adjustments that may be made to a person’s treatment plan after transplant. Dr. Shelton shares news about chimeric antigen receptor T-cell, known as CAR T-cell therapy and its use for myeloma patients. She also answers  questions submitted via LLS Community. Dr. Shelton stresses the importance and role of the healthcare team to develop trust with their patients in order to provide the best care and engage their patients from all backgrounds and cultures.

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Support for this episode provided by Amgen and Takeda.

The post Removing Mystery from Myeloma: The Truth About Transplant first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Marc Braunstein, a Board-certified hematologist, medical oncologist at NYU Winthrop in New York, NY. This is the second episode of five that will be part of ‘Removing Mystery from Myeloma‘  series. On this episode, Alicia and Lizette discuss the topics pertaining to myeloma patients and caregivers. Dr. Braunstein explains how a myeloma patient and caregiver should choose their hematologist, new treatment for myeloma and how it has evolved over the years, questions to ask one’s healthcare team, the importance of medication adherence, and how myeloma patients can build or maintain healthy bones.

To listen to the first episode of this series about diagnosing and treating, click here. Be sure to look out for our other 3 episodes from this series launching this month!

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Support for this episode provided by Amgen and Takeda.

The post Removing Mystery from Myeloma: Questions to ask, Bone Health and Clinical Trials first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with a young adult and Stage II Hodgkin lymphoma survivor, Merissa Pemberton. Having just finished her master’s degree, started her first full-time job, and moved into her first apartment on her own, Merissa believed life was finally settling down. After receiving an alarming call while on vacation, Merissa shares how her boyfriend (now husband), Jake, served as a tremendous pillar of strength during one of the most challenging times of her life. She explains how Jake, who was also in medical school, helped to remind her of her beauty, the fighter she truly is and ensured her that cancer would not ruin their relationship. They decided to navigate this cancer journey together, celebrating ‘the little things’. Listen in as Merissa shares how having a relationship where both people know when and how to be each other’s support system is crucial, as well as noticing when the other person may feel bombarded. Merissa now volunteers for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and is an active member in Pittsburgh’s Young Adult Cancer Support Group, known as YACS.

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Become a First Connection volunteer! Learn more by calling an LLS Information Specialist at (800) 955-4572, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET or visiting www.LLS.org/InformationSpecialists.

The post Dating with a Diagnosis: Merissa’s Story first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Join Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as they speak with Dr. Ann LaCasce, Program Director of the Dana-Farber/ Partners CancerCare Fellowship, the largest hematology/oncology training program in the country. On this episode, Dr. LaCasce explains the difference between chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), CLL and its connection with Agent Orange exposure, resources available for Veterans, current and emerging therapies, clinical trials and the importance of medication adherence. Dr. LaCasce shares her excitement for what is to come for CLL treatment and her appreciation for fellow providers around the world, who work to move science forward as they continue to learn from each other. 

You can listen to our other episode with Dr. LaCasce about CLL here.

Support for this episode provided by Pharmacyclics.

The post CLL: Risk Factors, Resources and Research first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Join Alicia and Shona from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as they speak with Dr. Racquel Innis-Shelton, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the University of Alabama Multiple Myeloma Clinic at the University of Alabama. This episode is the first of five that will be part of ‘Removing Mystery from Myeloma‘  series. On this episode, Dr. Innis-Shelton explains the difference between myeloma and multiple myeloma, risk factors that can affect someone’s chance of getting myeloma, signs and symptoms of myeloma, diagnosis and current and emerging treatments. Dr. Innis-Shelton also expounds on why it seems that myeloma seemingly takes longer to diagnosis and the role of ‘monoclonal gammopathy of unspecified significance’ (MGUS) within a myeloma patient. Dr. Innis-Shelton shares her concern for the low awareness of myeloma within the African-American population, especially with myeloma being the most common hematologic malignancy in African-Americans with twice the incidence of Caucasians. She strives to educate all patients about their myeloma diagnosis and stresses the importance of community and support along one’s cancer journey.

Be sure to look out for our other 4 episodes from this series in the upcoming months!

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Support for this episode provided by Amgen and Takeda.

The post Removing Mystery from Myeloma: Diagnosis & Treatment first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Listen in as Alicia and Lizette chat with Dr. Ann LaCasce, a Program Director of the Dana-Farber/ Partners CancerCare Fellowship, the largest hematology/oncology training program in the country. While studying pre-med, Dr. LaCasce took additional classes that piqued her interest in art history. After managing an art gallery in New York for five years and returning to medical school, she found that being visually oriented allowed her to approach hematology with creativity while caring for her patients. Join in as Dr. LaCasce discusses diagnosis and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small cell lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), the importance of patients feeling comfortable with their healthcare team and why she prefers the term ‘active surveillance’ over ‘watch and wait’ when monitoring a patient’s disease.

You can listen to our other episode with Dr. LaCasce about CLL here.

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Support for this episode provided by Pharmacyclics.

The post Understanding a CLL Diagnosis first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Join Alicia and Lizette as they speak with Dr. Robert Chen about the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Dr. Chen is a hematologist/oncologist at City of Hope in Duarte, California. On this episode, Dr. Chen explains the different variables taken into consideration when choosing the proper treatment for a MCL patient. He also discusses induction chemotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy, and stem cell transplantation, explaining that although allogeneic transplant is potentially curative, it’s important to understand why it should be approached with caution.

You can listen to our other episode with Dr. Chen about mantle cell lymphoma here.

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Support for this episode provided by AstraZeneca.

The post Treating Mantle Cell Lymphoma first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

November is Caregiver Awareness Month! On behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, we’d like to thank caregivers for their kindness in caring for their loved ones. Your dedication does not go unnoticed. On this episode, Alicia and Lizette speak with Dr. Marni Amsellem, a clinical psychologist who specializes in working with patients and caregivers who are adjusting to cancer and other health-related challenges, and looking to build their coping skills and resilience. Listen in as Alicia, Lizette and Dr. Amsellem speak about many caregiving topics including long-distance caregiving, emotional concerns, mental health, work-related issues, the importance of delegating tasks and more.

All month long, we’re encouraging patients and families to recognize the special caregivers in their lives. Simply share a photo of you with your caregiver on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with #LLScaregiver for a chance to win a caregiver swag bag.

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The post Coping as a Caregiver first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

With over 60 types of lymphomas, a lymphoma diagnosis can be very confusing.  Listen in as Alicia and Lizette speak with hematologist/oncologist Dr. Robert Chen from City of Hope in Duarte, California about mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). On this episode, they discuss how MCL is diagnosed, indolent vs aggressive lymphomas, and the importance of knowing what to research before attempting to learn about a diagnosis on your own. Dr. Chen also talks about how difficult it was to diagnosis MCL in the past but due to strides made in its molecular path, there has been significant progress in extending survival and improving therapy.

You can listen to our other episode with Dr. Chen about mantle cell lymphoma here.

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Support for this episode provided by AstraZeneca.

The post Mantle Cell Lymphoma: Indolent vs Aggressive first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Emotions are complex. We all can agree on that. On this episode, Alicia and Lizette speak with Julie Larson, a licensed clinical social worker who has spent her career working in oncology supportive care. Julie speaks about topics that arise within her own private practice with patients and caregivers. She addresses the fear of missing out (FOMO) and ways in which our emotions serve a very important purpose as one journeys through life with a diagnosis. She thoughtfully discusses the importance of appreciating now, the shock of a diagnosis, and redefining ‘control’ within each person’s life.

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The post All Emotions Serve a Purpose first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.