Episodes - The Bloodline with Blood Cancer United Podcast

Hearing the words, “you have cancer” rattles your core, regardless of who you are. 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 seeking to build their coping skills and resilience. Dr. Amsellem speaks about issues that are experienced by both newly diagnosed patients and patients who are further along in their survivorship. She addresses the individual differences regarding the way in which people seek information about their diagnosis, the rate of depression and anxiety amongst people with cancer and the importance of discussing mental and emotional health with one’s treatment team. Dr. Amsellem also touches on the cost of therapy and ways in which it could actually be more affordable than people realize.

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The post Cancer and Mental Health first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Young adult cancer survivors have unique needs, different from pediatric and adult patients. Live on June 21, 2018, the first ever Young Adult Cancer Action Day, listen in as Guest Speaker Shona Lovie, from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, speaks with Kate Houghton, President and CEO of Critical Mass of The Young Adult Cancer Alliance, and Sarah Milberg, Senior Manager of Federal Affairs at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Office of Public Policy in Washington, DC. June 21st is a special day because it marks the introduction of the first young adult cancer bill by Congress, HR2976, the Deferment for Active Cancer Treatment Act. This bill calls for federal student loan borrowers to be eligible for deferment while they are receiving treatment for cancer. On this episode, they discuss the importance of advocacy, who can be an advocate, the needs of young adult cancer survivors, and the work both organizations are doing to ensure that young adults not only have a voice, but an impact on issues pertaining to young adult cancer survivorship.

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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 Young Adult Cancer Action Day: Advocating for Young Adult Survivors first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Most people are aware of common side effects of cancer treatment such as nausea and hair loss. However, most people who undergo cancer treatment develop complications that affect the mouth. Listen in as Alicia and Lizette speak with Dentist Dr. Nevin Waters, who founded his own practice in 1975 with the goal of treating each patient as he would have a family member.  He is an active member of the American Dental Association and founder and board member of the Kansas Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped.  Dr. Waters speaks about his experience as a dentist, his diagnosis of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), the importance of dental hygiene and how cancer treatments can affect an individual’s dental and oral health.

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The post Dental Awareness within Cancer Care first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Many may be familiar with graft versus host disease (GVHD) however, veno-occlusive disease (VOD), otherwise known as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), is also one of the most frequently encountered complications after stem cell transplantation. Listen in as Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speak with Dr. Joseph Antin, Chief of the Stem Cell Transplant Program of the Department of Medical Oncology at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. On this episode they will discuss the difference between a bone marrow and stem cell transplant, treating VOD, autologous and allogeneic transplants, how doctors choose the cell source collected from the blood or the marrow that is best for the patient, VOD as it presents in pediatric and adult patients and interesting findings about herbal tea induced hepatic veno-occlusive disease.

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Support for this program provided by Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

The post Transplant & Veno-Occlusive Disease (VOD) first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Listen in as Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speak with psycho-oncologist, Elizabeth Harvey. Elizabeth works with and supports cancer patients, their families and caregivers throughout their cancer journey. Elizabeth has spent over 20 years working in research for cancer drug development and also worked alongside the late Dr. Jimmie Holland, a Founder of psycho-oncology. Elizabeth shines light on the fact that many times there is failure to address the psychosocial concerns that are associated with cancer. On this episode, she discusses the history of psycho-oncology, its purpose within the field of oncology, her work as a psycho-oncologist, and the support needed to help one cope with their cancer experience.

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The post Psycho-Oncology: Caring for Body & Mind first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Describing her life as a ‘storybook’, Kimberly Alexander shares with Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society how her world was turned upside down after her late husband and NFL linebacker Elijah was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. What began as pain in his feet, usually disregarded due to his active lifestyle, Elijah was later diagnosed with Stage III-B multiple myeloma at 35 years old. Kimberly describes her transition to ‘caregiver’, how she continues to maintain normalcy for their two young boys, and the importance of self-care and doing what you love in spite of change.

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Support for this episode provided by Amgen.

The post No Playbook for Caregiving: Kimberly’s Story first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Listen in as Guest Speaker, Shona Lovie, from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speaks with Founder of Stupid Cancer, Matthew Zachary onsite at CancerCon 2018 in Denver, Colorado. Film composer and concert pianist by the age of 21, Matthew was confident about what his next steps would be until life threw him the proverbial curve ball. After feeling strange sensations in his left arm and ignoring it for some time, while also being told it ‘was all in his head’, Matthew was floored when he learned he would need surgery on his brain for what was later diagnosed to be medulloblastoma, a cancerous tumor, also called cerebellar primitive. Matthew shares how this diagnosis changed his life and at time when he was supposed to be focused on the usual ‘hard things’ like high school, college, jobs, dating, a family, and buying a house, he was met with limited resources necessary for his age at a very challenging time of his life.

With 1.4 million young adult cancer survivors in America alone, Matthews shares that he began Stupid Cancer to let other young adult cancer survivors know that they are not alone and have resources available for them. Stupid Cancer addresses the main concerns for the young adult population (ages 15- 39) including mental health, social media, isolation, fear, anxiety, fertility and recurrence while also looking at the practical issues that are unique to this group regarding insurance, and employment. Looking back on how far Stupid Cancer has come, Matthew also shares their proudest moments.

CancerCon is the annual, international gathering, organized by Stupid Cancer, that brings together patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, and activists, along with oncology team professionals and the healthcare industry through a shared goal of improving young adult cancer health outcomes.

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Please comment below as we’d love to hear your feedback on this episode. Also, be sure to subscribe today to be notified of our next episode.

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 Live at CancerCon with Matthew Zachary: Founder of ‘Stupid Cancer’ first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Listen in as Guest Speaker, Shona Lovie, from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speaks with Heather Juliet, a young adult survivor and an attendee onsite at CancerCon 2018 in Denver, Colorado. Heather knew something was wrong for many years but each time she went to the doctor she was met with ‘you’re fine’, ‘you’re too young’, or ‘you’re too healthy’. When symptoms became severe, she was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma. Being in the health and wellness field and describing herself as ‘extremely healthy’, she was shocked by the news but also relieved to know that there was finally an explanation for the way she had been feeling. Realizing that finding survivorship resources was incredibly challenging, she was inspired and motivated to be that source for other survivors. She understands how it feels to be diagnosed and to have your life change so quickly and not knowing where to go first. She also shares how she made ‘finding herself again’ her goal by adjusting her mindset and intentionally creating a happy space around her. Taking yoga and seeing the impact it had on her own life, she decided to get certified so that she too can be a mentor and advocate for other cancer survivors.

CancerCon is the annual, international gathering, organized by Stupid Cancer, that brings together patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, and activists, along with oncology team professionals and the healthcare industry through a shared goal of improving young adult cancer health outcomes.

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Additional LLS Support Resources:

Please comment below as we’d love to hear your feedback on this episode. Also, be sure to subscribe today to be notified of future episodes.

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 Live at CancerCon with Heather Juliet: Young Adult Advocate & Mentor first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Listen in as Guest Speaker, Shona Lovie, from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speaks with Melanie Stachelski onsite at CancerCon 2018 in Denver, Colorado. Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at 29 years old after celebrating her first wedding anniversary, Melanie describes how staying in a good place mentally was one of her top priorities. Personally living through the reality that cancer patients need unique needs when it comes to mental health, she pursued a degree in counseling psychology, specializing in helping people through a cancer diagnosis. She explains how finding a right therapist takes time but is incredibly worth it. She also shares the needs of a cancer survivor compared to the general population and the various support resources that are available.

CancerCon is the annual, international gathering, organized by Stupid Cancer, that brings together patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, and activists, along with oncology team professionals and the healthcare industry through a shared goal of improving young adult cancer health outcomes.

Mentioned on this episode:

Additional LLS Support Resources:

Please comment below as we’d love to hear your feedback on this episode. Also, be sure to subscribe today to be notified of future episodes.

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 Live at CancerCon with Melanie Stachelski: Therapist & Young Adult Survivor first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.

Listen in as Guest Speaker, Shona Lovie, from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) speaks with Sara Davenport, a young adult survivor and Blood Cancer panelist, onsite at CancerCon 2018 in Denver, Colorado. Having been diagnosed with thyroid cancer first and later with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Sara talks about her journey, how she was introduced to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, fertility, long- term and late effects of cancer treatment, and the importance of patience during one’s journey. Sara also shares how she combats ‘survivorship guilt’ with the decision to live a life that strives to understand and help others as a way to ‘pay it forward’ and honor those who have passed.

CancerCon is the annual, international gathering, organized by Stupid Cancer, that brings together patients, survivors, caregivers, advocates, and activists, along with oncology team professionals and the healthcare industry through a shared goal of improving young adult cancer health outcomes.

Mentioned on this episode:

Additional LLS Support Resources:

Please comment below as we’d love to hear your feedback on this episode. Also, be sure to subscribe today to be notified of future episodes.

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 Live at CancerCon with Sara Davenport: Panelist & Young Adult Survivor first appeared on The Bloodline with LLS.