“[When] you know that your life is a risk, that you’re gonna die and if you don’t [then] it’s a miracle… you change and you find the value of what really matters.” Glioblastoma changes things not just for the diagnosed patient, but for everyone around them, and it can be easy to lose hope when faced with its incurable nature. This wasn’t the case for Chef Lorena Garcia and her family, however. When glioblastoma hit her brother Carlos, they hit back harder with faith and food. A world-renowned culinary master and owner of multiple restaurants, Chef Lorena Garcia is a firm believer that food heals more than the body. She is joining Amber Barbach on Glioblastoma aka GBM to talk about how food intersects with physical and spiritual health, her experience as a caregiver, and how glioblastoma changed her family’s life.

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Chef Lorena Garcia, alongside the University of Miami and the GBMRO, have launched a brain cancer research project named Project Garcia, in honor of her brother Carlos. The project aims to improve treatment methods and options with novel research. 

Resources

Chef Lorena Garcia on the Web | Twitter

As always, the information that is discussed in Glioblastoma AKA GBM is not meant to treat or diagnose any disease. What we and our guests share are personal stories of what has worked for the individuals in question, and should not be taken as medical advice or opinion, and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have any questions about your own situation, always consult with your medical provider and healthcare team.

“We really have to focus our efforts on blood brain barrier permeability - bypassing the blood brain barrier and then navigating the immune suppression of GBM.” There are many biological obstacles in the way of finding better ways to control, or even cure glioblastoma, says neurosurgeon Dr. John Boockvar, but hope is on the horizon. He is an internationally recognized professional known for his surgical expertise and safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment for brain tumors, as well as a main character in Netflix’s medical docuseries, Lenox Hill. He is joining Amber Barbach on Glioblastoma aka GBM to talk about his experience as a doctor treating glioblastoma, how the associated technologies work, and what moving forward looks like.

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Dr. Boockvar is laser-focused in his approach to brain tumors. He’s working with several people to combine MRI, ultrasound, and intra-arterial drug delivery technology to create an MRI guided focused ultrasound.  

Resources

Lenox Hill Neurosurgery

Dr. John Boockvar on LinkedIn

As always, the information that is discussed in Glioblastoma AKA GBM is not meant to treat or diagnose any disease. What we and our guests share are personal stories of what has worked for the individuals in question, and should not be taken as medical advice or opinion, and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have any questions about your own situation, always consult with your medical provider and healthcare team.

“We want all the answers, but that’s why we’re raising awareness: in hopes that we do get to that point where we get these answers for all of us that have questions.” This is a common sentiment among patients with Glioblastoma and their families, especially for Laura Dill, CEO of Slay Society. She is the daughter of parents who were diagnosed with Glioblastoma within 14 days of each other. She is joining Amber Barbach on Glioblastoma aka GBM to talk about her experience as their caregiver, how she coped during their treatment and after their deaths, and how her father’s advice for handling problems became the name of her nonprofit.

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Laura’s nonprofit, Slay Society, has finally been approved as a charity. Their mission is to raise money to support caregivers of patients with Glioblastoma, because caregivers are just as important as their patients - it’s a team effort that helps everyone weather the storm. She encourages listeners to learn to accept help from whoever they can.

Resources

Slay Society

Laura Dill on Instagram

As always, the information that is discussed in Glioblastoma AKA GBM is not meant to treat or diagnose any disease. What we and our guests share are personal stories of what has worked for the individuals in question, and should not be taken as medical advice or opinion, and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have any questions about your own situation, always consult with your medical provider and healthcare team.

“I feel like the luckiest dude in the world.” Maybe not a statement you would expect from someone with brain cancer, but it is how DJ Stewart, star of the documentary Rare Enough has felt at times since his diagnosis. He is a long term Glioblastoma Survivor, and he is joining Amber Barbach on Glioblastoma aka GBM to talk about his journey, and what he has learned along the way.

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What’s Next?

DJ plans to make a living in bran cancer advocacy and mental health awareness. His biggest reward has been the thousands of people that have reached out - and “There's nothing cooler than being able to help somebody who is going through some shit.” He reminds us to always find the positives. 

Resources

Rare Enough

DJ Stewart on the web, Twitter

As always, the information that is discussed in Glioblastoma AKA GBM is not meant to treat or diagnose any disease. What we and our guests share are personal stories of what has worked for the individuals in question, and should not be taken as medical advice or opinion, and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have any questions about your own situation, always consult with your medical provider and healthcare team.

In this inagural episode of Glioblastoma aka GBM, host and founder of the Glioblastoma Research Organization Amber Barbach shares the story of how Glioblastoma has affected her life. After her father passed from the disease, she was inspired to help others navigating the challening waters of the disease and created the Glioblastoma Research Organization to help fund critical research into treatments and cures, and provide a community for people affected by it.

If you or a loved one are suffering from Glioblastoma, you are not alone, and this podcast exists to help open up conversations about the realities of the illness, from diagnosis onwards, by talking to members of the community; survivors, healthcare providers, caregivers and others. Please join us - and subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts.