I Had Cancer

Dan was vacationing in Austria with his wife when he suffered a seizure and learned he had brain cancer. He recounts how Highmark helped him return to the US via an air ambulance and had Dan, 34, admitted to Allegheny General Hospital. Listen to Dan describe his brain surgery, performed while he was awake in order to preserve parts of the brain that control vision, speech and movement. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.”  If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to [email protected] with your name and phone number. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the participants and do not reflect the views or opinions of AHN, its subsidiaries or affiliates. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

Tom had his annual prostate exam and was told he had an aggressive form of cancer. He asked his AHN cancer specialist for a second opinion, and The Johns Hopkins Hospital called Tom the same day. Listen how his team of experts treats the prostate cancer while Tom finds support and confidence from his wife, family and church community. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.”  If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to [email protected] with your name and phone number. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the participants and do not reflect the views or opinions of AHN, its subsidiaries or affiliates. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

The Rev. Leslie Boone had no symptoms, but a routine colonoscopy revealed she had colorectal cancer. Listen as Leslie talks about how she never feared the disease, even as she endured procedures, chemotherapy and radiation. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.”  If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to [email protected] with your name and phone number. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the participants and do not reflect the views or opinions of AHN, its subsidiaries or affiliates. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

As an occupational therapy assistant, Sonny is used to caring for others. After having a routine mammogram that indicated she had breast cancer, the tables were turned, and she was now the patient. Sonny describes how she quickly received a treatment plan from her AHN team while her family and friends provided endless support through the entire journey. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.”  If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to [email protected] with your name and phone number. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the participants and do not reflect the views or opinions of AHN, its subsidiaries or affiliates. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jameson Taillon describes the fear he felt after discovering something wrong in his testicle and later receiving a cancer diagnosis.  He talks about his surgery, rehabilitation, and return to the mound just 5 weeks after surgery.  Jameson encourages other men to perform self-checks and stay in tune with their bodies. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.”  If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to [email protected] with your name and phone number. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the participants and do not reflect the views or opinions of AHN, its subsidiaries or affiliates. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

Lung cancer survivor Stephanie, 74, had a new doctor who recommended a baseline chest X-ray. That simple screening led to Stephanie’s robotic-assisted surgery. Hear how sharing her family story with her doctor helped save her life. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.”  If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to [email protected] with your name and phone number. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the participants and do not reflect the views or opinions of AHN, its subsidiaries or affiliates. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

Emily had a 2-year-old daughter when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 29. Emily has a rare genetic mutation, called Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, that puts her at higher risk for developing cancers and tumors. Currently in treatment for a brain tumor, she shares her details of her battle with laughter and humility. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.”  If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to [email protected] with your name and phone number. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the participants and do not reflect the views or opinions of AHN, its subsidiaries or affiliates. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

Corinne found a lump in her breast while on vacation with her family. The first call she made when they got home was to her doctor. Corinne reveals how genetic testing gave her information to make decisions about treatment. And, she’s still singing with the band. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to [email protected] with your name and phone number. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the participants and do not reflect the views or opinions of AHN, its subsidiaries or affiliates. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

About 10 days before her annual mammogram, Clare found a lump. With no family history of breast cancer, she waited until her appointment to mention it. With lots of good humor, Clare shares what happened next. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.”  If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to [email protected] with your name and phone number. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the participants and do not reflect the views or opinions of AHN, its subsidiaries or affiliates. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

Carol discovered a walnut-size lump in her breast and was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, which is rare and aggressive and carries a 20 percent chance of survival. Carol talks about how a clinical trial at AHN helped her beat the odds. She’s now living cancer free and leading a nonprofit organization to raise money for cancer research and connect others with clinical trials. The I Had Cancer podcast provides personal and truthful conversations with cancer survivors along their journeys. Each episode will feature a different person with their unique perspective on their own fight against cancer. They are sharing their story to help others who might be facing similar challenges and to say they went from “I Have Cancer” to “I Had Cancer.” If you would like to be a guest on a future I Had Cancer Podcast, send an email to [email protected] with your name and phone number. The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the participants and do not reflect the views or opinions of AHN, its subsidiaries or affiliates. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.