The transcript for the new introduction is here.

My niece Jenessa Schwartz died on November 1, 2023, after living with a stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis since March, 2017. She was 41 years old.

This is a rebroadcast of our podcast conversation from 2019, with an updated introduction.

We talked in detail about the early days of her diagnosis, many of the various treatments she endured, and the effects of surgery and chemo on her spirits. We also talked about what it was like to discuss her cancer with her young kids, and how she embraced a new relationship amid this major transition in her life.

If you have any GI symptoms you’re suspicious about, at any age, talk to your doctor about getting a colonoscopy. And if you’re 45 or older, even with no symptoms, it’s time to schedule your first screening colonoscopy. If you detect colon cancer early, it’s very treatable. Get on that.

If you’d like to learn more about Jenessa Schwartz, please read her truly wonderful blogs:

My Colon Cancer: Semicolon, Not Full Stop
about her experience as a stage 4 cancer thriver

and Womb For Hire  about becoming a gestational surrogate to two beautiful kids.

There is also a lovely obituary written by Leslie Katz for J. The Jewish News of Northern California.

We love you, Ness.

is the host and producer of And The Next Thing You Know. She's a podcaster, writer, content marketer, and ever-aspiring creative noodler.