Life (After Cancer)

On this episode, Jenna of the Boob Cancer talks to John Taylor of the Ball Cancer (it's like a post-cancer Game of Thrones episode) about the one thing you really don't want your doctor to say when she's looking at your nuts, mental health issues, going back to school when you still have chemo brain, online support groups, marriage, children, scanxiety, and much more. Oh, and talking to your mom about your nuts. Yeah, things get real really fast when you're diagnosed with testicular cancer at age 29.  

Oh, first, a warm fuzzy moment: this episode's guest makes one thing very clear--no matter how the world is making you feel, there are a lot of good people out there. Johnny T is one of the most open and generous with his story people I've come across. He's also generous with his time, offering other cancer survivors and patients, and people grappling with mental health issues a word or 2,000 of support when they reach out on Twitter. In 25 years as a writer, I have interviewed a lot of people. I am frequently very grateful that regular people are willing to trust their words and stories with me. This interview with Johnny T just grabbed a spot high on that list of "damn, I am very lucky I got to talk to that one." 

Show notes: 

Enjoy your time with Johnny T? Go hang out with him on Twitter. Or on his blog, This is Johnny T.

For more information about testicular cancer, visit the Testicular Cancer Foundation website. And parents! Talk to your boys about their nuts. Testicular cancer most often rears its ugly little cells between the ages of 15 and 34. Encourage boys to know their nuts. Seriously. Stop blushing. Have the talk.

Want more time with me? I know! Who wouldn't? Chat me up on Twitter at @AfterCancerPod. Or join the Life (After Cancer) Facebook group.

Want to suggest--or volunteer--to be a guest on a future episode? Or just send questions or comments or ideas for future shows? Send me an email at [email protected].

Episode music: Retrosoul by Bensound and Pat Dog by Blue Dot Sessions.

Jenna talks to writer Nicole Stellon O'Donnell, whose daughter was diagnosed with cancer at 8 years old, about parenting during and after cancer. The conversation wanders across plenty of territory, from being the anti-helicopter parent, the fetishization of cancer in society, being your child's "chemo butler," and, of course, dogs (in this case, a corgi). And the episode isn't just for cancer kid's caregivers, there's plenty to think about whether you're a parent or other kid-adjacent or cancer-adjacent person, a cancer patient, survivor, cancer civilan, caregiver, or friend. Or if you just want to listen in as two women talk about some of the big stuff--and tumble around (and laugh about) some of the odd and hard things people go through.